Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Satisfactory completion of:
- Graduate Research & Writing
Course Materials
All the required reading materials will be posted in the weekly modules.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Weekly synchronous Live Session meetings | 20% |
| Discussions | Asynchronous weekly discussion topics | 20% |
| Position Paper | Written assignment | 30% |
| Team Project | Group program design written assignment | 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
Participation
Each week, we will meet for Live Sessions online. Attendance/participation in the Live Session is highly encouraged and will be 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 "Start Assignment" button at the top the Live Session 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 "Start 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 Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Central 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 most modules. The purpose of the discussions is to bring multiple perspectives on each issue into an articulated piece. The discussions should be backed by 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 from reputable resources to support 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 Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Central.
Position Paper
For this paper, you will be expected to select a Structural Inequity to research. You may select any of the topics we have covered in class or choose another one of personal interest that applies to the assignment.
Your paper should include:
- An overview of the topic and how society understands this topic.
- An explanation of the various dimensions of the problem (e.g., the ways that race, class, gender, sexuality, culture, etc. interact when considering this problem).
- Research to support your perspective. The paper should not be based only on personal experience but on research.
- Facilitate how to understand a multi-dimensional issue with the support of research.
Please note: Personal experience is significant, but does not equal knowledge.
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?
Note: All papers will be submitted in Canvas and reviewed for plagiarism.
Team Project
For this project, you will be paired with your classmate(s) to analyze a structural inequity of your choice and design a proposal outline that would advocate for the marginalized groups impacted by the systemic injustice.
Your proposal should address:
- underlying issues
- policy and programming inequalities
- conflict resolution strategies
- advocacy to support change for diversity, equity, and social justice.
Your proposal should include:
- A brief overview of the topic and the marginalized group it impacts.
- An explanation of the various dimensions of the problem (e.g., the ways that race, class, gender, sexuality, culture, etc. interact when considering this problem).
- Research to support your perspective.
To facilitate your proposal's structure, consider the points below:
- What are the structural changes that are necessary to promote diversity, equity, and social justice?
- What unconscious biases are present in support of and against the marginalized group?
- What conflict transformative process would be used to initiate understanding and structural change?
- How do policy and programming need to change to advocate for the marginalized population?
- How do you evaluate to ensure change occurs?
Note: All projects will be submitted in Canvas as a group and checked for plagiarism.
Course Policies
Communication
Email is always the best way to reach me. My email is jeri-stroup@ouhsc.edu
You should receive a response within 24 hours (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.
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.
Diversity Statement
The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person's unique contributions, background, and perspective. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty, and staff and for the communities we engage.
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.
Non-Discrimination Policy
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, 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 contact the Institutional Equity Office.
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 |
|---|---|---|