How does IPT 531 work?
This class has a regular rhythm of reading, making, doing, and discussing as described below.
The Weekly Discussion (Tuesday)
Each topic in the Course Narrative includes a set of readings, videos, and other media (collectively referred to below as Readings). You are responsible for completing all the Readings before coming to the Weekly Discussion. Please take notes as you work your way through the Readings – including both thoughts prompted by the Readings and questions you have about the Readings. Bring your notes to class on Tuesday. Students will be selected at random during Tuesday classes to lead class discussions about each reading. Please be thoroughly prepared so that (1) our time together can be spent productively and (2) you won’t embarrass yourself in front of your peers.
Now, I understand that you’re an adult with a life outside of school and that things outside your control happen. They happen to me, too. When life happens, you can opt to “take a pass” on leading and participating meaningfully in the Weekly Discussion (though you should still attend class if possible). At the beginning of class, before we “spin the wheel” to see who will be leading the discussion for the day, just say “I’m taking a pass today.” You don’t need to explain why you’re taking a pass and we won’t judge you when you do. You can take a pass up to two times during the semester.
The Weekly Create (Thursday)
Each week you will create a shareable (i.e., relatively brief or small) video, slide presentation, podcast, infographic, essay, or other creative artifact in which you demonstrate your understanding of the course learning outcomes discussed the week’s Readings and Discussion. Try to create something that’s both informative and interesting. Many of these creates are open-ended, though some will have more specific directions associated with them that we will go over in class. Post your Weekly Create, together with a narrative explanation of what you created, why, and what you hope others will learn from it, on your blog before coming to class on Thursday. Consider licensing it all with a Creative Commons license. Students will be selected at random during Thursday classes to share and answer questions about their Weekly Create.
You can use up to two late passes for homework during the term. Just contact me before class (or as soon as possible in the case of an emergency) to let me know you’ll be submitting your assignment late.
(The Weekly Create is inspired by DS106’s wonderful Daily Create.)
Final Presentation
Your final assignment will be a presentation in which you demonstrate your mastery of at least 20 of the course learning outcomes. You should strongly consider reusing / revising / remixing your Weekly Creates for this presentation. The presentation should also include at least one high-level, novel takeaway from the course. This presentation can be created and presented in any medium you choose – slides that you speak with in class, a video recording, a blog post, or anything else. Have fun with this assignment!
Grading
You are totally and completely capable of earning an A in this class. I expect you to earn an A in this class.
Each day class meets you begin with 10 participation points. You keep these points through active and informed participation in the Weekly Discussion. You will lose these points if you are obviously unprepared for the discussion.
You start each Weekly Create with 20 points. You keep these points by addressing all the course learning outcomes we covered during the Weekly Discussion and turning your Weekly Create in before class on Thursday. You will lose 5 points for each course outcome we covered in the Weekly Discussion that isn’t incorporated into your Weekly Create. You will lose 10 points if you haven’t posted your Weekly Create before the beginning of class on Thursday.
You start your final presentation with 45 points. You will lose two points for every course learning outcome fewer than the required 20 that you address in the presentation. (For example, if you only address 17 learning outcome, you lose 6 points.)ย You will lose 5 points if you fail to includeย your novel takeaway.
Final grades will be calculated by dividing the points you’ve earned by the total points possible and assigning a letter grade as follows:
A: 100% – 90%
B: 89% – 80%
C: 79% – 70%
D: 69% – 60%
F: 59% – 0%
Basic Needs
If you’re having trouble affording enough to eat, or don’t have a safe and reliable place to sleep – please ask for help! The BYU Dean of Students‘s Office is a great place to start. Also, if you’re comfortable doing so, please talk to me about what’s going on in your life. I care about you and want you to flourish in every way – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Let me know how I can help you.
Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university’s expectation that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards. [Note: In IPT 531, reusing, revising, and remixing content created by others, with attribution, are both permitted and expected.]
Sexual Misconduct
As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the university prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment-including sexual violence-committed by or against students, university employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in university policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of “Sexual Misconduct” prohibited by the university.
University policy requires any university employee in a teaching, managerial, or supervisory role to report incidents of sexual misconduct that come to their attention through various forms including face-to-face conversation, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. If you encounter sexual misconduct, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or 801-422-2130 or Ethics Point at https://titleix.byu.edu/report-concern or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours). Additional information about Title IX and resources available to you can be found at http://titleix.byu.edu.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC), 2170 WSC or 422-2767. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. The UAC can also assess students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the UAC. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.
