PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND SIGN AT THE BOTTOM

In many ways, a course is similar to a contract between a professor and a student; we agree to our half of the bargain, and you agree to your half. For example, as a professor, I agree to:

1) Provide explicit and clear expectations that will allow you to do well in this class.

2) Answer your e-mail questions within 24 hours during weekdays and take your phone calls as I am able. On weekends, I will respond to e-mail within 36 hours. I will also hold office hours.

3) Return your homework by a reasonable date and provide clear and helpful comments so that you can do better on the next assignment.

4) Assign a reasonable amount of work. Generally, that promise means in a single week no more than the equivalent 28 pages of reading and 2 short written assignments. There will be two exceptions to this rule of thumb, as described later.

5) Allow you to revise essays (but not other written work) as many times as you wish to improve your grade - with certain limitations that we will discuss in class.

6) Avoid assigning "busy work' that serves no purpose.

7) Give you the time, tools, and skills you need to succeed in this class.

8) Grade you fairly and transparently in a way that rewards progress over the course of the semester.

Here is what we expect you to agree to:

1) I agree that I will ask questions as I have them. If I encounter difficulties with an assignment, I will contact the professors well before that assignment is due.

2) I understand that missing more than five class will cause me to fail this course and that I alone am responsible for getting the necessary information regarding classes I miss and to turn in homework.

3) I understand that arriving more than fifteen minutes late for a class constitutes an absence and that three absences constitutes an absence

4) I agree to check my e-mail at least every 24 hours during weekdays.

5) I have read the definition of plagiarism and have both understood it and signed below the definition testifying that I understand that description. I recognize that Professor Umbach is kind of a techno-geek, and that accordingly -- as other John Jay students have discovered to their extreme unhappiness -- it is unlikely that I will successfully be able to present material I find on the web as my own work. I recognize that cheating hurts the John Jay community and will cause me to fail the course.

6) I understand that class participation is part of my grade. I recognize that sitting quietly during class discussion is unlikely to help my acquisition of skills or knowledge (or improve my grade). I agree to treat my classmates with respect during in-class discussion.

7) I understand that assigned reading is not optional; I agree to do the reading in its entirety and come to class prepared to discuss it. I understand that often there will be quizzes on the reading at the start of class.

8) I agree to do my work on time all the time. In particular, I will have all assignments typed and printed out by the start of class. I will not attempt to turn in handwritten work.
9) I acknowledge that failing to fulfill my half of the class contract as specified above will result in a lowering of my grade.
10) I agree to inform the professor whenever I work with other students to complete an assignment for this class and that if I don't inform the Professor such group work constitutes plagiarism.

Name (printed) ___________________ Signature_____________________ Date__________________