Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | INT-1050-VO15S - Dimensions of Self & Society

Synchronous Class

Synchronous courses are delivered through a combination of online and regularly-scheduled Zoom sessions. In synchronous classes, students must attend Zoom sessions and actively engage with each other and faculty in course activities and discussions.

Faculty

Katherine Maynard
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Gundy

General Education Requirements

CCV 1st Semester Seminar

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

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 are central to developing an understanding of academic and societal responsibility. Students critically examine the relationship between societal values, individual beliefs, ways of knowing, and cultural worldviews.

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 written communication skills, including active engagement in asynchronous online discussion.
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 as part of a respectful learning community.

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 course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Spring 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2023-11-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

INT-1050-VO15S Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

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

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

METHODS AND/OR CONTENT:

Students will write short essays, including narratives, descriptions, and analyses, and complete reading logs. There are also regular Reading LOG (journaling) assignments, including on-line postings on our class Discussion Board.

Students will learn how to navigate basic functions of CANVAS, and CCV's on-line portal.

Students will make at least two BRIEF oral presentations to class during the course. (Don't worry - we will cheer you on!)

Instructional methods will include ZOOM and online class discussions, assigned reading, and writing assignments based on core course materials. We may use a variety of activities, including ossibly debates, artwork, presentations, lectures, breakout groups on ZOOM.

Readings will include a longer work of nonfiction, essays, online articles along with selections from the Dimensions Reader, and assorted handouts.

Films and videos will be utilized.

Evaluation Criteria

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS/CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:

1. Satisfactory grasp of the Essential Course Objectives
2. Regular attendance and satisfactory class participation.
3. Satisfactory completion of reading assignments
4. Satisfactory completion of writing assignments and projects.
5. Satisfactory completion of quizzes & online discussion forums.

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

Fair warning:

In this section of Dimensions, we will directly address some "hard history", including the global & US history of slavery, racial oppression, and struggles for human and civil rights in the USA, past and present. Our conversations will be political at times and the content can be disturbing. If you truly dislike these topics, I recommend you consider switching to a different section of Dimensions. That said, I have had numerous students tell me how grateful they are to learn this history and how it has motivated them to ask deeper questions about the challenges our nation is currently facing, to recognize that they have a part to play in making this country a fairer and kinder nation. I hope you will step up to the challenges this may present. I understand if you decide this section of Dimensions is not for you.

LOGISTICS - We will meet in two ways this semester:

• The class will meet online through CANVAS (i.e. participate in online class discussions and interactive studies)and also via ZOOM sessions every Thursday evening.
• Note that participation in the ZOOM session is required in order for students to be considered 'PRESENT" that week, so consider attendance in ZOOM meetings mandatory.

ZOOM class will start on Thursday, January 25 and run through May 2, 2024. We will begin promptly at 6:00 pm and meet for up to 2 hours each time. Plan to be available each Thursday evening for this purpose between 6:00 pm -8:00 pm.

Students should set themselves up in a space for ZOOM where there will be minimal distractions (kids, pets, TV noise, etc.)

Also unless you are using your phone for ZOOM, I request that you turn it off when ZOOM is in session.

• IMPORTANT: I request that students have their cameras ON during ZOOM class sessions, set up so that we can all fully see each other's faces. (If you are uncomfortable doing this, I suggest you choose a fully online class or one that meets in person.)

CANVAS: For the CANVAS portion of our class, there will be links in each week's Module directing you to that week's class content (what to read, watch listen to each week), and specific Assignments to complete.

At all times, we will strive to be respectful and assure that everyone can be heard and be as comfortable as possible.

Expectations for creating a positive classroom experience will be discussed in our first class or so.

Absences:

• To stay in good academic standing in this course, students should not accrue more than two absences, to be used in case a serious emergency or sickness prevents one from participating.
• Three absences will put one on thin ice, and
• Four absences usually result in an automatic Fail.
• All absences can detract from your grade.
• Whenever possible, notify me in advance of your absence. Just like at the workplace, it is also important to come on time and stay for the entire class session.
• Arriving in our ZOOM class more than 10 minutes late or leaving before the end of class can also mean a reduction of class participation points.

Student Work and Responsibilities:

Have your textbooks and that week's assignments and LOGS handy and accessible during our ZOOM class sessions. Discussion on the reading may take place both on ZOOM and in online discussion forums. The critical thinking questions in the LOGS are designed to increase your comprehension of the material.

Therefore it matters that you complete readings before they are discussed in class. It's a good idea to “reread” each passage for clear understanding.

Please make certain that you have the correct versions of these books, especially of the Dimensions Reader. We are using the 8th Edition, which differs from earlier versions!

TEXTBOOKS - all required

1. The DIMENSIONS Reader, 8th edition CCV ISBN 9781506696959
2. Just Mercy (Young Adult Version), by Bryan Stevenson ISBN 978-0525580034

RECOMMENDED: Some sort of grammar/English composition style guide. I like Elements ofStyle, by William Strunk. You can pick up a version of this classic on composition or something similar for help with writing. Cheap paperback copies are easily found at used bookstores, online, etc.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Assignments Policy:

All assignments need to be completed on time to earn full credit. Late homework has the following point deductions: 15% deduction for work 1-week late, 30% deduction for work 2-weeks late, and barring extreme circumstances (alien abduction), and I do not accept any work that is more than 2 weeks late.

EXCEPTION: LOGS ARE NOT ACCEPTED LATE,because they constitute preparation for class participation each week.

Homework assignments and "handouts" will be posted on CANVAS in the weekly MODULES.

Please submit all work in the format requested for that particular assignment. This may vary.

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