Course CRIM 4396.003.

10F Topics in Criminology: Terrorism

Instructor Ryan Getty
Term Fall 2010; August 19, 2009 to December 15, 2009
Meetings Wednesdays, 1:30 P.M. – 4:15 P.M. in ECSS 2.415

Instructor’s Contact Information

Office Phone 214-671-3744 (CPI) – not usually there

Other Phone 415-533-6200 (Cell)
Office Location GR 2.510 (by appointment)

Email Address getty@utdallas.edu ; terrorismcrim4396@gmail.com

Office Hours Anytime by appointment / text

Other To be disseminated in class / on-line

Information

General Course Information

Knowledge and proper usage of eLearning as well as some word

processor i.e MS Word, Works, WordPerfect, Open Office, etc.
Knowledge of PowerPoint, Keynote or similar product may be helpful.
Pre-requisites,
Co-requisites, & Any undergraduate student in the School of Economic, Political &
other restrictions Policy Sciences is welcome to enroll and encouraged to take the
class. Students from other schools who are interested in social
science are also welcome.

The main objective of this course is to examine the origins, nature,

and operational characteristics of terrorist groups around the world.
Students will be exposed to a wide range of topics ranging from the
definition of “terrorism” to the unique characteristics of terrorist
Course cells in the United States and abroad. Historical and contemporary
Description terrorist attacks will be explored within their context. Students will
also learn about the legal and operational (counter-terrorism)
aspects of terrorism. The future of terrorism / anti-terrorism will be
analyzed as will the medias’ role.

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to:

 Define what terrorism is and is not;

Learning  Identify and distinguish between the various world-wide
Outcomes terrorist groups;
 Summarize the various terrorist groups’ ideologies;
 Extrapolate upon the various terrorist groups goals and
objectives and therefore, predict possible agendas;
 Describe and evaluate world-wide response(s) to
 terrorist attacks with particular attention to U.S.
involvement;
 Identify and (re)organize counter-terrorist elements
/agencies to prevent future terrorist attacks;
 Elaborate on the future of terrorism / anti-terrorism, given the
past; and,
 Present a group project involving some aspect of
terrorism while in front of the class.

Required Texts:

I do not “loan” books or let students “borrow” them – please

don’t ask. Discussions and assignments will necessitate you
having the required books/materials. Also, if you choose to buy
older editions, it is at your own peril. Check the libraries, inter-
library loans, etc. as soon as possible if you don’t have your
text(s) yet.
Required Texts &
Materials Combs, C. C. (2011). Terrorism in the 21st century (6th ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Simonsen, C. E., & Spindlove, J. R. (2010). Terrorism today: The

past, the players, the future (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Prentice Hall.

The 9/11 Commission Report (available on-line in pdf for free)

Online articles as assigned (to be posted on eLearning)

Highly Suggested:

American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of

the American psychological association (6th ed.).
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
(the 5th ed. is MUCH harder to understand and MUCH has
changed. The first printing is very inaccurate so either
download the many corrections or buy the SECOND
PRINTING: October 2009)
Suggested Texts,
Readings, &
Johnson Jr., W. A., Rettig, R. P., Scott, G. M., & Garrison, S. M.
Materials
(2008). The criminal justice student writer's manual (4th
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Nacos, B. L. (2010). Terrorism and counterterrorism:

Understanding threats and responses in the post-9/11 world
(3rd ed.). NY: Longman. (2nd ed. is okay)

Internet: This class will use eLearning for all formal class
communications. This will require you to activate your NetID if
you have not already done so. ELEARNING WORKS BEST
 WITH AN AVAILABLE AND RELIABLE INTERNET
CONNECTION; BE SURE TO HAVE ONE. There are networks
available at the library and labs also. eLearning is accessible at
http://elearning.utdallas.edu If you have difficulty, see
http://www.utdallas.edu/oee/distance/eLearningHelpdesk.html
or call the helpdesk at 1-866-588-3192. Also, see “eLearning
Course Website” below.

The outline of assignments is provided below. The course will be a combination of

lecture, discussion and activities. During most sessions, the class will begin with a short
quiz, then a lecture presentation of issues and concerns which are the most important for
those topics and that subject. This will usually be followed by an open, moderated
discussion over the topic(s) which relate to the issues and substantive examples given.
Students are especially encouraged to attend and share ideas in class – the more practice
one gets discussing the topics, the easier it is to understand the material and do well.

Assignments & Academic Calendar (TENTIVE – SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Assignments, scheduled quizzes and exams have been inserted below. These are tentative –
all accurate dates and any changes in dates, are announced in class and/or posted on
eLearning. All related chapters/articles and/or assignments should be read/done BEFORE
that class in order to intelligently participate and do well on any quizzes.

Dates Tentative Course Schedule

(S&S) is the Terrorism Today book, (CC) is the Terrorism in
Key the 21st Century book and (N) is the Nacos’ book, Terrorism
and Counterterrorism.

0 – 8/25 Introductions / Class Expectations / Syllabus Review

Introduce “Passport” concept, Group Project, Rubric

1 – 9/1 Quiz over 8/25 lecture (syllabus) and 9/1 readings

Overview & Definitions of Terrorism: Chap. 1 (S&S); Chap.
1 (CC); Chap. 2 (N)

09/03/10 Census Day: Last day to drop with a “W”

2 – 9/8 Quiz over 9/1 lecture and 9/8 readings

Historical context of Terrorism: Chap. 2 (S&S); Chap. 2
(CC); Chap’s 1 & 3 (N)

3 – 9/15 Quiz over 9/8 lecture and 9/15 readings

Intro to Ideologies and Travels: Great Britain and N.
Ireland; Chap. 5 (S&S); Chap. 3 (CC); Chap’s 5 & 6 (N)

4 – 9/22 Quiz over 9/15 lecture and 9/22 readings

Travels: Western Europe Chap. 6 (S&S)
Presentation(s)
5 – 9/29 Quiz over 9/22 lecture and 9/29 readings
Travels: Eastern Europe and Training; Chap. 7 (S&S);
Chap. 4 & 7 (CC); Chap. 8 & 9 (N)
Presentation(s)
6 – 10/6 Quiz over 9/29 lecture and 10/6 readings
Travels: N. Africa and the Middle East; Chap. 8 (S&S);
Chap. 5 & 6 (CC); Chap. 7 (N)
Presentation(s)

“Passports #1” due from materials including N. Africa and

7 – 10/13 the Middle East (e.g. “Midterm”) due at beginning of class
before quiz
Quiz over 10/6 lecture and 10/13 readings
Travels: Northeast, Central, and Southern Africa & Legal
Perspectives; Chap. 10 (S&S); Chap. 10 (CC)
Presentation(s)

10/15/10 UTD Midterm Grades due (not meaningful!)

8 – 10/20 Quiz over 10/13 lecture and 10/20 readings

Travels: Southern and Southeast Asia; Chap. 11 (S&S)
Presentation(s)

10/25/10 Last day to drop with a “WP/WF”

9 – 10/27 Quiz over 10/20 lecture and 10/27 readings

Travels: The Pacific Rim; Chap. 12 (S&S)
Presentation(s)

10 – 11/3 Quiz over 10/27 lecture and 11/3 readings

Travels: Latin America and South America & The Media;
Chap. 13 (S&S); Chap. 8 (CC); Chap. 14, 15 & 16 (N)
Presentation(s)

11 – 11/10 Quiz over 11/3 lecture and 11/10 readings

Travels: The Persian Gulf; Chap. 9 (S&S)
Presentation(s)

12 – 11/17 Quiz over 11/10 lecture and 11/17 readings

Travels: The U.S., Canada and the Caribbean; Chap. 3 & 4
(S&S), Chap. 9 (CC); Chap. 4 (N)
Presentation(s)

13 – 11/24 Quiz over 11/17 lecture and 11/24 readings

Countering Terrorism; Chap. 14 (S&S); Chap.’s 11 & 12
(CC); Chap 10-13 (N)
Presentation(s)
11/25 – 11/27 American Thanksgiving Holiday

14 – 12/1 Quiz over 11/24 lecture and 12/1 readings

The Future of Terrorism…Chap. 15 (S&S); Chap’s 13, 14
and 15 (CC); Chap 17 (N)
Presentation(s)

12/08/10 “Reading Day”

12/15/10 All “Passports” (#1 and #2) due (e.g. Final Exam)

14 Quizzes (roughly 20%) (about 200 points total)

There will be approximately 14 in-class, short quizzes in
this course for a total of about 20 percent of your final
grade. The quizzes may include multiple choice,
true/false, short answer and/or fill in the blank and will
cover the two required textbooks and lecture as well as
any outside work assigned. The specific format of the
quizzes will be announced in class. These quizzes
cannot be made up. They require your attendance.

The dates noted on the syllabus are subject to change –

any changes will be announced in class or/and on
eLearning.

Grading
Midterm and Final exams or “Passports” (60%) (600 points total, 300
(credit) /
each Passport)
Course
There will be two (2) “exam papers” in this course: a
Requirements
Midterm and a Final in the form of “Passports”. The 1st
Criteria
Passport will be worth 300 points or 30% of the final
grade, the 2nd passport (to be handed in with the first)
will also be worth 300 points. The Passport format and
procedure will be fully explained later but will require
knowledge of the material covered in class, the required
texts and some easily obtainable research.

At the discretion of the instructor, any student who does

not complete the Passport on time will likely be given
less points for that assignment. No “extra days” will be
given or incompletes as a final grade – unless by
university policy. Also, see “Make-up” work and
university policy.

The dates noted on the syllabus for handing in the

Passports are tentative and are subject to change – any
 changes will be announced in class as well as eLearning.
It is your responsibility to check eLearning. Ignorance
of the change(s) will not be an excuse.

Group Project (20%) (200 points total)

There will be a group project. This will be a
presentation in front of the class. Your group will be
expected to present some research, use some type of
media (i.e. PowerPoint, poster boards, handouts, etc.)
which is best suited for your presentation. Your subject
must be approved prior to starting your presentation.
You will receive a grading matrix so you will know
what is expected and how it will be graded. More
details will be given in class. If you are not present
when your group presents or your group “votes you
off” their group (details later), you will be allowed a
personal presentation at my discretion and on a class
date I assign.

Readings
Students are expected to complete all assigned readings
before that class. This will provide you with an
adequate background of the materials to be covered in
the lecture as well as serve to help you understanding
and give the ability to ask critical questions. Since
quizzes based upon the readings and lecture is about
20% of your grade, it is imperative you read your
assignments which will prepare you for class. This will
also help your Passport entries.

Class Participation / Quiz Influences

Since you cannot take the quiz, failing to show up or
being late to class will hurt your quiz grade. You will
not be able to start the quiz after it’s already handed out
and you show up late so plan accordingly. Both class
attendance and participation are strongly encouraged as
well as expected. We will be discussing the readings so
if you do not attend and participate, your grade will
likely be affected in the Quiz and Passport areas. In
addition, (generally) students who attend class regularly
perform better on exams than students who do not
attend class, i.e. absences will hurt.

Grading Scale:

A+   1000  -­‐  967  

A   966  -­‐  934  
A-­‐   933  -­‐  900  
B+   899  -­‐  867  
 B   866  -­‐  834  
B-­‐   833  -­‐  800  
C+   799  -­‐  767  
C   766  -­‐  734  
C-­‐   733  -­‐  700  
D+   699  –  667  
D   666  –  634  
D-­‐   633  –  600  
F   <  600  

You will notice if you do the math, these numbers are

rounded. Although there will be a precise number, I will
round up if the situation dictates.

The total points attempted for each exercise is:

Quizzes 14 x 15 points ≈ 200 total points

Group Project = 200 total points
Midterm Passport = 300 total points
Final Passport (to include prior Passport attached) = 300
total points
Grand total ≈ 1000 possible points (each student starts
with 0)

In-class quizzes cannot be made up. The only exceptions are university
policy exceptions. If a quiz is missed, you will receive a zero (0) for
that quiz. IF you have documented proof you were absent due to one
of the allowable university absences, you likely will be asked to
provide documented proof. No offense. It will be required of all
students; I don’t discriminate. If I find the excuse was valid, the next
quiz will be “counted twice” to “make up” that quiz missed.

Passport assignments handed in late will be graded upon quality vs.

time. This will be a MUCH harder task so I encourage you to keep up
“Make-up
with the Passport and hand it in on time. If the final Passports are
Work” Policy
handed in after I have to input final grades (I will give that date as soon
as I know it), a zero (0) will be given. I would EXTREMELY advise
you not to be late with the final Passport. I must have the final grades
in on time.

If you are absent when your group presents its Group Project, your
group must unanimously (by vote) excuse you – in writing – to me or
you will receive a zero (0) which can only be made up by presenting a
separate presentation OR if your group “votes you off” for compelling
reasons, you will be required to present a separate presentation in order
to satisfy the “Group Project” grade.
 Therefore, please be aware that there will be no “make-up” for
quizzes, exams (Passports), group projects, or other tasks except as
provided above. The quizzes will be given as stated above and at no
other times for any reason other than as provided by UTD policy. If an
absence of this type in the preceding paragraph is contemplated or does
occur, it is your responsibility to contact the appropriate university
authorities / me to verify the nature of your absence.

It is your responsibility to contact me during the first two weeks of

class, i.e. by September 8, 2010, if there’s anything about which I
should know concerning special accommodation for any of the
assignments. I will try to work out a suitable arrangement but I must
know about it during the first two weeks of class. It is also your
responsibility to bring me the required documentation or have the
appropriate parties contact me in a timely manner for any kind of
special accommodation regarding any of the assignments.

Extra Credit NONE. PERIOD.

Except for the above circumstances (“Make-up Work” Policy), late

submissions and make-up will not be allowed. I cannot stress this
Late Work enough. I will not answer communications asking for make-up
work/more time without the aforementioned, accompanying
documentation.

Except as provided for in “Student Grievance Procedures” (below), it is

my practice not to “haggle”, “discuss”, “re-evaluate”, etc. grades
assigned until at least two (2) days after you or your group receive the
grade. This is a “cooling off period” which gives you or your group an
oppourtunity to contemplate a cogent, articulate, well-grounded
Written argument as to why you believe the grade was incorrect. After that
Grading time, please e-mail me or make an appointment for grading issues. I
“Issues” CANNOT discuss actual grades/grading through e-mail. (see FERPA)
GRADES GIVEN PRIOR TO 12/08/10 WILL NOT BE DISCUSED
AFTER THAT DATE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW
WHAT GRADE(S) YOU HAVE AND ASK ABOUT THEM IN A
TIMELY MANNER. I post them on eLearning in a timely manner so I
expect you to know them.

Class attendance and participation are strongly encouraged. If it

Class appears the reading assignments are not being done, this will likely
Attendance affect your quiz and Passport grades. (see also “‘Make-up’ Work
Policy” and “Late Work”)

Classroom
Citizenship Absolutely NO racist or sexist remarks (written or verbal) will be
tolerated! Do not attack another’s religion or religious beliefs! Any
such remarks will be dealt with severely and immediately! There
will be controversial topics dealt with in this class. If you feel your
ideas are the only “truth,” this is not likely the class for you.

Please turn off all cell phones and/or beepers (as well as anything
else that may make noise) during class unless cleared by the
instructor prior to class (emergency cases only i.e. on-call police,
relatives currently in hospital, etc.) If you forget to turn your phone
off and you get a call, please don’t answer it and turn the ringer off as
quickly as possible. Mobile communication devices should not be
used during class time for text messaging, email or any other form of
communication. If you feel you NEED to answer/make a call and/or
text, please leave the classroom as quietly as possible and take care of
the situation.

Computer privileges: WILL be allowed UNLESS it is discovered

the usage is not related to class work (i.e. IM, checking non-class
related e-mail, “surfing,” Facebook, etc.) If violated, the offender
will not be allowed to use a computer while in class for the remaining
semester. The content of your computer usage may be observed
upon request at any time by the instructor while in class e.g. it is not
private and not a right. Failure to comply with a request will result in
your computer access privileges being revoked for the remainder of
the semester. There may also be “guests” in class monitoring your
computer usage.

Students are expected to arrive at class on time. In addition to

being on time to class, students are expected to remain in class
until they are dismissed. Important announcements (for which you
will be responsible), are usually done at the end of classes. If you
plan to leave early, please notify me, set near the door and be
advised, it may affect your grade.

Students are also expected to be attentive to class proceedings,

whether it is lecture, video, class discussion or guest lecture.
Students who are not attentive or who are disruptive will be asked
to leave the classroom and are expected to do so promptly and
respectfully.

If there are any police officers or others who may legally carry
firearms/weapons, please identify yourself to me in private after the
first class. I will keep your identity confidential. If you cannot
legally carry weapons, do not bring a firearm/illegal weapon to
class or you will be arrested at the very least. See Texas Penal Code
Chapter 46, Government Code Chapter 411 and the Rules and
Regulations of the Board of Regents.

eLearning
 Course There is an eLearning site associated with this course. Students
Website are required to log in to the website at least once a week.

The best days are within three days after class and the day
before class. This gives me time to post anything I have
mentioned in class and also give any “last minute” help before
class.

The website can be found at https://eLearning.utdallas.edu/

– log in with your UTA NetID and NetID password and click
on the link to “CRIM-4396 003: Topics in Criminology Fall
2010 – F10” in your Course List.

Various resources will be made available via this website,

including:
• The syllabus
• Announcements – information related to the class
will be posted periodically on the Announcements
page – students should check the Announcements at
least once a week.
• Grades - grades will be distributed through
eLearning ONLY. I cannot e-mail, text or talk
about grades over the phone for any reason. It is a
violation of federal (FERPA) law.
• Handouts – copies of all class handouts will be
posted to the website so students may access them
online. I try to save trees.
• Communication Tools – includes email and
discussion boards
o Students are required to check their email
from eLearning as I may communicate to
you in this format
o There are discussion threads where students
can post requests for notes from other
students and where students can
anonymously post questions and suggestions
to the instructor.
• Course Resources – links to various sites that should
be helpful to students.

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state
Field Trip
law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related
Policies
activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the
Off-Campus
website address http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm.
Instruction &
Additional information is available from the office of the school dean. Below is a
Course Activities
description of any travel and/or risk-related activity associated with this course.

Technical If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to:
Support assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.
 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
Student Conduct University of Texas System, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities
and Discipline 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, call 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.

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.

Scholastic Dishonesty, 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
Academic attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another
Integrity 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).

Any work may be subject to turnitin.com. See http://www.plagiarism.org/ for

more guidance. DO NOT ASSUME you know what plagiarism is or is not.

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, software and others’ papers or intellectual property. 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
Copyright Notice
criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such material is only appropriate
when that usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright Act. As a UT Dallas
student, you 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 individual 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.

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
Withdrawal from
handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or
Class
withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not
receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you
are enrolled.

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
Student evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
Grievance submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean.
Procedures If 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 deal 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.

As per university policy, incomplete grades may be granted at the instructor’s

discretion only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of
Incomplete the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within
Grades 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.

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
Disability in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30
Services 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 you anticipate 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 your full participation in the course. If you determine that
formal, disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that
you be registered with Disability Services to notify them of your eligibility for
reasonable accommodations. Disability Services can then plan how best to
coordinate your 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.

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
activities 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
Religious Holy
to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a
Days
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(M), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.