Course Syllabus

Spring 2023 | INT-1050-VO15 - Dimensions of Self & Society

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

James Barton
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Gundy

Course Description

In this interdisciplinary first-semester seminar, students make the transition to college-level academic culture. This seminar is designed to help students develop the learning skills and habits of success that will support them throughout their college experience and as they consider career pathways. Reading, writing, and discussion (both in class and online) are central to developing an understanding of academic and societal responsibility. Students will start by analyzing personal beliefs and styles of thinking and then begin to look at how others and society view core concepts such as power, dissent, alienation, oppression, and freedom.

Essential Objectives

1. Interpret, analyze, and evaluate a text and its sources.
2. Demonstrate foundational information literacy, research skills, and academic honesty necessary for academic writing.
3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in both online and classroom settings.
4. Apply effective strategies for building new knowledge and skills through reflection on learning preferences, challenges, and goals.
5. Identify possible career goals and educational pathways.
6. Examine social issues through the lens of the individual and society.
7. Examine personal assumptions and biases, and ethical impacts of decision making and participation in society.
8. Consider issues from multiple perspectives and discuss, debate, and defend ideas with clarity and reason.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

Each week the class will focus on a different thinking strategy (i.e., summarizing, critique, perspective taking). Students will view a video I’ve posted to model the process in question, and then complete a guided activity assignment to practice the strategy. At the halfway point, and again near the end of the semester, students will apply these thinking processes during a mid-term and final exam.

Evaluation Criteria

Guided Practice = 52% of the total course

You’ll receive a maximum of 4 points each week for your responses to the guided practice activities I’ll set you up to try out (with the exception of our two exam weeks). These assignments will need to be posted by midnight on Thursdays throughout the semester in order to receive full credit. I’ll post your grade on our Canvas course site each week so you can keep track of how you’re doing.

Class Participation = 26% of the total course grade

You’ll receive a maximum of 2 points each week – with the exception of our two exam weeks – for responding to a classmate’s of your choice ideas in her or his guided practice activities. These assignments will need to be posted by midnight on Mondays throughout the semester in order to receive full credit. I’ll post your grade on our Canvas course site each week so you can keep track of how you’re doing.

Midterm = 10% of the total course grade.

This exam asks you to apply the mega-processes we’ll be practicing in class.

Final Exam = 12% of the total course grade.

This test also asks you to apply the mega-processes we’ll be practicing in class.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Participation is based on the quality of students’ thinking and the clarity of their writing for all class activities. They are also expected to respond to their classmates’ activity posts in a discussion format.

Missing & Late Work Policy

I’m hoping to keep you moving right along beside me throughout our online semester together. It’s going to be a different kind of learning experience for all of us. I’m committed to coming through for you and am asking you to come through for me by submitting everything on time. We can always work out a deal if you get stuck and contact me before an assignment is due. Otherwise, I’ll be deducting a point a day for late assignments.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity