Each class at Harvard will have its own norms, and often those norms will either be explicitly stated on the syllabus or co-created by the class early in the semester. If you’re unsure of class norms, even after doublechecking the course syllabus, then it’s a good idea to check in with your instructor to find out what they are.
Common Norms across Harvard classes:
- Students come to class prepared and ready to learn.
- Students show respect for their peers by critiquing ideas (not the people who express them) and listening to understand (rather than to judge).
- Students show respect for instructors by arriving on time and engaging maturely in classroom discussions and activities.
- When requesting extensions, exceptions, or other special considerations, students make requests via the proper channels as dictated by course and/or University guidelines.
Course Specific Norms
Some norms and expectations vary depending on the class. Look for these course specific norms on course syllabi. If they are not stated there or you find them unclear, don’t hesitate to contact your instructor.
Below are some areas where courses define their specific norms and expectations:
- How to address your instructor/teaching staff (Dr., Professor, first name, etc.).
- What materials are required or recommended for class.
- What your expected background knowledge should be for the course.
- What is considered mandatory versus optional for the class.
- How to participate in class discussions.
- What goes into a participation grade.
- What counts as acceptable collaboration and how to cite it.
- Guidelines and rules for use of artificial intelligence (Chat GPT, etc.).
- When to use email or office hours with course-related questions.
- Where to look for class communications (email, Canvas, Slack, etc.).
- Standards around assignment submission (file type, method for submission, etc.).
- Policies on instructors looking over work ahead of submission.
- Whether extensions to course deadlines are permitted and how to pursue them.
- Protocols around excused/unexcused absences and other interruptions to coursework.
- What to do if you are struggling in the course.
- How to be in touch, and who to communicate with, if you have a personal emergency.
- Teaching staff availability (on email and in person) outside of stated office hours and procedures for requesting an appointment (who to contact, how far in advance, etc.).