Comparison With Regular Lecture Class Syllabus
      Most of the Telecourse syllabus is the same as for the regular lecture class. You should read the regular Lecture Class Syllabus, then read the material below for differences between the courses (there are also a few minor differences pointed out in the regular Syllabus, itself).

Recent Announcements
      You should always check Recent Announcements before coming to class, as it is next to impossible to have announcements posted on Saturdays (e.g., if I am ill or otherwise unable to meet the class). I recommend checking Recent Announcements at least once a week, even between meetings.

Student Contact Information
      Since the Telecourse meets so infrequently, I expect all Telecourse students to provide the school (or me) with an email address, which I can use to contact them. If you have not already done so, send me a note, using or stating your preferred contact address.

Video Broadcasts
      Regular lecture class students receive nearly fifty hours of lecture, while Telecourse students have hardly any lectures, putting them at a considerable disadvantage. To help make up for this, a 20-episode video series, "Astronomy: Observations and Theories", is being aired on CCIN and some local PBS stations (see the Telecourse Broadcast Schedule; students also have the option of purchasing a DVD copy of the series in the Bookstore, for a little over $20.) It is presumed that Telecourse students will watch the videos, which are an excellent, easy-going introduction to the material, but the textbook and eText provide far more information than the videos, and providing you spend adequate time studying them, it is not absolutely necessary for you to watch the videos. The order of the broadcasts is different from the regular-class lectures and exams, but all of them are shown before the second midterm, so that makes no difference in terms of preparing for the exams.

Study Habits
     Whether you watch the videos or not, you will need to spend more time studying for the Telecourse than for a normal class, to make up for the lack of lecture time. You should spend at least three more hours per week studying for the Telecourse than for a regular class. How you spend that time is up to you. Part can be spent watching the Telecourse videos, part studying the text, and part studying the eText, according to what you find most helpful in understanding the material, and preparing for the exams. Telecourse students are also welcome to attend any of my regular class lectures, if they have the time to do so.

Attendance
      Although I take attendance at the Orientation, I do not take attendance at the other on-campus meetings. If you take an exam, whether at the scheduled time for the Telecourse exam, or with another class (as discussed under Makeup Exams in the regular lecture class Syllabus), you will be counted as having attended the Telecourse meeting at which that exam was given. If you fail to take a particular exam, you will be counted as absent at the corresponding Telecourse meeting. However, regardless of your attendance or lack of it, I will only drop you under certain circumstances: (1) If you do not take either midterm, you will be dropped as of the last date you could have taken the second midterm (or its makeups). (2) If you do not take the Final, you will be dropped as of the drop deadline for the class. (3) If you send me an email requesting that I drop you, you will be dropped as of the day that you send the email, or the drop deadline, whichever is earlier. Note that the first two options have no exceptions. If you want to remain in the class you must take the Final, and at least one midterm. I will not allow students to pretend that they were "active" if they can't be bothered to take the exams.

Returning Examinations
      Since there are no on-campus meetings between exams, if you want to find out how you did on one exam prior to the next one, you need to email me to request your grade, or arrange a time to pick up your exam at one of my other classes. I make comments on each exam (particularly the first one) that are useful in preparing for the next exam, and if you do not make some effort to retrieve your exam, you will not be able to take advantage of those comments.