I discourage late arrivals and early departures. If they are unavoidable, be as unobtrusive as possible. If you want to catch up on reading or sleep please do it somewhere else. No disruptive food or drinks. No cell phones or pagers.
Dates are approximate.
There is some flexibility in the schedule to accommodate the needs of the class. Exam dates and due dates are unlikely to change. You should read the material assigned for each section in advance of the class meeting pertinent to that topic. The lectures, discussions, and readings are structured to complement one another.