FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I took Criminology and Criminal Justice with you before. May I
take this class?
Yes, of course. There will be no substantial overlapping.
However, since many students didn’t take Criminology and Criminal Justice we will review some topics we
already covered during the first one or two classes. But, I will keep these
reviews quite short.
I didn’t take Criminology and Criminal Justice or any other Crim course. Will I be in a disadvantage with respect to
students that did?
No, not at all. This course does not presuppose any previous
knowledge on Criminology or Criminal Justice.
I wrote everything that is in the class notes and book. Why is my grade so low?
The
book and the class notes are just a guide. The important thing is what we
actually discuss in class. Also, your critical assessment is required.
I don’t agree with the mark I received in my test. Can we go over the test together?
Of course. I will be very glad to go over the test
with you. Please bring it to the next class or come see me in my office.
Will all the questions in the test be taken from the test bank? Or will you include questions that are not in the test bank?
I will only choose questions from the
test bank.
I
contributed a question to the test bank, but you did not include it.
Yes,
that is possible. The reason may be that other students contributed similar questions
or that your question does not deal with a topic or an angle of a topic that we
discussed enough in class.
I
contributed a question to the test bank but you changed it. Why?
I may change it a little bit, but only
with respect to language or a non essential aspect. I never change the
substance of a question.
I
missed the class where you returned the tests. Can you email me my grade?
Yes, I don’t mind emailing you your grade. I
understand that you must be anxious and want to know your grade. But please get
the test from me next class or come get it from my office as soon as you can.
Your test has comments and feedback about your answers. These are much more
useful for your learning process than a simple grade.
I
can’t come to class the day of the exam. Is there a make up?
The possibility of writing a make up
test is restricted to those exceptional cases where a student cannot come to
class for reasons beyond his or her control. In all cases, I have to approve
the possibility of writing a make up test in advance, preferably by email.
Questions in the make up test will be DIFFERENT from those asked in the regular
test. The make up test may even contain more questions. Also, it takes me longer to mark and return make up tests written on a different day than the one assigned in the course outline. This is because I teach several courses each term. When I plan these courses I tend to schedule tests -and papers- on different days. So, even if you write your make up test two or three days later than the originally scheduled day, I will probably have to grade tests or papers for another course. So, your make up test will be returned to you after I finish all papers or tests of that/those other course/s.
How
can you give us a grade for class participation in this large class?
We
will be doing activities where you can actively participate
every single class. The lectures are also interactive. So, despite the large
number of students, there are plenty of opportunities to participate.
I
don’t like speaking in public. Will I have a low grade in this evaluation
component?
If you don’t like speaking in public you can
actively participate in other ways. For example, you can talk and have a very
active role in the small group discussions, you can write your answers and
email them to me immediately after the class, or you can think of any other way
in which you can actively participate without feeling uncomfortable.
I
missed a few classes. I read the class notes and the chapters from the books. Will
I have a problem in the midterm and with the portfolio?
If you only missed a couple of classes
you can meet with me in my office or talk to a student about what we actually
discussed in class. If you missed several classes, you will be at a serious disadvantage.
I
noticed that when we do the small-group activities, you don’t walk around the
groups, asking questions or checking progress. Why is that?
I think that this may be a little bit
intimidating for some students, especially those that are shy. They tend to
speak freely if the teacher is not walking and checking what they say. However,
if you need to ask me a question, or discuss something with me, please raise
your hand or call me, and I will be very happy to talk to your group.
You
said that if a student participates actively every
single class, he/she doesn’t have to hand in the portfolio. Is this true?
Yes, that is true. The idea of the
portfolio is to help those students that are shy or don’t like speaking in
public. So, if you have actively participated in every class, you don’t need to
hand in the portfolio.
I
came to most classes and I often/sometimes speak in class. Do I need to hand in
the portfolio?
You don’t need to hand in the portfolio. But that doesn’t mean you will get an A in class participation. I will judge your participation based solely on your work in class. Remember that, according to the Course Outline, in order to get a very good mark in the class participation component of the evaluation, you need to “actively participate in every class,” and volunteer to lead activities, debates or debriefs.” Also, “your participation must make a positive impact on the class activities” and “class attendance is a prerequisite to obtain the grade under the class participation-portfolio category.” So, if you didn’t actively contribute –orally- to some classes but you still worked hard in those classes, it would be a good idea to hand in the portfolio even if not required to do so.
Do
you want the portfolio to be typed up? Would you like it in a folder or binder?
The
important thing is the content. All else is irrelevant. As to formalities,
please do whatever you prefer or whatever is easier for you.
One of the evaluation
criteria for the portfolio is evidence that each of the activities was
completed when discussed in class. What does this mean?
This
means that you have to do the activities in class during the small group work
and not all together the night before the deadline for passing the portfolio
in.
How can we show that
we did the activities in class?
There
are several ways. The best one is to volunteer to discuss them in class. If
there was no time, or you don’t like speaking in public, you can email me the activities right
after the class. You can also show me a draft of your portfolio every month or
so.
I am not very good with technology. Can I still do the project?
The audiovisual project requires a very basic knowledge of audiovisual techniques. I assume everybody has that knowledge. But if you really don’t, or if you don’t feel comfortable with audiovisual equipment, there are various ways in which you can do the audiovisual project. First, you can join a group where there are other students who feel more comfortable than you with technology. You can also come see me for some basic help. You can check here for some guidance, too.
Can you give me some ideas as to the format of the project?
The
format is entirely up to you. But yes, you could take pictures with a digital
or film camera and produce a portfolio or album. You can create a documentary
and tape it on video. You can analyze crime news, a music clip, or a film
depicting crime events or the criminal justice system.
Can you give me some
help to produce the audiovisual project?
Sure.
Please check here for
ideas. Please come see me if you need help.
Where can I get the
equipment to produce the audiovisual project?
Dalhousie
University’s Instructional Media Services has some equipment which students may
use. You need to book them in advance. For more information, please visit their
website.
You are also welcome to use your own audiovisual equipment.
Are there any organization and style requirements for the essay?
Yes. Please click here to read about the required style and organization of the essay.
We
have agreed to meet in your office after 5, but access to the second floor is
barred. What can I do?
Access to the second floor is sometimes
barred after 5 PM. So, please call me from downstairs (494-6284) and I will go
down and let you in.
What
is your office-hours policy?
Please
feel free to come see me during my office hours. I am available not only for
class help but also for other academic-related issues, such as writing letters
of reference or helping with prospective graduate studies. I want to be
available to answer questions and meet with all students. So, in addition to
regular office hours and seeing me by appointment, I will every so often end
class early, and invite students who have questions to meet with me right then
and there.
I have sent you an
email but you didn’t reply.
During
the academic year, I make it a point of answering all emails within 24 hours.
If I haven’t answered yours, chances are that I didn’t get it. Please email me again.
During
the summer, I carry out research and give lectures abroad. So, please be
patient if it takes me longer to answer your email.