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This page has recently gone through major updates. If you see suspected errors, misspellings, incorrect links, etc., please let the instructor know in the HELP DESK (not via e-mail). |
Environmental Biology Biol. 2306
Online Class and Hybrid Class
(As taught by Dr. Jan A. Nilsson.)
To reduce the length of this page (and some other pages) it contains "overlib links" for comments and additional information in boxes hidden until you move your mouse over the link. It is your responsibility to read the information on these "overlib links". It is possible to read this page without "clicking" on the "overlib links", but you might not understand some parts until you read the text in the "overlib link" box. You open the link by moving your mouse over the link, and closing it by removing the mouse. To separate the "overlib links" from regular links the text in an "overlib link" is colored blue, and has a small colorful arrow in front of it. Regular links, which takes you to another page, are NOT blue. I have found one "draw-back" so far with these links, in that one cannot use " signs and ' signs in the posted text -- since these characters, " and ', are part of the overlib code. "We will have to live with that..."
Here is the first "overlib link". Try it!
This is the Grading Criteria, the standards used for how you will be graded in this class. It is part of the Syllabus. Read this page with care, because you are responsible for the contents. It is a rather long reading, but that is because care has been taken to attempt to include all aspects of how you EARN a grade in this class to help you understand the class requirements. Students who know and understand the grading criteria usually do better in college classes. Serve yourself a big cup of strong coffee and start reading! 
A word of caution: When surfing the web you will leave the web pages for this class. You might end up on a web page for a college class in a different part of the world. Sometimes I have had students in this class asking to submit assignments they have found on web pages in Europe or Asia. One time I had a student asking how she could make a snowman without any snow in the Rio Grande Valley. She had navigated to a web page in Alaska and thought that she had to make a snowman as one of the assignments in this class. (This is a true story, apparently it was an art class -- this is a biology class...) Unless you see an assignment to make a snowman listed -- below -- on this page, it is not a required assignment for this class. Go to this page when you are not sure what to do. This page lists ALL assignments, and if you want a 100 you must do them ALL...
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Before you will be able to continue with the course you must acknowledge that you have read the syllabus information. You do so by answering the Blackboard "Student Contract Quiz" (also sometimes called the "Syllabus Acknowledgment Quiz") on or before the due date listed in the Semester Calendar. You can read the Student Contract here or on Blackboard, but you must go to Blackboard to answer the Quiz. |
Student Contract Note
Letter Grades: This is not an academically "hard" class. In fact, what you have to learn is fairly easy! This is a WORK CLASS! You work, sometimes by repeating quizzes and worksheets several times, to LEARN and EARN your grade. Did you read that? Open the overlib link to make sure. You collect as many points as you feel is necessary to EARN the letter grade you desire (see below). As per the main document of the Syllabus, there are normally no make-ups. You miss an assignment -- you do not collect the points. If you wish to EARN the letter grade C you must collect a minimum of 70 points (70 percent). Highest possible point is 100 (100 percent) -- which is letter grade A.A: 90 (90%) -- 100 points
B: 80 (80%) -- 89.9 points
C: 70 (70%) -- 79.9 points
D: 60 (60%) -- 69.9 points
F: 0 -- 59.9 points
Assignments Overview: Overview list of assignments that will EARN you a grade in this class. For practical purposes the class is identical for all the class types -- Regular (web enhanced) class, Hybrid Class, and Online Class -- with minor exceptions for some grading criteria pointed out below. (There is a more detailed description further down the page.)Category I: 10 points
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Blackboard discussion/reaction to textbook case studies. |
--- Case Study I|
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--- Case Study II|
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Category II: 15 points
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Textbook Chapter Open Book Quizzes |
--- 15 Chapter QuizzesCategory III: 9 points
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Geography Open Map Drills |
--- 3 Geo DrillsCategory IV: 13 points
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Class Discussions (Class Discussions/Reflections on the Blackboard REGULAR course shell) --- Variable number of discussion bulletin boards |
--- Minimum Postings Category I|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - midsemester|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - endsemester|
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--- Minimum Postings Category III|
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Category V: 12 points
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Worksheet Open Book Quizzes |
--- Darwin "Worksheet" Quiz|
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--- Evolution "Worksheet" Quiz (also required for participation in the Town Hall discussions)|
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Category VI: 12 points
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Town Hall Meeting (evolution discussion on the Blackboard TOWN HALL course shell) |
--- Variable number of discussion bulletin boards--- Minimum Postings Category I|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - midsession|
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--- Minimum Postings Category II - endsession|
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Category VII: 9 points
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Semester Project |
--- "Environmental Detective" /or/ "Dog Walk and Dog Food Donation"Category VIII: 10 points
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Endterm Exam (Also called Final Exam) |
--- Part I (Textbook Chapter Quizzes 1-15, and Evolution "Worksheet" Quiz)|
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--- Part II (Geography -- country identification)|
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Category IX: 10 points
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Learning Self-Assessment |
--- Tell the instructor/class mates what you learned in the class this semester--- TOTAL: 100p ---
Assignments Details (100p): Detailed list of assignments that will EARN you a grade in this class. (It is the same as above, but with more details and with hyperlinks to instructions.)Selective Release Criteria What is Selective Release Criteria? (GREEN COLOR).Category
: Case Studies (
10p) Two (2) textbook chapter Case Study discussions/reactions. See list of Case Studies in your textbook. Submitted on Blackboard bulletin boards|
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For more information go to Case Study Instruction page.
Category
: 15 Chapter Quizzes on Blackboard, based on Textbook Reading ( 15p.) |
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For points the EARNED grade must be minimum 94.Clarification Note
For more information go to Chapter Quizzes Information page.I didn't get the required minimum grade. What do I do now?
When you have completed this category you can fill in the points in the Grade Recorder:
Category
: 3 Geography Drills on Blackboard, based on map studies ( 9p.) Geography Drill 1|
For points the EARNED grade must be minimum 94. |
Geography Drill 2|
For points the EARNED grade must be minimum 94. |
Geography Drill 3 Password required. 
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For points the EARNED grade must be minimum 94. |
Respondus LockDown Browser Note: Geography Drill III needs a password and must be taken using Respondus LockDown Browser. Click on this link to read more information about the Respondus LockDown Browser! For more information go to Geography Drill Information page. I didn't EARN the required minimum grade. What do I do now?
Category IV
: Class Discussions/Reflections to Reading Assignments with Blackboard Bulletin Board (BB) postings ( 13p.) 
Submitted as Blackboard bulletin board discussion/reflection
Class Discussion Key Quiz (score 100) required for access to the bulletin boards. NO Password required. 
What is the difference between the Category IV: Class Discussion and Category VIII: Town Hall Meeting?
Answer: The two most important differences:
(1) The idea of the CLASS DISCUSSION/REFLECTION is to be a student REACTION to a topic, rather than a DEBATE, and the most important posting is your COMPOSED minimum 100 word posting based on critical thinking about the topic. The idea of the TOWN HALL meeting is to be a DEBATE of various opinions, with no minimum word requirements.
(2) The CLASS DISCUSSION/REFLECTION bulletin board is located on the REGULAR course shell, so only students from a particular class can participate. The TOWN HALL meeting bulletin board is located on the extra TOWN HALL course shell (same shell as the Class Help Desk and pending the set-up by the Blackboard people), including ALL Environmental Biology classes taught by Dr. Nilsson.
These class discussion assignments, submitted via Blackboard bulletin boards, are "all or nothing assignments". You post the minimum postings required (or more) and EARN a 100, or you post less than the minimum and earn a ZERO. Note that you are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you post an opinion or not. Also note that the Town Hall discussion postings do NOT count towards the class discussion/reaction grade, but towards the Town Hall assignment.Selective Release Criteria Class Discussion Selective Release Criteria . Link to the Class Discussion Philosophy, Scope, and Instructions page. Class Discussion Key Quiz? What is a key quiz?
Unlike the Town Hall discussion (see Category 6 below) in the Town Hall course shell, the instructor does not participate in -- only oversees -- the regular Class Discussions/Reflections.
GRADING CRITERIA: The rules are simple -- you participate you EARN a 100. You don't participate you EARN a zero. You are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you participate or not. The minimum requirements are very simple to fulfill -- but the line must be drawn somewhere -- most students post more than the minimum. Don't take any chances, post more than the minimum. A Blackboard server statistics software tracks these criteria. As an instructor I have to do very little to assign a class discussion grade. I know exactly how much, where and when you posted, read, and/or visited. There are no secrets in Blackboard... 
--- Class Discussion Minimum Postings Category I, Endsemester ---
Participation in All Class Discussion Bulletin Boards.|
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For points you MUST do a "composed/original/start a string", minimum 100 words posting in ALL bulletin boards. A "reply" does NOT count in this category. If your only posting in one of the bulletin boards is a "reply" to another message you will earn a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the end of the semester: Student not posting in ONE or more of the Class Discussion bulletin boards will lose ALL points in this category and receive a zero. Posted at least 1 message (minimum 100 words) in all required BBs - 3 points. Did not post at least 1 message (minimum 100 words) in all required BBs - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. --- Class Discussion Minimum Postings Category II, Midsemester---
Participation with 20 Minimum Posts by midsemester. |
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Student not posting a minimum of 20 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the midsemester point: Posted at least 20 messages (no minimum number of words) - 3 points. Did not post at least 20 messages - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. --- Class Discussion Minimum Postings Category II, Endsemester---
Participation with 40 Minimum Posts at the end of the semester. |
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Student not posting a minimum of 40 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the endsemester point: Posted at least 40 messages (minimum ONE message must be 100 words, and at least ONE must not be a "reply") - 5 points. Did not post at least 40 messages - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. This assignment is a SEMESTER assignment. Students must participate on a regular basis throughout the semester. The Minimum Postings Category II grade will be the midterm and endterm grades added together. The minimum number 40 is from ALL bulletin boards TOGETHER. In other words, since there are usually are around 15 bulletin boards (the YouTube bulletin boards may vary) an average of less than 3 postings per bulletin board (the number of YouTube discussion bulletin boards may vary every semester). Many students post MUCH more than the required minimum. Only 1 message needs to be 100 words -- and not necessarily the first message. Start with a few shorter postings if you are shy or unsure about what to say. The midterm reading date will not be disclosed, but will be done during the week AROUND the midterm point. Students with 19 or fewer messages will EARN a ZERO, students with 20 or more postings will EARN 3 points. These points are PERMANENTLY lost and cannot be regained. At the assignment closing deadline listed in the calendar all messages will be tallied. Students with 39 or fewer messages will EARN a ZERO, students with 40 or more postings will EARN the or remaining 5 points.--- Class Discussion Minimum Reading Category, Endsemester ---
Number of messages "read" on Blackboard.|
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Student with a set number of readings at the end of the semester will EARN 2 points. The number required is fairly low and will not be disclosed. READ AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE -- SHOW INTEREST IN OTHER STUDENT'S OPINIONS. Student not showing interest in other students' opinions are not fulfilling the assignment according to the requirements -- will receive a zero in this category. Partial credit will NOT be given. CLARIFICATIONS:
Reading Assignments:
Spell-checking Requirement:
Midterm Grade:
Discussion /vs/ Reflection:
For more information go to Class Discussion Philosophy, Scope, and Instructions page.
Category
: Worksheet Quizzes ( 12p.) Submitted as Blackboard assessments (quizzes) Darwin "Worksheet" Quiz. (A Blackboard Quiz located on the REGULAR course shell.) For points the EARNED grade must be minimum 94. Password required.
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Evolution "Worksheet" Quiz. (A Blackboard Quiz located on the TOWN HALL course shell.) For points the EARNED grade must be minimum 90. Password required. |
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Why Worksheet Quizzes?
The Blackboard worksheet quizzes are IN PROGRESS, and at present only two worksheet quizzes are required, the Evolution Worksheet Quiz and the Darwin Worksheet Quiz. Students are expected to take the worksheet quizzes seriously. They are necessary to assure that students participating in the discussions have read the reading assignments. Ignore any links and instructions to fill in worksheets by hand. (Regular worksheets were used BEFORE the Blackboard worksheet quizzes were required. Some of these links and instructions MAY remain but will eventually be removed. Ignore them -- all required worksheets are now in the form Worksheet Quizzes on Blackboard.)
The Evolution Worksheet Quiz is not showing up in MY GRADES?
Additional Information. At the moment all additional WORKSHEET information is located on the reading assignment hub for evolution -- since the only worksheets available at this point are related to the concept of evolution.
For an alternative assignment to reading the reading assignment for the evolution WORKSHEET QUIZ, see Addendum at the bottom of the page for a term paper alternative. The term paper topic is EVOLUTION. This is a biology class and evolution is an integral part of biology, but the WORKSHEET QUIZ can be replaced by a term paper arguing for or against EVOLUTION. (Technically you will be doing exactly the same thing in the discussion, but if you are uncomfortable about arguing about your religion or about humankind's common ancestry with apes, you can select the alternative term paper instead.) There is no alternative for the Darwin Worksheet Quiz.
Category
: Town Hall Meeting Intellectual discussion/debate with Reading Assignments and Blackboard Bulletin Board (BB) postings ( 12p.)Submitted as Blackboard bulletin board discussion in a separate Town Hall Meeting class shell
Class Discussion Key Quiz (score 100) and Evolution Worksheet Quiz (minimum 94) required for access to the Town Hall bulletin boards. Password required. What is the difference between the Category IV: Class Discussion/Reflections and Category VIII: Town Hall Meeting?
Answer: The two most important differences:
(1) The idea of the CLASS DISCUSSION/REFLECTION is to be a student REACTION to a topic, rather than a DEBATE, and the most important posting is your COMPOSED minimum 100 word posting based on critical thinking about the topic. The idea of the TOWN HALL meeting is to be a DEBATE of various opinions, with no minimum word requirements.
(2) The CLASS DISCUSSION/REFLECTION bulletin board is located on the REGULAR course shell, so only students from a particular class can participate. The TOWN HALL meeting bulletin board is located on the extra TOWN HALL course shell (same shell as the Class Help Desk and pending the set-up by the Blackboard people), including ALL Environmental Biology classes taught by Dr. Nilsson.
The Town Hall discussion is a discussion about Evolution. Other topics may be added in the future. There is a midsession grade reading to assure that students participate in the Town Hall throughout the session. As the "regular" class discussions, these are "all or nothing assignments". You post the minimum postings required (or more) and EARN a 100, or you post less than the minimum and earn a ZERO. Note that you are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you post an opinion or not. Also note that the Town Hall discussion postings do NOT count towards the class discussion/reaction grade, but towards the Town Hall assignment. Unlike the class discussions in the regular course shell, the instructor participates in the Town Hall as an EQUAL participant. However, the instructor will NOT participate in the bulletin board called "Reply to the Serve", because the reading assignments -- The Preface (to the serve) and The (Tennis) Serve -- are the instructor's participation/contribution to that discussion. For the reading assignment, and further Town Hall discussion information, click the Town Hall button below. 
GRADING CRITERIA: The rules are simple -- you participate you EARN a 100. The grading criteria are, as you will note, similar to the Class Discussions / Reflections in the regular course shell. You don't participate you EARN a zero. You must participate during the whole discussion period, and post a minimum of ten postings before the discussion midsession, and a minimum of 10 postings after the midsession. You are not graded on your opinion, you are graded on whether you participate or not. The minimum requirements are very simple to fulfill -- but the line must be drawn somewhere -- most students post more than the minimum. Don't take any chances, post more than the minimum. A Blackboard server statistics software tracks these criteria. As an instructor I have to do very little to assign a Town Hall discussion grade. I know exactly how much, where and when you posted, read, and/or visited. There are no secrets in Blackboard... --- Town Hall Minimum Postings Category I, Endsession---
Participation in All Dinosaur Town Hall Discussion Bulletin Boards by endsession.|
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For points you MUST do a "composed/original/start a string", minimum 100 words posting in ALL Dinosaur Town Hall bulletin boards by the endsession. A "reply" does NOT count in this category. If your only posting in one of the bulletin boards is a "reply" to another message you will earn a zero, as if you have not posted, in this category. The grade reading will be at the endsession. Posted at least 1 message (minimum 100 words) in all required BBs - 2 points. Did not post at least 1 message (minimum 100 words) in all required BBs - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. --- Town Hall Minimum Postings Category II, Midsession---
Participation with 10 Minimum Posts by midsession. |
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Student not posting a minimum of 10 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL Dinosaur Town Hall bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the midsession point: Posted at least 10 messages (no minimum number of words) - 4 points. Did not post at least 10 messages - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. --- Town Hall Minimum Postings Category II, Endsession---
Participation with 20 Minimum Posts at the end of the discussion period. |
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Student not posting a minimum of 20 messages -- in this category a "reply" also counts -- the combined number in ALL Dinosaur Town Hall bulletin boards TOGETHER -- will lose ALL points and receive a zero in this category. The grade reading will be at the endsemester point: Posted at least 20 messages (minimum ONE message must be 100 words, and at least ONE must not be a "reply") - 4 points. Did not post at least 20 messages - 0 (ZERO). Partial credit will NOT be given. (You must participate during the whole discussion period, and post a minimum of ten postings before the discussion midsession, and a minimum of 10 postings after the midsession.) 
Selective release criteria for the Town Hall Meeting. Read this note!
For an alternative assignment to reading the reading assignment for the evolution WORKSHEET QUIZ, see Addendum at the bottom of the page for a term paper alternative. The term paper topic is EVOLUTION. This is a biology class and evolution is an integral part of biology, but the WORKSHEET QUIZ can be replace by a term paper arguing for or against EVOLUTION. (Technically you will be doing exactly the same thing in the discussion, but if you are uncomfortable about arguing about your religion or about humankind's common ancestry with apes, you can select the alternative term paper instead.) There is no alternative for the Darwin Worksheet Quiz.
Category
: Semester Project ( 9p.) ONE project submitted as described in the project descriptions. Outside of Class/in the Field Semester Project. Below is some limited information. For more information go to the Semester Project page
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Limited information about the Dog Walk Project
Limited information about the Environmental Detective Project
Category
: Endterm Exam (also called Final exam) ( 10p.) Submitted as Blackboard assessments (quizzes) --- Part I (Textbook Chapter Quizzes 1-15, and Evolution "Worksheet" Quiz)|
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--- Part II (Geography -- country identification)|
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At the end of the semester, you must take the Endterm Exam (Online; Open Book, Timed, and only ONE (1) attempt). The exam will be available in the Blackboard "Exam" folder as per the Semester Calendar
Respondus LockDown Browser Note: The Endterm (Final) Exam needs a password and must be taken using Respondus LockDown Browser. Click on this link to read more information about the Respondus LockDown Browser!Password required.
Category
: Learning Self-Assessment ( 10p.) Submitted as Blackboard bulletin board discussion |
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To think about and analyze your learning attempts, to see if you have learned -- or not, is an important part in the learning process. Learning is NOT a spectator sport. It is important to talk about it, to write about it, and to relate to previous experiences, so that you can make learning an integral part of yourself. You will assess YOURSELF, not the class or the instructor. You will be graded on if you take your learning analysis seriously by thinking about what you have done this semester as per each aspect required. If you are shy about doing this because other students can read the posting, keep it simple without going into personal details (like grades). Taking responsibility for your learning and discussing it with your peers is a good method to better yourself as a student. Remember to spell check the writing! (It is best if you write your assessment in a word processor. Then post it in the Learning Assessment folder on Blackboard Plaza.Important note!
Selective release criteria for the Learning Self-Assessment. Read this note!
For more information click here. -----------------------
Total: 100pThe grading criteria for a particular class may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances to meet the needs of a particular class. The instructor therefore reserves the right to alter (add, delete, or revise) any items of the above, online or via verbal instructions in class. The student is responsible for taking note of any such changes and acting accordingly.
The grading criteria for the class occasionally change from one semester to another. The online class documents are updated to reflect the current criteria. However, if a grading criterion discrepancy is present -- if by accident a grading criterion has not been updated on a class document -- the grading criterion posted on this page is the correct grading criterion. The student is responsible for reading this page and referring to it for the grading criteria for the current semester.
Addendum --- will not be discussed in class ---
Alternative to Evolution Blackboard Class Discussion:
There are normally no alternative assignments, but students who so wish can read the text below, and later ask for clarification if needed. Due to some problems with sensitive religious students during previous semesters, a religious student may select to do a essay (term paper) option, replacing the Town Hall Discussions -- on the topic evolution, AND the Evolution "Open Book" Worksheet Quiz. The related Darwin Open Book Worksheet quiz (online visit to the American Museum of Natural History) on the REGULAR course shell CANNOT be replaced. If students selecting the essay option do not submit the Darwin Worksheet Quiz a ZERO will be EARNED on that assignment. Students participating in the class discussion will automatically EARN an A on the assignment if posting the required minimum -- regardless of opinion religious/science opinion. The instructor also like to remind students "prone" to making instruction delivery suggestions, with these words from Patrick Allitt, that:I'm the Teacher, You're the Student
"The title refers to my belief that the teacher should take control in the classroom. The students come there not to be my friend but to learn history. I know it; they don't, so it's my responsibility to create conditions in which they can learn it. It is not a democratic or egalitarian situation. If they query my rules and regulations I sometimes say: "Ah well, I'm the teacher, you're the student, so you must put up with it." I've found that students are well-behaved and work hard if you make it clear to them right from the beginning that you have high expectations and high standards. They're very eager (at least here at Emory) to get good grades, and will strive to meet my expectations so long as I'm not unreasonable."
Patrick Allitt (Professor of U.S. History at Emory University) in: Rosen, Christine. 2004. I'm the Teacher, You're the Student. National Review Online. (http://www.nationalreview.com)
(Search URL: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODVlMTllNDIwNjRhZjdkYTZkNjRiNDJjNTljOWE1ZDg=)
I also like to remind students who don't understand why they have to use computers and critical thinking (such as about evolution/religion) in this class that Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requires that each higher education institution's core curriculum must be designed to satisfy a series of "basic intellectual competencies" - reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy. The Blackboard discussion part of this course is very important, and is designed to help students overcome fear of using computers and fear of speaking out (after using critical thinking). Both the field of science and religion are integral parts of Environmental Science. Both are often interpreted as being in conflict with each other, and therefore seriously affect the world we live in, and one cannot select to ignore one and only pay attention to the other. Are they in conflict? As the instructor of the class I prefer that you remain a participant in the discussion and answer that question, and defend your faith -- if that is what you feel you must do. Or is your faith that weak so you think you cannot defend it against scientific arguments? You might realize after participating that this discussion is NOT about God. Perhaps you will come to the conclusion -- as many students have -- that the only thing you have to do instead of loosing your faith, is to keep an open mind, learn and update your knowledge about the REAL world to the year 2009 (or whatever year it is when you read this). That is why you are here taking college classes -- to LEARN! Don't your religion stop you from learning about new things in the exciting field of science/biology. However, if you don't want to participate in the Town Hall evolution class discussion, and the Evolution Open Book Worksheet Quiz, these assignments can be replaced with a minimum 8,000 words essay based on a minimum of 20 DOCUMENTED ONLINE REFERENSES (sources). (This number of words is significantly lower than the number of words students participating in class as intended must read for the evolution reading assignments.) A minimum of 10 references must be on the topic evolution (not religion, faith, intelligent design, creationism, or creation science) from a SCIENCE source that is PRO evolution -- AND minimum 8 figures discussed in the essay, and a minimum of 10 references must be on the topics intelligent design, creationism, or creation science opposing evolution -- AND minimum 8 figures discussed in the essay. The essay must clearly be arguing for or against evolution and clear arguments must be presented using CRITICAL THINKING why the 10 science (evolution) sources selected are incorrect or correct, and the religious (creationism / intelligent design sources or whatever religious view you argue for) are a incorrect or correct description for how life began on Earth. In other words, as intended with the class discussions you must use critical thinking and show that you have been thinking about this enough to come up with an opinion. Read this note
ARRANGEMENTS for the alternative delivery method must be made with the instructor at the beginning of the semester, or no later than the TWO WEEKS BEFORE the Town Hall discussion about evolution starts (See the semester calendar). Students who have not made such arrangements have the option to participate in the Town Hall Meeting as intended by the instructor or lose the grade points. A near completion draft (see below) or the final essay is due in two copies, one ONLINE, in a bulletin board that will be assigned, and one PRINTED COPY in a NEW HARD-BACK BINDER with 1/2 - 1 inch back purchased specially by the student for the essay, submitted to the instructors STC mailbox, or in class if the class have classroom meetings, the first day of Town Hall Meeting for the students participating in the Town Hall Meeting. (Printed copies from online students must be delivered to the STC mailbox and will NOT be accepted in the classroom for another class.) If a draft was handed in the final copy (online and printed copy) is due the last day of the Town Hall discussion (See semester calendar). For record keeping the instructor will keep the essays, including the binder(s). Near Completion Draft?
Again note the following: While students participating in the class discussion will automatically EARN an A on the assignment if posting the required minimum, there is by no means any guarantee that a students electing this alternative method will EARN an A on the essay (term paper). Grading an essay is SUBJECTIVE, and this instructor has always been a picky grader when grading essays (term papers). If the essay is not a serious, acceptable quality attempt -- clearly arguing for your opinion with the 20 ONLINE sources included (10 sources supporting your opinion -- e.g., a religious viewpoint, and 10 sources arguing another opinion -- e.g., a scientific viewpoint), the grade will be lower. If judged by the instructor to be a serious, acceptable quality attempt, the essay will EARN the student a replacement grade for the Town Hall Evolution Discussion and the Evolution Open Book Worksheet Quiz (replacing the grades for these two assignments). (It does not have to be an A attempt -- then you will earn a lower grade, but it must be a "serious, acceptable quality attempt".) A student PLAGIARIZING will EARN a zero on both assignments and will be blocked from continued participation in the regular class discussion, and will also be blocked from posting in the Learning Self-Assessment at the end of the semester -- as a consequence for cheating. If a zero is recorded for these assignments due to plagiarism, the highest grade the student can earn in class is letter grade D. Students participating in the Town Hall, as intended by the instructor, cannot EARN an intermediate grade -- will always earn a 100 if participating as intended. The Town Hall Evolution Discussion grade and the Evolution Open Book Worksheet grade both are "all or nothing" -- 100 or 0 (zero). The grade based on PARTICIPATION, not on opinions given in the postings. All students participating in the Town Hall discussions, according to instructions, ALWAYS earn 100 -- REGARDLESS OF OPINION.
If you don't like what you must do for the alternative method -- then participate in the discussion as intended by the instructor. There are no alternative methods for any other Blackboard discussions. If there is a chance that you will decide not to participate in the evolution discussion and defend your viewpoint of the world (and therefore not read the reading assignment and the instructions for the assignment), I have posted two statements made by students who at first hesitated to participate. (These messages are also posted on the Evolution Hub Page.)|
As I began with this course, I was not so sure if it was ok for me to be exposed to the theory of evolution. Being raised to only believe in the bible was something the caused such fear in me. I feared that I would be sinning if I began to believe in this theory. I was scared that this idea would drive me away from God, yet, now I comprehend that the theory of evolution was not invented so that people could stray away from God's word but only to inform us, educating us about our origins and for a better understanding of our surroundings. Evolution is defined as change over time and that is what it is. There is nothing wicked or evil about it. This course has not only helped me accept new ideas but has also educated me on this subject. I now know that there is nothing wrong with accepting the theory of evolution and that fearing this subject seems so ridiculous. Sanjuanita Environmental Biology student, Spring 2009 |
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How could I have been so blind all this time? Why didn't my father, who has a degree in Biology and a Master's in Education, ever bother to teach me about the Theory of Evolution? What was he thinking he'd protect me from? Why does the government continue to choose to leave it out of our curriculum? I can't exactly answer these questions, but I know that religion has had something to do with it. It is no wonder that our world is in much danger. We don't take the time to educate ourselves about the real world. A quote from The Serve states, "But the message is that like an opium drug addict, religious believers are "blinded" by the "drug" and cannot deal with the real world." Disaster strikes and all we can do is sit back and pray? We need to take action. Part of taking action is educating ourselves on real-world issues and a real-world issue today is knowing where we actually come from...how we came to be. Acquiring knowledge in Environmental Science is like acquiring knowledge in a bundle of topics such as nature, culture and technology. If it were not for these, we would not be able to prove our existence. It is up to us (this class and our generation) to teach our children everything that we have learned in this class and more. I have learned that it is ok to have religion a part of your life and accept Evolution. I have also accepted that the Adam and Eve story, the talking serpent, the forbidden fruit, etc., are not actual occurrences but symbols of religion. Sure there are verses in the bible that can relate to real-life situations, but when it comes down to it, the bible is not a scientific textbook and it can only do so much for you, spiritually. Mentally, it takes an education to understand the REAL WORLD and everything that occurs in it. I now accept Evolution and all it took was getting EDUCATED on the FACTS! Vilma Environmental Biology student, Spring 2009. |
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