Essential Information

Preparation

Complete all the assigned readings and watch all assigned videos prior to each week’s class. Students are strongly encouraged to create their own study guide from the readings and the videos which they will use during both in-class discussions and in preparation for exams.

Participation

This course applies an activity-based learning model which relies heavily on your active participation in the classroom. You are expected to complete the assigned readings, watch the assigned videos, and come prepared to engage the class in meaningful conversation and activities. You are encouraged to use your knowledge and experiences to build, test, and modify your own concepts through dialogues with the instructor and fellow students. Much of your learning will occur as you prepare for and participation in discussions about the course material. The course material has been carefully chosen to bring the real world into class discussion while also illustrating fundamental concepts.

Classroom Experience

Class will be a mixture of class discussions and class activities. Do not expect to be taught the material in the assigned readings & videos. Our expectation is that you have completed the assigned readings, watched the assigned videos, and are prepared to discuss the readings/videos intelligently. Engaging in class discussion is a key to your success; you will gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the core concepts. Not completing the assigned readings and/or watching the assigned videos will make it difficult for you to follow along with the class discussion; you will not get as much out of class, and you will certainly find the exams more challenging. In-class activities provide the core of our activity-based learning model. These activities are designed to be completed in 50 minutes or less and help a student develop a more genuine understanding of the class materials. Activity forms are accessed through our Canvas course site. Each student must submit a completed form while in the classroom to receive credit for completing the activity. In-class Activities are graded based on displaying due diligence. Students will not be able to submit uncompleted or incomplete activities (you will not be able to submit the form). Student’s that are absent from class, do not submit their activity while in class or clearly had not done their due diligence will receive zero credit for the activity.

Code of Conduct

Students are expected to be respectful of one another and the instructor in online discussions. The goal is to foster a safe learning environment where students feel comfortable in discussing concepts and in applying them in class. If for any reason your behavior is viewed as disruptive to the class, you will be asked to leave and you will be marked absent from that class. Please read the university policy concerning disruptive behavior:

The disruptive student is one who persistently makes inordinate demands for time and attention from faculty and staff, habitually interferes with the learning environment by disruptive verbal or behavioral expressions, verbally threatens or abuses college personnel, willfully damages college property, misuses drugs or alcohol on college premises, or physically threatens or assaults others. The result is the disruption of academic, administrative, social, or recreational activities on campus.

Disability

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability, including special accommodations for access to technology resources and electronic instructional materials required for the course, should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation by the end of the second week of classes or as soon as practical. If you have not done so already, please contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to learn more about the resources available to you. I will work with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. 

Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. Please review the university policy on Student and Faculty and Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).

Recordings

Class sessions may be recorded (audio & video) by the instructor and posted to the course site. Additional recordings are not permitted, except in cases of an approved accommodation from the Office of Disability Resources (DRS).

Any recordings permitted in this class can only be used for the student’s personal educational use. Students are not permitted to copy, publish, or redistribute audio or video recordings of any portion of the class session to individuals who are not students in the course or academic program without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Distribution without permission may be a violation of educational privacy law, known as FERPA as well as certain copyright laws. Any recordings made by the instructor or university of this course are the property of Temple University.

Videos posted by the instructor and students of this course are for this course only. Content shared is for this class, is meant for academic purposes only and should not be re-recorded or distributed to any other parties. This includes but is not limited to: assignment video submissions, faculty recorded lectures or reviews, class meetings (live or recorded), breakout session meetings, and more. Any unauthorized redistribution of video content is subject to review by the Dean’s office, and the University Disciplinary Committee. Penalties can include receiving an F in the course and possible expulsion from the university.

Inclement Weather Policy

Please be advised that while Temple University campuses may close for inclement weather, online courses are not on-campus and therefore are still expected to meet. Your instructor will contact you regarding any adjustments needed in the event of a power outage or severe circumstances. Should you have any questions, please contact the instructor.