Course Syllabus

Dimensions of Self & Society

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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.

Fall 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2024-05-20. 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.

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.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

METHODS AND/OR CONTENT:

Because this is an accelerated class, students need to be "self-winding", capable of completing work on time, and able to self-pace.

Instructional methods will include weekly online class discussions, and assigned reading, and writing assignments based on core course materials. We will use a variety of approaches, including films, videos, and recorded instructor lectures.

Some assignments will be available from week #1, which students will work on as time allows. These will be in marked Modules; they just need to be completed by the final week.

Other assignments will have specific weekly deadlines that must be met for full credit to be given. This includes regular Reading LOG (journaling) assignments, and online postings on our class Discussion Board.

Students will write short essays, including narratives, descriptions, and analyses, and complete reading logs.

Students will learn how to navigate the basic functions of CANVAS, and CCV's online portal.

Readings will include one longer work of nonfiction, essays, poems, articles, selections from the Dimensions Reader, and assorted handouts.

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 -

• The class will meet online through CANVAS (i.e. participate in online class discussions and interactive studies).
• Note that completion of at least one Module activity or assignment is required for students to be considered 'PRESENT" that week.
• However, this alone is not sufficient to earn adequate class participation points.

The course will start on Tuesday, September 3 and ends Monday Oct. 21 2024. Our final week begins Oct. 15.

CANVAS: There will be links on CANVAS 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, with time frames.

At all times, we will strive to be respectful and civil in our interactions.

Expectations for creating a positive learning experience will be posted in our first Module.

Absences:

Attendance Policy &Expectations:

Because this is an accelerated course, missing one week is equal to two absences for a semester (= 28.5% of our course) .

Missing two weeks is equivalent to four absences, or 42.86% of our class.

CCV's Attendance Policy (below) states that "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."

Therefore if you are absent more than once, know you are on thin ice in terms of being able to pass the class. MORE than two absences will likely result in an automatic fail.

If you do have to miss a week, please do the following:

• Notify me as soon as possible
• Submit all due work via CANVAS ASAP
• Review the week's Module and assignments - email me if questions.

2. CIVILITY AND KINDNESS: At all times, we will strive to be respectful in our interactions, so that everyone can be heard and be as comfortable as possible.

Assignments Policy:

• 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.

EXCEPTIONS: LOGS ARE NOT ACCEPTED LATE,because they constitute preparation for class participation each week. DISCUSSION FORUM POSTS cannot be submitted once the week's Module ends, because this is an interactive assignment and classmates rely upon one another's posts to participate in the forum.

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

Missing & Late Work Policy:

Student Work and Responsibilities:

Students are expected to regularly participate in online class discussions and interactive studies.

Complete each week's assignments and LOGS by deadlines. Discussion on the reading may take place in online discussion forums. The critical thinking questions in the LOGS are designed to increase your comprehension of the material.

It's a good idea to “reread” each passage for clear understanding.

Other Expectations

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

• All absences can detract from your grade.
• Whenever possible, notify me in advance of your absence.

Student Work and Responsibilities:

Keep up with each week's assignments, especially making the LOGS and Discussion Forums your priority. The critical thinking questions in the LOGS are designed to increase your comprehension of the material. It's good practice to “reread” each passage for clear understanding. You are also encouraged to do independent research about the passages under review.

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. Used versions are fine!

1. The DIMENSIONS Reader, 8th edition CCV ISBN# 9781506696959
2. On Tyranny- Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, Timothy Snyder, Tim Duggan Books/Penguin Random House. ISBN # 978-0-8041-9011-4

RECOMMENDED: Some sort of grammar/English composition style guide. I like Elements of Style, 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 5 days late, 30% deduction for work 10 days late, and barring extreme circumstances (alien abduction), and I do not accept any work that is more than 10 days late.

EXCEPTION: LOGS ARE NOT ACCEPTED LATE, because they constitute preparation for our Discussion Forum Conversations 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