HSS 100 Cultural Contexts

                                                                        Developmental Studies

Course Description:

HSS 100 guides students through a survey of cultural concepts, provides a foundation for dealing with ideas and develops awareness of cultural diversity.  This course does not meet the requirements for an associate degree, but may meet the requirements for a diploma or a certificate.

Credit Hours: 3

Departmental Website:  http://midlandstech.edu/dvs

Instructor:           

Office:                                   [Adjuncts may delete this]

Telephone:                           Office: [Adjuncts may delete this]

Departmental Assistant:  Sandra Smith  822- 3539  AC 212

Department Chair: Darlene Anderson Interim Chair  822-3539  AC 210    andersond@midlandstech.edu

Coordinator: Pat Tondini  AC207  822-3643   tondinip@midlandstech.edu

FAX:                                   BC 738-7857    AC 822-3547                             

E-mail:                 

Campus Mailbox Location:           

Class Schedule:                   [Section number, Day, Time, Place]

Office Hours:                      [Adjuncts may delete this]

Personal Website:              [Delete if none]

Required textbook and Course materials:  "Landmarks in Humanities" 2^nd edition, by Gloria K. Fiero

                                  3 ring notebook with lined paper

                                  Dividers

                                  Report Cover

                                  $10:00 Print Card from Academic Success Center  

Additional Textbooks/Readings: Additional readings may be assigned per instructor. These may include historical events, or current events obtained from the Internet, magazines, newspapers, reference books or class handouts provided by the instructor.

General Education Core Competency Statement:

Students should be able to recognize a need for information, access the information effectively and efficiently using various mediums, critically select and evaluate information and incorporate it into their knowledge base, and present information in an appropriate format.

 Objectives:

  Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.           1.    Recognize an increased number of Global Perspective issues.

             2.    Recognize an increased number of interrelationships between human cultures.

3.          3.    Use cultural analysis as a basis for decision making.

4.          4.    Demonstrate first-hand acquaintance wilt a number of cultural sites and activities in the local area.

5.          5.    Recognize an increased understanding of major literary and historical works.

6.          6.    Present short oral and written reports on class topics.

7.          7.    Use basic library and internet resources to gather information.

8.          8.    Prepare and present a research project based on a Global Cultural Issue.

Course Outcomes and Competencies:

Intended Course Outcome #1: Students will actively research, write a report, and give an oral presentation of their findings from an approved list.

Course Competency:  Students will research and give an oral report on a cultural topic.

Measurement Instrument Success Criteria:   Students will meet this competency by giving an oral presentation and scoring .75 out of 1. on a standardized assessment rubric.

Course Attendance:

The quality of your learning experience in this class is determined by your active participation in the learning process. Therefore, it is important that you make every effort to attend every class.  Students are expected to attend all classes and are responsible for class work, homework, lecture notes, reading assignments, etc., whether or not you are present.

You are expected to attend all classes; there are not excused absences. You are responsible for all in-class work and assignments, even if you miss a class.

If you have extenuating circumstances, such as illness, you are allowed a certain number of absences, depending on the length of the term and the number of times the course meets per week:

·         14 week term- 6 absences if the class meets 3 times a week, 4 if it meets twice

·         10 or 12 week terms- 3 for 3 times a week, 2 for 2 times a week

·         7 or 5 week terms- 2 absences

·         If you exceed the number of absences you will be withdrawn from the course.

You are considered tardy if you miss up to 10 minutes of any portion of the class. You will be counted absent if you miss more than 10 minutes of any portion of the class. 3 tardies equal 1 absence.

If you arrive in class after your instructor has taken role and marked you absent, it is your responsibility, at the end of that class meeting, to request that the absence be changed to a tardy.  The instructor will not change the roll at a later date.  Instructors are not obligated to repeat information or allow students to make up missed work.

If you have questions about whether the college will close during inclement weather, check the MTC web site (www.midlandstech.edu), WIS-TV, and/or call the school (803-738-8324) for information.  It is possible that the college will close or reopen in the middle of a regular class time; if this occurs, and there will be at least 30 minutes of class time remaining, that class will meet as usual.

Students who are absent from class are responsible for assignments that were given during class. In addition, students who are absent when a test is given must make up that test upon return to school with an automatic 10% deduction from their test score.  No makeup tests are allowed after one week from the original test date. Only one make up test will be permitted.

****Please note the following: You are responsible for all material and announcements presented, whether you are present or absent.***

WITHDRAWALS: If you withdraw during the beginning of the term, please check with the cashier’s office about any partial tuition refund.

If you withdraw after midterm, you will receive either a "W" or "WF" based on your grade on the last day you attended class (a "W" if passing, a "WF" if not).  "WF's" are computed in GPA's and count as an "F". Please check with the instructor prior to withdrawing to avoid any confusion as to what grade you will receive. Withdraws may affect current and future financial aid awards,  the full time status of a student, as well as impact enrollment in future courses. Please check with the financial aid office as well as your advisor prior to withdrawing from a course.

GRADING SCALE:

The grade for the course will be based on both the QUANTITY and the QUALITY of the work the student completes.  The final grade will be determined as follows:

Daily Class Grades = 30%     Reports = 15%     Unit Tests = 30%     Final Project = 15%

Pre -Test and Post - Test scores = 10%

Grading Scale:  A=94-100     B=85-93     C=75-84     D=74-70    F=69 and below

Required textbooks are on reserve in the Library and Academic Success Center of all campuses for student use.  There is a copy in each Library and Academic Success Center.  Students may only use these textbooks in the Library or Academic Success Center. The instructor may dismiss or withdraw students who do not have the required materials in a timely manner. 

No cell phone or any electronic device is to be used during class, unless authorized by the instructor.  The instructor may issue a consequence if your cell phone or electronic device is used or heard during class time. These devices are allowed on campus, but must not be activated in classrooms.  Students should turn off all electronic devices before coming to class.

Children on Campus

To ensure that children are not left unattended on campus and that classes or services are not disrupted by children, the college has a policy that states children are not to be brought to class or left unattended on campus.  This policy is found in the MTC Student Handbook.

Tentative Agenda

Class Orientation, Syllabus Quiz and  Pre-Test

Unit One:

Chapter 1 and related activities

Chapter 2 and related activities

Chapter 3 and related activities

Unit One Evaluation (may include tests, projects, or both)

Unit Two:

Chapter 4 and related activities

Chapter 5 and related activities

Chapter 6 and related activities

Unit Two Evaluation (may include tests, projects, or both)

Research Project and Oral Presentation Preparation

Unit Three:

Chapter 7 and related activities

Chapter 8 and related activities

Chapter 9 and related activities

Unit Three Evaluation (may include tests, projects, or both)

Unit Four:

Chapter 10 and related activities

Chapter 11 and related activities

Chapter 12 and related activities

Unit Four Evaluation (may include tests, projects, or both)

Unit Five:

Chapter 13 and related activities

Chapter 14 and related activities

Chapter 15 and related activities

Unit Five Evaluation (may include tests, projects, or both)

Post-Test

Research Project Presentation

Related Activities include:  Assigned readings from Reference Materials, Magazines, Internet articles, library research, outside reading activities, Interviews, Cultural activity field trips, written and oral reports, and other activities as deemed necessary in support of this course.

The instructor reserves the right to modify this departmental syllabus to meet the needs and interests of the individual class.

Date Created: Jul 24, 2008 01:09 pm (CDT)

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                                    Student E-Mail Accounts: All MTC students are assigned a college e-mail account upon admission to the college.  This account is called “Campus Cruiser Mail.”  Campus Cruiser Mail is the primary mode by which the college communicates with students.  Students are responsible for checking their college e-mail on a regular basis for important information and announcements about registration, financial aid, cancelled classes, emergency announcements and other notices.  Students can use their college e-mail accounts to communicate with faculty, staff, fellow students, and others, in support of their educational pursuits.  In addition to e-mail, students will also have access to maintaining personal calendars and “tasks lists” through their Campus Cruiser e-mail account.

Student Evaluation of Instruction: Students have the opportunity to evaluate this course. The confidential evaluation process is conducted through MTC Online using the individual student’s username and password. Announcements will be made during the term concerning how and when to complete the online evaluation. Students are encouraged to participate in this process.

Students Requiring Special Accommodations: If special accommodations are needed for a student with a disability, the student should go to Counseling Services on Beltline or Airport Campus for assistance. Documentation regarding a specific disability is required in order for special arrangements to be made. Confidentiality of information received will be maintained.

Classroom Conduct and Preparation:

Mastering skills requires regular attendance in class, consistent study of text material and class notes, and preparation of homework assignments.  Students are expected to be prepared for and participate in every class meeting. Students are expected to have all assignments completed by the due date.

You are in college.  You will be treated and respected as an adult.  It is a violation of the MTC Student Code to interfere with the learning process in the classroom.  Courteous, attentive behavior is expected at all times.  Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated.  Students engaged in such behavior will be dismissed from class and subject to disciplinary procedures.

It is expected that all beepers and cellular telephones will be turned off or set to the silent mode during class. You may not receive or place telephone calls during class.

No I-pods, MP3 players, etc will be permitted in class.  A laptop computer is allowed only if the student uses it to take notes during class.

Be on time! It is inconsiderate to your classmates and disruptive to the class to arrive late.  Students are expected to be in their sears ready to start at the beginning of the class.  Leaving during class should only be in case of an emergency.  If you must leave early, please let the instructor know ahead of time.

STUDENTS REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: 

If special accommodations are needed for a student with a disability, the student should go to Counseling Services on Beltline or Airport Campus for assistance. Documentation regarding a specific disability is required in order for special

Items to consider including:

A.        Incompletes are awarded only under extenuating circumstances, such as hospitalization, and require the permission of the instructor. All requests must be properly documented. Normally, the course work must be completed no later than the end of the following term.

B.        The instructor is not required to permit makeup work after the fact and may assign a grade of “0”. Submitting makeup work for grades may be permitted at the discretion of the instructor provided you make arrangements with your instructor prior to the due date of the assignment in question.

C.        You are responsible for making sure all work reaches the instructor. All assignments should be submitted directly to the instructor; if assignments are submitted in any other way, they must be clearly labeled with the instructor’s name.

                                                                                                       College Policies

Students are expected to read the student handbook and abide by its policies. Copies of the

handbook may be obtained at various locations on campus and is located on the web: http://www.midlandstech.edu/planner/

Academic Dishonesty: The Student Code addresses what constitutes academic dishonesty. All forms of dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification, will call for discipline.

                CHEATING ON TESTS includes:

§         Copying from another student’s paper.

§         Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test.

§         Collaborating with any other person during a test without permission.

§         Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of any un-administered test.

§         Bribing any other person to obtain information about tests.

§         Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself.

                PLAGIARISM is the appropriation of any other person’s work and unacknowledged

                incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit.

Campus Emergency Protocol: Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Security at 7199 (on campus) or 738-7199 (cell phone or off campus). In the event of an emergency, employees and/or students should immediately call Campus Security or local 911.  If an emergency occurs, the college will use a variety of methods to communicate additional information and instructions including the MTC Information Centers, campus loud speakers, MTC Alerts! (http://www.midlandstech.edu/Phone_Alert.

htm),voice mail, email, college Intranet, and the MTC website homepage.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event weather conditions or other emergencies cause the closing or a delayed start of Midlands Technical College, announcements will be made over local radio and TV stations, on the MTC Web site, and on the college’s information line (803-738-8324).  Notices will be sent to students via Campus Cruiser Mail when applicable.  Separate announcements may be made for day and evening classes as weather conditions change during the day.

If the college closing or reopening means that there is at least 30 minutes of a class remaining, plan to attend that class. For example, if the college opens at 10:00 a.m. in TTH, classes that normally meet at 8:00 a.m. will not meet, but classes beginning at 9:30 a.m.will meet. If the college closes at 8:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. classes will meet for their regular time, but 7:35 p.m. classes will not meet since there are fewer than 30 minutes remaining in class.

Student E-Mail Accounts: All MTC students are assigned a college e-mail account upon admission to the college.  This account is called “Campus Cruiser Mail.”  Campus Cruiser Mail is the primary mode by which the college communicates with students.  Students are responsible for checking their college e-mail on a regular basis for important information and announcements about registration, financial aid, cancelled classes, emergency announcements and other notices.  Students can use their college e-mail accounts to communicate with faculty, staff, fellow students, and others, in support of their educational pursuits.  In addition to e-mail, students will also have access to maintaining personal calendars and “tasks lists” through their Campus Cruiser e-mail account.

Student Evaluation of Instruction: Students have the opportunity to evaluate this course. The confidential evaluation process is conducted through MTC Online using the individual student’s username and password. Announcements will be made during the term concerning how and when to complete the online evaluation. Students are encouraged to participate in this process.

Students Requiring Special Accommodations: If special accommodations are needed for a student with a disability, the student should go to Counseling Services on Beltline or Airport Campus for assistance. Documentation regarding a specific disability is required in order for special arrangements to be made. Confidentiality of information received will be maintained.