Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Admittance to the Human Relations Masters Program
Course Materials
- Swales, J. and Feak, C. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. University of Michigan Press.
Note: Readings will be provided in the course assignments, but you may purchase this book if you prefer to not read it online.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Live Sessions | Weekly Live Sessions | 10% |
| Participation | Discussion boards and Hypothes.is annotation activities | 15% |
| Informal Writing/Drafts | Small writing assignments that make up pieces to the full essay draft. | 15% |
| Literature Review | Written assignment that deconstructs resources that will be used in the research narrative. | 30% |
| Research Narrative | Written assignment based on an occupational related endeavor. | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage of Points | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Live Sessions
Participation points will be given each week for attending the Live Sessions. Attendance/participation in the Live Session is part of the grade mix. If you are unable to attend in real-time, be sure to watch the recording, summarize it, and turn that summary in on the Live Session page to earn credit.
Note: Live Sessions that occur on Monday holidays will be held as usual. Students who are unable to attend can view the recorded session in Canvas.
Participation
Discussion & Annotations
This is a discussion-based class. This means that most of what you learn will come from comparing notes with your fellow students on what you got out of a reading, how you’re approaching an assignment, and so on.
Some of this will happen in the weekly in Live Sessions on Zoom or in a discussion forum. However, another portion discussions will happen as “annotations” in the margins of texts we read together online using the Hypothes.is app.
Informal Writing/Drafts
Periodically, you will write a smaller component of your full essay draft. It could be an evidence paragraph, a methods section, or a draft of your introduction.
Literature Review
This written assignment will be the critical literature review that builds on the research agenda you will propose.
This literature review will follow a more formal IMRD (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion) format common in social scientific research. After reading a significant body of research focused on your diversity, equity, or social justice issue (a minimum of ten sources), you will organize the sources by theme, emphasizing commonalities, disagreements, and gaps in the literature.
You will also make an argument based on your findings, taking a stand in relation to the debates you’ve uncovered, and suggesting the best path ahead for research on this issue.
Research Narrative
This written assignment will consist of a personal research statement. You will imagine that you are applying for a job as either a researcher at a social justice oriented non-profit agency or a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist in a corporate setting. You will need to persuade the search committee both that you have an interesting and manageable research agenda and/or DEI plan of action, and that you are the right person for the organization or company.
Course Policies
Communication
Please don't hesitate and contact me if you have any questions. I am happy to discuss the course material and any questions you have at the end of each Live Session or during my office hours (Thursdays 12pm-3pm and by appointment).
Email is also a good way to contact me shfeltz@ou.edu
During our Zoom meetings on Monday evenings, please make sure to take advantage of the chat feature to post questions. During discussions, please do not interrupt your peers and wait for your turn to speak so everyone will have and keep their voice in our class.
Late Policy
It is very important you keep up with the weekly assignments so you can benefit the most from our course. Generally, late assignments result in a zero. If you face a situation that calls for an accommodation, however, please contact me as soon as possible. An exception to this policy would be sickness or extraordinary circumstances.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
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.
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 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
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 acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
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.
Copyright Statement
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. 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.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report 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.
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. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
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.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
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.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
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:
- Avoid: 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.
- Deny: 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.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
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 the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|