Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Materials
In this course there are numerous Trade Journal articles purposefully selected to represent the roles, experiences, and challenges faced by architects, engineers, designers, and contractors in the design and construction industry. These will be provided to you in the course modules.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points/Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Class Participation | Live Session engagement in both whole group and breakout room discussions; Participation and timeliness in IEI small groups | 20% |
| Trade Journal Summaries | 5 written summaries at 20 pts each | 10% |
| Quizzes |
Week 1 Survey Quiz - 2 pts x 5 questions Weeks 2-6 Quizzes - 3 pts x 10 questions |
16% |
| IEI deliverables | 3 deliverables at 30 pts each | 9% |
| IEI presentation | 1 pre-recorded video presentation, including peer feedback, 450 points | 45% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Live Sessions
Live sessions will be a discussion based format over topics covered in assigned readings. Because this is a virtual class there will be logistics unique to the format, however professionalism is expected from all participants the same as in a normal in-person classroom setting. Please consult the Zoom Guidelines for Live Sessions page for more information and expectations for this course's Live Sessions.
Trade Journal Summaries and Presentations
Students will read and submit a brief summary analysis (approx. 2 paragraphs) of each trade journal article assigned. Each week there will be two assigned articles to read closely. These readings and your summary analyses will help focus and support each week's Live Session discussions and the weekly quizzes.
Quizzes
Quizzes cover the Trade Journal Readings assigned each week. Each quiz will have a blend of question types (e.g. multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false). The first quiz in Week 1 will collect aggregate information of students. The remaining 5 quizzes in the course will cover material in the TJ reading assignments.
Informative Experience Interview (IEI) Deliverables and Presentation
In this course, you will be conducting an Informative Experience Interview (IEI) with a professional in the construction industry. The IEI offers exposure to the workplace of a particular occupational area and reinforces the link between classroom learning and job requirements. This experience can help not only refine your career goals and allow exploration of different workplaces, but broaden your network of professional contacts.
Outside of class, each student will research and select an industry professional that is not in the same area as their own to interview and shadow. Students are responsible for finding, coordinating, and meeting with the industry professional. The selected industry professional should be in a local area that is available for in person meeting.
At the end of the semester, in Week 8, each student is required to submit a 8-10 minute presentation to a small group via pre-recorded video sharing their experience with the interview of the industry professional. The small groups will discuss and share key takeaways from the presentation videos viewed during the Week 8 Live Session. The presentation will be graded by a rubric, and the grade will include both the presentation itself (pre-recorded video and slides submitted on Canvas) and peer feedback (completed via Canvas assignment in Week 8).
Course Policies
Communication
Email is the preferred (and fastest) way to communicate with me; will respond within 24hrs. M-F; will check email on Saturdays and respond within 48hrs. Not available on Sundays.
Late Policy
Late work will be accepted with 5% deduction for 1st 24 hrs. after due date; 10% deduct for each and every successive 24 hrs.
Exceptions can be made due to extenuating circumstances, determined on a case by case basis. The important point is to communicate with me as soon as possible.
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 |
|---|---|---|