OFFICE HOURS:  I will be available in my office before class.  I am also available by appointment.  I can also be reached at (562) 8568122.  Leave a return number and the best times to reach you.  I will not return calls if you have any type of call blocking on your line as I will not release my home number.  My email address is donette.steele@verizon.net   I will return email promptly.  Do not call the college with messages for the instructor as the Department does not accept messages.  Do not call me with a message that you will not be in class, this is you responsibility and not mine.  Do not call me and ask what the assignments are - pair up with another student and work with them.  Do not ask me, if you miss class, if you missed anything important as it is all IMPORTANT.

EXAMS:  You will be taking five multiple choice exams; each will cover the material from the assigned chapters of the text, readings, films and lectures.  You are responsible for all of the material in the assigned chapters, readings, films and lectures.  Your grade will be based on your four highest exam scores.  Each counted Exam is worth 25% towards your semester grade.

MISSED EXAMS: There are no makeup exams for the course.  You are allowed to drop your lowest exam score, so if you miss an exam that will constitute your lowest exam score and will be dropped. 

EXTRA CREDIT:  There will be assigned extra credit assignments.  These are due the day of the corresponding Exam and late submissions will be given zero credit.  Do not ask me at the end of the semester if there is any extra credit that may help you pass the course - The answer is No.  If you are absent the day in-class extra credit is given you will not be able to make it up and you will receive zero credit.     

If you cannot pass the exams, you do not have the basic knowledge of the subject in order to pass the course.

GRADING:  The scale for assigned letter grades is as follows:          90%+ = A, 80%+ = B, 70%+ = C, 60% + = D, below 60% = F.

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is mandatory according to academic policy.  The policy states:  Attendance is the student's responsibility.  In the event of excessive absences (20% or more of course meetings), the instructor may drop a student from the course or lower the student's grade.

CLASS DECORUM:  I enjoy and encourage participation during the class.  No question or comment is irrelevant and no question is stupid.  If you choose to speak, please speak to the whole class.  Aside conversations are not permitted.  If you choose to speak and not address the entire class, or engage in private conversations, you will be asked to leave.  If a student is directed to leave the class more than once, the student may not be allowed back into the class and a grade of F may be recorded for their semester grade.

Do not come late to the course as it may impact your semester grade.  Habitual lateness is not acceptable.  If you are late due to any unforeseen problems, enter through the back door of the classroom and keep your disruption to a minimum.  Do not come to class if you are over 15 minutes late.  It is too disruptive to the class to have individuals entering and exiting during lecture.

Cell Phones/ Pagers:  Cell phones and Pagers should be turned off during class.  The devices may also be set to Silent Mode.  If it is an emergency and you must return a call, leave the classroom to do so.  Apprise me of the situation during the break or end of class.  If you must leave class due to an emergency do so with the least amount of disruption possible.  Do not interrupt a lecture to explain the situation to me, do this at the next class during break or at the end of class. Do not use your cell phone in the classroom during class or break - go outside of the classroom to do so.    Cell phones are a great way to communicate with others but not during class.

GROUP/INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY IN CLASS:  Read your assigned chapter before you get to class.  We will be working in groups to demonstrate many of the concepts in the text.  There will also be individual classroom projects designed to aid you in understanding the text and concepts.  It will benefit you to participate in all activities.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  Cheating on an exam will result in a grade of F on an Exam may lead to expulsion from my class. Cheating may also lead to further disciplinary action by the college and you may be barred from attending any California supported institution. 

HANDOUT MATERIALS: Extra Credit Materials are available on the course website. Study guides are also available on the course website. If you are missing any supplemental materials, such as study guides etc. because of loss or not being present in class, it is you responsibility to obtain them from another class member or from the course website.

WITHDRAWING FROM COURSE:  It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course should you decide to do so.  It is your responsibility to complete and submit the paperwork to withdraw from the course.  Failure to do the required paperwork by the required date will result in a Semester Grade being assigned by me.  Usually not officially dropping a course due to poor grades will lead to the assignment of a failing grade in the course.