Student expectations
Students are expected to attend class each week and actively participate in lecture, discussions, and lab. Actively participating means both speaking up and sharing your ideas, while also allowing others space. To succeed in the course, students are expected to carefully read the required readings (recommended and optional readings are not necessary to succeed in the course), submit weekly memos, and complete a final project that is of publishable quality. If at any point you have questions about what is required to succeed in this course, we would be more than happy to talk in office hours.
Academic integrity
The high academic standard at the University of California, Berkeley, is reflected in each degree that is awarded. As a result, every student is expected to maintain this high standard by ensuring that all academic work reflects unique ideas or properly attributes the ideas to the original sources. Any work submitted should be your own individual thoughts, and should not have been submitted for credit in another course unless you have prior written permission to re-use it in this course. All assignments must use “proper attribution,” meaning that you have identified the original source and extent or words or ideas that you reproduce or use in your assignment. Visit this page for more information. If you have questions, any member of the teaching team would be happy to have a conversation.
Late policy
Late reading memos will be given no credit. For final project deliverables, 10% will be subtracted from the grade for each day late.
GPT Policy
Generative AI is software, for example, ChatGPT, that can perform advanced processing of text at skill levels that at least appear similar to a human’s. Generative AI software is quickly being adopted in legal practice, and many internet services and ordinary programs will soon include generative AI software. At the same time, Generative AI presents risks to our shared pedagogical mission. For this reason, we adopt the following default rule based on Berkeley Law’s GPT Policy, which enables some uses of Generative AI but also bans uses of Generative AI that would be plagiaristic if Generative AI’s output had been composed by a human author.
For assignments submitted for credit in INFO288, the class of generative AI software may be used to perform research in ways similar to search engines such as Google, for correction of grammar, and for other functions attendant to completing an assignment. However, the software may not be used to compose any part of the submitted assignment, and may never may be employed for a use that would constitute plagiarism if the generative AI source were a human or organizational author. For discussion of plagiarism, see https://gsi.berkeley.edu/gsi-guide-contents/academic-misconduct-intro/plagiarism/(link is external). If using generative AI software in a submitted assignment, we ask that you include a short description of how the software was used.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities who need accommodations in order to have equal access to this course will be accommodated. If you have not done so already, please contact DSP and apply for services. If you are already eligible for services, please be sure to request your accommodation letters for this class. We welcome accommodation letters from the DSP. Know that we read the letters and adjust the course design and/or course policies accordingly.
Diversity and inclusion
These principles of community for the University of California, Berkeley are rooted in a mission of teaching, research and public service and will be enforced in our classroom this term.
- We place honesty and integrity in our teaching, learning, research and administration at the highest level.
- We recognize the intrinsic relationship between diversity and excellence in all our endeavors.
- We affirm the dignity of all individuals and strive to uphold a just community in which discrimination and hate are not tolerated.
- We are committed to ensuring freedom of expression and dialogue that elicits the full spectrum of views held by our varied communities.
- We respect the differences as well as the commonalities that bring us together and call for civility and respect in our personal interactions.
- We believe that active participation and leadership in addressing the most pressing issues facing our local and global communities are central to our educational mission.
- We embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our obligation and goal.
For more information, visit UC Berkeley’s Division of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity page.
We aim to create an inclusive classroom. Please let us know the name you would like us to call you and the pronouns you would like to use in class. Please do not hesitate to remind us publicly or privately if we mispronounce your name. We acknowledge that having a personal computer, a good Internet connection, and a quiet space to work makes keeping up with course readings and completing class assignments much easier. If you are struggling with any of these or are having any trouble accessing materials for this course we want to know. Life doesn’t stop because you are a student. If experiences outside of school are interfering with your studies, please don’t hesitate to come and talk with us. If you prefer to speak with someone outside of the course or the program, our campus-side diversity office is available (email: vcei@berkeley.edu, phone: 510-642-7294).
We (like many people) are still in the process of learning about diverse perspectives and identities. If something was said in class (by anyone, including one of the members of the teaching team) that you feel was unfair, ill-informed, or personally hurtful, please talk to us about it. To report any incident of intolerance, hate, harassment or exclusion on campus or by members of the campus community, you can start here.
Finally, as a participant in course discussions, you should also strive to honor the diversity of your classmates.
Basic needs
If you are in need of economic, food, or housing support, you can find help at UC Berkeley’s basic needs center. You may be eligible for money to buy groceries via CalFresh or our Food Assistance Program. If you need food immediately, please visit the UC Berkeley Food Pantry.
Sexual violence and sexual harassment
Sexual violence and sexual harassment have no place in a learning environment. Therefore, in alignment with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and applicable state laws, the University of California Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. The UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy requires that the University implement interim remedies and support measures, when necessary, for victims/survivors. If you or someone you know experiences sexual violence or harassment, there are options, rights, and resources, including assistance with academics, reporting, and medical care. Visit http://svsh.berkeley.edu or call the 24/7 Care Line at 510-643-2005. For questions about this and other related policies, visit https://ophd.berkeley.edu or contact OPHD at ask.ophd@berkeley.edu.
Path to Care Center Confidential Advocates provide affirming, empowering, and confidential support for those that have experienced gendered violence, including: sexual harassment, emotional abuse, dating and intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sexual exploitation. Advocates bring a non-judgmental, caring approach to exploring all options, rights, and resources. They can be reached by phone at (510) 642-1988 or on their website.
Please note that the entire teaching team, including the GSIs, are “Responsible Employees” of the University. This means that if a student divulges to any member of the teaching team an incident of sexual harassment or violence, we are obliged to notify campus authorities. You can read more about the Responsible Employee designation here.