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Contents
Course Summary.......................................................................................................................................
Department of
Interdisciplinary Studies
Syllabus
Prerequisites..............................................................................................................................................
Instructional Methods and Strategies.........................................................................................................
Computer Literacy Requirements...............................................................................................................
Learning Objectives....................................................................................................................................
Instructional Materials................................................................................................................................
Required Texts....................................................................................................................................
INT 411.90
NSU Policies..............................................................................................................................................
University Assessment Statement.......................................................................................................
Dr.
Andrew
T. Arroyo, Associate Professor
Incomplete
Grade
Policy.....................................................................................................................
Proctoring Policy.................................................................................................................................
Course Number & Course Name: Ideas and Their Influences, INT 411.90
Semester: Fall 2015
Class Meets: Online
Instructor Name: Dr. Andrew T. Arroyo, EdD
Office location and office hours
Norfolk State University
Bowser, 206
Office Hours: M/W 1:45-3:45; T 11-1
Cyber Office Hours: R 11-1
Email address: atarroyo@nsu.edu
Telephone: 757-823-2878
Preferred method of communication:
Email is the preferred method of communication. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response. This
excludes weekends and holidays. Also, if you send an email after business hours, I might reply, but
please do not expect it. Emails asking about assignments on the evening they are due are unlikely
to receive a response. Please be proactive.
Course Summary
Course Description
Investigation of influential ideas as seen through Western and non-Western perspectives. Topics
include worldviews, religion, identity, suffering, government, education, and globalization. Emphasis
is given to uncovering historical, social, and cultural forces informing the origination and propagation
of these ideas, including pre-Modern, Modern, and post-Modern forces in the Western and nonWestern traditions. Integration of ideas from the major traditions is emphasized in order to achieve
an interdisciplinary learning experience.
Course Rationale
As a part of the INT major/minor core, this course is developed to challenge the assumptions and
methods that the average person uses to understand and interpret the environment. Similarly, it is
intended to pose relevant questions regarding the meanings and life experiences derived from these
assumptions, often based in our own ideologies, which are based on the dominant Western
influence and ideas. Therefore, students are to have a clear understanding of Interdisciplinary
Studies and the relevance of Interdisciplinary-based knowledge that stresses linkages, leaning on
the concepts of critical thinking, language use, culture, research and social theories from previous
courses. Emphasis is therefore, on deliberately identifying relationships between disciplines; it is
holistic with a focus on themes and issues pertaining to life experiences.
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Prerequisites
INT 308, 322, 375, and 360 are prerequisites for this course.
Class discussions
Audio-visual presentations
Collaborative learning
Case study
Assigned readings
Written assessments
Objective quizzes
Blackboard (on-line delivery)
A basic knowledge of computers. For example, understanding files and folders to upload or
download course content is absolutely essential. Basic computer literacy classes (CSC-150)
are available on campus as elective courses. Students deficient in the necessary computer
skills should consider taking such classes.
An understanding of the Web and its resources, such as the library and online research tools
accessed through a Web browser.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and PowerPoint; this is
absolutely essential for your academic success.
Familiarity with NSU's e-mail system to guarantee effective communications with both
instructors and classmates. All NSU students have been assigned an e-mail account and are
expected to access it regularly via the Web.
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Instructional Materials
Required Texts (It is your responsibility to have all texts prior to the semester.)
APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.
Arroyo, A.T. Ideas and Their Influences (3rd ed). This is available only as an e-book download at
http://www.kendallhunt.com/arroyo_ebook/
Departmental Policies
Microsoft Word
ALL Interdisciplinary Studies papers are to be submitted as Microsoft Word documents (.doc),
unless otherwise noted by the professor. If students submit papers using other writing programs (i.e.,
WordPerfect, Microsoft works, MAC programs, etc.), they may lose points and/or not have their paper
accepted/graded. It is imperative that students follow the guidelines and directions of each professor.
Success Policy
The best policy for success in any course is preparation, organization, and active participation, reading
completion and comprehension, effective time management and constant, consistent communication
with the instructor. Remember, this is YOUR educationbe responsible and accountable.
Attendance Policy
Discussion board participation is expected in each lesson. Missing more than 4 discussion boards
could result in a failing grade for the course. This is not a correspondence class where you move at
your own pace. If you miss a board, please do not ask to go back and make it up.
Weather Policy:
In case of inclement weather, students should listen to major radio and television stations; visit the
NSU website at www.nsu.edu; and/or call the University operator at 757-823-8600. Additionally,
students should sign up for University text alerts. If the University cancels classes, students should
check their NSU email and the Blackboard course site for additional course information. As an online
course, we still meet regardless of weather.
Assignments
Lesson Quizzes. You will take a graded quiz at the end of each lesson. These quizzes will be
objective, usually true/false or multiple choice. The quiz material will be taken primarily from the
textbook readings. They are open book, timed, questions appear one at a time, and there is no
backtracking after you answer a question.
Discussion/Participation. You will receive one overall discussion/participation grade at the end of the
semester. This will be an evaluation of your overall consistency in the discussion boards, as well as
the extent to which you followed the specific guidelines in the posting instructions rubric.
Integrative Essay. This will be a 500 word essay due at the end of the course. It will integrate material
from two different lessons to address a topic of your choosing from outside the course. More details
will be given later in the semester.
Grade Scale
97-100 = A+
94-96 = A
90-93 = A87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C- (Please note that this is failing for INT majors.)
67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D59 - below = F
Calendar of Assignments
There will be a graded quiz at the end of each lesson. Discussion boards also will be included in every
lesson. The integrative essay will be due in Lesson 6.
Course Outline (Please note the course calendar/outline can change at the
discretion of the professor and/or depending on the progress of the class. It is the
students responsibility to stay abreast of all changes, amendments, deletions, and
additions and to respond accordingly. The professor will notify students of any such
changes. All particulars of the assignments are located in the respective lessons in
Blackboard.)
Lesson
Lesson 1
(Aug 22-Sept 6)
Course Description
Tools for Creative Thinking
Required reading: Arroyos PTL document; Article by Arroyo, Kidd, Burns, Cruz, &
Lawrence-Lamb (2015); Textbook, pp. VI-X and ch. 1
Lesson 2
(Sept 7-20)
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
(Oct 12-Nov 1)
Conceptions of Suffering
Required reading: Textbook, chs. 7, 8, 9
Lesson 5
(Nov 2-22)
Lesson 6
(Nov 23-Dec 3)
Culminating Integration
Required reading: Your own research, plus readings from two prior lessons
Blackboard Instructions
All navigational buttons provide you with information on how to work the system and allow you to
proceed with the rest of the course. It is important that you familiarize yourself with all the
navigational buttons and controls of the Blackboard system.
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Communication
Blackboard Announcements Area
The Blackboard announcements area is specifically designed for communicating with students in
this course. Whenever there are special instructions to all students in this class, such as a class
cancellation, a change in schedule or assignments, etc. a message will be sent via the
announcement page. Please note that the announcements area is a messaging system that
relates only to the members of this class. Announcements for other courses will be contained in
the respective courses announcements area.
You can access your announcements by selecting the announcements button, located on the
main page menu. You are required to check the announcements page daily for any new
information. Any message that you need to send to your instructor in this class is best sent via
Blackboard email.
Email Policy
NSU email is the only email system to be used for this course; private email addresses cannot be
used. Always title your messages; be sure the subject line reflects the topic of discussion. Email
messages should always be courteous and follow etiquette protocols. You should be respectful to
those who are receiving your email; never send SPAM to other classmates. Remember that these
documents are never deleted from the system and nothing is ever private. Also, always check your
spelling before sending a message.
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