PADM 7240 Public Administration & Community-Based Organizations
Class Policies
Spring 2008
 
Plagiarism: Please read the information on the MPA web site regarding plagiarism. Please let the instructor know if you have any questions and we will discuss the topic further in class. (Anyone who has not yet signed a form should let me know if you need to get the form.)
Evaluation: Participants will be evaluated based on their performance of the following requirements
with values listed:
Book Review
15%
Threaded Discussions*
60%
Project Presentation
25%
 
Total
100%
See the "Assignments" page for details on the nature of the components above.
*See the Discussions page for information on grading of the discussion entries.
Group Projects: For this class I do not expect that a group project is warranted. If anyone wants to propose a concept for a group project, provide the rationale to the teacher.
Style Guidelines: Participants should use either the ASPA or APA styles. For information on APSA style, see this handout from Dr. Argyle. Information is provided here on the APA style. Get the MS Word Template (right-click and "Save Target As" to get file) and see "APA Format Handout" (PDF* file).

Communication:

  • Our preferred method of communication is through the WebCT Vista email. This self-contained system solves lots of problems in that it does not rely on the vagaries of the Internet and general email. Use the following email address through BlazeNet if WebCT Vista is down or some other emergency occurs: gamerwin@valdosta.edu.
  • I will generally respond to any e-mail within one to two working days. Likewise, I ask that you check your email daily and respond in a timely manner if a response is requested or warranted.
  • If the email communication fails or some emergency comes up it is OK to contact the teacher by
    telephone. The best number is my cell number: (229) 221-2891 and voice mail is available in case I cannot answer. I will return calls if needed.
Seeking Professional Assistance & Working with Others: If you seek information, assistance, and/or support from others, particularly professionals, always act as a professional would be expected to act. Please be kind. In addition to normal politeness, please send all helpful individuals a thank you letter.
Attendance: Although we will not have regular class meetings, we will consider communication through email and the online discussions as our attendance parallel for this class. Participants are expected to stay in touch with the teacher through email and to take part in the online discussions.
Language Biases: All participants are expected to employ non biased speech and prose--gender,
race, and other. At times we will make mistakes and say or write in a manner which may cause offense.
We will help each other to remove biases and offensive aspects from our speech and prose.
Working Together: Participants are encouraged to cooperate--share ideas, resources, and insights.
Make certain the final product reflects your efforts, but help each other out. Learning, like almost
everything, is more fun when it is a shared experience.
Questions/Concerns: If in doubt--ask! Do not let a little problem grow. The only "stupid" or “silly” question is the one that goes unasked.
Reference http://www.valdosta.edu/~gamerwin/pa/classes/padm7240/policies.html
Updated 12/30/2007, contact Jerry Merwin