| Suggested Study Method | ||
| English Usage |
You are
in control of your learning in this course.
In our first session we
will review the course goals and your personal objectives for this course.
Once we have confirmed our direction for this course, we will review the
evaluation methods and you will have a chance not only to assign weights
to each instrument, but also to improve on the evaluation methods chosen.
This course will be taught in a way that will hopefully reinforce the benefits of cooperating and communicating openly with others as a natural part of the learning process. I will function as a resource person and observer in many instances.
We will not discuss every concept, section or, indeed, chapter in class. We simply do not have the time. Besides, I tend to start reciting litanies which is helpful only if you are tired and want to sleep.
I like to have my students - working in small, cooperative groups - control the content of the class within the broad course objectives and the desired learning outcomes. Typically your projects, case studies presented in the text, and current relevant events or topics of interest are covered each class (Hint, hint!). A priority discussion topic will be the application of text principles to cases and real world examples These are discussed in small groups using cooperative learning principles, then later by the class as a whole. Thus your conscientious studying of the assignments before coming to class is a critical prerequisite for your active participation and learning. There will be both oral and written work in and out of class.
Choose a quite place and time for your work.
Before you study each chapter page by page, stop.
Study the chapter outline (in the text), the learning objectives for each chapter (on your assignment sheet) and the end of chapter study questions (again, in the text). This preview will provide a useful focus. Next,
Scan the chapter paying particular attention to section and paragraph headings; highlighted, bold-faced, utilized words, phrases; key concepts noted in the side margins; figures and tables.
Think about the lesson objectives and study questions as you scan.
Mark the passages that are most likely to help you answer the questions or achieve the objectives.
By now you will have established an organizational framework for the detailed information you will select and record (in your mind or on paper) as you read and study the chapter.
Take study notes not just on the key issues and supporting details, but also on any questions which the written presentation generates. I typically call for questions at the beginning of each class, make note of the chapter, page, and concept on the board and then cover the questions at the appropriate time during the weekend.
Using a system such as this will give you a better chance of organizing and understanding the detail presented by the authors and of having your questions addressed in context.
Your course grade will the weighted average of the grades you earn on the individual assignments. You will normally have the chance during our first meeting to finalize this weighting for the class.
There is a 10% penalty for late/missed exams (unless excused beforehand) and assignments. If not completed within one week, there is an (additional) 10% penalty. Students concerned with slow progress, should seek help before getting into grade trouble. Contact me, your instructor, early. "Incompletes" will not be given unless thoroughly justified and backed up by a contract negotiated with the instructor allowing for completion within four weeks.
Information of all sorts is available for the taking in our world today. PLEASE, be very careful to give proper credit to the work of others (and your own prior work) in this course. Part of the learning process is practicing intellectual honesty and integrity. Do not plagiarize. I will call you to account if I find any instance of this. Unintentional instances of plagiarism may loose you all credit on the assignment. Intentional, blatant plagiarism or a pattern of disregard for this requirement will result in a course grade of F(a) being awarded.
Assignments must be completed prior to class (or the date due for discussion listed in the Schedule and Assignment Sheet) so that all students may participate and receive maximum benefit from class attendance and participation. Assignments are to be completed using material from this course. General or specialist knowledge no doubt applies to many of the questions asked -- but you are trying to demonstrate that there has been added learning through this course. So I ask that you do just that.
Grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage and style are important. Written and oral work with significant errors in English or presentation typically impair the quality of the message you are trying to communicate. Use your eyes and brain to check your work -- a mechanical computer can hurt as well as help. Proofread and check your work PRIOR to submission. Poor English , presentation, or failure to adequately document your work may reduce my evaluation of your work by one or more letter grades. Be careful.
For Distance Education, see: DE Assignment Policy
Plagiarized papers,
reports, projects, or exams will received a grade of 0 (zero) whether copied
in whole or in part. See the UMUC European Division Catalog policy
on academic integrity.
(For any classroom based course) I recognize that you have many pressures on you to do other things on the nights or weekends that classes are scheduled, but if you commit to this course then attendance is a necessary part of the learning process - for you and the rest of the class. If you miss class, you must accept that the quality of your learning and class learning will suffer as will the quality of your grade. Attendance at each session is expected; roll will be taken and submitted to the university field office.
If you expect to be absent or miss significant class time more than two or three times this term, I suggest you consider other non-classroom-based learning methods such as email courses. I hope you will understand that I must recognize and maintain the integrity of the face-to-face method we use in this course, this term.
For Distance Education, see: DE Attendance Policy
| Phil Richardson; prichard@faculty.ed.umuc.edu |
Revised
13 June 2004
|