Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Materials
ISBN 13: 9781648768538:
Ackert, A. R. (2021). How to Cultivate Belonging: A Guide to Improving Your Relationship and Connection with Others. Emeryville, CA: Rockridge Press. This book is available on soonerbooks.com and anywhere books are sold.
ISBN 13: 9781071821220:
Heinzen, T. & Goodfriend, W. (2021). Social Psychology, Second Edition. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publishing, Inc. This book is available on soonerbooks.com and anywhere books are sold.
More information is provided in the Introduction to the Course Section.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance/Participation | 5% | |
| Presentation | Gateway to Grassroot Groups | 15% |
| Written Assignment | Understanding our Collective Experiences and Group-Level Belonging in Oklahoma | 15% |
| Open Book Test | Belonging Toolbox Open Book Test | 20% |
| Exams | Three non-cumulative multiple-choice tests | 45% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
Below are the requirements for each letter grade based on the following total amount of points:
- A = 90%-100%
- B = 80%-89.9%
- C = 70%-79.9%
- D = 60%-69.9%
- F = 59% or below
*The course is not graded on a curve.
Course Components
Attendance and Participation
University policy has been established to protect the OU community by ensuring that students who are ill or required to isolate feel encouraged to remain at home. Missing a class session or other class activity due to illness or isolation will not result in a penalty for the absence, and the student will not be asked to provide formal documentation from a healthcare provider to excuse the absence. This policy is based on all students and faculty adhering to the principles of integrity, honesty, and concern for others.
Students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache, chills, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea or who have been in close contact with others who have symptoms should:
- Remain at home to protect others
- Ensure that any needed screening has been conducted (COVID-19 Screening and Reporting Tool) and any needed treatment obtained
- Contact the instructor prior to absence or inability to participate, if possible, and provide an honest report of the reason for which you cannot attend class or complete a course activity
- Continue to complete coursework to the extent possible, using Canvas, zoom, and other online tools
- Submit assignments electronically to the extent possible and as directed by the instructor
- Communicate with the instructor to arrange modifications to deadlines or work requirements or reschedule exams or other important course activities, when it is necessary
- In observance of current, OU COVID-19 policies, the following attendance guidelines relate to non-COVID-19 related conditions. Attending class is expected for all class periods to help students understand and remember key concepts, exercise civil discourse, and evaluate changes in one’s sense of belonging at OU. Students are allowed two (2) unexcused absences without grade penalty. After the second unexcused absence, a student’s final grade will be lowered by 5 points for each unexcused absence. Absences may be excused only by petition with appropriate documentation to the instructor within three weeks of the absence. Students are expected to use their two (2) undocumented/unexcused absences for non-COVID-19 related illness, injury, or a family emergency that does not have documentation. Additionally, three (3) tardies will count as one absence. A student who is more than 20 minutes late will be counted absent. Student attendance is posted in Canvas.
Presentation Assignment – Gateway to Grassroot Groups
OU student clubs, neighborhood groups, and local organizations span many areas of interest. The meetings, memberships, and sponsored events are educational, entertaining, and offer opportunities for students to express citizenship and community engagement on campus and in surrounding communities. The purpose of the presentation assignment is to provide YOU an opportunity to create a presentation that properly identifies and critically evaluates a Grassroot group that is meaningful to you, suits your schedule, and occurs during this semester.
- For this assignment, each student will visit (in person or virtually) an OU student club, community group, or local organizations and then create an original presentation that summarizes key elements of the featured Grassroot group to others.
Note: Students’ Grassroot group selections MUST BE submitted in advance for pre-approval by the course instructor in order to be accepted for grading considerations.
- Your slide presentation should include 10-12 PowerPoint slides that convey official information from the Grassroot group, as well as include your own ideas, plus provide useful and timely information to the class.
- Additional information will be made available in class.
Written Assignment – Understanding our Collective Experiences and Group-Level Belonging in Oklahoma
What is the meaning and experience of belonging in our nation, our state and in our local communities? Who belongs and why? You will view selected media, such as Understanding Oklahoma with commentaries by expert, OU scholars to help you explore challenges to cultural fluency along with critical moments in the struggles of various communities for inclusion and rights, particularly here in Oklahoma. The purpose of this writing assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to connect yourself with the readings, documented civil discourse, and activities covered in the Gateway to Belonging at OU course. For this assignment, each student will prepare a written report that answers the designated questions in paragraph/sentence form. The assignment should be typed, limited to 7 pages, including a cover page and references, using APA format or a style format pre-approved by your course instructor. Additional information will be made available in class. Submit your FINAL written paper via the course website.
Belonging Toolbox Open Book Test
By exploring who we are, what we consider to be important aspects of our identities and why, we inevitably cultivate belonging for ourselves and recognize our connection to others. There will be a total of TWO tests of critical thinking, specific to the Belonging Toolbox Assignments from the required workbook.
- The tests are open book and non-cumulative in nature and will consist of multiple-choice questions.
- Each toolbox test will assess students’ advance completion of the Belonging Toolbox Assignments, as indicated on the schedule.
Exams
There will be a total of THREE examinations to assess understanding of course content.
- All three exams will consist mostly of multiple-choice questions. Exams 1& 2 are non-cumulative in nature and the Final Exam 3 is cumulative.
- Each exam will cover readings, media, workbook activities, lectures, and discussions, as indicated on the schedule.
Course Policies
Grading Policy
Completing assignments on time is important to your success in this course and at OU. Thus, assignments must be turned in on time to be graded. You are responsible for knowing when assignments are due and how assignments are to be turned in as this information will be posted on Canvas.
Communication Policy
I aim to respond to your questions and inquiries within 48 hours. If you haven't heard from me within that time frame, please reach out to me again.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog .
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries .
Academic Misconduct
What does “academic integrity” mean? Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship. Here are the basic expectations about academic work at the University of Oklahoma;
- Students attend OU in order to learn and grow.
- Academic assignments exist for the sake of this goal.
- Grades exist to show how fully the goal is attained.
- Thus, all work and all grades should result from the student’s own effort to learn and grow. Academic work completed any other way is pointless, and grades obtained any other way are fraudulent.
Academic integrity means understanding these basic rules, without which no university can exist. Academic misconduct (cheating) is not just “against the rules.” It destroys the mutual trust and respect that should exist between student and professor. Finally, it is unfair to students who earn their grades honestly. The University subscribes to Turnitin.com, a program to check student papers for originality. Other academic integrity information can be found at: http://integrity.ou.edu/index.html
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes. This land was also once part of the Muscogee Creek and Seminole nations.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 federally-recognized Tribal nations dwell in what is now the State of Oklahoma as a result of settler colonial policies designed to assimilate Indigenous peoples.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations.
This acknowledgement is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is our institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty.
Non-Discrimination
The University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual based on the individual’s race, color, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age (40 or older), sex (see Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination and Harassment policy ou.edu/content/eoo/policies.html), sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides. For more information, please visit https://www.ou.edu/eoo/policies-procedures/non-discrimination.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Accommodation Statement
“Any student in this class who has a disability that may prevent full demonstration of ability should contact the instructor personally before the end of the first week of classes so that discussion can be held regarding accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate individual educational opportunities.” The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) provides support for students with documented disabilities, and you can contact them at drc@ou.edu or (405)-325-3852.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues Statement
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar to scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Please see https://www.ou.edu/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs for commonly asked questions.
COVID Classroom and Campus Protocols
The OU Masking Policy can be reviewed at https://www.ou.edu/together/university-mandatory-masking-policy.
Illness due to COVID follow the same guidelines as all others considered by university policies. The Instructional Continuity Guidance and FAQs Regarding Instruction sites have been updated for Fall 2021.
https://ou.edu/together/instructional-faculty
https://www.ou.edu/together/instructional-faculty/instructional-continuity-guidance
https://ou.edu/together/instructional-faculty/faq
Emergency Protocols
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety. You may find more information here: https://ou.edu/emergencypreparedness/procedures.
Severe Weather
If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- LOOK for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances.
- SEEK refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- GO to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- GET IN, GET DOWN, COVER UP.
- WAIT for official notice to resume normal activities.
Review Refuge Areas here: https://ou.edu/emergencypreparedness/prepare/refuge-on-campus.
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- GET OUT: If you believe you can get out of the area WITHOUT encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- HIDE OUT: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- TAKE OUT: As a last resort fight to defend yourself.
For more information, visit: https://ou.edu/emergencypreparedness.
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators.
- KNOW at least two building exits.
- ASSIST those that may need help.
- PROCEED to the emergency assembly area.
- ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues.
- WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|