Academic Policies

All members of the University are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity; we have the same expectations of each other in this course. Seminar leaders take the issue of plagiarism seriously and expect all the work you do in this course to be your own. Plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct in this course can result in a failing grade for the course and/or referral of the case to the CAS Academic Conduct Committee, which may impose penalties up to and including expulsion from the University. Your best rule is to make sure you cite every source you employ, using quotation marks and providing citation whenever you use someone else’s words. If you have questions about what plagiarism is and how it differs from the appropriate use of other people’s work, consult the Academic Conduct Code or speak with your instructor. Lectures may not be reproduced in any form or otherwise copied, displayed, or distributed without the written permission of the instructor. Please note in particular that selling or buying lecture notes or summaries is prohibited in this class and may result in disciplinary action under the BU Code of Student Responsibilities.

All course materials (including syllabi, course descriptions, and lectures) for Core courses are copyrighted. Lectures may not be reproduced in any form or otherwise copied, displayed, or distributed without the written permission of the instructor. Please note in particular that selling or buying lecture notes or summaries is prohibited in this class and may result in disciplinary action under the BU Code of Student Responsibilities. You may consult the BU academic conduct code at the policies section of the BU Academics webpage.

In team-taught Core courses, seminar leaders will determine how papers and other work should be submitted, as well as the penalties assigned for late work. It is possible for you to take a make-up version of the final exam if you have an exam scheduling conflict or three exams scheduled on the same day. To request an alternate exam time, contact the office via core@bu.edu, copying your seminar leader on the same message. Generally, students should be sure to keep a backup copy of all papers written.

We assume that all of us learn in different ways. If there are circumstances that may affect your performance in a Core class, students are encouraged to talk to your discussion course leader as soon as possible so that we can work together to develop strategies for accommodations that will satisfy both your learning needs and the requirements of the course. The Office of Disability & Access Services is the office responsible for assisting students with disabilities. If you have a disability that interferes with your learning (whether visible or invisible, physical or mental), you are encouraged to register with this office. Disability & Access Services will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations for your courses, such as additional time on tests, staggered homework assignments, or note-taking assistance. This office will give you a letter outlining the accommodations you need that you will share with your teachers; specific information about your disability will remain private. Letters of accommodation should be presented as soon as possible to ensure that student needs are addressed from the start of the course. Contact Disability & Access Services at access@bu.edu and 617-353-3658; learn more at www.bu.edu/disability. Please note that Boston University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Each student shares in the responsibility to create a positive learning environment in Core through constructive participation and regular attendance. With approval of your discussion leader, Core humanities and social sciences students whose class schedule conflicts with their Core lecture section may get permission to watch/listen to weekly lectures via the course web page (available a few hours after each lecture). Typically, students will need to be enrolled in a MWF schedule for their Core discussion, and  may be asked to provide notes to demonstrate attentiveness to lectures.

The Behavioral Health team at Student Health Services manages a webpage listing services they provide, guidelines for assisting another community member in distress, a listing of mental health resources, and information about their clinical referral services. To contact a particular staff member at Behavioral Health, visit the SHS staff directory.

Boston University’s policy on religious observance will be adhered to in all Core courses and cocurriculars. Read the policy at the policies section of the BU Academics webpage.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally-funded education programs and activities. Sex-based discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. The law covers sex-based discrimination against students, faculty, and staff. For information about the University’s responsibilities Under Title IX, policies addressing sexual misconduct, and disciplinary procedures for accusations and violations, please visit the Boston University Safety landing page. The campus Title IX coordinator, Kim Randall, can be contacted at 617-353-9286 and krandall@bu.edu.