Course Syllabus 1

LIT 3311: The Literature of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Spring 2010

Course Information

LIT 3311.001
JO 4.102 TR 2:30 – 3:45

Professor Contact Information

Dr. Ingrao
Office: JO 5.306
Office Hours: MW 12:00 – 2:00, and by appointment
Office Phone: 883 – 6089
Email: jingrao@utdallas.edu

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

HUMA 1301, LIT 2331, LIT 2332, or LIT 2341.

Course Description

LIT 3311 (3 semester hours) will examine the American superhero as a manifestation of
humankind's long association with visual and written narration not only for means of
entertainment, but also as a stage for philosophical consideration and speculation upon culture
and our relationship to the same as readers, consumers, and contributors. In focusing specifically
upon such iconic figures as Superman and Batman, we will consider the evolution of the
superhero from pulp novels through the revisionist narratives of the 1980s. Along the way, the
importance of superheroes will be given treatment in terms of a variety of media, as well as from
the perspective of a variety of critical schools, to more fully understand our relation to these
figures as they represent an enduring phenomenon that emblematizes concerns integral to science
fiction and fantasy. Films such as Superman Returns will be important to understanding the
continuing development of the superhero concept as it extends from the revisionist narratives of
the 1980s. We will also view M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable to examine the synergy of life
and art.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

This course seeks to offer students the potential to: 1) Demonstrate an understanding of a range of
visual and literary expression from the mid-twentieth century; 2) Interpret visual and literary
expression from the vantage of a range of critical perspectives, and complete an essay applying a
Course Syllabus 2

particular hermeneutic; 3) Demonstrate an understanding of how the concept of the superhero fits
into the larger scope of American culture; 4) Demonstrate an understanding of how the superhero
addresses the themes and concerns of science fiction and fantasy.

______________________________________________________________________________

Required Textbooks and Materials

Textbooks are available at the UTD Bookstore, Off Campus Books, and commercially. Use only
the following editions:

Scott Mccloud, Understanding Comics (HarperCollins)

Bradford W. Wright, Comic Book Nation (Johns Hopkins)
Frank Miller, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (DC Comics)
Alex Ross, Kingdom Come (DC Comics)

Critical articles and essays by Bender, Offutt, and Eco, among others, as well as a selection of
short pulp novels and a selection from Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier
and Clay, will be provided as a handout, through e-reserve, or online. These readings will be
designated as handout, e-reserve, or online--including URL--on the daily academic calendar. Two
films will be incorporated.

How to Access E-Reserve Materials

Several readings for this course will be accessed through e-reserve. A syllabus is also available
as a Word document (.doc) through e-reserve should a printed copy be misplaced. To access e-
reserve:

1. Go to the following URL:

http://utdallas.docutek.com/eres/courseindex.aspx?page=instr

2. Search by instructor’s last name: “Ingrao.”

3. Click on the link for “LIT 3311.”

4. Next, you will be asked for a password. The password is “robin.” After you enter the
password, click “Accept.”

A list of e-reserve materials should appear. Click on the needed reading for a PDF version.

Please contact the instructor at jingrao@utdallas.edu if you experience problems opening

materials placed on e-reserve.
Course Syllabus 3

Assignments & Daily Academic Calendar

PLEASE NOTE: E-reserve readings for Will Brooker are taken from Batman Unmasked, readings
for Richard Reynolds are taken from Superheroes: A Modern Mythology, and readings for
Michael Chabon are taken from The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. A copy of each
has been placed on two-hour course reserve with McDermott Library if a student would like to
inquire beyond the readings required from these texts as listed in the daily academic calendar.

Jan. 12:

• Course introduction: Discuss syllabus, sign up for student lead discussion, and discuss
possible texts to be lead by student groups
• Discuss Sean Howe's "Introduction" (handout)

Jan. 14:

• Discuss Greg Garrett's "Modern Heroes" (e-reserve)

• Discuss Will Brooker's "Introduction: 1978" (e-reserve)
• Discuss Scott Mccloud's Understanding Comics: "Chapter One: Setting the Record
Straight" and "Chapter Six: Show and Tell"
• Finalize texts to be lead by students

Jan. 19:

• Discuss Bradford W. Wright's Comic Book Nation: "Chapter One: Superheroes for the
Common Man" (pages 1-13)
• Discuss Armageddon 2419 AD
(online at http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks06/0601821h.html)
• Discuss The Airlords of Han
(online at http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks06/0606931h.html)

Jan. 21:

• Discuss Scott Mccloud's Understanding Comics: "Chapter Seven: The Six Steps"
• Discuss Michael Chabon's "The Escape Artist" and "A Couple of Boy Geniuses"
(e-reserve: pages 3-13; 69-122)

Jan. 26:

• Discuss Michael Chabon's "A Couple of Boy Geniuses" (e-reserve: pages 123-161)
• Discuss Bradford W. Wright's Comic Book Nation: "Chapter Two: Race, Politics, and
Propaganda" (pages 30-36)
• Discuss Gary Engle's "What Makes Superman So Darned American?"
(online at http://www.cc.ysu.edu/~satingle/gary_engle.htm)

Jan. 28:

• Discuss Bradford W. Wright's Comic Book Nation: "Chapter One: Superheroes for the
Common Man" (pages 13-29) and "Chapter Two: Race, Politics, and Propaganda"
(pages 45-55)
Course Syllabus 4

Feb. 2:

• Discuss Bradford W. Wright's Comic Book Nation: "Chapter Three: "Confronting

Success" (pages 59-85), "Chapter Four: Youth Crisis" (pages 88-108), and "Chapter Six:
Turning Point"

Feb. 4:

• Discuss Bradford W. Wright's Comic Book Nation: "Chapter Seven: Great Power and
Great Responsibility" (pages 201-225) and "Chapter Eight: Questioning Authority"
(pages 243-253)
• Discuss Will Brooker's "1961-1969, Pop and Camp" (e-reserve)

Feb. 9:

• Discuss Will Brooker's "The Giant Typewriter" (e-reserve)

• Discuss Bradford W. Wright's Comic Book Nation: "Chapter Nine: Direct to the Fans,"
"Epilogue," and "Spider-Man at Ground Zero"

Feb. 11:

• Discuss Scott Mccloud's Understanding Comics: "Chapter Two: The Vocabulary of

Comics" and "Chapter Three: Blood in the Gutter"
• Discuss Action Comics 1
(online at http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/yeung/actioncomics/cover.html)

Feb. 16:

• Discuss Scott Mccloud's Understanding Comics: "Chapter Four: Time Frames," "Chapter
Five: Living in Line," and "Chapter Eight: A Word About Color"
• Discuss Action Comics 1
(online at http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/yeung/actioncomics/cover.html)

Feb. 18:

• Discuss Lois H. Gresh's "More Powerful than a Speeding

Locomotive: Superman" (e-reserve)
• Discuss Richard Reynolds's "‘Atonement with the Father': Superman" (e-reserve)
• Discuss Lester Roebuck's "The Good, the Bad, and the Oedipal" (e-reserve: listed as
"Excerpt from Superman at Fifty!")
• Discuss Umberto Eco's "The Myth of Superman" (e-reserve)
• Midterm exam review
• Group one leads class

Feb. 23:

• Midterm Exam
Course Syllabus 5

Feb. 25:

• View Superman Returns

March 2:

• View Superman Returns

March 4:

• Discuss Superman Returns

• Review Lester Roebuck's "The Good, the Bad, and the Oedipal" (e-reserve: listed as
"Excerpt from Superman at Fifty!")
• Discuss Greg Garrett's "Look, Up in the Sky!" (e-reserve)

March 9:

• Discuss Roberta L. Pearson's "Who is the Batman?" (e-reserve: listed as "Excerpts from
The Many Lives of Batman," pages 184-188)
• Group two leads class

March 11:

• Discuss Roberta L. Pearson's "‘I shall become a bat!'" (e-reserve: listed as "Excerpts from
The Many Lives of Batman," pages 193-196)
• Discuss Richard Reynolds's "‘Angry All Your Life': Batman" (e-reserve)
• Discuss Lois H. Gresh's "The Dark Knight: Batman" (e-reserve)
• Discuss E. Paul Zehr's "Historical Milestones in the Martial Arts and Physical Training
History of Batman" (e-reserve)
• Group three leads class

March 16 – 18:

• NO CLASS: Spring Break

March 23:

• Discuss Book I of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: "The Dark Knight Returns"
• Discuss Aimee Bender's "Flat and Glad" (e-reserve)
• Discuss E. Paul Zehr's "The Aging Avenger" (e-reserve)
• Group four leads class

March 25:

• Discuss Book I of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: "The Dark Knight Returns"
• Group five leads class
Course Syllabus 6

March 30:

• Discuss Book II of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: "The Dark Knight Triumphant"
• Group six leads class

April 1:

• Discuss Book III of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: "Hunt the Dark Knight"
• Discuss Roberta L. Pearson's "Menage a Trois" (e-reserve: listed as "Excerpts from The
Many Lives of Batman," pages 196-200)
• Group seven leads class

April 6:

• Discuss Book IV of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns: "The Dark Knight Falls"
• Discuss Greg Garrett's "Vigilante Justice" (e-reserve)
• Discuss Patrick L. Eagan's "A Flag with a Human Face" (e-reserve)
• Discuss Roberta L. Pearson's "‘. . . Batman only works if the world really sucks'"
(e-reserve: listed as "Excerpts from The Many Lives of Batman," pages 202-207)
• Group eight leads class

April 8:

• Discuss Chapter One of Kingdom Come: "Strange Visitor"

• Group nine leads class (Arkham Asylum)

April 13:

• Discuss Chapter Two of Kingdom Come: "Truth and Justice"

• Group ten leads class

April 15:

• Discuss Chapter Three of Kingdom Come: "Up in the Sky"

• Group eleven leads class

April 20:

• Discuss Chapter Four of Kingdom Come: "Never-Ending Battle"

• Discuss Chris Offutt's "Noman Was My Man" (e-reserve)
• Group twelve leads class

April 22:

• View Unbreakable
Course Syllabus 7

April 27:

• View Unbreakable
• Discuss Unbreakable

April 29:

• Discuss Scott Mccloud's Understanding Comics: "Chapter Nine: Putting It All Together"
• Discuss Stephanie Harrell's "Girl Reporter" (e-reserve)
• Discuss Tom Bissell's "My Interview with the Avenger" (e-reserve)
• Final exam review
• Exam essay assigned

May 11:

• Final exam begins at 2:00 in JO 4.102

• Exam essay due

Grading Policy

Semester grades will be calculated in accordance with the following percentages:

Student-lead discussion 25%

Midterm exam 25%
Final exam and essay 25%
Attendance 25%

Letter grades correspond to the following numerical values in calculating a student’s semester
grade:

A+ 4.00 C+ 2.33 F 0.00

A 4.00 C 2.00
A- 3.67 C- 1.67

B+ 3.33 D+ 1.33
B 3.00 D 1.00
B- 2.67 D- 0.67

In general, letter grades are determined by the following criteria:

A--represents outstanding participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed on
time, with very high quality and original thought in all work produced for the course.

B--represents excellent participation in all course activities; all assigned work completed on time,
with consistently high quality in course work.
Course Syllabus 8

C--represents good to average participation in course activities; all assigned work completed,
with generally good overall quality in course work.

D--represents uneven participation in course activities; some gaps in assigned work completed,
with inconsistent quality in course work.

F--represents minimal participation in course activities; serious gaps in assigned work completed,
or very low quality in course work.

______________________________________________________________________________

Course & Instructor Policies

In addition to regular attendance, this course requires three major assignments that will be used in
determining a semester grade:

1. Student groups will lead a twenty-five minute discussion of a particular comic book
or graphic novel.

▪ Using the idiom defined in Scott Mccloud's Understanding Comics,

discussion should offer two critical interpretations of the text drawn from
different critical schools.

▪ Students are welcome to apply research, but interpretations should be their

own within the hermeneutic of the particular critical schools.

▪ Note that any research used should be documented as a Works Cited list in
accordance with MLA format, and submitted to the instructor at the beginning of
the discussion.

▪ Students will sign up for a group and select a comic book or graphic novel
during the first week of class. Note that this might mean sharing a text with
group members. Please begin thinking about the discussion early.
Students should also consider if they will make copies of any pages for the
class to focus on during discussion. Students might plan to distribute said
copies the class period prior to the discussion to give the class a chance to think
about the text.

Additional tips for student-lead discussion:

 Share the work.

 No one group member should monopolize the allotted class time.
Practice and time the group prior to the chosen discussion date.
 Do not constantly look at notes.
 Speak slowly.
 Speak clearly.
 Speak with confidence.
 Be prepared to answer questions.
 Be prepared to give further explanation.
 Make sure each person introduces the next and how he/she will lead the
class to aid the flow of the discussion.
Course Syllabus 9

 Have fun and be creative

Students will be graded as a group in which all members will receive the same grade.
To ensure participation of all members, each student will submit a one-page, typed,
double-spaced evaluation of his or her group members on the day of the discussion.
This evaluation should assess the contribution of members to the group. Any group
member identified as not participating by all other members of the group will
receive an individual grade of F instead of the grade assigned to the group.

Failure to submit an evaluation on time (at the beginning of the class period on
the date that the student has chosen) will result in an individual grade of F.
Moreover, student-lead discussions cannot be made up. Failure on behalf of a
student to be present on the day that he or she has been scheduled to lead class
will result in an individual grade of F for the assignment.

2. Midterm exam (not comprehensive)—Consists of a series of short answer questions.

Students will need to provide a bluebook for the exam.

3. Final exam (comprehensive)--Consists of a series of short answer questions and a

take-home essay question each worth 50% of the total exam grade. Students will
need to provide a bluebook for the in-class portion of the exam. The essay should
present a clear thesis and developed ideas that draw on specific examples from both
primary and secondary sources discussed in class. All work should observe rules of
Standard Written English and all requirements of MLA format including
documentation.

Be sure to note all due dates on the daily calendar. An exam cannot be made up without a
valid excuse, nor will a final exam essay be accepted late without a valid excuse. Inform the
instructor—in advance if possible—if a valid reason for being absent exists, and be prepared to
document all legitimate excuses. Legitimate excuses for missing class include only the
following:

1. Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing

class should notify their instructor in writing and should discuss with him, in advance,
acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. Said notice
should be given within the first two weeks of class (by January 21).

2. Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular

activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments missed as a result of
their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the
instructor prior to any missed assignment for making up the work. Students who must
travel in association with a University athletic function should plan on completing any
work prior to travel.

3. A documented illness. Documentation should clearly state that the student was
instructed by a physician not to attend class on a specific date(s) for his or her health
and/or for the health of others. The date(s) missed should be specifically stated in the
note, as should physician contact information. Undocumented illness will not constitute a
valid excuse for missing class.
Course Syllabus 10

Vacation plans, travel plans, work-related absences, and so on do not constitute excused absences
under this policy.

Students seeking to make up the midterm exam or submit a final exam essay late must first
present documentation of a valid excuse before the make-up exam can be scheduled or the essay
will be accepted. In the case of the midterm, students will have one week (seven days; this does
include weekends) from the original midterm exam date to take the make-up exam. Students
should be aware that the make-up exam will differ from the in-class exam in content. Though the
format of the exam will be the same, students seeking to make up the midterm should expect to
be asked different short answer questions than those presented on the in-class exam. Students
seeking to submit a final exam essay late with valid documentation will have three days from the
original due date to submit the essay.

Concerning attendance, a student will be allowed two unexcused absences for the semester.
These allowed absences cannot be used on a date when an assignment—such as the midterm—is
due, or a discussion is scheduled. Any further unexcused absences will result in a lowered grade
for the semester. For example: a student with four unexcused absences receives a B+ in the
course. Two unexcused absences are allowed. Due to the remaining unexcused absences, this
final grade will be lowered to a B-. Be warned; this does raise the potential for failure due to
absences. For example: a student with five unexcused absences receives a D in the course. Two
unexcused absences are allowed. Due to the remaining three unexcused absences, this final grade
will be lowered to a F.

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. Students who are not present at
this time will be counted absent unless a documented valid excuse is presented. Leaving during
the class will also constitute an absence for the day unless a documented valid excuse is
presented.

Extra credit will not be offered this semester. This course will be conducted according to strict
codes of academic honesty. All cases of cheating will be fully investigated. Penalties for
cheating may include failing an exam, failing the course, or suspension and expulsion from the
University. Students are expected to know the University’s policies and procedures on such
matters, as well as those governing student services, conduct, and obligations.

Please contact the instructor with any questions concerning these polices.

______________________________________________________________________________

Technical Support

If students experience any problems with their UTD accounts they may send an email to:
assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

______________________________________________________________________________

Field Trip Policies

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and
University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information
Course Syllabus 11

regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address
http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is
available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or risk-
related activity associated with this course.

N/A

______________________________________________________________________________

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility
of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and
regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student
conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD printed publication, A to Z Guide, which
is provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the
Rules and Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System,
and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the University’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in
the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391) and online at
http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html

A student at the University neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the
Regents’ Rules, University regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or
off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work
done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high
standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline.

Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to
another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair
advantage to a student, or the attempt to commit such acts.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from
any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the University’s policy on
plagiarism (see general catalog for details).
Course Syllabus 12

Copyright Notice

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making
of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music and
software. Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works may
infringe the copyright owner’s rights and such infringement is subject to appropriate
disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such
material is only appropriate when that usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright
Act. U.T. Dallas students are required to follow the institution’s copyright policy (Policy
Memorandum 84-I.3-46). For more information about the fair use exemption, see
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises
some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange.
The University encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a
student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from
students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the
University to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individuals
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each
student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with University
personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog.
Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle
withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, the professor cannot drop or
withdraw any student. Students must do the proper paperwork to ensure that they will not
receive a final grade of F in a course if they choose not to attend the class once they are
enrolled.

NOTE: January 27 is the last day to drop this course without incurring a W.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the University’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other

fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a
serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or
committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and
evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If
Course Syllabus 13

the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student
may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the
School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate
or Undergraduate Education, and the Dean will appoint and convene an Academic
Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the
academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per University policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably
missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An
incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the
subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the
incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is
changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational

opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in
room 1.610 of the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22

PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
disabilityservice@utdallas.edu

If a student anticipates issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please
meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services. The Coordinator is available to discuss
ways to ensure full participation in the course. If a student determines that formal,
disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that he or she be
registered with Disability Services to notify them of eligibility for reasonable
accommodations. Disability Services can then plan how best to coordinate
accommodations.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.
Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.
Course Syllabus 14

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
8activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose
places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas
Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused,
will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time
after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one
week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or
assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the
exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that
exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose
of observing a religious holy day], or if there is similar disagreement about whether the
student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or
examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief
executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or
designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student
and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of

the Instructor.