General Studies (GNST) 201 - Lecture 04
Inquiry Seminar: University Learning and its Cultural Contexts
Winter 2007
MWF 10:00 in SS315  

Instructor:	Dr. Tania S. Smith
Office Location:	SS 254
Office Phone:	220-7774
E-Mail:	smit@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	http://www.ucalgary.ca/~smit
Office Hours:	W11:00 or by appointment

Additional Information

This course uses U of C's Blackboard discussion board and other online features to supplement in-class learning. Intermediate computer skills (and a willingness to learn) and easy access to U of C computer labs, laptops that connect with U of C wireless areas, or home computers with internet service is advised.

Course Description

In this course you will learn through your own active inquiry and discussion about the theory, history, culture, and communication practices of university learning through discussing readings, experiencing on-campus activities, interviewing people, and learning from each other's research. Topics include the following: Why is the university structured the way it is, into faculties, disciplines, courses, and various types of instructors and professors? How is “teaching” different from and related to “research”? What are the roles a university plays in society and its local community? How are universities governed, and how are they supported by the government and held accountable to the government? What are the different kinds of teaching and learning that go on in classrooms and labs, and what is being done to enhance the quality of teaching and learning? What are the common stresses and difficulties that students and teachers experience in university learning, and how do they learn to overcome these challenges?

Objectives of the Course

Because this course is an "inquiry-based" seminar, you will not be taught through a lecture method, nor will you be expected to merely memorize information. Through the instructor's and your peer's guidance and encouragement, if you are willing, you will learn how to become an active inquirer, which will build in you some of the following essential skills for university learning and enjoyment:

1. Research skills and inquiry-based learning abilities.

2. A broader and deeper understanding of educational cultures and perspectives on success in higher education.

3. Critical thinking and reading abilities.

4. Written and oral communication abilities.

Textbooks and Readings:

There will be a Course pack of photocopies compiled by the instructor. It will be sold at the Student's Union Copy Center called "Bound and Copied" in the basement of the Student's Union Building (MacEwan Hall). Ask at the cashier because they usually stock course packs behind the counter. This small set of weekly readings for discussion will be supplemented by the student's own research on their area of interest within the course theme.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

You can also use email to submit assignments by the deadlines, but you must submit an identical hard copy to the instructor within two business days. Carbon copy yourself and try downloading your own file attachment to ensure it was attached properly.

25% Midterm Portfolio (Feb 28). This is a collection of your weekly written reflections in the first half of the course, including any rough drafts you have revised and feedback you have received. Each reflection's deadline is noted on the schedule.

10% Essay (Feb 12). This short essay helps to build your understanding of your relationship to our university's academic & social cultures. Research includes attending two different types of extracurricular academic events on campus.

20% Final Portfolio (April 6). This is a collection of your reading & research reflections in the final half of the course, including any rough drafts you have revised and feedback you have received. Each reflection's deadline is noted on the schedule.

5% Presentation or class activity (to be scheduled). Each student will do a 7 minute creative presentation or 10-15 minute learning activity, as scheduled throughout the term, to provide another perspective on higher education not covered by the assigned readings.

Required Final Project Draft. (March 26). Late drafts and lack of participation in peer review may result in penalties on the Final Project grade.

30% Final Research Project (April 13). A project that presents the research you have done on a topic of your choice related to the theme of the course.

10% Class Participation. This includes in-class and online participation and discussion, 2 consultations with the instructor, and responsible communication with the instructor as needed.

GRADES: Assignment scores will be given on the 4 point scale and/or its equivalent letter grade (i.e. B+ = 3.3). The score of A+ will be awarded to students whose course work average is A if they also have an excellent class participation record.

COLLABORATION: Students will read and review drafts of each other's writing.

RESEARCH ETHICS: This course does not have "course based" ethics approval for research on human subjects. If you wish to conduct research for this course by doing a formal survey, interview, or experiment with people, you will need to fill out a research ethics application far in advance of recruiting your participants so that your project receives approval from our faculty committee. Ask your instructor for advice and assistance.

INSTRUCTOR'S RESEARCH: To improve the quality of teaching in this subject area, your instructor occasionally analyzes data about student learning that is gathered naturally in the course of teaching, and may present these findings at conferences or in academic publications. Unless you give signed consent, data specific to your course work and participation will not be included in such research. The instructor may hand out consent forms or email you a request to use your work outside of the course. You are free to decline participation or withdraw participation at any time. Any signed consent forms will not be seen by the instructor until after the final grades have been submitted.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+/A (4.0); A- (3.7); B+ (3.3); B (3.0); B- (2.7); C+ (2.3);
C (2.0); C- (1.7); D+ (1.3); D (1.0); F (0)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

The schedule will be posted online and updated / revised throughout the term as needed. see http://www.ucalgary.ca/%7Esmit/GNST201/Schedule.htm