Once you have a draft (even a rough draft), we are also happy to offer suggestions on how to
make the paper stronger. We do ask for 48 hours turn-around time to get it back to you.
The Center for Excellence in Writing! The Center for Excellence in Writing is freely available
to you. The staff can help you with all aspects of writing, from approaching the question and
brainstorming to techniques for editing. Their website is: http://writingcenter.fiu.edu/
The History Tutors! There are several history graduate students working in the history
department main office (DM 390), whose job is to tutor students in history classes. They are
experienced upper-level history majors and graduate students who can help with papers,
preparing for exams, or keeping on top of class in general. You can walk in or email
Class Policies:
Attendance and Participation: Historians, at any level, cannot work in isolation; we depend on
the insights, experience and knowledge of colleagues to help us. During the course of the
semester, we will be bringing a variety of different points of view to the table and our dialogue
will be richer for it. We will also bring in, as appropriate, current events that contribute to our
discussion. In order to achieve this dialogue, your job is come to class and do so prepared (for
more, see “participation” under Assignments).
Your TAs will take attendance each discussion section. Excused absences may be granted in the
event of serious medical issues (with a doctor’s note), religious holiday, death of an immediate
family member, military duty, a court date, and participation in some college events. It is your
responsibility to contact your TA in a timely manner and request that the absence be excused.
We reserve the right to require documentation to excuse an absence.
If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to get notes from a classmate.
Classroom Behavior: Arrive on time; stay until class ends. Failure to do so will affect your
attendance. If you must arrive late or leave early, do so with as little disturbance as possible. No
e-cigarettes or phones in class.
You are encouraged to agree, disagree, question, and respond to your classmates, instructors, and
others. You may play devil’s advocate and change your mind. You must, however, take part in
discussion in a way that is respectful of other individuals and their opinions, and in a way that is
based on fact and evidence, rather than opinions. Failure to be respectful will have consequences
ranging from a warning to immediate removal from the class.
In accordance with the Student Handbook (p. 11 and following) and FIU policies on
discrimination (http://hr.fiu.edu/index.php?name=sexual_harassment), you have the right to
agree, disagree, challenge, and question the opinions and comments of others, including the
instructor. You do not have the right to be disrespectful to anyone else in the classroom or to act
in a way that makes others uncomfortable. Such behavior will not be tolerated.
Late Policy: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned day. The grade on
any late written assignments is automatically reduced by one-third of a letter for each day the