| Assignments | Link to WebX | ||||||
Expectations & Assignments
1) Participation
This class depends on the informed involvement of all students. You are expected
to come, on time and prepared for class, with a desire to make the content meaningful
for your own personal and professional development. Most of the STS issues we
will discuss involve controversial issues, some of which might generate strong
differences of opinion. We will all practice listening carefully to what others
say and we will respect the right to differences in opinions and differences
in values.
2) Attendance
Your absence from class for any reason is recorded. Requests for excused absences
must be made prior to the class to be missed. During many class periods you
will be responsible for bringing information that your class group needs in
order to function. You need to get this information to your group prior to class
for all excused absences. Unexcused absences will affect your grade. STS issues
and perspectives will also be explored through in-class assignments and activities.
Students with excused absences can make up these assignments within a week of
the absence.
3) Weekly issues explorations
Each week we will explore a specific STS issue. On at least weeks 4-6 and 8-10
you will be responsible for library/internet readings on a STS issue prior to
being involved in class activities. Your readings and library/internet research
will involve cooperative group assignments to find and summarize information
that addresses one or more of the following aspects of a STS issue:
A) the history of how the issue has developed (Provide a summary of some of
the dates and events that have led up to the current status of this STS topic.);
B) the values, attitudes, & beliefs (including cultural differences) that
interact with the issue (Summarize and provide examples of how conflicting values,
attitudes, and beliefs are involved with this STS topic.);
C) the positive impacts (benefits) and negative impacts (costs) associated with
the issue;
D) current and alternative policies associated with the issue, strategies for
achieving the policies.
You will post summaries of your readings through a class web site. Summaries will be posted before Monday of the week when the topic will be discussed. The process of posting will be demonstrated in class. As a member of a group you need to find and read two additional articles that relate to your component of that STS topic. You then need to log in to WebX and submit a reference for your readings and a 2-4 paragraph summary. Each member of the group needs to read different articles. During the days where we discuss the issues explorations you will be expected to arrive in class with your notes, prepared to engage in in-class activities related to the issue. A rubric will be handed out in class showing how the webx summaries will be graded.
I use a four point, letter grade system for grading (4.0 = A), and then grades are weighted according to the %'s listed below. You must pass ALL portions of this class in order to pass the course.
1) Attendance and participation (15% of final grade)
Attendance is recorded each class period. Observational notes are also recorded
regarding your preparation and participation in small group and class activities.
Evidence of your preparation includes evidence of notes and clear contributions
to small and whole group discussions. Your daily grade for preparation/participation
is recorded and the mean grade for this component of the class represents attendance/participation
portion of your final grade.
2) Weekly issues explorations (30% of final grade)
Each contribution to the class web summaries will be graded. The mean grade
for this component of the class represents the weekly issues explorations portion
of your final grade.
3) Midterms ( 20% of final grade)
Two midterms will demonstrate your knowledge of STS issus and your ability to
analyze and evaluate complex STS issues.
4) Inquiry investigation (25% of final grade)
A) Each of you will be involved in a group inquiry investigation. You will select
a STS inquiry problem, conduct background readings on the problem, develop a
design for investigating the problem, conduct the research, summarize the results,
and explain how the results can be used as a basis for suggestion a course of
action related to the project. Your group will need to have their problem selected
and research design outlined no later than the fourth week of class. Each group
member must have a defined role in the presentation.
B) The inquiry investigation groups will make 30-40 minute presentations on
the issue and their research beginning the 13th week of class.
C) An evaluation rubric for the issues investigations will be handed out and
discussed in class. You will receive both a group and an individual grade for
this project.
5) Final paper (10% of final grade)
The final will be a synthesis of what you have learned about STS issues and
how you can communicate that to others. For most of you the synthesis will probably
be a 4-8 page paper. But some of you may choose alternative methods of communicating
your synthesis such as: a play, a dramatization, a web site, etc. Take advantage
of your preferred learning and teaching styles to communicate your synthesis.
The final synthesis is also evaluated using a rubric that will be discussed in class.
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