WINTHROP UNIVERSITY: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HMXP SYLLABUS POLICY FALL 2016

A syllabus provides a course description, sets forth the vision for a course, and informs students of what is expected of them in meeting course requirements. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requires that “students must be provided written information about the goals and requirements of each course, the nature of the course content, and the methods of evaluation to be employed.” This may be provided to students electronically.

Per university guidelines, all courses must include the minimum information listed below. Individuals may choose to provide additional information as needed.

A syllabus must be distributed to students in all courses in either hard copy or in an electronic version. An electronic copy also must be sent to the Director of HMXP (Katarina Moyon – [email protected]) before the beginning of classes. Feedback will be provided before classes begin. Final syllabi should be saved to the Dropbox file (invitation will be sent to you). The Director will forward final syllabi to the administrative assistant in University College.

BASIC CONTENT REQUIREMENTS:

 Course Designator and number, section number, and course title

 Name of instructor

 Contact information for instructor, including office location, posted office hours (“by appointment” is not adequate), email address, and telephone number. o Please note: It is a SACS and university requirement that you offer one office hour per week for each course that you are teaching.

 Semester and year (Fall 2016)

 Credit hours (3)  A reminder to students that they must earn a C- in this course to receive credit (on the S/U scale, a C- is an S).

 Course description: An example is: HMXP is the second course in the General Education Program requirement. It is taken between WRIT 101 and CRTW 201. This course explores the self and its relationship to education, to community, to the natural world, and to the sacred. Students will critically encounter challenging readings that will force them to examine life changing ideas about themselves.

 Course goals: These are the broad goals that may appear in a formal course description. They should include the applicable University Level Competencies (See Appendix A for all University Level Competencies). You may also choose to add personal course goals.

 Student Learning Outcomes: Student Learning Outcomes are in Appendix B. Keep in mind that student learning outcomes are connected to course goals and larger program goals; therefore, the learning outcomes constitute an important part of program assessment plans.

 The Global Learning Initiative participation statement. The statement should begin, “This course participates in the Global Learning Initiative in the following ways….” You may choose to provide your own examples. Some ideas: o Emphasizing the importance of recognizing perspectives different from our own. o Examining readings outside of Western culture.

 Please note that you do not need to include the old Touchstone Program Goals that were used before 2012.

 Your Turnitin password and ID. Turnitin is not optional. Your ID and password will be sent to you by email. They can also be accessed on your www.turnitin.com account connected to your Winthrop email address.

 Grading system, including plus and minus grade policy (if using).

 Attendance policy: From the Winthrop handbook: “The instructor may establish the attendance requirements for the course. The following policy will be in effect unless the instructor specifies otherwise: if a student’s absences in a course total 25 percent or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N if the student withdraws from the course before the withdrawal deadline; after that date, unless warranted by documented extenuating circumstances as described in the Withdrawal from Courses section of the University catalogs, a grade of F or U shall be assigned.

The instructor may establish different attendance requirements for the course, after notifying the department chair in writing. The instructor will give each student a written statement of the attendance policy for that course during the first class meeting.” http://www2.winthrop.edu/public/policy/fullpolicy.aspx? pid=251

COURSE CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

 Student Learning Activities (performance measures): These are the activities and assignments that are used to evaluate students’ achievement of the learning outcomes. All assignments should be clearly included in your syllabus. o It is required that there be a minimum of 4,500 words of graded written assignments in this course. There is a minimum of three essays of at least 1,000 words each. o If you plan to read drafts and/or accept re-writes, please note this in your syllabus. o Writing prompts specifically designed for the text are on the HMXP resource page here: http://www2.winthrop.edu/login/uc/hmxp/WritingAssignments.htm o The student must turn in all essays in order to pass the course. o There should be a regular activity to ensure critical reading is taking place. This could be checking for critical reading (per John Bird’s guide at the beginning of the textbook), journal entries, quizzes, or something else that you come up with. o Other written assignments could include: tests or quizzes, research assignments, in-class essays, text-related journal assignments. o There is an oral presentation component for this course. Oral presentations could include debates, short oral presentations, or longer presentations with significant faculty input and involvement. o All classes at Winthrop University are required to meet during final exam time, including HMXP. Please ensure that you have an exam or final culminating experience scheduled for your final exam time.

 All sections of HMXP should cover 22-28 readings from the HMXP Reader.  All sections of HMXP cover the common book. A resource for incorporating The Glass Castle is available on the HMXP resource website.

o There will be a speaker series during the fall semester related to the common book. Any or all of these events could be a part of the way that you cover the common book with your class. We have global cultural event approval for events 1, 2, 4. It is pending for event 3.

1) “Common Book: Uncovering the dark secret of poverty, social inequality, and mental health”- Sep 13, 2016, Dina’s Place, 11am, David Schary

2) “Common Book: The Walls Family: Dysfunctional or Resilient?” - Sep 27, 2016, 11am, Dina’s Place, Deana Morrow

3) “Common Book: Know Better, Do Better: College, Racism, and YOU” - October 12, 7pm, Byrnes Auditorium, Lawrence Ross (author)

4) “Common Book: The Benefit of Failure and Other Exercises in Creativity” - Nov 3, 11am, Dina’s Place, Anne Fiala

 Required texts: o The HMXP Reader, 9th edition. This is a new edition for 2015. o Diane Hacker - Rules for Writers. We will be getting a new edition of this in the fall. I will keep you informed as I get information. o The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (all 2015 and 2016 Winthrop freshmen and transfer students should have received a copy at their orientation). There are also copies of the common book on reserve at the Winthrop library.

 Paper policies: o Each syllabus must include a statement that all essays/papers must be turned in to receive a passing grade in HMXP.

o Please include a late paper and/or make-up policy.

 A tentative course calendar or schedule must be included with due dates for essays.

 Final exam date and time – HMXP classes must meet during their scheduled exam time; this time should be used for a culminating experience or for an in- class writing exam or essay.

 FYI: the interim (mid-semester) grading deadline is October 6, 2016, 5:00pm. OTHER SYLLABUS REQUIREMENTS

 Syllabus change policy.

 Students with disabilities policy.

 Student code of conduct: As noted in the Student Conduct Code: “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://2222.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf) Please include your range of consequences for academic misconduct. For example, you might say “academic misconduct can result in failure of the assignment, failure of the course and even expulsion from the university.” Explicit information about your personal treatment of plagiarism or cheating and the consequences should be included.

RECOMMENDED INFORMATION

You may wish to include the following:  Classroom name and number  Prerequisites (a C- or better in Writing 101)  Important academic dates, such the course withdrawal deadline (October 21, 2016)  Cell phone/electronic device policy

Thank you for the work you are doing for this course!! Appendix A University-Level Competencies (ULCs)

Winthrop’s University-Level Competencies (ULCs) identify learning outcomes that apply across all undergraduate programs and that all Winthrop graduates attain. These capacities are essential preparation for working productively and living meaningfully in the contemporary and emerging world. The ULCs were approved by Faculty Conference in October 2010.

Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.

Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems. They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.

Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible.

Winthrop University graduates value integrity, perceive moral dimensions, and achieve excellence. They take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning, and reflect on experiences. Winthrop graduates have a sense of responsibility to the broader community and contribute to the greater good.

Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live.

Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields. Winthrop graduates collaborate with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and engaged citizens.

Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.

Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. They create texts – including but not limited to written, oral, and visual presentations – that convey content effectively. Mindful of their voice and the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express and exchange ideas.

http://www.winthrop.edu/academic-affairs/secondary.aspx?id=15731 Appendix B Student Learning Outcomes

 Read and demonstrate a basic understanding of the central ideas of a variety of texts.  Compare, contrast, and link ideas from a variety of textual sources.  Use information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned arguments and conclusions.  Demonstrate the impact of the perspectives of others on their own experience.  Create texts that demonstrate an appropriate sense of audience and occasion.  Demonstrate personal integrity by properly incorporating and citing borrowed material in written and oral expression.

http://www2.winthrop.edu/login/uc/hmxp/SyllabusRequirements.htm