(1)  Reading, Attendance and Participation in Class Discussions (10 points)

• You are expected to do all of the assigned readings and attend all class sessions
• You are expected to engage in classroom discussions, reflecting on the topic and readings

(2) Facilitate Class Discussions on Readings (20 points)

• You will facilitate class discussions on the assigned readings; dates will be determined at the beginning of the semester
• You should prepare a series of questions that stimulate a productive discussion on the topic of the readings, applying the course concepts and theories

Click here for a list of discussion leaders

(3) Weekly Reflection Papers (30 points)

• You will prepare and submit ten two-page (maximum) papers that summarize and reflect on the assigned readings for the week
• Papers MUST be typed, double spaced, 10 to 12-point font, 1 inch margins
• Each paper is due at the beginning of class
• The paper covers the assigned reading for the week; not the reading for the course project
• You can skip papers for three sessions during the semester without penalty (10 papers total due)

(4) Group Project (40 points)

• You will join with other classmates in a working group
• Your group will work to implement a participatory, community-based environmental education project in a Bolivar County community, collaborating with the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Dahomey NWR
• You will collaborate with schools and organizations in the community to carry out the project
• Each group will prepare and submit a twelve-page report summarizing their activities and findings, and a three page executive summary that describes the purpose and findings of your project
• In addition, each group member will submit a five-page log that describes your activities, and a one-page evaluation of other group members
• You will present your group project to classmates and community members on the final day of class (finals week)

Click here for more information on the group project
Click her to view the groups

(5) Critical engagement (+/- 10 points)
 
• The instructor will evaluate your contribution to the course, including your interest, motivation, creativity and initiative
• This course is taught in an interactive style, and you are expected to take an active interest not just in the course material, but in the course itself, making it a success for all participants

Computing Your Grade:

Your grade in this course is based upon your performance in the course.  That is, your grade will reflect what you do.

Your final grade in the course will be calculated as follows:

• There are a total of 100 points available for the semester.  Your final score is simply the sum of all points earned over the semester.
• If you accumulate 92 or more points during the semester, you will get an “A” in the course. If you accumulate 84 to 91 points, you will get a “B,” for 76 to 83 points you will get a “C,” and for 68 to 75 points you will get a “D.”  If you get less than 68 points, your final grade will be an “F.”
• Note that you start with zero and earn points; you do not start with 100 and lose points.

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Course Policies and Expectations:

Responsibility:

YOU are responsible for learning the course material and for your progress in the course.  You are expected to attend class regularly and complete all of the assignments.  You are expected to know all material presented during class sessions, whether you attended the class or not.  If you miss a class session, you should check with another student to see what you missed.  “I didn’t know” is NEVER a valid excuse.  If you don’t know something, it is your job to find out.

Learning Opportunities:

Assigned work is designed to provide you with learning opportunities, and you are responsible for completing all of the assigned work in this course in a timely fashion.  All work is due at the time specified; no late assignments will be accepted, and missed assignments generally cannot be made up.  If you miss class or an assignment, you are making a choice that prioritizes other activities above the class, and you will receive a grade of zero for any assignment that you fail to turn in.

ALL work that you submit (except in-class work) should be typed/word processed.  If you submit a paper with more than one sheet, please attach all sheets with a staple or paper clip BEFORE you bring the assignment to class to turn in.  The instructor will NOT ACCEPT work that is handwritten or that has multiple pages that are not attached with a staple or paper clip.

Absences:

You are expected to attend all class sessions and activities.  Please make sure that you sign the roll sheet at each class meeting, as this will serve as official documentation of your attendance.  If you miss class, you must document your absence, or points will be deducted from your grade (See the information on grading attendance).  Please notify the instructor IN ADVANCE if you must miss class.  It is in your interest to provide the instructor with written notification (e.g. a note or e-mail) to document any missed classes.  It is risky simply to tell the instructor and expect him to remember.

Illnesses and Emergencies:  Illnesses and emergencies MUST be documented with a note from a doctor or other professional.  You should bring the note to the next class meeting and submit it to the instructor.  Illnesses and emergencies pertain only to the student, not to the student’s family, friends or others. 

University Activities:  If you must miss class for an official university activity, you should make arrangements with the instructor BEFORE the missed class.  Appropriate documentation is required.

Making Up Missed Work:  If you miss an exam or other assignment due to a documented illness, emergency or official university activity, a make up will be given at the end of the semester.  The make-up exam may use a different format, such as an oral exam with the instructor or an essay exam.

You are responsible for all material presented in all classes, even during an excused absence.  You should get class notes from another student for all class sessions you miss.

Class Participation:

Class participation is an important element in this course.  The purpose of class discussions is to provide you with an opportunity to practice thinking skills in a safe environment.  In discussions, you are encouraged to explore ideas presented in the readings and lectures, to think about and apply concepts, and to develop arguments and evaluate evidence.

If you repeatedly engage in disruptive behaviors during class discussions, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

If you are asked to leave the classroom for disruptive or disrespectful behavior, you cannot make up any work that you miss as a result.

Electronic Devices (Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.):

Please make sure that all cell phones, pagers, and similar electronic devices are turned off during class time.  If your phone or pager repeatedly interrupts class, you will be asked to leave the classroom.

DO NOT bring cell phones or other portable communication devices to class during exams or in-class assignments.  If the instructor sees a cell phone or other device during an exam or in-class assignment, you will receive a grade of zero on the exam or assignment, and you will be asked to leave the classroom.

If you must have a cell phone or pager (e.g. if you are a volunteer fireman or emergency responder), you MUST make arrangements with the instructor in advance.

Academic Honesty:

You are expected to comply with all academic standards and ethics as defined in the DSU Bulletin and Handbook.  You are expected to do your own work in this course.  Plagiarism, fraud and other forms of cheating will NOT be tolerated.

You should be fully aware of the Course Policy on Plagiarism and Cheating.  If you are suspected of cheating in this course, your case will be assigned to the Division of Social Sciences Academic Honesty and Ethics Committee.  The minimum sanction for a first offense will be a 10 point deduction or a zero on the assignment, whichever is greater.  Repeat offenses will result in stiffer sanctions, including dismissal from the course with a grade of "F."  In addition, a report will be filed with the Chair of the Division of Social Sciences, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and DSU's Vice President for Academic Affairs.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND THESE GUIDELINES.  Make sure you know what constitutes plagiarism and cheating BEFORE turning in any assignments.  Once you turn in an assignment, you are representing it as your own work.  If you are suspected of committing plagiarism, pleas of “I didn’t know what plagiarism was” will not be accepted.

If you are not sure what constitutes plagiarism, see the DSU Library's "Plagiarism Prevention: A Guide for Students."  The Course Policy on Plagiarism and Cheating also outlines examples of plagiarism.  If it is still unclear, see the instructor.

Special Accommodations:

Appropriate accommodations will be made for students with medical problems or diagnosed disabilities.  Have Dr. Richard Houston at Reily Student Health Center (846-4690) contact the course instructor to make arrangements.

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