This document is required reading for all students in my classes--graduate and undergraduate.  In meeting my responsibilities as your instructor, the following information is provided to insure that all students are aware of my policies regarding course work.  It would behoove you to print this document, read it carefully, and bookmark it for future reference.

There are no "excused" or "unexcused" absences since all students receive two "freebies." In other words, if the "beach beckons" on a beautiful day and you choose to use your free absences for recreational purposes, do not expect to be excused later in the semester when you catch a cold from those cool beach breezes!

Office Hours: My office hours for the semester are posted at the top of the syllabus and on my office door.  I am also happy to make other appointments with students at a mutually acceptable time.

E-Mail:  Due to the increasing amount of spam and the spread of computer viruses, I will only use FIU email addresses in communicating with students and I will only answer mail from FIU addresses.  It has become my practice to compile an email address list for each class and I regularly use that list to notify the class of new on-line material, relevant current events, examination reviews, hints and cues for assignments, or answers to questions that might be relevant to the entire class.  My message to you is to get signed on to your FIU email address (it is free) and make it a practice to check your FIU mail daily.

Students at FIU are assigned university email addresses for several good reasons:  the university can quickly and easily communicate with everyone in the event of an emergency; students can find out what's going on at FIU through a daily university mail digest; Student Government can contact you with information that impacts you directly; the university can limit the spread of viruses; and professors know that incoming mail is from a student.  

Finally, feel free to e-mail me with non-complex queries, but show that you have taken some initiative in resolving your problem or question.  Use a subject line that tells me that your message is relevant to me.  And remember, grammatical accuracy is a reflection on you even in your email correspondence.  Please realize that I, too, have a life beyond the classroom.  Forty-eight working hours (2 weekdays) is not an unreasonable time to await a response to your email message.  If you have not heard from me after 2 weekdays, then please email again as it probably did not get through.  

By Telephone and Voice Mail:  You can call me anytime--day or night--at my university phone number (305 348.3301).  I have voice mail on my office phone and you can leave a message.  If you leave a voice mail message, please speak clearly and slowly.  Leave YOUR NAME and a phone number where I can reach you, day or evening. You might even want to repeat the phone number to be sure it is understood.  I will not return calls to beepers.

Class discussions are expected to be civil, rational and respectful of others' opinions.  Inappropriate remarks, personal attacks and disruptive classroom behavior violate the Student Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated.

Food and drink are prohibited in the classrooms.  Please avail yourself only of bottled water during class.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS In accordance with university policy, I recognize that various religious holy days occur throughout the academic year and I am willing to work with students to insure that no conflict exists between their obligations to a higher being and their course work. Please advise me at least two weeks prior to the holy day of any restrictions that you will be observing that potentially conflict with your attendance or assignments.

I reserve the right to lower a student's final grade in the course by half a letter grade should she/he be unprepared for class, and likewise, raise a student's final grade by half a letter grade should that student stand out as an active and quality participant.

ASSIGNMENTS All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates noted on the syllabus. Late papers are not accepted except in the event of an emergency that is beyond your control and subject to my discretion. Printer/computer failures that occur the night before a paper is due are within your control, by the way, since you really should not have left your work for the very last minute. I will not accept assignments via FAX machine or as an email or email attachment; don't ask.  Only assignments designated as e-mail work will be accepted in that format.

Papers should be typed, double-spaced with no more than a 1 inch margin on all sides. Please staple your papers and do not add any additional blank pages or title pages to your work. Your name fits very nicely at the top margin of the first page. All bibliographic references, citations, and notes should be included using an academic citation style of your choice. The style you choose to follow should be included in your bibliography or end matter for my reference (Turabian, MLA, APA, Chicago. etc.).

I recommend that you purchase or consult either Student's Guide for Writing College Papers or A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian.  For grammatical techniques, I recommend The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr..  All of these works are readily available through on-line book sellers and in major bookstores.

EXAMINATIONS For in-class examinations, you should purchase the designated number of LARGE blue books at the bookstore or pick up free ones from your Student Government Association (3d floor, GC). Do not write anything (including your name) on or in these exam books prior to the exam. Please bring a pen to class for examinations--do not use pencil. Exams will be short answer and essay unless otherwise noted.

EMERGENCIES Should you find yourself in an unexpected and uncontrollable predicament that requires you to be absent for more than two classes, please contact me and be prepared to supply documentation upon your return. Circumstances such as jury duty, extended hospitalization or a death in the immediate family are events that you should make me aware of immediately by leaving a message on my answering machine. Cruises or trips to Disney World are not emergencies.

INCOMPLETES Incompletes are only given in the event of an emergency that is beyond your control. I have complete discretion in awarding such a grade and I do it rarely. Incompletes are only given when circumstances prevent you from finishing a course for which you have completed the bulk of the work.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES The university publishes as part of the school calendar/student handbook a section on "Student Rights and Responsibilities." It is incumbent that you be aware of your formal rights as well as your responsibilities as a college student. These manuals are available in GC 340 and copies for your reading/reference are also available in my office and the political science department.

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM I am well aware of the fact that there are a range of sources that you might consult in preparing your work for this course. I, too, surf the Internet, search out book reviews, and access all the wonderful information out there that makes it easier to "digest" my reading. But be advised--unless specifically noted, I expect your work in this course to be your own. Do the work I ask you to do. Don't take the intellectual short cut. Test your ideas. Who knows...they're probably better than that undergraduate book review posted on a that non-descript web site that you think Dr. Salokar will never find.

For your own benefit, insure that you understand your responsibilities with reference to academic misconduct. Plagiarism or the presentation of someone else's work/ideas as your own (to include paraphrasing without footnoting) violates the very precepts of the academic lifestyle. As members of the academic community, our ideas are the most precious asset we have to call our own. Stealing these ideas is the equivalent of taking someone's salary. Academic misconduct of any type will not be tolerated and I will investigate any evidence thereof, and pursue the most severe sanction--expulsion from the university.