There are several ways that you may enhance the grades earned on examinations and essays.  They include:

• Class participation.  Students who regularly contribute to class discussions will be rewarded.

• Active involvement in the simulations.  Active involvement will make the simulations more enjoyable and informative as well as helping your grade.

• Extra credit assignments.  Extra credit opportunities may be available from time to time.  Specifics will be announced as opportunities occur.

• Attendance.  A record of each student's attendance will be kept, and students who maintain a good attendance record will be rewarded. 

ADDITIONAL POLICIES

1.   Absences for examinations and simulations.  While attendance is expected for all classes, it is mandatory for examinations and simulation sessions.  If an examination or simulation session is missed, a harsh penalty will be imposed unless written verification is submitted to document that the absence was for a legitimate reason.  Legitimate reasons include illness severe enough to require professional treatment, death in the immediate family, participation in University activities, and legal obligations.  Make-up assignments will be given at the instructor's discretion.  A student with more than six unexcused absences may be dropped from the class at the instructor’s discretion.

2. Lateness for class.  It is rude and disruptive to arrive late for class.  While anyone can be a minute or two late on rare occasions (say, once during the term), chronic lateness is unacceptable.  Everyone is expected to be in class on time.  The door will close very soon after the start of class, and late arrivals may be locked out.  To avoid problems and the embarrassment of being locked out, arrive on time.

3. Proper behavior in class.  All students at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment.  (See the Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct.)  Besides arriving on time, these tenets include the following:

·         not leaving the room during class except for major emergencies; use the restroom before, not during, class.

·         being attentive during class; having personal conversations, doing work for another class, sending text messages, surfing the Internet, listening to music, or reading personal materials is unacceptable.

·         not eating, wearing hooded garments, or engaging in personal grooming during class.

·         using laptops only to take notes.

·         turning off cell phones and all other electronic devices and putting them away (except for laptops being used to take notes); if your cell phone goes off during class, it may be taken from you.

·         showing respectful tolerance for views other than your own; a university is a place for thoughtful exchange of ideas; there is no justification for disrespectful behavior when someone else is speaking. 

       4.  Students with disabilities.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination law that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.  Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.  If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services, Gee Library, Room 132, 903-886-5835/5150, StudentDisabilityServices@tamu-commerce.edu.

ADVICE FOR STUDENTS

1. Be sure you have and keep the syllabus, assignment instructions, handouts, and other materials.

2. Follow instructions carefully for each assignment.

3. Submit your work on time.  It is painful for me to see a student’s grade suffer because he or she submitted an assignment late or not at all.  Late penalties are damaging.  Zeroes are often devastating.  Do not punish yourself by failing to submit a required paper.

4. Neatly type papers in clear, correct English.

5. When extra credit opportunities are offered, take advantage of them.

6. Come to class.  If possible, sit near the front of the room.  Do not hesitate to seek recognition to make a comment or ask a question.

7. Be attentive and take notes during class.  Research shows that students who take careful notes do better than those who do not.

8. Follow the news.  Topics from the news will often come up in class, and your learning will be enhanced if you’re aware of the context of news references.  With the vast number of news sources, including high-quality websites, current events can be followed at your convenience.

9. Feel free to visit with me.  If you are having problems or concerns in class, see me at once.  The longer you delay, the harder it will be to address your needs.  I want you to succeed, and I will work with you in developing strategies appropriate for your situation.  But I cannot help if I'm not informed of your concerns.  So please come in.

10. Don't feel that you must have a problem to drop by my office.  If you want to pursue topics raised in class in additional depth, or it there are subjects we didn't get to that you find interesting, or if you're considering majoring or minoring in political science, or if you just want to chat, please stop by.  I'm not hard to find, and I'd be glad to visit with you.

11. A good way to reach me is via e-mail (Paul_Lenchner@tamu-commerce.edu).  I will make every effort to respond promptly to messages.