Course Evaluation sTRATEGIES (mETHODOLOGIES)
Student performance is evaluated as follows:
35%
  • Activities including but not limited to quizzes (20%); a 1000 word written argument (10%); and participation (5%)
20%
  • Debate
20%
  • Mid-term examination
20%
  • Final examination
5%
  • Post-test
100%
  • Total possible score
   
Grading Scale
90-100%
  • A
80-89.99%
  • B
70-79.99%
  • C
65-69.99%
  • D
Less than 65%
  • F
   

Methods of Course Delivery: The subject matter in this course is presented in various forms which may include lectures, class discussion, demonstrations, collaborative activities, computer assignments, student projects and presentations, on-line research, guest speakers or field trips.

Quizzes: You will have two quizzes during this course. Quizzes will be on Thursday of week 1 and Thursday of week 2; the quiz content will cover reading assignments and class discussions. Quizzes that are missed due to absence may be made up at the discretion of the professor. Five percent per day late is deducted from the score. Additionally, there may be an occasion when the professor substitutes a quiz for an in class exercise. These may not be announced ahead of time.

Written Assignment: Students will be given the relevant facts, and will be assigned which side to argue. Relevant resources will be made available. Your 1000 word papers should be double spaced, 1 inch margins all around, 12 point Times Roman Font (not including title, table of contents, and reference pages), comply with ALL relevant APA or MLA guidelines, and indicate a word count on the title page. You are expected to use at least three scholarly sources for your references, and are expected to use in-text citations properly to reference your work. Your papers are due in electronic form via Blackboard during week 3 but with IDENTICAL hard printed copies handed to me in class. Turning in a different hard copy version will result in your maximum grade possible being six (6) points (out of fifteen (15)). I need your papers in electronic format to submit them to plagiarism software. Please utilize our Writing Studio as a resource or ask the professor for assistance if needed. See the grading rubric which will be utilized to grade your work.

It is the expectation of this Professor that your work is original, unless properly cited, and completely addresses all components of the assignment. In other words, your assignments submitted for credit in this course should not have been utilized before in another course (by you or anyone else), and at a minimum — 80% is your own work versus what you have borrowed and cited.

Debate: Students will be assigned teams, and given strict timelines in which to present their arguments. IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to get full debate points, students must attend the other students’ oral arguments. If you do not attend all of your peers’ oral arguments, be attentive and respectful, you may lose (all or part, at the professor’s discretion) points for this deliverable.

Office Hours: The best way to reach me is via email ( cjpicart(at)gmail.com ); you may call me or text me at 850 459 0066 if an emergency comes up; leave me your full name and phone number, if you call and have to leave a message. Typically, the best time to ask questions is during the class, or during the breaks. If you need to talk to me outside of these hours, please email or text me to request an appointment.

Late Assignment(s): An assignment is late if it is not turned in on the due date. E/mailed assignments that are date stamped with a date after the due date are considered late. Late assignments may be penalized five (5) points for each day late. If you are absent on the due date, assignments should be turned in early or e/mailed.

Exams: will be multiple choice questions. The mid-term may include any course material from weeks one through (including) week two coursework. The final exam will include week three and week four coursework. Details will be shared during the review session and is solely at the discretion of the instructor. Missed mid-term exams may be made up if missed because of severe emergencies. Missed final exams need prior Professor approval.

Virtual Guest Speaker: If it is possible to set up, a virtual guest speaker, either a professional academic philosopher or law professor, will be invited to speak with the class. If so, the content of that talk may be utilized for written make-up work (a 500 word threaded conversation post or essay) or in lieu of a quiz. Participation during the guest lecture will figure prominently in your participation grade.

Class Guidelines:

  1. Please be on time, at 6:30 p.m., the class will begin promptly; if you are going to be absent, please text me at 850 459 0066. Important class details tend to be shared at the very beginning and end of class sessions, please plan to arrive on time and stay the entire class meeting time. After two unexcused absences, you may not take the final exam so it is to your benefit to stay in touch with the professor if you have to miss class due to extenuating circumstances.
  2. Adhere to dress code at all times while on campus; appropriate business attire is expected. I will ask you to go home and change if you are not in dress code.
  3. Please do not text or facebook or surf the web in class; if an emergency comes up, and you need to make a phone call, please step out of the classroom surreptitiously and return to the classroom without causing a disruption.
  4. No food in the classroom; drinks must pass the “tilt test” and should be in containers that prevent spills. At all times, students should strive not to litter the classroom.
  5. It is the expectation of this Professor that your work is original (your own), unless properly cited, and completely addresses all components of the assignment. Which is to say, that it has not been utilized before in another course (by you or anyone else), and at a minimum — 80% is your own work.
  6. The turning in and the Professor’s receipt of class assignments is the responsibility of the student. Assignments need to be turned in on their due date and are the sole responsibility of the student. Late assignments as a result of an absence will be assessed as a late assignment. See the late assignment policy for this course.
  7. I strongly recommend developing relationships with your class peers in order to communicate about any missed coursework, such as in class discussion and exercises, which may be included in exams and/or quizzes. When possible, relevant powerpoints will be available via Blackboard, but are not a substitute for being in class.
  8. It is always important to be professional and respectful to all others in the class. This course may fuel some healthy debate, which is pedagogically productive. I will not allow any disrespect of anyone’s views and perspectives.
  9. Have a thought-provoking and enjoyable term. I am looking forward to working with all of you.