Honor Code
Every student has a role in maintaining the academic reputation of the university. It is imperative that you refrain from engaging in plagiarism, cheating, falsifying your work and/or assisting other students in violating the Honor Code.

Two important components of the Honor Code:

• Faculty members are required to report potential violations of the Honor Code to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.
• When a student is uncertain as to whether conduct would violate the Honor Code, it is their responsibility to seek clarification from the appropriate faculty member.

To clarify your understanding of the Honor Code, use these resources:

• Academic Integrity Tutorial [video]
• Instructor’s office hours
• The Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Student Success Center
• The Writing Center
• University Libraries: Citation Basics

Your enrollment in this class signifies your willingness to accept these responsibilities and uphold the Honor Code of the University of South Carolina. Please review the Honor Code Policies. Any deviation from this expectation can result in a (insert academic penalty here) and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.

Carolinian Creed
The community of scholars at the University of South Carolina is dedicated to personal and academic excellence.  Choosing to join the community obligates each member to the Carolinian Creed. Academic and civil discourse are the cornerstones of the educational system and crucial to individual growth.

As a Carolinian:

• I will practice personal and academic integrity;
• I will respect the rights and dignity of all persons;
• I will respect the rights and property of others;
• I will discourage bigotry, while striving to learn from differences in people, ideas and opinions;
• I will demonstrate concern for others, their feelings and their need for conditions which support their work and development.

Copyright Syllabus Language
Lectures and course materials (which is inclusive of my presentations, tests, exams, outlines, and lecture notes) maybe protected by copyright. You are encouraged to take notes and utilize course materials for your own educational purpose. However, you are not to reproduce or distribute this content without my expressed written permission. This includes sharing course materials to online social study sites like CourseHero and other services. Students who publicly reproduce, distribute or modify course content maybe in violation of the university’s Honor Code’s Complicity policy, which states: sharing academic work with another student (either in person or electronically) without the permission of the instructor.

To best understand the parameters around copyright and intellectual property review ACAF 1.33 "Intellectual Property Policy".

Collaboration
A student’s grades are to represent to what extent that individual student has mastered the course content. You should assume that you are to complete course work individually (without the use of another person or un-cited outside source) unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. It is your responsibility to seek clarification if you are unclear about what constitutes proper or improper collaboration.

Lab Assignments
In this course students will complete lab assignments with a partner. You are encouraged to work together to complete the data collection. However, all lab reports must be the work of the individual student and may not be copied from another student’s work, the text or any other source. Any discussion with your lab partner should be limited to general terms and big picture concepts. Avoid sharing your lab report with other students electronically.

Reusing Course Materials

• The use of previous semester course materials is not allowed in this course. This applies to homework, projects, quizzes and tests. Because these aids are not available to all students within the course, their use by any individual student undermines the fundamental principles of fairness and disrupts your professor’s ability to accurately evaluate your work. Any potential violations will be forwarded to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity for review.
• The use of previous semester course materials is allowed in this course. Keep in mind that they may serve as helpful teaching tools, but they are not guidelines for how you should complete your work this semester.

Usage of Artificial Intelligence

As a partner in your learning, it is important to both of us that any assignment submission is a pure reflection of your work and understanding.  The introduction of artificial intelligence options to complete academic work jeopardizes my ability to evaluate your understanding of our course content and robs you of the ability to master the subject matter.   

Suspicions of use of artificial intelligence aids will be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity as alleged violations of Cheating, defined as “unauthorized assistance in connection with any academic work” and/or Falsification, which includes “Misrepresenting or misleading others with respect to academic work or misrepresenting facts for an academic advantage”. 

For more information, visit Artificial Intelligence on the  Student Conduct and Academic Integrity website.

Blackboard and Technology

As a student in this course, you have access to support from the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) for Blackboard and computer issues. The service desk can be reached at 803-777-1800.

Student Success Center
In partnership with University of South Carolina faculty, the Student Success Center (SSC) offers a number of programs to assist you in better understanding your course material and to aid you on your path to success. SSC programs are facilitated by professional staff, graduate students, and trained undergraduate peer leaders who have previously excelled in their courses. Resources available to students in this course may include:

• Peer Tutoring: You can make a one-on-one appointment with a Peer Tutor by going to www.sc.edu/success. Drop-in Tutoring and Online Tutoring may also be available for this course. Visit our website for a full schedule of times, locations, and courses.
• Supplemental Instruction (SI): SI Leaders are assigned to specific sections of courses and hold three weekly study sessions. Sessions focus on the most difficult content being covered in class. The SI Session schedule is posted through the SSC website each week and will also be communicated in class by the SI Leader.
• Peer Writing: Improve your college-level writing skills by bringing writing assignments from any of your classes to a Peer Writing Tutor. Similar to Tutoring, you can visit the website to make an appointment, and to view the full schedule of available drop-in hours and locations.
• Success Consultations: In Success Consultations, SSC staff assist students in developing study skills, setting goals, and connecting to a variety of campus resources. Throughout the semester, your instructor may communicate with the SSC via Success Connect, an online referral system, regarding your progress in the course. If contacted by the SSC, please schedule a Success Consultation. Success Connect referrals are not punitive and any information shared by your professor is confidential and subject to FERPA regulations.

SSC services are offered to all USC undergraduates at no additional cost. You are invited to call the Student Success Hotline at (803) 777-1000, visit the Student Success Center or come to the SSC in the Thomas Cooper Library on the Mezzanine Level to check schedules and make appointments. 

University Libraries Resources

• University Libraries has access to books, articles, subject specific resources, citation help, and more. If you are not sure where to start, please Ask a Librarian!  You can also Book a Librarian for a personal research consultation.
• Remember that if you use anything that is not your own writing or media (quotes from books, articles, interviews, websites, movies – everything) you must cite the source in MLA (or other appropriate and approved) format.

Writing Center

This course has many of writing assignments. The University Writing Center is an important resource you should use! It's open to help any USC student needing assistance with a writing project at any stage of development. The main Writing Center is in Byrnes 703.

Example
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, contact the Student Disability Resource Center: 777-6142, TDD 777-6744, email sadrc@mailbox.sc.edu, or stop by Close-Hipp Suite 102. All accommodations must be approved through the Student Disability Resource Center. 

Example
Amendments and changes to the syllabus, including evaluation and grading mechanisms, are possible. The instructor must initiate any changes. Changes to the grading and evaluation scheme must be voted on by the entire class and approved only with unanimous vote of all students present in class on the day the issue is decided. The lecture schedule and reading assignments (daily schedule) will not require a vote and may be altered at the instructor's discretion. Grading changes that unilaterally and equitably improve all students' grades will not require a vote. Once approved, amendments will be distributed in writing to all students via Blackboard.

Example 1
Assignments are always due before class starts on the day noted. Late assignments will be accepted only in cases of emergency.

Example 2
Assignments are due at times specified by the instructor. Usually, lab reports will be due at the beginning of class. If an assignment is not handed in on time, even by a minute, then it is late. Points are taken off as follows: Up to 24 hours from the due date = -10 points; 24 to 48 hours late = -20 points; 48 to 72 hours late = -30 points; More than 72 hours late = -50 points. However, late assignments will not be accepted if they have already been graded and returned to the other students.

Example 3
All assignments should be submitted using Blackboard's "submit assignment" link. Except for the last assignment and the final project, all assignments are due on Friday at 11:59 pm. Assignments lose 20% of their point value per day late and will be counted as if the whole assignment was submitted at the time of the latest timestamp present.

Face-to-Face Course

Example 1:

When you miss class, you miss important information. If you are absent, you are responsible for learning material covered in class. If you have an excused absence, you will be permitted to make up coursework or complete an equivalent assignment agreed upon with me.

To arrange excuses for absences that can be anticipated at the start of the term, you should:

• Submit a request in writing (email is acceptable) stating the dates of the anticipated absence no later than the end of the second week of the course.
• Explain the reason for absence. In some cases, documentation may be required. Please consult the attendance policy for additional information.
• Include any request for make-up work.

To arrange excuses for absences that cannot be anticipated at the start of the term, (e.g. legal proceedings or illness), you should, at the first opportunity, submit in writing a request stating:

• The date of absence
• The reason for absence. In some cases, documentation may be required. Please consult the attendance policy for additional information.
• Any request for make-up work as soon as reasonably possible after you become aware of the need to be absent.

Since this course meets three times a week for 50 minutes, you are allowed two unexcused absences. Your grade will be lowered by one letter for each unexcused absence after two unexcused absences.

Example 2:

Please look ahead in the course schedule section of the syllabus to determine if you need to miss class for an excusable reason and notify me by week two of the course. If you have an excused absence, you will be permitted to make up coursework. Everyone is permitted one unexcused absence without the deduction of points from the participation grade. If you do not use the unexcused absence, 10 extra credit points will be added to your participation grade. Refer to the attendance policy for additional information.

Example 3:

Class presence and participation points are given to encourage your active class participation and discussion. You will be rewarded with a high score (see rubric below) as long as you frequently come to class and/or actively contribute to the discussion during class times. Participation in weekly discussion sessions will be graded on the following scale:

• Unexcused absence = 0 points
• In class, but asleep or obsessed w/laptop or phone = 1 point
• In class, but silent or ill prepared = 2 points
• In class and making an okay contribution = 3 points
• In class and making quality contributions = 4 points
• In class, but your cell phone rings = −3 points

I recommend reviewing the University’s Attendance Policy.

Synchronous Online Course

Example 1:

When you miss class at the scheduled class time, you miss interactive sessions and small group discussions. If you are absent from Blackboard Collaborate Ultra sessions, you are responsible for viewing the recording of the session. If you have an excused absence, you will be permitted to make up coursework or complete an equivalent assignment agreed upon with me.

To arrange excuses for absences that can be anticipated at the start of the term, you should:

• Submit a request in writing (email is acceptable) stating the dates of the anticipated absence no later than the end of the second week of the course.
• Explain the reason for absence. In some cases, documentation may be required. Please consult the attendance policy for additional information.
• Include any request for make-up work.

To arrange excuses for absences that cannot be anticipated at the start of the term, (e.g. legal proceedings or illness), you should, at the first opportunity, submit in writing a request stating:

• The date of absence
• The reason for absence. In some cases, documentation may be required. Consult the attendance policy for additional information.
• Any request for make-up work as soon as reasonably possible after you become aware of the need to be absent

Since this course meets two times a week for 75 minutes, you are allowed one unexcused absence. You will be penalized 5 points on your overall course grade for each unexcused absence after one unexcused absence.

Example 2:

Please look ahead in the course schedule section of the syllabus to determine if you need to miss a virtual session on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for an excusable reason and notify me by the second week of the course. If you have an excused absence, you will be permitted to make up coursework. Everyone is permitted two unexcused absences without the deduction of points from the participation grade. If you do not use the unexcused absences, 10 extra credit points will be added to your participation grade. Consult the attendance policy for additional information.

Example 3:

Active participation is an essential part of this course. Small group discussions, participating in Kahoot! review sessions and other class activities will be factored into your participation grade. Engaging in online discussions on Blackboard will also be factored into your participation grade. If you have concerns, questions, or need a special accommodation, contact me as soon as possible so that an appropriate plan can be made for you. Be sure to review the University’s Attendance Policy.

Asynchronous Online Course

Example 1:

Success in this course is dependent on your active participation throughout the semester. You are expected to log into Blackboard several times a week and complete course assignments. Even if your work is completed, you still need to login to ensure that you have seen all announcements, etc. It is your responsibility to check updates related to the course. Attendance will be taken based on your completion of course assignments. You will receive a 0 on all missed assignments unless you have a valid excuse.

If you miss an assignment and have a valid excuse, you will be permitted to make up the assignment or complete an equivalent assignment agreed upon with me. Requests for completing work after the due date that can be anticipated at the start of the term, i.e. authorized university activities and religious observances, should be emailed to me no later than the end of the second week of the course. Consult the attendance policy for additional information.

Example 2:

Participation is an integral part of this course. If you do not participate in the course, you will not be successful. Simply logging into Blackboard is not sufficient. Class participation includes: engaging in weekly blogs, completing monthly journals, asking and answering questions on the discussion board, completing weekly quizzes and writing reflection papers. I recommend reviewing the University’s Attendance Policy.

Situations Exempt from the Unexcused Absence 5% Rule

Example 1:

Attendance is required in this course. Since this course is a clinical course, the “Unexcused Absence 5% Rule” does not apply. You will be penalized one letter grade for each unexcused absence. Review the University Attendance Policy for more information regarding excused and unexcused absences.

Example 2:

Attendance in this laboratory course is mandatory. You will be penalized one letter grade for each unexcused absence the first two times that you are absent. A third absence will result in an 'F' for the course. Review the attendance policy for more information.

I will cite and/or reference any materials that I use in this course that I do not create. You, as students, are expected to not distribute any of these materials, resources, quizzes, tests, homework assignments, etc. (whether graded or ungraded).

Counseling Services

 The University offers counseling and crisis services as well as outreach services, self-help, and frequently asked questions

Example 1
In order to learn, we must be open to the views of people different that ourselves. In this time we share together over the semester, please honor the uniqueness of your fellow classmates and appreciate the opportunity we have to learn from one another. Please respect each others’ opinions and refrain from personal attacks or demeaning comments of any kind. Finally, remember to keep confidential all issues of a personal or professional nature that are discussed in class.

Example 2
In addition to scheduling exams, I have attempted to avoid conflicts with major religious holidays. If, however, I have inadvertently scheduled an exam or major deadline that creates a conflict with your religious observances, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can make other arrangements.

Example 1
All cell phones and pagers are to be turned off or silenced during class (not on vibrate). All cell phones are to be put away out of view during class; there is no text messaging, web browsing, etc, during class. There will be no eating during class time. Failure to adhere to these classroom rules may result in your being dismissed from class and/or an academic penalty.

Example 2
Please be respectful of each other, the instructor, and any guest presenters while in class. We are all here to learn! Any disrespectful or disruptive behavior may result in your referral to the Office of Student Judicial Programs.

Example
The instructor is expected to facilitate learning, to answer questions appropriately, to be fair and objective in grading, to provide timely and useful feedback on assignments, to maintain adequate office hours, and to treat students as he would like to be treated in their place.

Example
Students who are absent from any final examination will be given the grade of F on the course if they have not offered an excuse acceptable to the instructor. Re-examinations for the purpose of removing an F or raising a grade are not permitted. If the absence is excused, students will be assigned a grade of I, and may complete the course under the conditions specified by the instructor in the "Assignment of Incomplete Grade" form. A student with excused absence from a final examination in one semester may take the deferred examination at the next regular examination period provided the examination is taken at the convenience of the professor. The examination must be taken within one calendar year from the time the absence was incurred. Deferred examinations will be granted only in case of absence certified as unavoidable because of documented illness or other cause, rendering attendance at final examinations impossible.

You may be assigned an 'I' (Incomplete) grade if you are unable to complete some portion of the assigned course work because of an unanticipated illness, accident, work-related responsibility, family hardship, or verified learning disability. An Incomplete grade is not intended to give you additional time to complete course assignments or extra credit unless there is indication that the specified circumstances prevented you from completing course assignments on time.

Example
The course will be taught using multiple instructional methods. These methods will include lecture, group discussion and oral presentations with an associated critical discussion. Typically, course topics will be introduced via a 2-3 lecture format incorporating interpretive discussions. Directly following the lecture presentation, students will receive an article from the primary literature that either illustrates current research into the topic or explore a related or relevant additional concept. Literature discussions will utilize small group discussions following by classroom presentation and discussion.

Interpersonal violence - including sexual harassment, relationship violence, sexual assault, and stalking - is prohibited at USC. Faculty, staff, and administrators encourage anyone experiencing interpersonal violence to speak with someone, so they can get the necessary support and USC can respond appropriately. If you or someone you know has been or is currently impacted by interpersonal violence, you can find the appropriate resources at the Stop Interpersonal Violence website.

As faculty, I must report all incidents of interpersonal violence and sexual misconduct, and thus cannot guarantee confidentiality. Please know that you can seek Confidential Victim Advocacy and Support. If you want to make a formal report, you can Submit an Interpersonal Violence Incident Report or contact the institution’s Title IX Coordinator, or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators listed on the Stop Sexual Assault website. You can also file a police report by contacting USC Police at 803-777-4215.

If stress is impacting you or getting in the way of your ability to do your schoolwork, maintain relationships, eat, sleep, or enjoy yourself, please reach out to any of our mental health resources. Most of these services are offered at no cost as they are covered by the Student Health Services tuition fee.  For all available mental health resources, check out Student Health Services Mental Health and the quick reference list below. 

• Wellness Coaching can help you improve in areas related to emotional and physical wellbeing (e.g., sleep, resiliency, balanced eating and more) – schedule an appointment at (803) 777-6518 or on MyHealthSpace.
• Access virtual self-help modules via Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) – see TAO registration instructions.
• Access additional articles and videos on health and wellness topics on the Wellness Hub, thriveatcarolina.com, or by downloading the CampusWell app and searching for University of South Carolina.
• Counseling & Psychiatry offers individual and group counseling and psychiatric services – schedule an appointment at (803) 777-5223 or on MyHealthSpace.
• Access the 24-hr Mental Health Support Line at (833) 664-2854.
• Access an anonymous mental health screening program.

Example 1
Makeup exams will be allowed only with pre-approval of the instructor or with an acceptable, documented reason. Acceptable reasons for makeup exams include severe illness, family emergencies or other unavoidable events including dangerous weather conditions and car accidents. Exam format for makeup exams may be different than the original exam and will likely utilize a short answer format. An oral examination may also be utilized if deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Example 2
Three exams will be given for the class which weight total 50% of the final grades. The date
and time will be announced in the class. Exams will have an undergraduate version and a
more challenged graduate version. Undergraduate students may get extra credits by solving
the problems for graduate students. From time to time, short quizzes will be given in the class
as a mechanism for measuring the understanding of materials presented in the class.
No makeup exams will be given without valid and documented excuse and prearranged with
the instructor.

Minimum technical skills are needed in this course. All work in this course must be completed and submitted online through Blackboard. Therefore, you must have consistent and reliable access to a computer and the Internet. The minimum technical skills you have include the ability to:

• Organize and save electronic files
• Use USC email and attached files
• Check email and Blackboard daily
• Download and upload documents
• Locate information with a browser; and
• Use Blackboard

Using the words or ideas of another as if they were one’s own is a serious form of academic dishonesty. If another person’s complete sentence, syntax, key words, or the specific or unique ideas and information are used, one must give that person credit through proper citation.

Example 1
Readiness to learn means that you will come to class with questions and insights and prepared to discuss the relevance and application of course materials. I have found that students who do well in my class also:

Check Blackboard often for announcements and up-coming assignments and quizzes.
Highlight the textbook or take notes as you complete reading assignments to help you prepare for quizzes.
Form small study groups to prepare for the exams.
Get the phone numbers of at least two classmates whom you can contact if you have questions or need help studying.

Example 2
Readiness to learn means that you will come to class with questions and insights and prepared to discuss the relevance and application of course materials.
I have found that students who do well in my class also:

• Read the assigned material before class.

• Bring thoughtful questions to class for discussion.

• Prepare for the exams in study groups.

• Take notes during class discussions and while completing reading assignments

If you have problems with your computer, technology, IT-related questions, support, including Blackboard, please contact the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) Service Desk at (803) 777-1800 or submit an online request through the Self-Service Portal or visit the Carolina Tech Zone.  The Service Desk is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Eastern Time). If you are located in the Columbia, SC area, the Thomas Cooper Library at USC has computers for you to use in case you encounter computer issues/problems. If you are not located in the Columbia, SC area, most regional campuses and public libraries have computers for public use.

The PowerPoint lecture presentations, links to articles, assignments, quizzes, and rubrics are located on the Blackboard site for the course. To participate in learning activities and complete assignments, you will need:

• Access to a working computer that has a current operating system with updates installed, plus speakers or headphones to hear lecture presentations (transcripts provided)
• Reliable Internet access and a USC email account
• A current Internet browser that is compatible with Blackboard (Google Chrome is the recommended browser for Blackboard)
• Microsoft Word as your word processing program; and
• Reliable data storage for your work, such as a USB drive or Office365 OneDrive cloud storage.

If your computer does not have Microsoft Word, Office 365 ProPlus package is available to you free of charge and allows you to install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access on up to 5 PCs or Macs and Office apps on other mobile devices including tablets. Office 365 also includes unlimited cloud storage on OneDrive. To download Office 365 ProPlus, log into your student (University) email through a web browser, choose Settings (top right corner), and select software. If you have further questions or need help with the software, please contact the DoIT Service Desk.