The textbook for this class is Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science, by John M. Zelle.
Your grade in the course will be determined by your performance on one in-class midterm exam shortly before midterm break (20%), one takehome exam near the end of the term (20%), a final project due the last day of finals (20%), and homework (40%).
Homework submitted after the due time but within 24 hours will be docked 25%. Homework submitted between 24 and 48 hours after the due time will be docked 50%. After that, you're out of luck. If you know you're going to have trouble with a particular deadline, please let me know as early as possible, and we'll work something out.
Working with your classmates is usually a good thing. Sharing insights can be fun, and can enhance everybody's learning. The main danger of collaborating on course work is in allowing your collaborator to do all the work, and thus all the learning. If you want to work together on homework for this class, that's fine with me, but take care not to fall into collaboration's traps.
For programming assignments in this class, you may work alone or with one other person. If you work with a partner, you should submit one copy of the code with both students' names in the comments at the top of the program.
For all other assignments, you may work with others, but should write up your answers individually.
If you have any doubts about what constitutes acceptable collaboration, contact me and we'll discuss it.