Complete the tasks assigned in the pre-unit. This unit serves as an orientation to the class
environment. Also, because some of the activities ask for information about each student to be
shared with the class, it also introduces class members to each other. Students are required simply
to complete the tasks in this unit.
Post your observations about the readings, respond to questions or complete assigned tasks in each of the units.
As you read the assigned readings as well as the "lecture," it's a good idea to read them in the context of your professional goals or experiences. In doing that, you are more likely to retain the information after the class is over while also contributing a richness to the discussion on Oncourse, In addition, the questions in the units serve a variety of purposes: to get students to focus
on and/or identify important points in the readings; to trigger discussion among
students on the topic; to verify that students have learned the information
as presented; and to verify that students are able to apply the information.
In other cases, a series of tasks will be assigned. In each of the units, the
minimum requirements for students will be indicated.
The class also has a weblog component. Although "blogs" are usually public, in this class we will have private weblogs on the secured class website. "Blog" is short for web log, and is typically publicly accessible. Ours is secured and only available to other students in the class. You may wish to create your own public blog if you find the experience valuable. Your blog will be a discussion forum in which you can post your personal thoughts on the readings, class discussion, observations and it can focus on personal, professional concerns. I want to encourage you to take the information from the class and find ways of exploring it and making it personally meanigful. The best way to retain knowledge is to put it in a context and what better context than your own life? The blog can take the form of anything from a diary to an intellectual critique of course content as it relates to your current or future professional activities. And it can move across the entire range as the mood inspires you. I also want to encourage all students to read and respond to each other's blogs. As with your responses to questions and tasks, I would ask you to remember these netiquette rules when you respond to someone's blog. You will be required to post at least one blog posting, and these will be evaluated, by unit, based on the degree of thoughtfulness, depth and detail.
The Culture unit (unit 3) is unique in that it includes an assignment that is to be completed before the between the seventh and the eighth units. It will be evaluated in terms of quality of writing as any paper as well as the degree of thoroughness, insight, coherence and cohesiveness. Spelling and grammar will also be considered in assigning a grade.
In order to pass the class with the bare minimum passing grade (i.e., a D-), students are required to complete the minimum requirements for every unit, post at least one blog entry, and submit a culture interview write-up.
Actively participate in class discussion. In addition to responding to the questions found on
the unit Web pages, students are to read and react to the responses of other class members that
have been posted on the course conferencing site. These electronic discussions will be our
equivalent to classroom interaction. Just as in a regular class, students also will be assigned to
groups for discussion off-list and then provide feedback to the entire class. The content of this
course is closely tied to everyday life, and the form of the class asks you to apply the information
to real-life situations. Your own experiences are very relevant to your understanding of this
material and you may wish to discuss the course information with your family and friends. This
will not only broaden your information base, it will also help you to consider and re-consider your
thoughts on these ideas. If you choose, you may share the results of these discussions with your
fellow class members.
In order to receive the minimum passing grade on a unit (D-), students are required to respond to at least one comment posted by another class member each week in addition to responding to a specific question.
A range: Student does work that is outstanding. For example, student clearly goes beyond the required minimum: All required tasks are completed with evidence that the student has read and thought about the readings; student is actively engaged in discussion and provides evidence of insight and thoughtful consideration of course readings and of the comments of others in the class; student makes clear and positive contribution to the class process, student expands on responses to questions and to other students with posts to the blogspot.
B range: Student does work that is very good. For example, student completes required elements, and extends performance on some units beyond the minimum and shows that s/he has read the required readings. Student is actively engaged in discussion and posts to the blogspot.
C range: Student completes more than the minimum requirements of the course (i.e., performance is adequate) and shows at least some evidence that s/he has read the required readings. For each unit, all required elements are completed, with student showing at least some steps to "move beyond the minimum." Student goes beyond the required single posting and interactive posting per week and makes at least occasional posts to the blogspot.
D range: Student's performance is at the minimum. Participation is cryptic and uninvolved, little evidence that student is doing more than guessing at content of readings. Remember that the minimum requirement (a D-) is to answer at least one question and to respond to at least one other student's posting for every unit.)
F: Student fails to complete required elements, effort is superficial and/or student is abusive to others in the class. Student does not complete minimum required tasks and participation is sporadic, at best or student is abusive to others in class.
If you are an off campus student, and need an official transcript sent to your home university, be sure to contact the Indiana University Registrar's Office.
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Page created: 1/96. Last updated: 8/18/2008.
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~famlygrf/support/require.html
Copyright 1996-2008, Kathleen R. Gilbert, Ph.D.
For information about this work, please contact Kathleen Gilbert at gilbertk@indiana.edu. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and distribute copies of this work for non-profit educational purposes, provided that copies are distributed at or below cost, and that the author, source, and copyright notice are included on each copy. This permission is in addition to rights of reproduction granted under Sections 107, 108, and other provisions of the U.S. Copyright Act. Before making any distribution of this work, please contact Kathleen Gilbert to ascertain whether you have the current version.