Minimum Standards of Performance in All Programs
- Your grade record is an important, but not
necessarily decisive, factor in helping the Department decide whether to
retain you in our programs. Performance at the B level may keep you
in, but is not satisfactory for financial aid.
- Any grade of C is considered a failure
and must be matched by either a prior or concurrent A or by an A
in the semester following. Alternatively, a grade of C or lower may
be changed to a passing grade during the following semester at the
instructor’s discretion and subject to conditions imposed by the instructor.
- Any grade below a B in a required
course must be removed rather than matched by a higher grade in another
course. This may be accomplished by retaking the course (without formal
registration). It may also be accomplished through the alternative in #2
above.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better must be
maintained in order to remain in the graduate program. If your average falls
below this level, you are on automatic probation for the semester of
enrollment which follows an unsatisfactory cumulative GPA. Failure to regain
an acceptable level during the probationary semester will result in dismissal
from the program.
- Notwithstanding your cumulative GPA, two
earned grades of C or any grade below C are cause for serious
concern and will be formally reviewed by the faculty for possible further
action. Three failing grades, whether or not these are removed or balanced,
will result in dismissal from the program.
- A maximum of two concurrently held incompletes
(a grade of I) is allowed. If this maximum is reached, the student
will be allowed to take only three credit hours per semester until the
incomplete total is reduced. If the maximum is surpassed, one or more
incompletes must be removed before additional course registration is
permitted.
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Evaluating Student Performance
In addition to the grades that graduate students
receive in their classes, there are a number of more general evaluative criteria
that guide the Faculty of the Department of Anthropology at Southern Methodist
University. These criteria are closely linked to issues of professional
promise, professional commitment, intellectual growth, development as a teacher,
and as an ethical and responsible citizen not only of our community but also of
the Anthropology profession generally.
Classroom Performance/Coursework
- Consistent attendance and engaged participation in discussion and class activities.
- Timely completion of all assignments and course requirements.
- Intellectual curiosity.
- Analytical rigor in approaching ideas/problem-solving, willingness to examine alternative viewpoints.
- Intellectual industry (works hard; is not satisfied to do minimal or even “adequate” work).
- High ethical standards (in dealing with the scholarly ideas of others, etc.)
Performance of Teaching/Departmental Responsibilities (GA/TA)
- Timely and responsible completion of all assigned duties.
- Ability to organize materials and ideas in an effective way.
- Works effectively with others (students, colleagues) in cooperative settings.
- Willingness to invest extra time and effort (beyond minimal or “adequate” levels) and see that undergraduate students learn and understand course materials.
- High ethical standards in relationships with students and professors.
Performance in Research and Fieldwork
- High ethical standards in relationship with
research community and with professors in the field or in the academic
setting. Plagiarism, fabrication, cheating and facilitating academic dishonesty are all
unacceptable (See below). Students should consult the SMU Policy & Procedures for dealing
with scientific conduct in research. This policy is available in the
Departmental Office.
- Ability to apply anthropological concepts in the field.
- Ability to engage in cooperative teamwork with other students and faculty in the field, whether in the United States or abroad.
- Evidence of flexibility and adaptability to field settings.
Twice each academic year, the faculty meet to
discuss the performance of each student according to these criteria.
Plagiarism if intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of
another as one’s own in any academic exercise. We are constantly drawing on the ideas of others as we conduct our own
work. It is imperative that the
work of others be given proper credit with customary forms of acknowledgement. For a detailed discussion of plagiarism, including how to recognize
acceptable and unacceptable paraphrases see http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html.
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Removal From Program and Appeals
Should a student’s performance be judged so
unsatisfactory that dismissal is recommended, that decision will be made by the
total faculty. Similarly, appeals from such decisions must be presented to the
faculty as a whole.
Language Requirement
It is essential for professional anthropologists
to be familiar with foreign languages, since both during and after their formal
education, the reading of material in foreign languages is inevitable. The
Department of Anthropology at SMU must be satisfied that a high level of
familiarity with at least one foreign language has been achieved by all its
Ph.D. students. Further information on the
language requirement appears
under the general requirements for the Ph.D.
Consult the program descriptions for specific
language requirements. These should be satisfied as soon as possible (usually
by the end of the second year), since by so doing you will avoid serious
frustrations later in your training and can then use the language as a tool in
preparing for your Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
MUST BE SATISFIED BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR Ph.D. QUALIFYING EXAMS.
Archaeology students must demonstrate an ability to read research literature
published in a modern foreign language such as French, German, Spanish, or
Russian. You may petition the faculty if you wish to substitute another
language or languages. Sociocultural students must demonstrate a knowledge of
the language most relevant to their field research.
