FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
for POL-101/Citizens and Governance/Dr. Bradley
Spring 2003
Table of Contents
- Who is the instructor?
- How do I contact the professor?
- Who are the Teaching Assistants?
- How do I contact the Teaching Assistants?
- How do I get to different course web pages?
- What do I need to do to be successful in the course?
- What is the policy for making up a missed test or quiz?
- What is the policy for turning in late assignments?
- Will there be extra credit opportunities?
- What do I do if a web page is not working?
Who is the Instructor?
Dr. Robert C. Bradley, an associate professor in the Department of
Politics and Government, is the instructor. He has taught at ISU since
1982. He teaches primarily law-related courses, including U.S.
Judicial Process, Constitutional Law, and Science and the Law. His
research is focused currently on uses of science and technology in
criminal courtrooms and civic education initiatives. Currently, Dr.
Bradley is the PreLaw Advisor for ISU, coordinates the LSAT PrepCourse,
serves on the ISU Athletic Council, and is a member of the College of Arts
& Sciences Curriculum Committee.
Dr. Bradley is married and has a daughter who is in the 9th grade. His
hobbies include following his daughter at her golf meets, going to Redbird
sporting events, and watching the Rams, the Cubs, Ohio State football, and
Kentucky Wildcat basketball. He plays golf, reads action thrillers and
court dramas, and enjoys bird watching, playing darts, shooting pool, and
working in his yard.
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How do I contact the professor?
To contact Dr. Bradley, you can e-mail him at rbradley@ilstu.edu, phone him at (309) 438-8944, or leave him a message by calling the Department of Politics & Government either at (309) 438-8638 or at (309) 438-8639. You can also see Dr. Bradley at his office in 212-D in Schroeder Hall during office hours from 2 to 2:50 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Occasionally during the semester Dr. Bradley may not be able to keep those office hours on a particular day due to professional obligations but that will be announced in class. You can also set an appointment with Dr. Bradley to see him at some time other than his established office hours.
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Who are the Teaching Assistants?
There are two teaching assistants for the course. They are Chris Helander and Dawn Peterson.
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How do I contact the Teaching Assistants?
You can go to their offices during their office hours. Chris Helander's is at
Schroeder Hall 105. His office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to
noon. His office phone number is 438-3246. Dawn Peterson's office is at
Schroeder Hall 212-B. Her office hours are Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and
Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Her office phone number is 438-5657. You can e-mail them by clicking on their names that
follow: Chris Helander
or Dawn Peterson.
You can also leave messages for them by calling the Department of Politics &
Government either at (309) 438-8638 or at (309) 438-8639.
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How do I get to different course web pages?
At the top of most of the course web pages will be links to other pages for the course. Also at the top of the syllabus, course schedule, welcome, and FAQ pages is an UP link which if clicked will take you to the course home page. On the left side of many of the course web pages will be links that will take you to different sections of the web page that you are browsing. On the course web pages there will be a link to Dr. Bradley's e-mail address and a link to the course web page. Also near the bottom of the web pages will be a link to return you to the top of the page that you are browsing.
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What do I need to do to be successful in the course?
Attend class regularly. Attend actively by paying attention and participating where appropriate for class discussion. Do not attend class simply to sleep, talk to your neighbors, or read the Vidette. This will not prepare you adequately for tests, is disrespectful of the instructor and those students who are trying to pay attention, and will work greatly to your disadvantage in assessing your class performance. Show up for class on time. Turn in assignments on time. Follow the directions for the assignments. Be prepared for tests by reading all the assigned readings, reviewing the provided review questions, and keeping track of the material presented in class. If unclear or unsure of any course material, ask either the instructor or the teaching assistant.
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What is the policy for making up a missed test or quiz?
Without a valid excuse, no student will be permitted to make up a missed test, quiz, or in-class exercise. Forgetting the date of a test, quiz, or in-class exercise, or oversleeping are not valid excuses. It is completely up to the discretion of the instructor to determine if a provided excuse is valid. If you miss a test, then contact the instructor and/or teaching assistant as soon as possible after the test date. If it is determined that you have a valid excuse, then arrangements for a make up will be made. If you know in advance that you will miss a test, then contact the instructor and/or teaching assistant in advance to arrange for a make up.
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What is the policy for turning in late assignments?
Without a valid excuse, no late assignment will be accepted. Assignments are to be turned on or before their due dates in the student's scheduled class session. It is completely up to the discretion of the instructor to determine if a provided excuse is valid. If a student turns in an assignment late with a valid excuse, then it is completely up to the discretion of the instructor to determine if any penalty will be assessed the assignment.
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Will there be extra credit opportunities?
Yes! The details for such opportunities will be provided either in class or on the course schedule web page.
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What do I do if a web page isn't working?
First do not panic. Make sure that you have actually clicked on an active link or have typed in the URL (address for the web page) correctly. You might also want to make sure that the computer you are using is still connected to the internet. From time to time servers necessary for the internet connection go down. If a server is down it usually takes an hour or so for it to come back up. If you are connected and sure that you clicked on the link, pause and then try again. At certain times of the day, the internet becomes clogged and responds sluggishly. If after a couple of times the page still does not work, then contact me and tell me what page/link is not working and when you tried to access that page unsuccessfully.