Course Syllabus
HR 5203 - Graduate Research & Writing
Faculty Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Description
Graduate Research & Writing prepares you to develop critical writing and research skills with emphasis on inclusive leadership research. To be critical does not mean to be negative; it means to analyze and evaluate ideas and evidence. You will learn to examine, question, investigate, find support, and develop arguments as well as counter arguments. As public arguments of all kinds become increasingly divisive and incoherent, analyzing existing reputable research will help you examine and apply evidence-based arguments. The goal is to develop writing and research skills that will be useful as you matriculate through the inclusive leadership program.
Inclusive Leadership Program Goals
To develop inclusive leaders who espouse pro-diversity beliefs and behaviors; support an organizational culture of belongingness; recognize the unique value of the individual and the collective value of groups, and envision an interacting organizational system based on morality, impartiality, fairness, and respect.
Course Prerequisites
Admittance to the Master of Human Relations Inclusive Leadership program.
Course Materials
- Academic Writing for Graduate Students, 3rd Edition: Essential Skills and Tasks John M. Swales & Christine B. Feak
- Critical Thinking and Writing by Higher Education Language & Presentation Support
- The Process of Research Writing by Steven Krause
- Graduate Research and Writing by Susan Nash
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Live Sessions | Weeks 1-8 (20 points each) | 160 |
| Writing Workshop and Discussion Board Activity | Weeks 1-8 (40 points each) | 320 |
| Essay 1: Concept Paper | Conceptualizing Human Relations- Integrating the Multiple Perspectives | 100 |
| Essay 2: Critical Analysis Essay | Critique of Millard's "Human relations in a changing society, trends and principles" | 100 |
| Essay 3: Application Paper | Application of Human Relations Research | 150 |
| Total | 830 |
Scale
| Points | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 747-830 | A |
| 664-746 | B |
| 581-663 | C |
| 498-580 | D |
| Below 580 | F |
Points are subject to rounding at the discretion of the professor.
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 of 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. 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.
Writing Workshop and Discussion Board
Writing is a social process, which means we need to share our ideas with a test audience to determine whether our communication is successfully achieving our goals. Throughout the course, you will share selected parts of writing exercises in a Writing Workshop discussion format to practice giving and receiving feedback, analyzing human relations topics and determining how to apply feedback to the writing process.
Written Essays
You will write (3) papers during this course designed to develop your writing skills in building arguments and interpreting concepts.
Policies
Communication
The best way to contact me is through Canvas email. I return emails the same day (Monday through Friday, within 24 hours). I check email less frequently over the weekend. If you need more immediate help, you are welcome to text or call me. My cell number is listed on the top of this syllabus page. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
I prefer for students to address me as Dr. J. Most faculty and students know me by this name. You are welcome to address me as Dr. J. or Dr. Martin.
My Philosophy
I am very student minded and I love my job. I believe the instructor-student relationship should involve respect, rapport, and interaction from both parties. I value both my time and the time of my students. I believe that learning best happens from a combination of theory and application. I like to use a variety of instructional techniques and I cater those to the student group I am teaching. I try to touch all learning styles. I care about my students, and I value education. I believe that learning can be both a fun and rewarding experience! I am very approachable and I believe in instructor immediacy. I like to have a strong rapport with students. Research indicates that there is a strong correlation between immediacy and student learning (Rosati-Peterson, O’Callaghan, Straub, Piro, 2021). The more you care, the more students learn. I truly care about my students.
Rosati-Peterson, G., Ehmke, T., O’Callaghan, C., Straub, C., & Piro, J. S. (2021). A nonverbal immediacy treatment with pre-service teachers using mixed reality simulations. Cogent Education, 8(1), 1882905.
Expectations
In my classroom, respect is very important. We will respect one another’s views. Disrespectful dialogue is not allowed by students or the instructor (i.e., personal attacks, insults, harassment, etc.). Those who lack respect for others will be instructed to leave the Live Session.
Feedback
Most assignments and feedback will occur within seven days of the assignment submission. For longer assignments, I may need a little extra time. Please feel free to check in if you are waiting on feedback from me.
Late Policy
All assignments are due on the date posted by 11:59 p.m. Central time. Assignment are expected to be turned in on time. If you have a situation and need extra time, please reach out and I will work with you. Turning in late work should be the exception. Please make every effort to have work completed by the deadlines listed.
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.
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.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
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. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
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 |
|---|---|---|