Course Syllabus
ANTH-E 116 (#37122 and 37123) 104: First Year
Seminar
Ethnographic Explorations of the Region
Dr. Stephen Zolvinski
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Indiana University Northwest
TR 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Via Zoom
https://iu.zoom.us/j/99670648189
Meeting ID: 996 7064 8189
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Contact Information
You can reach me via the Canvas messaging tool, e-mail szolvins@iun.edu or by office telephone at (219) 980-7128/6789. If you contact me electronically, expect a response within 36 hours during the workweek or within 48 hours on the weekend. My office is Arts & Sciences 2085, however, I will only be available remotely due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Best times to reach me using remote means indicated above are MW 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. However, feel free to leave a message outside of those hours.
Course Description
This class is an introduction to life at Indiana University Northwest, the value of a college degree, and succeeding as a college student. We will take an anthropological approach like a field researcher studying an unfamiliar culture. In this class you will get the opportunity to have discussions with your instructor and your fellow students, conduct research, and present your findings both to your class and to a wider community. You will spend time reflecting on what you have learned and how you can apply it in your future career at IU Northwest. You will also research the cultural diversity of Northwest Indiana and appreciate how it has contributed to the growth and will contribute tot the future development of our Region.
Course Goals and Objectives
- Students in this course will learn about the value of a college degree.
- Students will familiarize themselves with Indiana University Northwest’s campus, faculty, and other students.
- Students will practice skills that will help them succeed in their academic pursuits.
- Students will research the cultural diversity of Northwest Indiana and how it has contributed to the Region's growth and will contribute to its future development.
Course Format
This course will consist of classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays via Zoom. Most classes will involve some kind of discussion with the instructor and with your fellow students. Some classes will involve group work. There will be projects and written assignments but no tests or quizzes.
This Course is for…
This course is suitable for all students who are new to Indiana University Northwest.
Course Materials
There are no required textbooks. All important course materials, including readings, project assignments and discussion prompts, can be found on our Canvas website. In addition, some resources will be available on reserve at the IU Northwest Library Circulation Desk.
Assignments
Class Participation: Participation in classroom discussions is a requirement. This class will in large part be based around interactions between instructor and students, and students and students. The instructor will track the number of days you participate in classroom discussion and this will figure into your grade.
Assignments: (5) You will complete a variety of written assignments for this class. Some of these will be short and will be completed in class. Some will require work outside of class.
Papers: (2) You will write two short papers for this class, which will require research and thought before writing. The instructor will provide you with the parameters of these papers.
Presentations: (6) You will present to the class on several occasions. Each presentation will have specific requirements provided by the instructor.
Grading Information
This course will be graded on a contract system rather than a points system. To receive a specific grade, a student must fulfill ALL of the listed requirements for that grade level.
To receive a D:
Complete three (3) out of five (5) assignments.
Complete with an evaluation of acceptable three (3) out of six (6) class presentations
Complete with an evaluation of acceptable one out of two papers
Participate in 20 percent of classroom discussions
To receive a C: Beyond the requirements of a D,
Complete four (4) out of five (5) assignments
Complete with an evaluation of acceptable four (4) out of six (6) class presentations
Complete with an evaluation of acceptable one out of two papers
Participate in 30 percent of classroom discussions
To receive a B: Beyond the requirements of a C,
Complete all five assignments
Complete with an evaluation of acceptable all six (6) class presentations
Complete with an evaluation of acceptable both papers
Participate in 40 percent of classroom discussions
To receive an A: Beyond the requirements of a B,
Complete all five (5) assignments
Complete with an evaluation of acceptable all six (6) class presentations
Complete and then revise with an evaluation of acceptable both papers
Participate in 50 percent of classroom discussions
To receive a modified + on your letter grade, do two of the following:
Attendance of at least 80% of class sessions
Attend an approved activity outside of class (opportunities announced in class)
Via email, schedule one individual meeting with the instructor
To receive a modified – on your letter grade, do any of the following:
Attendance of less than 70% of class sessions
Non-participation in three or more discussions
Class Policies
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected of all students. Students are responsible for knowing how to maintain academic honesty and for abstaining from cheating, the appearance of cheating, and permitting or assisting in another’s cheating. Students must especially avoid plagiarism. The Indiana University Code of Student Rights defines plagiarism as “presenting someone else’s work, including the work of other students, as one’s own” (http://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/academic-misconduct.html (Links to an external site.)).
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. All students must turn in their papers to Canvas. TurnItIn on Canvas will check the papers for common sentences that could be signs of plagiarism. Plagiarism on a paper or cheating on an examination will result in a score of zero. If you are uncertain about whether your writing crosses the line into plagiarism, please contact Dr. Zolvinski!
Right to Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities: Indiana University is committed to creating a learning environment and academic community that promotes educational opportunities for all individuals, including those with disabilities. All students should be able to freely and actively participate in all facets of the course. Appropriate considerations will be granted to students who have made requests. Please contact Student Support Services (http://www.iun.edu/student-support/ (Links to an external site.)) to arrange accommodations.
Sexual Misconduct: What you should know about sexual misconduct: Indiana University does not tolerate acts of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. It is important to know that federal regulations and University policy require faculty to promptly report incidences of potential sexual misconduct known to them to our campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator(s) to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available. The University will work with you to protect your privacy by sharing information with only those that need to know to ensure we can respond and assist. If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with a counselor in the IU Northwest Counseling Center (Hawthorn Hall 201). Find more information about sexual violence, including campus and community resources at http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/ (Links to an external site.).
IUN Attendance and Course Commitment Policy: As a student in this course, you are expected to attend scheduled class meetings and actively participate in all class activities. Students who miss the first week of the semester or who do not attend 50% of the scheduled class meetings before the end of the fourth week of the semester may be subject to administrative withdrawal. Regardless of attendance, students who do not actively participate in this class by submitting a majority of their assignments by the posted due date are subject to administrative withdrawal. Students who are administratively withdrawn from this class after the fourth week will not be eligible for a tuition refund. Administrative withdrawals may have an impact on the student’s financial aid awards and visa status. The full text of this policy is available online (http://www.iun.edu/registrar/attendance-policies.htm (Links to an external site.)).
Schedule of Classes and Topics
I reserve the right to adjust the syllabus, particularly the dates and topics, as I deem necessary.
Module 1: This is Your Life
Week 1
August 25 Course Introduction
August 27 What is your life like, especially during COVID-19? (Discussion)
Assignment #1 Instructions: Daily Life Log (August 28 through September 3)
Week 2
September 1 Discussion #1 Supporting and Stressing Discussion
Who are your Supporters? (brief lecture)
September 3 IU Northwest Counseling Center Presentation
Assignment #2 Instructions: Cultural Daily Life Log (due September 21)
Module 2: This is Your Campus
Week 3
September 5
September 8 Presentation #1: What My Life is Like (Daily Life Log)
Assignment #1 Daily Life Log Due
Assignment #2 Instructions: Cultural Daily Life Log (due September 21)
September 10 Brief History of IU Northwest/ Breakout Discussion: Why IU Northwest?
Week 4:
September 15 Discussion #2 The Future of IU Northwest
September 17 Presentation #2 The Future of IU Northwest
Module 3: Why Get a Degree?
Week 5
September 21 Cultural Daily Life Log Due
September 22 Chase Your Dream (Discussion )
September 24 Assignment #3: In-Class Writing on College Value
Week 6
September 29 IU Northwest Library Presentation
October 1 Presentation #3 Value of College Education
Module 4: Study Skills
Week 7
October 6 Study Skills (Discussion)
Breakout/In-Class Discussion: What Goes into a Grade?
October 8 Small Group Articles Discussion and Group Presentation (#5)
Week 8
October 12 11:59 p.m. Paper #1 Due: Value of a College Degree
October 13 Making a Better PowerPoint
October 15 Assignment #4 In-Class research: Find your Professors (Due 11:59 p.m,. October 23)
Week 9
October 20 Presentation #4 Revised PPts on Value of College Degree
October 22 “Body Ritual of the Nacirema” (Discussion)
October 23 Assignment #4 In-Class research: Find Your Professors Due 11:59 p.m.
Module 5: Paper Writing and Revision
Week 10
October 27 Writing Center Presentation
How to Write
October 29 Assignment #5: In-Class Writing“100 Percent American” article
Three-Step Submission Process
- Submit to seminar mate for revision who returns to writer by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday November 11.
- Submit to IU Northwest Writing Center for consult
- Submit to instructor by November 20
Module 6 Ethnographic Explorations of the Region
Week 11
November 3 Doing Anthropology:Talking of Trees
November 5 IUN Muslim Students Association (MSA) Panel
Interview Options for Oral History, Explorations of the Region
Week 12
November 10 Talking of Trees
November 12 Culture Shock Exercise
Week 13
November 10 Talking of Trees
November 12 Culture Shock Exercise
Week 13
November 17 Diversity and its Importance
November 19 Presentation #5 Ethnographic Explorations of the Region
Week 14
Thanksgiving Break, no class November 24 and 26
Week 15
Monday, November 30, 11:59 p.m. Assignment #5 "One Hundred Percent American" Due
as ordinary Word document attachment submitted to instructor through Canvas messaging tool or e-mail szolvins@iun.edu.
Tuesday, December 1 Zoom Class, More on Diversity and What It Is
Thursday, December 3 Zoom Class, Presentation #6 Ethnographic Explorations of the Region
given to Dr. David Parnell’s FYS course
Week 16
Tuesday, December 8 Zoom Class, Registration Workshop
Kourtney Ross, Director of Student Academic Success and Advising
Thursday, December 10: Zoom Joint Session with Dr. Cara Lewis’ FYS Class
Friday, December 11, by 11:59 p.m. Paper #2 Due to instructor, attachment to Canvas
messaging tool or e-mail szolvins@iun.edu.
Week 17
No Final Examination
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|