University of South Dakota First Year Experience Seminar: He Blinded Me with Science A&S 100 - U215 - Fall 2010 Meetings: Wednesday 3:00-3:50 in OM-202 Professor: Dr. Brennan Jordan E-mail: brennan.jordan@usd.edu Office: Patterson103 (temporary), phone# 677-6143 Office Hours: M 11-1, W 10-12, Th 10-12 Web Page: http://www.usd.edu/~Brennan.Jordan/

Catalog Description: This course is designed to engage students in their college experience, both academically and personally. The course aids students as they acquire and develop the skills necessary to reach their educational objectives. Through readings, discussions, reflective writing, and class activities, all of which illuminate a specific topic, students will practice skills that will enable them to succeed in their college courses. In addition, the class will help students acclimate to the culture of The University of South Dakota.

Section Overview: Students will explore various aspects of the presentation of science in the media and consider aspects of an academic life in science.  Readings, viewings, activities, and assignments (presentations and papers) will serve to fulfill the objectives laid out in the catalog description.  Planned subjects include:
    * Scientific accuracy in movies
    * Learning science concepts via the movies
    * Depiction of scientists and the process of science in TV dramas
    * Science fiction and technological development
    * Engaging the public with science documentaries
    * Scientific writing

Attendance: Attendance is essential and, in accordance with University of South Dakota policy for 100- and 200-level courses, attendance will be taken at every course meeting.  Attendance becomes a part of your grade as well.  In addition several evening group viewings (movies and TV episodes) will be arranged.  To be excused, any absence must be pre-arranged. 

Cell Phones: Turn your cell phones off before entering the classroom.  Students with phones out during class will be asked to leave (that means no texting either).

Grading: The table below summarizes the grading scheme.  Grading will be based on a conventional scale: A=90-100%; B=80-89.9%; C=70-79.9%; D=60-69.9%; F=<60%. A curve may be applied at the instructor’s discretion, but don’t count on it. 

Cheating: Don’t do it!  No credit can be given for a dishonest assignment. At the discretion of the instructor, a student caught engaging in any form of academic dishonesty may be: (a) Given a zero for that assignment; (b) Allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit; (c) Assigned a reduced grade for the course; (d) Dropped from the course; or (e) Failed in the course.  Your professor leans toward option-e.

 

Freedom in Learning: Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the dean of the college or school that offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.

Disabilities: Any student who feels s/he may need academic accommodations or access accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and register with Disability Services during the first week of class. Disability Services is the official office to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with Disability Services must obtain a new accommodation memo each semester.  [Ernetta L. Fox, Director, Disability Services, Room 119 Service Center 677-6389, www.usd.edu/ds, dservices@usd.edu]