Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Materials
Required Course Materials
- All the required reading materials will be posted in the weekly modules.
- For the book critique, you will identify an academic book of your choice.
Recommended Course Materials
- American Psychological Association (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition). American Psychological Association.
Grades
Breakdown
| Graded Activities & Assignments |
Percentage of Grade |
|---|---|
| Participation | 20% |
| Position Paper | 30% |
| Book Critique | 20% |
| Discussions | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage Earned |
Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90-100% | A |
| 80-89% | B |
| 70-79% | C |
| 60-69% | D |
| <60% | F |
Course Components
Participation
Each week, we will meet for Live Sessions online. Attendance/participation in the Live Session is mandatory and graded. There are two ways in which you can earn points for the Live Session:
- Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. When possible, you should attend and participate in the Live Sessions in real-time. To get credit for your attendance, type in the date and time of the session you attended by clicking on the red "Submit Assignment" button at the top of this page. Your self-reported attendance log will be cross-checked against the attendance tracker in Zoom.
- Make-Up (Watch Recording-Submit Written Summary): In the event that your time zone, work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, you will need to review the recording of the Live Session and write a paragraph summarizing the Live Session from your perspective. Click on the "Submit Assignment" button to type (or copy/paste) your paragraph into the text field. Don't worry if the system indicates your submission is late. You will have until the next Live Session to submit your paragraph summary.
Note: Be sure to utilize option 1 or 2 for each of the Live Sessions to receive full points. Regardless of when the session occurred, you must post your response based on option 1 or 2.
Discussions
There is a discussion board activity to complete in each module. The purpose of the weekly discussions is to bring multiple perspectives on each issue into an articulated piece. The discussion should not be based on personal views but on research.
Elements included in the evaluation of discussion board participation will include:
- application
- quality
- engagement
All participants are required to welcome open expression of opinion, attitudes, and beliefs and to accept the legitimacy and value of dissent. In addition, respect for the ideas of your classmates, the instructor, and common courtesy is expected.
You are expected to post your original reply before replying to another student. The original post should be at least 300 words with research support of your ideas and claims.
You need to reply to a minimum of 2 classmates' postings. The reply should be more than "I agree" or "Good Job." You need to make a substantial contribution to the discussion and reference your classmate's points. You must use at least 100 words in each reply. You can use an open-ended question to engage others with your thoughts. The discussion board opens on Mondays at 12:00 a.m. Central each week and will close on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Central.
Position Paper
For this paper, you will be expected to select a Current Problem to research. You may select any of the topics covered or not in the class.
Your paper should include an overview of the topic and how society understands this topic. You should explain the various dimensions of the problem (e.g., the ways that race, class, gender, sexuality, culture, etc. interact when considering this problem). Your discussion and claims should include research to support your perspective. The paper should not be based only on personal experience but on research. Please note that personal experience is significant, but does not equal knowledge. The paper should facilitate how to understand a multi-dimensional issue with the support of research.
To facilitate your paper's structure and argument, consider the points below:
- Why is this issue important?
- Describe the ignored elements of the issue and its critiques.
- What will happen if this issue is not addressed?
Your paper should follow these formatting guidelines:
- 10 pages (not including cover and reference pages)
- Use 12-point font and conventional margins
- Have at least seven research resources
- No Wikipedia, encyclopedia, or unverifiable web sources
- All sources should be cited appropriately using correct APA formatting
- Have headings and subheadings
- Conform to APA formatting guidelines
- We will be using the 7th edition of the style guide
All papers will be submitted in Canvas.
Book Critique
Each student is responsible for reading and writing a review of an academic book of your choice, that has been pre-approved by the instructor. The topic should represent a current social problem. The book should not be older than 12 years and not self-published.
I highly recommend that you start researching a topic and communicate with me about your chosen book by the end of Week 2.
Within the book review paper, you will discuss the following:
- State the theme or the research statement of the book.
- Why is the theme discussed in the book?
- How is this theme connected to current problems?
- Present the author's proposed argument supporting the books' theme.
- Provide at least 3 critiques on the book or the theme. Critiques are not necessarily in opposition to each other to the book's theme, but rather provide multiple perspectives to the understanding of the issue. The critique should be supported by reviewed journal articles (No Wikipedia or online sites).
- Integrate the discussion of the book with the critiques.
- Reflect on how the book and the process of writing enforce or contradict some of your personal beliefs regarding the issue(s) discussed in the book.
Your paper should follow these formatting guidelines:
- A minimum of 7 pages and a maximum 10 pages (not including cover and reference pages)
- Use 12-point font and conventional margins
- Have 2-4 research resources
- No Wikipedia, encyclopedia, or unverifiable web sources
- All sources should be cited appropriately using correct APA formatting
- Have headings and subheadings
- Conform to APA formatting guidelines
- We will be using the 7th edition of the style guide
All papers should be submitted on Canvas.
Course Policies
Communication
Email is always the best way to reach me. My email is randle@ou.edu
You should receive a response within 24 hours (not including weekends and holidays). If 48 hours or more have passed without a response, a follow-up email may be sent. Any urgent questions or concerns that require more immediate attention should be flagged as such in the subject line (simply write "urgent"). Emails will not be sent to personal email addresses. It is essential that you check the Announcements regularly and read your OU email.
Late Policy
Assignments are due on the dates indicated. Technology problems will not be accepted as a reason for late submissions. Having reliable, alternate sources of technology is highly recommended to ensure the timely submission of assignments.
However, if extenuating circumstances develop, I will consider them on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me by email.
Incomplete Grades
A grade of Incomplete "I" will be given only for a justifiable reason (due to unavoidable circumstances, not lack of planning on the student's part) and only if the student is passing the course. It is the responsibility of the student to request a grade of "I" and to consult with me as early as possible to determine the requirements for completing the course. Any incomplete granted must be removed by the deadline specified by the instructor. The time limit set for removal of an incomplete will consider the circumstances of the situation and may not exceed one calendar year. Professors are not required to allow students a year to make up grades of "Incomplete." Exceptions will be made only for documented Provost-approved University-sponsored activities or legally required activities such as emergency military service, jury duty, or documented serious illness or emergency and then only after discussion with me. Contact me by telephone or email if an emergency occurs.
Administrative Withdrawal
If a student has not completed at least half of the required assignments, a final grade of AW "Administrative Withdrawal" will be assigned with no grade or credit.
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
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
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 Title IX 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. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or their authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user's access to some or all of the university's computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|