Policies and LogisticsAnnouncementsMade via email to the course list. You are responsible for reading each announcement carefully.Grading components
Grading semanticsThe accompanying text provides an idea of my expectations for your course grade at the end of the semester.
Critiques will be graded as "satisfactory", "satisfactory –", and "satisfactory +". The grading rubric on OnCourse provides examples of critiques for each of these grades. Critiques must be satisfactory on average to pass the class. Paper critiquesWe will discuss three to four papers every week. Critiques for the first two papers are due by Friday noon the previous week, and the remaining two critiques are due by Tuesday noon, just before class. If three papers are assigned, only one critique is due by the previous Friday.The critique for each paper should include (only) three technical weaknesses. Identify three shortcomings of the paper and write a couple of sentences on each shortcoming. Claims must be accompanied by supporting arguments. For instance, think about adding the following after a claim: "For example, ...". Critiques must be submitted via OnCourse, before the noon deadline and these will be spot checked throughout the semester. Late critiques?Manage your time well, and start early!
To accommodate for unavoidable circumstances, you get four automatic 1-day extensions for individual paper critiques without having to ask me for an extension. Finally, you can drop 4 summaries. Use these freebies wisely—save them for circumstances such as falling ill or interviewing. Paper moderatingPpapers will be discussed "seminar-style" with breakout roundtable discussions for about 10 minutes, followed by a 15-minute "all hands" discussion. Assigned moderators will make a brief (5-minute) presentation at the beginning of the discussion. The template for this presentation is available in the Resources section on OnCourse. ProjectSee projects.Honor codeIn short: Give credit where it's due and don't plagiarize. Don't copy or read others' solutions. Remember, when you cheat, you cheat yourself above all else.IU's Honor Code and policies apply to your conduct in this course. You may discuss papers with other students in the course or with me. However, you may not read or copy anybody else's critiques—all submitted work must be your own, based on your own understanding of the content after such discussions. In particular, you may not read solutions for assignments on the Web (including websites for previous terms, inside or outside of IU). Credit your sources. In your assignments, list all your collaborators (e.g., "I discussed this homework with Alice, Bob, ...") and credit any sources (including software) used. You must also credit sources that are permitted by the instructor. For example, you must credit code that we give you if it helps you with your work (either by direct use of the code, or by simply enhancing your understanding by reading the code). Violations of the Honor Code will be treated seriously. Please let me know if you have any questions—better to be safe than sorry! Special accommodationsPlease let me know before the end of the second week of the term if you have any disabilities and would like me to make appropriate accommodations. All discussions will remain confidential, although the Student Accessibility Services office may be consulted to discuss appropriate implementation of any accommodation requested.Religious observancesI realize that some students may wish to take part in religious observances that fall during this academic term. Should you have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in the course, please come speak with me before the end of the second week of the term to discuss appropriate accommodations. |