Policies

“Common Sense” Rules 

  • Homework is due at the start of class
  • Come to class ready to work, with homework prepared and all supplies
  • No games/browsing/email/etc. during class
  • Failure to comply, including late arrival, extended breaks, early departure, and again, incomplete homework, will affect your grade. 

Expectations

To do well in this course, arrive on time, ready to work, with all materials, and completed homework. We have a 15-minute break half-way through class. Late attendance, extended breaks, and leaving early will affect your grade. 

Everyone starts this class with an excellent grade. To maintain your standing you are expected to be an enthusiastic participant in this class. Participation and dedication are a large part of your total grade. 

Communication

Please consistently check your City Tech email (or the email you provide to me and OpenLab) for reminders or changes. Check mail at least 24 hrs before class. 

It is your responsibility to keep lines of communication open—make sure that your mailbox is not full. 

Academic Integrity Standards

Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. 

As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. 

Backing Up Your Files

Losing work due to failed media or overwritten files is not an excuse for late work. Students are expected to have an effective backup strategy for all of their files. Duplicate back-ups of all working and final files. 

File Naming

All students are expected to label all files.
COMD convention is:
course and section_season year_project name_last name_first name

For example:
comd1200_s20_letterform white_smith_amy

Coursework

Projects are explained in class, accompanied by a project sheet, and posted on the website. The class is tightly scheduled with the expectation that you will read each assignment and follow instructions. Reread instructions after project completion to assure compliance, failure to follow instructions will affect your grade and your progress to the next assignment.

We critique work-in-progress as well as finished projects at 8:30 am. You must verbally present your work in class to receive full credit. Failure to do so will result in a drop in grade. If your homework is not completed at the beginning of class it will be considered late. 

Homework

Class review of homework gives direction for your next assignment. Therefore, it is critical to complete all homework to proceed. All assignments are due and ready to present at the beginning of class. 

The homework roster is recorded at the beginning of class. Late homework will result in a lower grade. Projects must adhere to documented instructions in a professional manner to earn credit.

Assignments will be assessed by concept, presentation completeness and technique. Homework assignments are 60% of your grade. 

Attendance Policy

While CUNY does not have an attendance policy, the Communication Design Department stresses the importance of attendance and permits each instructor to set their own attendance policy. Since COMD 1200 is a course designed for process learning, attendance is an important component to success in this class.

Missing critiques will be reflected in your grade.

Both absences and arrival of more than 10 minutes after the start of class are marked. If excessive, the instructor will alert the student that they are in danger of not meeting the course objectives and participation expectations.