Academic Assistance

Navigating the Various "Communications" Degrees

The Faculty of Communication and Culture offers several degrees with the word "Communication" in the title. Students often get justifiably confused as to which one they are in. Here are the differences.

  

Problems with Instruction

Problems with instruction may include complaints about assignments, grades, deadlines, or instruction in general. If you have problems with a particular course (as opposed to your program in general), discuss them first with your instructor.

Instructors are permitted to set their own policies regarding extensions, late penalties, and to a large extent, grading. They may or may not grant specific requests, but you should always feel welcome to talk to them first if you need extra help, do not understand the reasons for a grade, or have medical problems or special needsthat may justify accommodations.

If you cannot resolve your problems directly with the instructor, and you believe your problems are serious enough to warrant special consideration, please feel free to contact the Faculty Office. Start with a formal request in writing or make an appointment to discuss your concerns in person.

Note: Full scale formal appeals regarding academic standing (for instance, being required to withdraw from the university for academic or other reasons) should be addressed to the Dean, Dr. Wisdom Tettey  

Appeal Of Assignments And Mid-Term Examination Grades

Procedures for appealing assignments and mid-term examination grades:

1. The student must first discuss the assignment/exam with the instructor within 15 days of receiving the grade.

2. If the instructor refuses to change the grade and the student is dissatisfied with the instructor's reasons, the student may appeal his/her grade to the division head responsible for the course.

3. The student must realize that an appeal is not granted automatically - there must be sufficient grounds for an appeal to proceed. The student must also realize that a grade may be raised or lowered as a result of the appeal.

4. The student must submit his/her appeal within 15 days of meeting with the instructor. The student should provide a detailed, written explanation as to why he/she disagrees with the instructor's decision. This letter, along with the work in question, should be submitted to the division head responsible for the course, via the Faculty Office, SS 110.

5. If the student does not know which division head to address, he/she should contact the Faculty Office, SS 110, telephone: (403) 220-6207. Further enquiries should be directed to the division head.  

  

Deferred Term Work

Deferred term work includes assignments due during the term, in-class tests, and Take-home Final Exams. A request for deferred term work is made when you are unable to submit your assignment(s) by the required deadline(s), or if you are absent from an in-class test.

First, you must have a valid reason for requesting deferred term work (eg. medical reason -- the instructor may request supporting documentation.) Be sure to discuss your situation with your instructor in advance, if possible - don't assume that your instructor will accept your late work without prior notice. Also, your instructor may impose a grade penalty for work submitted late.  

Will you be completing your work before the term ends? If so, talk to your instructor before the deadline or test, if possible. Extensions to assignment deadlines or make-up exams written during the term require no formal application but are left to the discretion of your instructor. Please note that your instructor is not obligated to accommodate your request.

Will you be submitting your assignments or writing your make-up exam after the Registrar's deadline for submission of final grades? If so, your request will require approval from your instructor, as well as approval from the Assistant Dean Undergraduate Programs, Lynne Perras.

To apply, you will need to:

• complete an Application for Deferment of Term Work, Papers, Assignments or Instructor-scheduled Tests form (available from the Registrar's Office),
• discuss a new completion date with your instructor and include the date on the form,
• have your instructor sign the form, indicating approval of the new date,
• submit the completed form to either the Associate or Assistant Dean for approval.

 

If your request is approved, the grade "DT" will appear on your transcript until a Change of Grade form is submitted by your instructor. If you miss the deferred due date, you will need to reapply for deferred term work following the procedures outlined above.

  

Deferred Registrar-Scheduled Exams

If you are unable to write your Registrar-scheduled final exam at the scheduled time, you may apply to have the exam deferred to a later date. This Deferred Exam, or in some cases, Special Deferred Exam, will be scheduled by the Registrar during a pre-determined time period. All Deferred Exams for the University of Calgary are set during this time period and the exam is invigilated by Registrar's Office staff.

You must have a valid reason for requesting a Registrar-scheduled deferred exam (eg. medical reason, conflicts with other exams, three exams scheduled on the same day).

Deferred Registrar-scheduled exams require approval from Assistant Dean, Lynne Perras.

  

Special Needs

It is a student's responsibility to request academic accommodation. If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation and have not registered with the Disability Resource Centre, please contact their office at 220-8237.

If you are seeking academic accommodation, please notify your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the commencement of this course.