Course Syllabus

MSPT z100 - Intro to Motorsports Studies, CA219
Lecturer:  Andy Baker
Email:  bakeran@iupui.edu
Office:  Cavanaugh Hall, 213 B
Office Hours:  4:30-5:55pm on Wednesday (when applicable)

There is no required textbook or e-book to purchase.  All course content is available here in our Canvas site for free.

Please read the following course guidelines carefully & completely.

__________________________________________________________________

Course Objectives:
-Analyze the many forms and types of motorsports across the world by differentiating between open- and closed-wheel automobile racing, powerboat racing, snowmobiling, motorcycling, and so forth.

-Understand the history and development of motorsports by classifying the different key, historical eras and identifying the geographic origins and diffusion of motor racing.

-Recognize the sociological aspects of the motorsports industry by examining elements of marketing, fan bases, and the role of race, gender, and violence in motorsports.

-Apply concepts learned in the course by producing original content using several different mediums, including: short, written “briefs” or press releases; professional videos uploaded to the internet; and oral presentations in front of groups.

-Realize that learning about and understanding motorsports and the motorsports industry involves critical thinking and its application rather than simply memorizing facts.

__________________________________________________________________

Student Learning Outcomes:
MSPT Z100 also includes connections to IUPUI’s “Principles of Undergraduate Learning”. These principles address/include:

1. Core Communication and Quantitative Skills
2. Critical Thinking
3. Integration and Application of Knowledge.
4. Intellectual Depth, Breadth, and Adaptiveness.
5. Understanding Society and Culture.
6. Values and Ethics.

All six principles will be reflected in the readings, discussions, and assignments for this class. In particular, however, you will be exposed to the following PULs:

• To acquaint students with all aspects of the non-engineering side of motorsports by investigating the many forms and types of motorsports across the world and by understanding the key historical eras and geographies of motorsport. This includes learning about motorsport history, geography, marketing, public relations, and journalism, among other social sciences. (PUL #4 - Intellectual Depth, Breadth, and Adaptiveness; PUL #5 – Understanding Society and Culture)

• To improve students’ understanding of the complexities of motorsport by recognizing the sociological aspects of the motorsports industry by examining elements of marketing, fan bases, and the role of race, gender, and violence in motorsports. This includes a thorough review of the limited, although growing, scholarly research on motorsport. (PUL #5 – Understanding Society and Culture; PUL #6 – Values and Ethics)

• To aid student development of communication skills via their production of original content using several different mediums, including: short, written “briefs” or press releases; professional videos uploaded to the internet; and oral presentations in front of groups. (PUL #1 – Core Communication and Quantitative Skills)

• To understand career opportunities in motorsport industry and real-world applications of concepts discussed throughout their IUPUI coursework. (PUL #2 – Critical Thinking)

__________________________________________________________________

Grading Standards and Assessments:

There are 150 total points for this course. 

Exam (40 points):
The exam will test your knowledge of all materials from the on-campus and online lectures, readings, audio-visuals, and guest lectures that precede the exam.  Exam questions consist of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and several written responses.  There will be time set aside for review in preparation for the Exam.  The date for the Exam is Wednesday, November 14 from 6-8:40pm.

Final Project (30 points):
The Final Project will be discussed in more detail toward the middle of the semester and must be submitted before Wednesday, December 5 before 6pm.

6 Activities (30 total points):
The six activities (5 points each) vary considerably in terms of procedures and difficulty. These activities will showcase your writing skills, creativity, along with understanding of the course material covered in lectures, readings, and video lectures. Each activity will be discussed in detail prior to each specific due date.

6 Quizzes (30 total points):
The six quizzes (5 points each) will be taken and submitted online via “Quizzes” on our Canvas page.  Each quiz will open at 6:01pm on a Wednesday and close two Wednesdays later at 5:59pm.

Quiz 1:  Opens Wednesday, August 22 at 6:01pm; Closes Wednesday, September 5 at 5:59pm.
Quiz 2:  Opens Wednesday, September 5 at 6:01pm; Closes Wednesday, September 19 at 5:59pm.
Quiz 3:  Opens Wednesday, September 19 at 6:01pm; Closes Wednesday, October 3 at 5:59pm.
Quiz 4:  Opens Wednesday, October 3 at 6:01pm; Closes Wednesday, October 17 at 5:59pm.
Quiz 5:  Opens Wednesday, October 17 at 6:01pm; Closes Wednesday, October 31 at 5:59pm.
Quiz 6:  Opens Wednesday, October 31 at 6:01pm; Closes Wednesday, November 14 at 5:59pm.

Once a quiz closes, it is closed for the rest of the semester. If you are in the middle of taking a quiz when it closes after the due date, you will receive a zero, so plan accordingly. Also, you get two attempts for each quiz, with the Gradebook recording the higher of the two scores.

Quizzes include multiple-choice questions. Once you start a quiz, you will have 10 minutes to complete 5 questions. Most questions are automatically scored after you take the quiz and are available after quiz completion in “Grades” in Canvas. However, the correct answers for the quizzes will be revealed and available to you after all students have completed each quiz.

Individual Video Project (15 points):
This project will involve each student creating a 3-5 minute video that focuses on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a specific racing series/sanctioning body.  The video guidelines will be discussed in detail early in the semester during an on-campus meeting.  Students will be assigned a racing series/sanctioning body during our on-campus meeting on September 5.  The Individual Video Project is due before 6pm on Wednesday, October 31.

Film Critique and Summary (5 points):
Towards the middle of the semester, students will analyze an assigned movie/film about racing.  More details will be discussed later, but the goal of these film critiques are not only to summarize the plot, setting, and characters, but also make connections to specific course concepts.  In fact, your grade for this assessment will be based on how well you connect your movie with this course.  This assessment will be completed online, submitted via Canvas, and is due Wednesday, November 28.

Bonus Assignment (+5 bonus points):
During the semester, there will be several motorsport events within a 2-3 hour drive from Indianapolis. For a list of motorsport events taking place during the semester, click HERE. 

If you attend an event (take a selfie to prove it), write a detailed summary (150-200 words) of your experience, and post it to our Canvas site in "Discussions", you can earn up to 5 bonus points.  Think of these points as ways to compensate for any confusing quiz questions, point deductions from a project, or  a missed assessment.  If you choose not to attend any events, that's fine, too.  There will be no point deductions as these are strictly bonus points that will be added to your Exam score.  Feel free to attend a motorsport event not included on this list, but discuss with Andy first.

__________________________________________________________________

Course Schedule:
MSPT z100 is designed as a blended/hybrid course with on-campus meetings and an on-campus exam supplemented with five online lectures containing text and videos. We will meet on campus every-other-week, as noted in the schedule below.

All dates in yellow indicate an on-campus meeting from 6-8:40pm in CA219.  We do not meet on Wednesdays that are shaded in light red.  Instead, you will spend that week learning from Online Lectures.  Note: You can view the Online Lectures at your own leisure since the content is available for several days.

Wednesday, August 22 - CA219

Wednesday, August 29 - Online Lecture 1

Wednesday, September 5 - CA219

Wednesday, September 12 - Online Lecture 2

Wednesday, September 19 - CA219

Wednesday, September 26 - Online Lecture 3

Wednesday, October 3 - CA219

Wednesday, October 10 - Online Lecture 4

Wednesday, October 17 - CA219

Wednesday, October 24 - Online Lecture 5

Wednesday, October 31 - CA219 - Exam Review Session

Wednesday, November 7 - No Meeting or Online Lecture - Exam Preparations

Wednesday, November 14 - CA219 - Exam (6-8:40pm)

Wednesday, November 20 - No Meeting or Online Lecture - Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 28 - No Meeting or Online Lecture - Final Project Preparations

Wednesday, December 5 - CA219 - Final Project Meeting

__________________________________________________________________

Student Resources Available on Campus & Other Course Information

University Information Technology Support:
Please contact the UITS Support Center (317-274-HELP) if you have a computer, network, or technical problem. They are very helpful. I have called them many times and in every instance they provided information to correct my problem. You will have to provide your user-id to speak with one of the consultants employed there. This is a free service to IUPUI students, faculty, and staff.

Adaptive Education Services (AES):
Students needing accommodations because of a disability will need to register with Adaptive Educational Services (AES) and complete the appropriate forms issued by AES before accommodations will be given. The AES office is located in Taylor Hall, UC 100. You can also reach the office by calling 274-3241. Visit http://aes.iupui.edu/ for more information.

Dean of Students/Student Advocate:
You should be aware that the campus Student Advocate Office can help you overcome obstacles towards your academic goals. The Advocate will answer your questions, direct you to the appropriate departments and people, familiarize you with university policies and procedures, and give you guidance as you look at ways to solve problems and make choices. The Student Advocate Office is located in UC002 and can be contacted by phone at 278-7594 or email at stuadvoc@iupui.edu.

Withdrawals and incompletes:
You may withdraw with an automatic “W” through the stated date in the Academic Calendar. Withdrawals after that date will be assigned a grade of “F”. Incompletes will not be given except in cases of documented medical emergencies or illness.

IUPUI Withdraw Deadlines
Sunday, October 21, 2018.  Last day to withdraw with automatic grade of W. Requires advisor approval via the Late drop/add classes link in One.IU. UCOL students or Engineering/Technology freshmen must see advisor by 5:00 p.m. on the prior Friday. In person transactions must be processed by 5:00 p.m. on the prior Friday.

Monday, October 22, 2018.  Withdrawal with grade of W or F begins. Advisor, instructor and dean's approvals required via the Late drop/add classes link in One.IU. Beginning on this date, drops will be approved only in serious, extenuating circumstances.

Administrative Withdrawal:
A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in all class activities and assessments and conscientiously complete all required course activities and/or assignments. Keep in touch with me if you q1are unable to attend, participate, or complete an assignment on time. If you miss more than half of the required activities within the first 25% of the course without contacting me, you may be administratively withdrawn from this course. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.

Academic Integrity and Misconduct:
Please read Sections 1 through 6 of Part G in the Academic Responsibilities & Misconduct of the IUPUI Student Code of Conduct carefully by clicking HERE. I assume that you have read and agree with all terms of the Code and will grade your submitted assessments & evaluate your communications accordingly. The consequences of academic dishonesty range from a warning, penalty, or removal from university, depending on severity of your fraud.

What is cheating? Any one of the following situations involves cheating:

• copying the answers from a quiz obtained from another person in the class or from a previous term
• having the aid of another person, electronically or physically, to assist you in selecting an answer on a quiz
• having another person take a quiz or for you
• altering the quiz time length or submission techniques
• attempting or completing any method that bypasses the security features of the course e-textbook
• printing or copying any question on a quiz

If I detect suspicious activity concerning submission times I will contact you via Canvas Inbox or email. You might have to come into my office to take a substitute quiz that might include essay questions.

How to Succeed in MSPT Z-100:

1. Check e-mail/Canvas often – Stay on task and connected to course info.
2. Attend every class – The lectures are the basis for nearly all Exam 1 content.
3. Be attentive in class – Always know what is going on in class.
4. Read text; take lecture/book notes – All assessments based on lectures & assigned readings/videos/etc.
5. Listen to/Watch/Read motorsport news – Topics covered in lecture are very relevant to current motorsport issues.
6. If absent, get notes from other students – Always stay on top of material.
7. Start strong – Don’t wait until end of semester to rectify a grade.