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Syllabus ECON 260 Comp Sys Online Spring 2016 – crns 50414 full 16 wk

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[ms_accordion_item title=’Unit 1 Assignments’ icon=’fa-flag’ status=’close’]

To complete Unit 1, you need to do these six things:

  1. Read the Syllabus  – it can be found either at the Concourse widget in D2L or by clicking here to read the syllabus on jimluke.com
  2. Read the Unit 1 Readings – see Unit 1 entry under the Readings tab on the web site menu. For this unit, there are two assigned readings. Other units will have more.
    1. Unit 1 Readings – Jim’s Guide
    2. What to Write/Post About
  3. Login for the first time and make an initial post introducing yourself. Tell us something interesting (keeping in mind this is public and searchable by Google!) (10 points)
  4. Take the Unit 1 Quiz (5 questions – 10 points) – The quiz is in D2L since it is auto-grading.  You have two attempts to complete the quiz. Your highest score will count. The quiz is primarily about the syllabus.
  5. Make at least one more post (more are permitted) to the website.  While most of the time we’re interested in whatever’s on your mind comp systems-wise, this time I want you to give some thought to how this course could be useful to you and your college studies.  In other words, what do you hope to get out of it?  Keep in mind that your goal doesn’t have to be content-related. Maybe it’s to develop some better critical thinking abilities? Or a chance to overcome your tendency to procratinate? Or a chance to write on the Web yourself? You tell us. (10 points)

Deadline:  All by end of day, Sunday, Jan 24

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[ms_accordion_item title=’Unit 2 Assignments’ icon=’fa-flag’ status=’close’]

For Unit 2, I want you to do the following:

  1.  You need to read:
    • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 2.  These are three required readings posts I created – kind of written mini-lectures.  If you missed them in the ordinary flow of the blog posts on the home page, don’t worry. They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
    • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
    • Part I of  the Maddison book, this is pages 1-30.
  2. Take the quiz (10 questions MC in D2L) on the required Jim’s Readings and the Maddison book.  Quiz will be available no later than Jan 31.
  3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it and linking to it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
  4. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points.  However, please think of that as a minimum.  Don’t feel like every post needs to be lengthy, reflective, thoughtful pieces.  Yes, I’d like some of your posts to be that way as the semester continues. But focus on telling and sharing with your classmates what you are thinking as you read these assignments and as you explore the Web.
    • Suggested ideas for post topics include, but are not limited to:
      • What in Maddison readings surprised or intrigued you – perhaps something you didn’t realize before.
      • What reaction do you have to the required readings posts I (Jim) made?  Is there a point you wish you disagree with, don’t understand, strongly agree with?  Did I cause any questions to rise in your mind that you’d like either me (Jim) to respond to?
      • Have the readings prompted an idea/question/issue in your mind that you’d like your fellow students to weigh in on?  Why?
      • In this unit we talk about ideologies like capitalism-socialism-communism. Do you have a story you’d like to tell – either an illustration or a personal story – of what these ideologies may have meant to you or someone you know.
  5. Finally, although it’s not “required for the grade”, I’d love if you not only posted but responded to other students’ posts.  You can respond by either writing your post and referencing/linking to theirs – or – you can hit the reply button and post a reply.  Let’s try to get a conversation going.

Deadline: All by end of day, Sunday, Feb 7 (Super Bowl day)

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[ms_accordion_item title=’Unit 3 Assignments’ icon=’fa-flag’ status=’close’]

For Unit 3, I want you to do the following:

  1.  You need to read:
    • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 3.  These are required readings posts I created – kind of written mini-lectures.  There’s also a video to view in the fourth “reading”. If you missed them in the ordinary flow of the blog posts on the home page, don’t worry. They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
    • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
    • Read Parts II and II of Maddison book, – pages 531-66; post your own thoughts or reactions
  2. You don’t have to take a quiz on this unit at this time.  Instead, questions about the Unit 3 required readings/viewings will be combined with Unit 4 into a short “midterm exam” that will be available the starting the week of Feb 22 and closing at the end of spring break March 13. .
  3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
  4. Start thinking about and exploring which book you want to read & review: minor post to announce it.  The “book store page” and instructions for the book project will be available Feb 15 and on.  It will list suggested books. You may pick any books off that list OR you may suggest to me another title. I’ll generally approve most books, but I just want to make sure the book is relevant.  Also, there have been a few times in the past when somebody has suggested a book I’m familiar with and I can offer some tips like “are you sure?  That book is really written at an advanced graduate, technical level with a lot of math”.
  5. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points (think 2 per week).  However, please think of that as a minimum.  Don’t feel like every post needs to be lengthy, reflective, thoughtful pieces.  Yes, I’d like some of your posts to be that way as the semester continues. But focus on telling and sharing with your classmates what you are thinking as you read these assignments and as you explore the Web. Your posts also don’t have to be strictly triggered by the readings. We’re in the midst of an “interesting” Presidential campaign in the U.S. right now that’s triggering some discussions that are essentially “what kind of economic system do we want?”.  Feel free to chime in here – but keep it civil please.
    • Other suggested ideas for post topics include, but are not limited to:
      • What in Maddison readings surprised or intrigued you – perhaps something you didn’t realize before.
      • What reaction do you have to the required readings posts I (Jim) made?  Is there a point you wish you disagree with, don’t understand, strongly agree with?  Did I cause any questions to rise in your mind that you’d like either me (Jim) to respond to?
      • Have the readings prompted an idea/question/issue in your mind that you’d like your fellow students to weigh in on?  Why?

Deadline: The syllabus says to be done with all this by Feb 21, but as I’ve pointed out here, that’s more a guideline than a rule. Let’s aim for having this unit 3 work done by late Feb so we can be caught back up to schedule by break. Unit 4 will be somewhat similar to Unit 3 and the combination of them must be completed including “midterm 1” by end of Spring Break.

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[ms_accordion_item title=’Unit 4 Assignments’ icon=’fa-flag’ status=’close’]

For Unit 4, I want you to do the following:

  1.  You need to read:
    • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 4.  These are required readings.  They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
    • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
  2. You don’t have to take a quiz on this unit at this time.  Instead, questions about the Unit 3 required readings/viewings will be combined with Unit 4 into a short “midterm exam” that will be available the starting the week of Mar 6 and closing at the end of spring break March 13. March 21.
  3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
  4. Familiarize yourself with the Book Review Project Assignment. All the instructions are available under the “Book Review Project” tab.  The “book store page” and instructions for the book project will be available Feb 15 and on.  It will list suggested books. You may pick any books off that list OR you may suggest to me another title. I’ll generally approve most books, but I just want to make sure the book is relevant.  Also, there have been a few times in the past when somebody has suggested a book I’m familiar with and I can offer some tips like “are you sure?  That book is really written at an advanced graduate, technical level with a lot of math”.
  5. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points (think 2 per week).  However, please think of that as a minimum.  I’m really liking that you all are starting to reply to each other and form conversations.  Substantial replies count as “posts” (although simple ones like “yeah, me too” don’t).

Deadline: The syllabus says to be done with all this by Mar 6, but as I’ve pointed out here, that’s more a guideline than a rule. I want you to have Unit 4 wrapped up during Spring Break (Mar 6-13), including getting your book choice decided.  I’m extending the deadline on midterm I till March 20 since I didn’t get it released in a timely way on D2L.

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[ms_accordion_item title=’Unit 5 Assignments’ icon=’fa-flag’ status=’close’]

For Unit 5, I want you to do the following:

  1.  You need to read:
    • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 5.  These are required readings.  They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
    • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
  2. You don’t have to take a quiz on this unit at this time.  Instead, questions about the Unit 5 required readings/viewings will be combined with Units 6 & 7 into a short “midterm exam” that will be available in unit 7.
  3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
  4. You should be well into reading your book and researching for the Book Review Project Assignment. Reminder: All the instructions are available under the “Book Review Project” tab.  The “book store page” and instructions for the book project will be available Feb 15 and on.  It will list suggested books. You may pick any books off that list OR you may suggest to me another title. I’ll generally approve most books, but I just want to make sure the book is relevant.  Also, there have been a few times in the past when somebody has suggested a book I’m familiar with and I can offer some tips like “are you sure?  That book is really written at an advanced graduate, technical level with a lot of math”.
  5. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points (think 2 per week).  However, please think of that as a minimum.  I’m really liking that you all are starting to reply to each other and form conversations.  Substantial replies count as “posts” (although simple ones like “yeah, me too” don’t).

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[ms_accordion_item title=’Unit 6 Assignments’ icon=’fa-flag’ status=’open’]

As you’ve probably figured out by now, the syllabus time deadlines are more like guidelines.

Unit 6 has been combined with Unit 5.  Try to get this done in the April 11th area.

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We’re coming down to the last stages. It’s time for Unit 7. For Unit 7, I want you to do the following:

  1.  You need to read and listen/watch as needed to Jim’s Posts for Unit 7; post to your own blog your thoughts and reactions
  2. Take the Midterm II quiz in D2L on the required Jim’s Readings/Viewings from Units 5-7.
  3. Book Review: If you haven’t already completed reading and writing your book review, it’s time to get it done.
    • The last step in the book review process is to prepare and submit a multiple choice question that a reader of your review should be able to answer. Be sure to enter your multiple choice question using the form.  If the form doesn’t work for you, you may email your question to me.  Be sure to include all of the possible answers and to identify what you think is the correct answer.
  4. Make some posts. At this point, you need to make at least 4-6 posts.   Feel free to post more times and to post shorter types of things or just links with brief comments, but I’d like to see at least two posts that try to make some kind of point.

The syllabus said April 24 to complete this Unit.  But practically LCC is having a site visit from its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission.  Given my role as the Faculty representative on Accreditation & Strategic Planning I’ll be tied up all day on April 25, 26, 27.  I know I won’t be able to grade or deal with things until the 28th.  So you can plan on getting it done by April 27 and be OK. BUT we really need to have all of this unit by end of day April 27 so we can do Unit 8.

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[ms_accordion_item title=’Unit 8 Assignments’ icon=’fa-flag’ status=’open’]

This is it folks. We’re near the end. It’s time for Unit 8, the last unit. For Unit 8, I want you to do the following:

  1. You need to read the book reviews of your fellow students.  To read your fellow student book review project pages, go Book Review Project tab in menu > then Student Book Projects.
  2. Take the Unit 8 quiz.  This quiz is based upon the questions submitted by students about their book reviews. It should be available by April 30, if everybody gets their questions in on time.  The Unit 8 quiz has been merged into the final exam.
  3. Make some posts.  You need to make 3 specific posts during Unit 8.
    • Write a post identifying your best 1-3 posts from the  semester (ones you want me to use to assign “Post Quality” points); explain why
    • Write a post providing feedback on the course and its design.  Be honest. Do you see potential? Should it be repeated? What did you like/ not like? What should change? What frustrated you?
    • Write a self-reflective post on what you’ve learned this semester. You can approach this as broadly as you want. It could be about some specific information or ideas you learned, or it could be about something you learned about yourself, or just a different way of thinking or perspective you learned.
  4. Take the final exam on D2L.  There will be a final exam study guide posted to help you prepare. Don’t get too uptight about it. The final exam is 80 points. It is made up of 6 MC questions on the book reviews (2 pts each) + 14 MC questions re-covering material already covered in Quiz 2 and the two midterms (each of the 14 MC/TF ques are 2 pts). That’s 40 pts in objective questions. Then there are 5 open ended questions asking you to reflect on certain issues – I’m looking for a 2-3 paragraphs, not long essay answers.The final exam is submitted once. There is no enforced time limit. D2L might say 120 mins is recommended, but you can ignore that. You should be able to open the final exam, work on part of it, save your work, and come back to it later. If it doesn’t allow you to return to your saved work, let me know ASAP. That is my intent. It’s kind of an online open-book exam.

    If you want to study for it first, go back and review quiz 2, midterm I, midterm II, and read the student book project reviews

Everything really does need to be completed by end of day on May 9. That barely allows me the time needed to get grading done and submit course grades.

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