Course Syllabus

MSPT z100 Online - Introduction to Motorsports Studies
Lecturer:  Andy Baker
Email:  bakeran@iupui.edu
Office:  Cavanaugh Hall, 213 B

This is an online course.
There are no required on-campus or online meetings.

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.

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FYI:  Any text in blue font and highlight like THIS is a hyperlink you click to access additional course content.

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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; public discussion forum posts.

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

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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)

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Grading Standards and Assessments:

There are 110 total points for this course. 

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 12:01am (Indiana time) on a Wednesday and close the following Tuesday evening at 11:59pm.

Quiz 1:  Opens Wednesday, October 23 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, October 29 at 11:59pm.
Quiz 2:  Opens Wednesday, October 30 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, November 5 at 11:59pm.
Quiz 3:  Opens Wednesday, November 6 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, November 12 at 11:59pm.
Quiz 4:  Opens Wednesday, November 13 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, November 19 at 11:59pm.
Quiz 5:  Opens Wednesday, November 20 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, November 26 at 11:59pm.
Quiz 6:  Opens Wednesday, December 4 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, December 10 at 11:59pm.

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.

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 and often corresponds with the Online Lecture content covered that week.

Activity 1:  Available on Wednesday, October 23 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, October 29 at 11:59pm.
Activity 2:  Available on Wednesday, October 30 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, November 5 at 11:59pm.
Activity 3:  Available on Wednesday, November 6 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, November 12 at 11:59pm.
Activity 4:  Available on Wednesday, November 13 at 12:01am; Closes Thursday, November 21 at 11:59pm.
Activity 5:  Available on Wednesday, November 20 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, November 26 at 11:59pm.
Activity 6:  Available on Wednesday, December 4 at 12:01am; Closes Tuesday, December 10 at 11:59pm.

Final Project (30 points):
The Final Project (click HERE to access) will be discussed in more detail toward the middle of the semester and must be submitted before 11:59pm on Friday, December 20.

Individual Video Project (15 points):
This project (click HERE to access) 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.  Students will be assigned a racing series/sanctioning body on a first-come, first-served basis.  The Individual Video Project is due before 11:59pm on Sunday, November 24.

Film Analysis & Critique (5 points):
Towards the middle of the semester (click HERE to access), 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 before 11:59pm on Sunday, December 8.

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Final Course Grading Scale (Total Points):
107-110 = A+
103-106 = A
99-102 = A-
96-98 = B+
92-95 = B
88-91 = B-
85-87 = C+
80-84 = C
77-79 = C-
67-76 = D
0-66 = F
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Course Schedule:
MSPT z100 is designed as an online course with no on-campus meetings.

Week 1:  Wednesday, October 23 to Tuesday, October 29
Online Lecture 1 Opens
Due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, October 29:  Quiz 1, Activity 1

Week 2:  Wednesday, October 30 to Tuesday, November 5
Online Lecture 2 Opens
Due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, November 5:  Quiz 2, Activity 2

Week 3:  Wednesday, November 6 to Tuesday, November 12
Online Lecture 3 Opens
Due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, November 12:  Quiz 3, Activity 3

Week 4:  Wednesday, November 13 to Tuesday, November 19
Online Lecture 4 Opens
Due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, November 19:  Quiz 4

Week 5:  Wednesday, November 20 to Tuesday, November 26
Online Lecture 5 Opens
Final Project Opens
Due before 11:59pm on Thursday, November 21:  Activity 4
Due before 11:59pm on Sunday, November 24:  Individual Racing Series Project
Due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, November 26:  Quiz 5, Activity 5

Week 6:  Wednesday, November 27 to Tuesday, December 3
Thanksgiving Break
Due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, November 26:  Final Project Part 1

Week 7:  Wednesday, December 4 to Tuesday, December 10
Online Lecture 6 Opens
Due before 11:59pm on Sunday, December 8:  Film Analysis & Critique
Due before 11:59pm on Tuesday, December 10:  Quiz 6, Activity 6

Week 8:  Wednesday, December 11 to Tuesday, December 17
Due before Noon on Tuesday, December 17:  Final Project Part 2

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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
Monday, November 25:  Last day to withdraw with automatic grade of W.

Tuesday, November 26:  Withdrawal with grade of W or F begins.  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. Watch every lecture video – The online lecture videos contain important course 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.