IDH 1111 Course Syllabus

Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education II – CRN 20627

West Campus HSB-221 – MW 8:30-11:15am

Professor Stacey DiLiberto
Office: 3-125
Phone: 407-582-1026

Office Hours On Campus:
Virtual Office Hours via Email:
Monday 11:30 AM-12:00 PM
Wednesday 11:30 AM-12:30 PM (in 5-259)
Thursday 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual:
9:00 - 12:30 PM (Tuesdays)
7:30 AM – 10:00 AM (Fridays) / Professor Graeme Lindbeck
Office: AHS-217
Phone: 407-582-1256

Office Hours On Campus:
Monday 8:00-8:30 AM, 1-4 PM
Tuesday 8:00-10:00 AM
Wednesday 8-8:30 AM, 4-5 PM
Thursday 8:00-10:00 AM
Friday 8:00-11:00 AM / Professor Travis Rodgers
Office: 5-259
Phone: 407-582-1075

Office Hours On Campus:
Monday 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Wednesday 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Thursday 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Virtual Office Hours via Email:
Friday 8:00-11:00 AM

Required Textbooks

Margaret Atwood. Handmaid’s Tale. ISBN 038549081X.

John Gunther. Death Be Not Proud. ISBN 0061230979.

Aldous Huxley. Brave New World. ISBN 0060850523.

Mary Shelley. Frankenstein. ISBN 0553212478.

Anne Houtman et al.Biology Now. ISBN 0393938344.

*Note: There will be supplemental readings throughout the semester. You are expected to print them or otherwise have them with you in class.

Course Description

Science Fiction and Nonfiction: An Exploration of Science through Literature. This interdisciplinary course examines scientific topics, such as evolutionary biology, cloning, artificial intelligence, eugenics, altruism, and emotional intelligence, and draws connections to literary and artistic works, including novels, essays, poetry, and films. Gordon Rule course in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Honors program permission required. Minimum grade of C required for successful completion and/or to satisfy Gordon Rule and/or general education requirements. (Course satisfies the core science requirement, three credits; and ENC 1102, Freshman Composition II, three credits).Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in IDH 1110 or ENC 1101 or ENC 1101H and Honors Program permission

I. ASSESSMENT

Course Outcomes – IDH 1110

 Students will demonstrate the ability to write college level essays, including research papers, using the conventions of standard American English.

 Students will demonstrate critical thinking by effectively analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing, and applying information and ideas from diverse sources and disciplines.

 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the diverse traditions of the world and an individual's place in it.

 Students will demonstrate an understanding of social authority, in context, across disciplines.

General Education Outcomes

This course is tasked with developing and assessing the following Gen Ed Indicators: Critical Thinking, Cultural and Historical Understanding, Information Literacy, and Written Communication.

II. ATTENDANCE

You are expected to attend all class meetings of all courses for which you are registered unless unavoidable circumstances (as determined by instructors’ judgment, including, for instance, hospitalization and jury duty) prevent attendance. Attending a course means showing up for class on time, remaining for the duration, with all required work prepared, and being engaged with the classroom activities.See Course/Classroom Expectations for what is expected of you in the classroom. Regular attendance and regular class participation are significant factors that promote success in college.

Absences directly affect your course grade:

 Attendance is 5% of your course grade.

 If you are present for the entirety of class (8:30 AM until 11:15 AM), you will be counted as present.

 If you arrive after 8:30 but before 8:45 AM, you will incur ½ an absence.

 If you are not in class by 8:45 AM, you are considered absent for that day.

 If you arrive on time but leave more than 15 minutes early, you will be marked absent for that day.

 If you arrive on time but leave within the last fifteen minutes of class, you will incur ½ an absence.

 If you are asked to leave by your professor for a violation of the classroom comportment policy, you are considered absent for that day.

There are 28* scheduled course meetings this semester. We will add up the total number of times you were present for the semester and divide by 26. This means that you can miss two classes without it directly affecting your course grade. (*If that number should change, the denominator would change accordingly.)

Attendance can also indirectly affect your course grade:

 If there is an in-class quiz, and you miss the quiz, you will not be able to make up that quiz.

 If there is an in-class assignment due, and you miss that part of class, you will not be able to submit that assignment for a grade.

 If we are doing collaborative learning (working in groups) and you miss class, and the assignment is multi-period, then you will be removed from the group and will not receive a group grade. Your grade will be determined separately.

Late Assignments:

Once the coursework deadline arrives, the assignment will no longer be available. If you find that you cannot submit an assignment because it has been locked at the deadline, your assignment is late and will not be counted for a grade.

 We will drop your two lowest coursework grades. This means if you are a few minutes late, or miss two assignments, you will be able to drop those grades as long as you do all the remaining assignments.

“No Show” Status

Class attendance is required beginning with the first class meeting. If you do not attend the first week’s class meetings, you will be withdrawn from the class as a “no show.” If you are withdrawn as a “no show,” you will be financially responsible for the class and a final grade of “WN” will appear on your transcript for the course.

III. STUDENT SUCCESS INFORMATION

Grading Scale

The grading scale for the course.

A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = <60%

*Grades are final. There is no rounding up.

Course Assignments

Coursework: 40%

Coursework include pre-class assignments and in-class assignments. Pre-class assignments will be brief but formally written responses to discussion questions. We will drop your two lowest scores. In-class assignments will take various forms. Online assignment instructions will be available through Blackboard. Lab reports will be counted as coursework as far as grading goes, but the policies governing tardy submissions will follow the rules below (under Grading Policies).

First Paper: 15%

You will write an essay this semester using primary and secondary sources. Essays must meet the expectations outlined in the instructions (topic, content, structure, length, sources) to be accepted for evaluation; otherwise, essays that do not meet the requirements will receive a zero. Essays that do meet the criteria will be evaluated using the essay rubric that is posted in Blackboard with the assignment. For each essay, instructions will be available through Blackboard.

Presentations: 20%

Twice during the semester you will prepare a group presentation on one or more of the texts we are covering. Each group will consist of a team of persons filling different roles (someone to offer background information, someone to explicate, etc.). All positions will be detailed in a rubric you will be furnished with prior to your presentation.

Final Project: 20%

The final project must be presented during the scheduled time during exam week. More on this as the final project approaches, but know that a rubric will be provided, and students will be doing interdisciplinary research on one or more of the texts we cover this semester. It will be given on Monday, April 24th @ 10am.

Attendance: 5%

Please see the attendance policy above for full details.

Grading Policies

Late and Missing Work

Late work is penalized. Sometimes those penalties are severe, but the severity of the penalty is relative to the assignment type. See policies below.

Coursework

Coursework include in-class quizzes, online quizzes, discussion posts, blog posts, and online homework reflections. If you do not submit a coursework assignment on time, your grade will be a zero.

Papers, Lab Reports, and In Class Exams

Papers, lab reports, and exams (other than the final). If you do not submit a moderate stakes assignment on time, your grade will decline at the rate of one letter grade (10%) per day (or part thereof) late. If you contact your instructors within 72 hours of the deadline, you may be granted an extension. That is a great deal of leeway; if you do not contact your instructors in that time frame, you will receive the usual late penalty.

Final Presentations

If you miss your final presentation, you should expect to receive a zero.Scoring a zero on your final exam may make it rather difficult for you to earn a successful grade in the course.

IV. SUPPORT

Professors’ Office Hours

Office hours are designed to support your learning. During office hours, we can answer your questions regarding course concepts, readings, and assignments, provide feedback on your work-in-progress, discuss your performance on course assessments, and be a sounding board for your academic and future plans. Refer to page 1 of the syllabus for days/times/location.

The Writing Center

The Writing Center, located in 5-155 on West Campus, has consultants that can assist you at any stage of the writing process. Their emphasis will be on teaching you to hone your writing skills in areas such as organization, main ideas, supporting evidence, documentation, grammar, and/or mechanics. In the fall, their hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm. To make an appointment with a consultant, please call 407-582-5454. For walk-up service, use their Mobile Writing Center, located on the first floor of the library (hours vary). For more information, visit their homepage:

Smarthinking Online Tutoring

Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service, where you can receive live, online tutoring as well as submit your essays for comments. To access this resource, log into Atlas, click on the “Courses” tab, and click on “Tutoring (online) – Smart Thinking,” located under “My Courses.”

Library Services

The library is located in Building 6 on West Campus, and the reference librarians are on the second floor at the Reference Desk. The librarians can support you when researching a topic and answer your research questions. You can also access the MLA Style Guide and LibGuides on their homepage:

Blackboard Support

If you are having technical problems in Blackboard, you can contact the Help Desk at 407-582-5600 for 24/7 support or through email at . Also, under “Resources” in our Blackboard course, there are two links: “Technical Support” and “Student Resources” you may use.

BayCare Services

BayCare is a private and confidential counseling service contracted by Valencia College that provides short-term assistance to credit students who need to resolve problems that are affecting their college performance. Examples might include stress, relationship/family issues, alcohol/drug problems, eating disorders, depression, and gender issues. If you are experiencing any of these issues, call 1-800-878-5470 to speak to a professional counselor. For more information, log into Atlas, click on the “Students” tab, and click on “BayCare Health System,” located under “Health and Wellness.”

Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)

OSD, located in SSB 102 on West Campus, exists to determine and ensure reasonable and appropriate accommodations and modifications for qualified students with documented disabilities, to assist students in self-advocacy, to educate the Valencia community about disabilities, and to ensure compliance with the ADAAA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For more information, call 407-582-1523 (TTY: 407-582-1222), or visit their homepage at

V. Course Calendar

The schedule of course readings and assignment deadlines is posted to Blackboard.

VI. Course/Classroom Expectations

Preparation and Contribution

College students are expected to be active learners and contribute to class discussions. Students are expected to come to each class prepared to answer questions, ask questions, and use class time productively. Most days you will be expected to complete work in class that requires preparation prior to class. Your level of preparedness will be reflected in grades for assignments. You will also be asked to collaborate with your peers and offer meaningful contributions to meet the learning outcomes for the class activities and assignments. If you are sleeping, working on material not relevant to the course, or are otherwise off task, you will not count as being present for that portion of class. If you continue to stay off task, you will be told to leave class; you should then set up a meeting to speak with your professors before returning to class.

Classroom Decorum

Proper classroom decorum is expected in this course. Be aware that your classroom behavior contributes to the professional setting of the classroom. As a college student, you need to be aware of the signals your behavior sends, whether intentional or unintentional. Your professors are individuals whom you will likely use as a resource for future pursuits, so those relationships should be nurtured by both parties accordingly.

Civil Discussion

This Honors class is intended to promote critical thinking and will deal with topics that may be considered sensitive in nature. In order to benefit from the “marketplace of ideas,” various academic viewpoints will be given equal time and consideration. Always be considerate and listen to other students even if their position challenges your own beliefs. Embrace the opportunity to experience different points of view at the college. Per Valencia's policy, hateful or intimidating speech of any nature will not be tolerated and will result in ejection from the classroom.

Code of Conduct

When you become a student at Valencia College, you become subject to the school’s Code of Conduct. It is therefore your responsibility to read and become familiar with Valencia’s Code of Conduct as found in the Student Handbook. You will be expected to live up to the standards laid out therein. Please find the Student Handbook here:

By enrolling in courses through the Seneff Honors College at Valencia, you make a further pledge. You agree to hold yourself to a higher standard, to model the behavior of an honors student both on the campus and off campus. These expectations are laid out in the Honors Student Handbook (page 4). Please find the Honors Handbook here:

All students should be fully in compliance with both the Code of Conduct and the Seneff Expectations at all times.

Considerate Use of Technology

In an effort to minimize distractions for all students and faculty in this course, considerate use of laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices is required. These devices should be used for academic purposes only. There will be many times in this course where these devices will be helpful and even essential to your learning experience. However, during lectures and class discussions, attention should be given to the speaker and not to your electronic device since all voices matter, and we will respect those voices accordingly. If it is suspected you are using your electronic device for non-course related purposes, you will be asked to discontinue its use.

Co-Curriculars

Co-curriculars are an important component of an honors education at Valencia College. Completing co-curricular hours allows students to earn some of the most prestigious awards at Valencia. Completing your hours is also a requirement for students wishing to remain in good standing with the Honors College. If you are an honors student wishing to earn the highest “honors” distinction on your diploma, you must complete 15 hours of co-curriculars per term. Retention of your Seneff scholarship is also dependent upon your completing 15 hours of co-curriculars.

Co-curriculars are supplements to classroom instruction. They do not take precedence over coursework or course attendance. Per Valencia policy, students are not automatically excused from class for co-curricular activities. If you have an event that will take you away from class but that will go toward satisfying some portion of your co-curricular requirements, speak with your IDH professors ahead of time, obtain permission in email (so both you and your professor have a record of the exchange), and establish a clear plan for any possible makeup work. It is your responsibility to speak to your instructor to initiate this process.

You will find many opportunities to satisfy your 15 hours during the semester. Your instructors will announce opportunities in class, your peers have a Co-Curricular Committee that works on putting together other opportunities, and a great number of opportunities are available on the Honors Calendar:

Note: if you wonder whether a non-calendar event will count, ask your coordinator in advance. Your coordinator will give a final verdict whether and how much the non-calendar event will be counted.

VII. Important Dates

Holidays (College Closed)

Martin Luther King Day: Monday, January 16, 2017

Spring Break: Monday, March 13, 2017 - Sunday, March 19, 2017.

Withdrawal Deadline:Friday, March31, 2017

Final Exam:Monday, April 24, from 10am-12:30pm

Disclaimer

Circumstances may require changes to the policies in this syllabus or to the course calendar. Any change that is made will be announced in class, on Blackboard, or through Atlas email.