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As this course proceeds throughout the semester, the written materials, lectures, class discussions and contributions of guest lecturers build upon each other and integrate into a cohesive whole.  Thus attendance is a "must" and it is expected that no more than one class will be missed.  Attendance will be gathered via quiz papers at the beginning of each class and may be taken again at the end of the class. NOTE:  YOU MUST RETURN AFTER THE BREAK IN ORDER TO BE PRESENT FOR THE CLASS.   In case of difficulty, see me.  Tardiness over ten minutes or leaving the class early counts as 1/2 absence.

Class Participation

In class we will be approaching the material through a number of techniques including large group discussion, small group exploration, sharing of experiences, brief in-class writings, and reading aloud. We are a community of learners approaching the subject of death and dying together to understand, to celebrate, to commemorate and to share. I expect all of you to participate actively in all of these forms of engagement with the texts and the minds behind the texts. And -- to encourage you to take an active role -- the more you talk, the less I talk! Participation is important and will count as 10% of your grade.

Electronic Communication:  I will communicate with you electronically solely at your Ramapo email address (i.e. ending in @ramapo.edu).  Furthermore, I will only read email sent from the Ramapo email address.  (I delete most messages that come from unknown addresses).  If your email needs a quick reply please put URGENT in the message field.  Otherwise I will try to respond as rapidly as possible.  DO NOT LEAVE voice mail on my office phone.  I do not reliably check my voice mail messages. 

Class Decorum

Class decorum is essential. Please be on time and orderly about your arrival. Late arrivals and early departures not only damage your learning but disrupt the concentration of others in the class. If you must be late, for some reason, please enter quietly and take a seat near the door. Be respectful of the opinions and contributions of your classmates. On occasion this class will raise difficult feelings in members of the class.  Please treat yourselves and each other with compassion and patience.  I will not hesitate to ask anyone to leave who chooses not to behave in a responsible and respectful manner. Your conduct will enter into your participation grade.

The Ouch Rule

All students are expected to adhere to rules of conduct that contribute to an atmosphere conducive to the discussion of perspectives which spring from differences in age, race, gender, physical and mental abilities, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class background, and personal experiences.  Because we are reading, writing about, and discussing very sensitive material -- and because we have all been acculturated in a society which remains racist/sexist/heterosexist/classist etc. at the most profound linguistic level -- we need to be aware when we make comments which are hurtful or offensive to others.  Hence -- "the Ouch Rule." If someone makes a remark which causes you pain or offense, say "Ouch." It is not necessary to explain why you have said "ouch," although you may if you wish. The word itself will cause us to pause and rethink what has just been said.  

Academic Integrity:  Academic Integrity is essential.  Do Not Violate!  Plagiarism and cheating are the theft of another's words or ideas and can result in penalties as serious as expulsion from the college. See the Student Handbook for guidelines on plagiarism and cheating. If you have any doubts about how to present material from other sources, please come see me for help. If I find a paper which I believe has been plagiarized I will forward it to the Vice President's Office for action.  Don't do this to me or to yourself!

The following is an All College Statement:  Academic Integrity (College Guidelines):

All students at Ramapo College are expected to maintain academic integrity.  There are four  broad forms of academic dishonesty.

1.  Cheating:  An act of deception by which a student misrepresents his or her mastery of material on a test or other academic exercise.
2.  Plagiarism (including internet) Representing someone else's words, ideas, phrases, sentences, or data as one's own work without citing the source.
3.  Academic misconduct:  Alteration of grades, involvement in the acquisition or distributions of unadministered tests and the unauthorized submission of student work in more than one class.
4.  Fabrication:  The deliberate use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive.

Violation of any of these may result in an "F", and students may be subjected to disciplinary proceedings.

Note on Collaborative Learning : I encourage you to work together in study groups to enhance your engagement with these materials.  This course should be collaborative rather than competitive.  Student Presentations and writings should, of course, be your individual product but understanding should be our collective achievement.

Note on Service Learning Option: (May be undertaken instead of the Midterm and one of the Experiential Projects).  Service Learning allows you to work in an agency or other organization (often nonprofit).  By keeping a you are able to combine your academic course material with "hands on" experience.  You must put in 40 hours total (including attending Cahill Orientation and Reflection sessions) and turn in a reflective journal analyzing what you are learning through your service learning experience.  The journal should be maintained regularly during the experience (not written retrospectively at the end!) and should incorporate relevant course materials. Consult Cahill Center and me about this option Contact person:  Karen Booth, Office of Experiential Learning C209, X7447.  See the Service Learning Web page at http://www.ramapo.edu/studentlife/cahill/servicel/info.htm

Note for Honors Students : If you wish to take this class as an Honors option, you must notify me right away.  We will develop together a plan of additional readings and assignments.

Note for Students with Special Needs: Please let me know as soon as possible if you will have special needs or challenges in taking this course. If you are a student with a documented disability seeking academic accomodations that are disability related, you need to be registered with the Office of Specialized Services (OSS).  This is a college policy.  After you have registered with OSS, please make an appointment with me during the first three weeks of the semester to discuss any requests or accomodations that you may need.  See the Office of Specialized Services website at: http://www.ramapo.edu/studentlife/studentServices/oss/home.html