COURSE SYLLABUS

CEU 000

Practice Online Course

Credit Hours:    0

Prerequisite:   None

Textbooks:      

Christ, Frank L., Ganey Jr., Loyd R. (2007) 100 Things Every Online Student Ought to Know, 2nd Ed. The Cambridge Stratgford Study Skills Institute, New York.

Instructor:       None, Self-Guided

Course Description:

This "course" is designed to help you become acquainted with an online course at United Tribes Technical College.

Course Objectives:

Course Requirements:

There are four types of assignments for a course:

1. Discussion Questions –There will be discussion topics posted for each Module. Some modules will have more, others less. You are required to respond to each and every discussion topic. In addition to this, you must also respond to two other learners’ responses. This is referred to as “threaded discussion”. Your instructor will contact you privately by email if it appears that you do not understand this component. Discussions are typically worth 60% of the overall final grade.
   
   
2. Reading Assignments – The Lessons include assigned readings from the text. Some lessons will also require supplemental materials or websites that will be provided. It is imperative that you read the text. The discussion topics will require you to use the information from the text as well as your own experience and perspective.
   
   
3. General Assignments – You will have various activities assigned to you throughout the course. These assignments range from interviews to self-reflection papers to worksheets. Some courses require laboratory-type assignments or field trips. The assignments can vary as much as the instructors. General assignments are worth 30% of the overall final grade.
   
   
4. Final Project or Exams – Some courses require projects and papers and some courses require you to take exams. While the percentage points can vary, the Final Project is typically worth 10% of the overall final grade. This depends on the instructor.

Assessment Methods:

The grading scale at UTTC is typically the following:

A   90-100%

B   89-80%

C   79-70%

D   69-60%

F   59-below

Academic Honesty (Plagiarism)

If you use the words of someone else without citing them, you are committing plagiarism and will be penalized on assignments where plagiarism occurs. A paper will be assigned the "F" grade if there is evidence of plagiarism with no opportunity for make-up. 

Participation Policy: 

Participation is mandatory for every class. This means you will be required to log on a minimum of two times per week that class is in session. (You will not have to logon during the weeks that we have a break unless you are behind schedule.) The instructor has access to logon information, but just logging on is not enough. You must post to the discussion area and complete other assignments as required by the designated due dates.

The criteria for discussion is as follows:

• You must respond to all of the discussion topics posted for each Module or Lesson. Respond to the topic posted by the instructor by the middle of the week so that your course mates have a chance to read your answer and you can read their answers.
  
• In addition to this, you must also respond to two of your peers’ comments unless otherwise noted. This must be completed by the end of the week, or you will be considered “absent” from the course for that week.

This means that for each Lesson, you will respond to all of the discussion topics I post AND respond to any two of the other students’ responses. The postings you make must be relevant to the content of the discussion. Simply stating “I agree” is not enough. You must support your statement. If there is any question on this criteria, contact me immediately as this is a major component of this course!

Your participation in this course is central to learning for all learners enrolled in this course. This is how we encourage communication among learners. Learners typically contribute information that other learners and the instructor find very valuable. This means that timely participation and keeping up with assignments is important. Other assignment due dates are posted in the lessons. Late assignments will lose 10 percent of full grade points per day and will be a zero after 5 days. If a learner is not able to complete the assignment within the allotted time, it is the learner’s responsibility to contact the instructor to make alternative arrangements. Exceptions can be made with prior notification.

Course Discussion Room Expectations

• Each response should be respectful of the other learners. It is OK to disagree with your course mates or your instructor. It is not OK to put others down for their opinions or ideas.
  
• The online discussion room is similar to the face-to-face classroom discussion, only it happens asynchronously. In other words, the learners do not all have to be in the same place at the same time. Keep in mind the same courtesy and language rules that apply to a face-to-face classroom.
  
• In an online discussion room, others might not read what you wrote in the attitude and tone you mean it to read. ALL CAPITAL LETTERS is the same as shouting online. Bold and italic lettering place emphasis on words.
  
• You do not need to write in academic language, but you should proof your writing before you post it.
  
• Your messages need to be clear. Remember, the use of humor can be a little tricky online because no one can see your body language.
  
• No “off-color” jokes are acceptable.
  
• For a more detailed decription of discussion room expectations see see below.

Attendance Policy

You must complete the Discussion Room requirements in a timely manner each week. Post your response to the instructor's question early in the week. It is best to complete this by Monday. That way, other learners in the course can read your response. This is due by the date listed for each week in the Course Calendar. If you do not complete the discussion by the due date, you will be considered "absent" for the week. The staff and faculty at UTTC are concerned about helping each student be successful. Part of that is to monitor your progress throughout the course and track your "attendance" at classes, including online classes.

Late Assignment Policy:

All assignments must be complete and submitted or posted by the date and time listed in the calendar. Learners who do not complete the discussion room postings required for the week will be considered "absent" from the course for that week. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor if the learner has made prior arrangements with the instructor. If you cannot complete an assignment on time because of work requirements, travel, or illness, you must notify the instructor immediately by email.

Technical Difficulties

Because this course is available electronically, you will likely experience some kind of technical difficulty during the course of the semester. If you experience trouble with the UTTC website, notify your instructor or the webmaster. If you find yourself unable to get online at home, try to get into another website. If you cannot get into any website, your own Internet connection may be down and you will need to call your provider.

Students with Disabilities

We value you as a person and want you to succeed in your academic endeavors.  If you have a disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, please contact either your Vocational Advisor or the Disability Support Service (DSS) at 701-255-3285 ext. #1465 or via email at jhall@uttc.edu. Together, with you, we will determine what accommodations are necessary and appropriate to ensure your success. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.