Since you are enrolled in composition classes to practice effective language practices, your teacher will want you to think of other people before you speak and respect the rights and perspectives of others. If you miss class, you are still responsible for all the work done in class and for keeping up with the assignments announced. Because you will miss participating in class for that day, your instructor may reduce your total participation points for each absence. For that reason, the College encourages instructors to drop students who miss the first week of classes. Yes, you may fail the course because of excessive absences.
Teachers define excessive absences in the syllabus for the class.
If you turn in papers late, instructors may reduce the grade or may refuse to accept them at all. The syllabus your instructor gives you will explain the course policies in detail. You must acknowledge the source of all material in your essays. If you have any doubt, you should credit the source or sources, even if the source is a roommate or parent. When in doubt about specific cases, you should ask the course instructor.