IDH 2121 (Interdisciplinary Seminar)
Term II 20082 Dr.
Barbra Nightingale
Ref # 345292 Office: 69/219 954-201-8873
MW
2-3:15 p.m. Email: bnighting@aol.com
REQUIRED TEXTS: Death
of a Salesman (Miller), Their Eyes
Were Watching God (Hurston); 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families (Stephen Covey); assorted
films and articles.
Course Objectives: To explore various facets of living and
functioning in an ever changing society. Topics will focus on the future
(including students’ chosen major fields), “Beingness”
(Self-awareness), and the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic: “”Gold, Gods, and
Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power.” These topics
will be explored through books, articles, film,
research, and seminar discussions in a variety of disciplines, from
sociological to scientific to literary.
In addition, as a final project, a personal portfolio, will be
assembled, which will include an autobiography, transcripts from high school
and college, letters of recommendation, and a description of awards received,
as a testament to what you have thus far accomplished with your life.
PLAGIARISM: It
has become necessary (unfortunately) to take a very hard line attitude toward
intentional plagiarism (defined as turning in a paper not your own, either from the internet, or another source). All work must be the work of the student, and
when material is borrowed in whatever form, it must be documented as
borrowed. Any student who knowingly
turns in a paper that is taken from somewhere other than his/her own brain and
NOT documented as such, will automatically fail the entire course and be
brought up on disciplinary charges with the administration (which usually leads
to administrative withdrawal from BCC. PLEASE DO NOT RUN THE RISK OF
BEING ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS!!!!
Part I:
Books: Death of a Salesman,
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Films: Inherit the Wind, Wallstreet, The Last Temptation of Christ, others.
Papers:
There will be one critical analysis of each book, approximately 500
words in length, and a thoughtful written response to each film.
An individual
reading schedule and topics sheet will be made available for each book.
Part II:
Beingness
Books: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
Families
Working in groups, you will present a chapter to the class.
Part III:
The Future
Assorted
Articles and a Final Portfolio which consists of your resume and personal
achievements.
Policies: I do
take a daily attendance, and the “Class participation” portion of your grade
will be based on this (10%). The following
scale is in effect:
0-2
absences = A
3-4 B
5-6 C
over 6 F
TURN PAPER OVER
Papers are due on
the dates orally specified in class. If
you are not in class on the day a paper is due, it is still counted late. Late papers will be accorded one grade point
penalty.
NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED
AT ALL AFTER APRIL 21st!
BCC Attendance Policy: If you stop attending class prior to the withdrawal date, you will be administratively withdrawn from class and receive a W or, if it is your third attempt, an F.
If you stop attending class after the withdrawal date, you will receive a WF that will then be computed as an F in your GPA. To avoid this situation, you should remain an active learner in this class and always communicate extenuating circumstances to me. Ongoing communication with the instructor is critical to your course success.
Grading: A = 3.60 - 4.0 Essays: 50%
B = 2.75 -
3.59 Portfolio 20%
C = 1.75 - 2.74 Class Project: 20%
D = 0.75 - 1.74 Class Participation 10%
F = below 0.75
Since this is an
Honors class, a writing credit will be given, and you must obtain an “A” or a “B” in
the class in order to receive Honors credit.
Portfolio Guidelines:
A portfolio of all
your accomplishments is to be assembled.
This will include a formal resumé, a list of
your service activities, clubs you belong to, awards you have won, honors,
achievements, scholarships received, etc. Include your
letters of recommendation and high school and college transcripts. You might also put in items that have been significant to
you since coming to BCC. You might even include the
essays you have written for admission to universities. Newspaper articles that caught your
attention, flyers of special events you have attended,
anything that may have enhanced your college experience.
If you have any
questions, please feel free to ask, either by appointment, or
calling me in my office or at home.
*Syllabus is
approximate and is subject to change.