Animal Minds :: FAQ

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, ask in person or using a Collab forum.

How should I attend class sessions?

My goal as an instructor for class sessions is to create an environment where everyone has an opportunity to learn. My policies on classroom attendance all boil down to respecting your classmates. Many in-class activities (including exams) will be conducted online, so you should bring your device of choice to class. We will set guidelines for in-class behavior, including use of devices, on the first day of class.

You should also reflect on what activities and features of your environment make your learning most effective. Did you know that taking verbatim notes requires over 30 distinct cognitive operations, none of which really help you retain information? Strategies based on outlining or concept mapping may be more effective because they require you to use the material as you’re hearing it. You may also want to investigate research on the role of attention and memory, starting with this video by UVA Psychology professor Dan Willingham.

Attendance at lectures is not taken, but lecture material may not be covered in readings and is likely to appear on the test. Lecture materials are not posted online.

We also agreed in our first class meeting on the following specific policies:

1. No-screen zone in the first two rows. The first two rows are reserved for students who are not using laptops or other screens during normal class activities (exams and specific assignments are an exception). The number of reserved rows will be adjusted based on demand.
2. Keep distractions in the back row. If you are unable to resist checking social media, answering email, or watching videos unrelated to class activities, you must sit in one of the back two rows of the classroom.
3. Phones must be off or in do-not-disturb mode. Please completely silence phones so as not to distract nearby classmates. If you are expecting an important call or message, sit in the back row of the class, and take the call outside.

What are the exam policies?

Alternate test times for semester tests may be requested for varsity athletic or legitimate academic reasons; requests must be made and approved at least 5 days in advance. Otherwise, students who miss the midterm and have an excusable justification (e.g. death in the family or incapacitating illness with hospital/physician verification) may take a single, comprehensive make-up test in place of the final. Except in case of emergency, approval to take the make-up test must be requested before the test that will be missed.

You are required to take the exam in the classroom unless you make previous arrangements.

How are letter grades assigned?

Grade assignments follow the following fixed scale:

A	93 - 100
A-	90 - 93
B+	87 - 90
B	83 - 87
B-	80- 83
C+	77 - 80
C	73 - 77
C-	70 - 73
D+	67 - 70
D	63 - 67
D-	60 - 63
F	0 - 60

Your grades will reflect your proficiency and excellence on course objectives, not your performance relative to anyone else, so grades will not be curved. If you’re concerned about your grade, keep track of your progress early on and get help if you aren’t achieving at the level you want to.

I’m on the waitlist but I really need to take this class! Can you add me to the class?

Unfortunately, the Psychology Department does not use course action forms, so if you’re on the waitlist, the best you can do is show up to class for the first week or so to see if enough people drop to allow you to enroll. You can access the Collab site even if you are on the waitlist, so you should complete reading quizzes and other assignments in case you are able to enroll.

What accomodations are available for students with disabilities?

Students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Contact the Student Disability Access Center (434-243-5180).