HON 101 - The Human Experience
2023 Fall Syllabus, Section 04, CRN 2772
Course Information
You are responsible for knowing this material, so please read carefully. Any changes will be announced in a Blackboard Announcement. You will be responsible for any changes. Your continued enrollment in this course is your implicit agreement to abide by the requirements of this class.
Times and Location
Instructor Information
Hamzat Koriko, PHD
Instructor
Email: amoussa.koriko@und.edu
Office: Columbia Hall B307
2023 Fall Office Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 09:10 AM -11:00 AM
Office Phone: 7017774402
Cell Phone: 7017394310
Please use cellphone for emergency only.
Course Description
Technical Requirements/Assistance
Whether you’re taking courses in the classroom or online, it’s important to have the right technology and equipment. Visit the UND Technical Requirements webpage for more information. Students are expected to use their official UND email in the course. For technical assistance, please contact UND Technical Support at 701.777.2222. Visit the University Information Technologies (UIT) website for their hours, help documents and other resources.
Minimum Technical Skills Needed
In order to succeed in this course, at a minimum, you should be able to:
Insert minimum requirements expected and needed. In the bulleted example list below
- Navigate in and use basic Blackboard functions
- Download and open electronic documents
- Create, save, and upload/attach electronic documents
- Send, receive, and manage email
Course Logistics
Access and Log in Information
This course was developed and will be facilitated utilizing Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://blackboard.UND.edu and log in with your NDUS.Identifier, Username and Password. If you do not know your NDUS Identifier or have forgotten your password, please visit Your NDUS Account page on the UIT website.
Course Overview
This is an Essential Studies (ES) Humanities course, and as such, it involves the investigation and interpretation of human behavior and affairs, culture, thought, language, literature, text, and symbols. ES courses in the humanities take as their primary goal the analysis of language, history, culture, text, society, formal structures, and artistic work. ES courses in the humanities may help students develop a facility with language.
The course content is organized by week for this semester. Each week contains a purpose, learning outcomes, and a variety of links to articles, video/audio files, and other instructional resources selected to enhance the learning experience and support the various topics. Discussions, blogs, wikis, and assignments will be used to assess your comprehension and application of those materials.
What Should Students Do First?
Prior to the start of the first week you should have reviewed the syllabus, bought the textbooks, and read the assigned reading based on the course schedule.
Required Texbooks
Orange, T. (2018) There there. New York: Vantage Books.
Kuo, M. (2018). Reading with Patrick. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.
Urrea, L. A. (2010). Into the beautiful North. New York: Back Bay Books.
Zakaria, R. (2021). Against White Feminism. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Resources
Many services are available to UND students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center, free online tutoring from Smarthinking, and more. Visit the Student Resources page for more information. Students also have access to the UND Student Resource Site via Blackboard. It is recommended that you become familiar with the tools and tutorials within the site to better equip you in navigating the course.
Course Requirements/Expectations
- The student will review the syllabus and course schedule posted in Blackboard.
- The student will participate in any lecture or discussion sessions on campus or online as provided and as part of this course.
- The student will complete and submit assignments, exams, quizzes, etc. by the dated noted and in the manner described in Blackboard and on the course schedule. We will use Central Standard Time for due dates and times.
- The student will participate fully and in a timely manner to get the benefit of learning from instructor and/or peers.
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Because the ability to articulate your thoughts and questions, or to respond to someone else’s, has applications far beyond this class, engagement and course citizenship are important skills to develop. This area of the class is about your level of engagement with the course, its ideas, participants, and materials - your demonstration and my perception of your engagement. This aspect includes the basics of being a good student:
- getting to class on time, i.e., before class starts so that we may begin on time
- being prepared for class with reading and assignments done
- being prepared for the day’s work and consistently engaging and investing in the work of the course and in your own development as a writer, reader, and thinker.
Instructor Responsibilities and Feedback
Insert responsibilities students can expect the instructor to meet. Example provided below.
- The instructor will provide feedback on all assignments and group activities by Wednesday of the following week.
- The instructor will be available during appointed Office Hours to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer advice.
Communication
Announcements
Announcements will be posted in Blackboard on a regular basis. Be sure to check the class announcements regularly as they will contain important information about class assignments and other class matters.
You are encouraged to post your questions about the course in the FAQs discussion board forum in the Blackboard site or raise them in class if held synchronously or on campus. The Blackboard discussion board is an open forum in which you and your classmates are encouraged to answer each other’s questions. But, if you need to contact me directly, check the Faculty tab in Blackboard or the syllabus for my contact information. I will respond back to you within 48 hours during the week or weekend.
Discussion Forums, Blogs, & Wikis
These tools are an excellent way for you to engage with the course material and with your peers. Each week we will have at least one of these tools for you to participate in. You are expected to read all assigned discussion boards, blog posts, and/or wiki pages and provide thoughtful contributions.
Course Etiquette
When participating in class (online or in person) it is important to interact with your peers in an appropriate manner. Always use professional language (no netspeak) in your postings and emails. Please be respectful of your classmates at all times even if you disagree with their ideas.
Assessments
Paper (40%)
Writing Assignments20
Three times this semester, you will draft a 3-page paper, including SOAPSToneE Chart, about each assigned book for the class. Focus on a passage in the book, on a character, or a theme. Show your critical thinking (critical thinking requires problem-solving and context) based on a character or theme that reminds you of contemporary social, political, or cultural issues. Even though this is informal writing, you are encouraged to practice citing when you quote a passage in the book.
Movie Report10
Throughout the semester, students are encouraged to engage with the rich tapestry of cinema, as they immerse themselves in the vibrant social and cultural landscape of our course. Each student is tasked with not only viewing three carefully selected films but also delving deep into their socio-cultural dimensions, culminating in the creation of insightful movie reports that illuminate the profound themes interwoven within our academic journey.
Presentation (20%)
Small Group Presentations20
During this semester, you and a few of your classmates will have the opportunity to conduct a research project focused on a section of the book. This project involves presenting the chosen section to the class and leading a 30-minute discussion followed by a Q&A session. To ensure a well-rounded presentation, your team will use the assigned section of the book as a foundation and supplement it with other scholarly materials. Collaboration and teamwork are essential for this research project. To begin, you should collectively plan and strategize how to approach the task. Assign specific responsibilities to each team member, ensuring everyone contributes their expertise and skills to the project. Establish a timeline for various milestones and hold each other accountable to meet the set deadlines. Remember, the key to success lies in creating an inclusive and open environment where every team member actively participates in the research process. Encourage all team members to express their ideas, insights, and perspectives, valuing each contribution equally. As a research project, it demands a rigorous and scholarly approach. Start by exploring peer-reviewed and academic articles available through the Chester Fritz database. These sources will provide credible and well-researched information to support your findings. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere and conducting thorough research, your team can excel in this project and deliver an engaging presentation that showcases your collective efforts and knowledge. Remember, teamwork is the cornerstone of success in this research endeavor.
Project (20%)
Project Design20
Throughout this course, students will delve into various topics related to multiculturalism. Upon completion, each student will be tasked with creating a comprehensive lesson plan centered on one of the explored subjects. The lesson plan should adhere to the structure of a traditional lesson, incorporating well-defined goals, objectives, and outcomes. Students have the option to work individually or collaboratively in groups. For group assignments, a single submission is required, along with a separate one-page reflection outlining individual contributions, self-assessment, and assessments of group members. If working individually, students must still evaluate their own performance and provide a concise explanation justifying the assigned grade in a brief paragraph. This final project aims to gauge students' understanding of multiculturalism and their ability to design effective educational materials promoting cultural awareness.
Paper (40%)
Semester Reflection:10
This assignment offers you an opportunity to delve into the experiences and insights gained throughout the semester, as you encountered new and surprising concepts, knowledge, and connections presented in the class. The purpose of this reflection aligns with Essential Studies, focusing on the goal of Intercultural Knowledge and Skills. By the end of this course, you should have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to interact successfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and apply this understanding to contemporary issues. Intercultural knowledge and skills foster the ability to meaningfully engage with perspectives from various cultures and identities, shaped by larger social structures and issues relevant in a global society.
Discussion (20%)
Classroom Discussions20
Assessment Summary and Grades
Assignment Final Grade
Informal Writing Assignments: 20%
Movie Report 10%
Small Group Presentations: 20%
Project Design: 20%
Semester Reflection: 10%
Classroom Discussions: 20%
Final Grade Scale
NOTE ON GRADES
- Work that does its job well enough, with no extra effort, merely fulfilling the minimum obligations, is C work.
- Work that does not fulfill the minimum requirements earns a D or F, depending on the degree to which it fails to fulfill the requirements.
- Work above average earns a B, and work that displays a quality of excellence earns an A.
- Students who miss more than three classes may not get an A.
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
Appendix
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC ATTENDANCE
Attendance and participation in class activities are considered integral parts of university education.
It is University policy that attendance in classes is expected of all students. If attendance and/or participation are required and will impact grading, it is the responsibility of the instructor to communicate clearly that policy to students during the first week of class in the course syllabus. Even in situations where an instructor might excuse a class absence, e.g., severe medical situations, family emergencies, military service, or authorized University activities, it is the responsibility of the student, whenever possible, to inform the instructor ahead of time. (http://und.edu/academics/registrar/academic-policy-procedures-manual.cfm#attendance)
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION ARE REQUIRED AND WILL IMPACT GRADING
Management of your time and presence is your responsibility. If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining a classmate’s notes and turning in any assignments due - do not email me to ask what you missed until you have communicated with a classmate. Be sure you are ready to rejoin class discussions on your return.
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION & POLICIES
How to Prepare for Class?
You will always be well-prepared if you have completed all reading assignments, making notes in your book; you have completed any writing assignments according to the guidelines given; and, finally, you have thought about the readings and the writing and have things to say about them.
How to Format Your Assignments
- All assignments must be typed unless otherwise noted. Margins should be no more than 1.25”.
- Use a standard, 12pt font such as Arial, Helvetica or Times New Roman.
- For citations and Works Cited or References pages, use MLA or APA. Please, review the formatting of headers and page numbers. The Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is an excellent source.
- For all assignments, a “full page” is considered a double-spaced page having 18-20 lines of body text or a single-spaced page with 36-40 lines.
- All assignments should be papers double-spaced.
- All assignments must be titled. A title such as “Assignment #3” is not a title. Your title should, at minimum, capture something of what your writing talks about.
- You are expected to proofread all assignments you turn in carefully.
- All assignments should be submitted via email as attachments.
Course Policies
The section below contains examples of course policies you may wish to include in your course such as late work, class participation, netiquette, technology statements, etc. You may fully edit this section to add and/or remove polices as they pertain to your course.
Assignment Policy
Due dates for each assignment or activity will be posted in Blackboard.
Late Work
Insert your late work policy here. An example is provided below.
If you find that you’re having trouble keeping up in this class, please let me and/or your TA know as soon as possible so we can do what we can to help. Due dates are important insofar as they help you spread out your workload and help us keep the behind-the-scenes aspects of the course as organized as possible. However, late work may be accepted for extenuating circumstances, so please reach out if you know you will need more time or if you are having trouble keeping up.
Please note: You do not need to disclose or perform trauma when asking for an extension; you just need to let us know (very broadly) that you need help, and we will do what we can to get you back on track in the course.
Class Participation
Insert your expectations regarding class participation. An example is provided below.
Students are required to login regularly to the online class site. Students are also required to participate in all class activities such as discussion board, blogs, and wikis Students are expected to attend on campus or synchronous classes, etc.
Incompletes
It is expected that students will complete all requirements for a course during the time frame of the course. For reasons beyond a student’s control, and upon request by the student or on behalf of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned by the instructor when there is reasonable certainty the student will successfully complete the course without retaking it. The mark “I,” Incomplete, will be assigned only to the student who has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work up to a time within four weeks of the close of the semester, including the examination period, and whose work is incomplete for reasons satisfactory to his or her instructor. More information regarding UND’s Incomplete policy can be found on The Grading System webpage.
Resolution of Problems
Should a problem occur, you should speak to your instructor first. If the problem is not resolved, meet with [insert name here]. If the problem continues to be unresolved, go to the department chair, and next to the college dean. Should the problem persist, you have the right to go to the provost next, and then to the president.
Netiquette
When participating in class (online or in person) it is important to interact with your peers in an appropriate manner. Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online. Here are a few basic points to remember when communicating in this course:
Be scholarly. Use proper language, grammar, and spelling. Explain your thoughts, justify opinions, and credit the ideas of others by citing scholarly resources. Avoid misinforming others when you are unsure of the answer. When discussing something and supplying a guess, clearly state that.
Be respectful. Respect the privacy of others. Do not share personal or professional information about others unless permission has been granted. Respect diversity and opinions that differ from their own. Be tactful when you communicate.
Be professional. Everyone should strive to give their best impression online. Truthfulness, accuracy, and running a final spell check are appropriate expectations for university students. Writing in a legible font and limiting the use of emoticons is considered professional behavior. Profanity and participation in hostile interactions, known as flaming, is unprofessional as well as disruptive.
Be polite. Students should address professors and instructors by the appropriate title or requested name. Students should interact online politely, just as they would be expected to do in a physical environment. Sarcasm, rudeness, and writing in all capital letters (shouting) should be avoided.
Pronouns
Everyone has the right to be addressed by the name and personal pronouns that correspond to their gender identity, including non-binary pronouns, for example: they/them/theirs, ze/zir/zirs, etc.
I recognize that preferred names and pronouns may change during the quarter, if at any point during the quarter you would like to be addressed differently, please let me know.
As part of our commitment to inclusion in this course, it is important that all students in this class respect the preferred names and pronouns of their peers. Mistakes in addressing one another may happen. If you make a mistake or are corrected, please briefly apologize and correct yourself.
Technology Statement
In this class we will have a technology policy that is designed to support your attention to one another and to the course material. We will spend the majority of our time engaged in activities that depend upon you being present and attentive to one another, and course content we will study. We are all challenged these days by the ways in which our digital devices—including laptops, tablets, phones, and watches—can steal our attention away from our immediate surroundings. Technology should be used for educational purposes only during scheduled class times.
Copyright Notice
Insert copyright information here if needed.
College/Department Policies
In addition to Course and University Policies, the Colleges and/or Departments may have some of their own. Please edit this section to add any polices for your college or department. This could include things like mission statements, professional standards, ethical statements, etc.
University of North Dakota Policies & Resources
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a serious matter, and any deviations from appropriate behavior will be dealt with strongly. At the discretion of the professor, situations of concern may be dealt with as a scholastic matter or a disciplinary matter.
As a scholastic matter, the professor has the discretion to determine appropriate penalties for the student’s workload or grade, but the situation may be resolved without involving many individuals. An alternative is to treat the situation as a disciplinary matter, which can result in suspension from the University, or have lesser penalties. Be aware that I view this as a very serious matter and will have little tolerance and/or sympathy for questionable practices. A student who attempts to obtain credit for work that is not their own (whether that be on a paper, quiz, homework assignment, exam, etc.) will likely receive a failing grade for that item of work, and at the professor’s discretion, may also receive a failing grade in the course. For more information read the Code of Student Life.
Access and Opportunity, Disability Support, & Medical Services
The University of North Dakota is committed to providing equal access to students with documented disabilities. To ensure access to this class and your program, please contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) to engage in a confidential discussion about accommodations for the classroom and clinical settings. Accommodations are not provided retroactively. Students are encouraged to register with DSS at the start of their program. More information can be obtained by email UND.dss@UND.edu or by phone at 701.777.2664.
COVID-19
UND is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment while providing quality learning experiences for our students. COVID-19’s continued presence within our UND community may necessitate changes in classroom management as the academic year progresses. As such, UND asks students and instructors to be flexible when necessary to promote a safe environment for learning. Please do not attend an in-person class or lab if you are feeling ill, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been directed by health professionals to quarantine or isolate. If you are not able to attend class or lab, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and discuss options for making up any missed work in order to ensure your ability to succeed in the course. If you will have an extended absence due to serious illness or other uncontrollable circumstances, you may request an absence notification through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Similarly, if your instructor is ill they may need to cancel class or temporarily move your course to online delivery to ensure that you are able to complete the course successfully. Instructors may require students to wear masks in the classroom or in the laboratory as a preventative measure designed to facilitate uninterrupted classroom engagement and to facilitate health and safety in the classroom. If your instructor does require masks in class or in a laboratory, you are expected to comply with that request.
UND also strongly encourages all members of the University community, including students, to get vaccinated, seek out testing when needed, and model positive behavior both on- and off-campus to foster a healthy and safe learning environment for all students. Individuals who would like to discuss disability accommodations regarding masks should contact the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office at 701.777.2664 or UND.dss@UND.edu. Individuals who are unable to wear a mask due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact the UND Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office at 701.777.4171 or UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu.
Religious Accommodations
UND offers religious accommodations, which are reasonable changes in the academic environment that enable a student to practice or observe a sincerely held religious belief without undue hardship on the University. Examples include time for prayer or the ability to attend religious events or observe a religious holiday. To request an accommodation, complete the student religious accommodation request form. If you have any questions, you may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office.
Pregnancy Accommodations
Students who need assistance with academic adjustments related to pregnancy or childbirth may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or Academic Affairs to learn about your options. Additional information and services may be found at Pregnancy Resources.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
It is the policy of the University of North Dakota that no person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, age, color, gender, disability, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or political belief or affiliation and the equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. Concerns regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, and Section 504 may be addressed to Donna Smith, Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity & Title IX and Title IX/ADA Coordinator, 102 Twamley Hall, 701.777.4171, UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 or any other federal agency.
Reporting of Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct
If you or a friend has experienced sexual misconduct, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, please contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or UND’s Title IX Coordinator, Donna Smith, for assistance: 701.777.4171; donna.smith@UND.edu; or visit the Title IX webpage. You may also contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX office if you or a friend has experienced discrimination or harassment based on a protected class, such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, marital or parental status, veteran's status, or political belief or affiliation.
Faculty Reporting Obligations Regarding Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct
It is important for students to understand that faculty are required to share with UND’s Title IX Coordinator any incidents of sexual misconduct or of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class that they become aware of, even if those incidents occurred in the past or are disclosed as part of a class assignment. This does not mean an investigation will occur if the student does not want that, but it does allow UND to provide resources to help the student continue to be successful at UND. If you have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, you can find information about confidential support services on the Equal Opportunity & Title IX webpage..
UND Cares Program
How to Seek Help When in Distress
We know that while college is a wonderful time for most students, however, some students may struggle or have issues that arise. You may experience students in distress on campus, in your classroom, in your home, and within residence halls. Distressed students may initially seek assistance from faculty, staff members, their parents, and other students. In addition to the support we can provide to each other, there are also professional support services available to students through the Dean of Students and University Counseling Center. Both staffs are available to consult with you about getting help or providing a friend with the help that he or she may need. For more additional information, please visit the UND Cares Program Webpage.
How to Recognize When a Student is in Distress
The term “distressed” can mean any of the following:
- Student has significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities.
- Student has cut off or minimized contact with family or friends.
- Student has significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular, or social activities.
- Student describes problems (missing class, not remembering, destructive behavior) that result from experiences with drinking or drugs.
- Student is acting withdrawn, volatile, tearful, etc.
- Student is acting out of character or different than usual.
- Student is talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide.
- Student has difficulty concentrating or difficulty carrying on a normal conversation.
- Student has excessive dependence on others for company or support.
- Student reports feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
Today, the University of North Dakota rests on the ancestral lands of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate - presently existing as composite parts of the Red Lake, Turtle Mountain, White Earth Bands, and the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota and North Dakota. We acknowledge the people who resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Ojibwe and Oyate people permeate this land. As a university community, we will continue to build upon our relations with the First Nations of the State of North Dakota - the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation, Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
Additional Resources
It is my goal to foster an environment of mutual respect in which everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions, sharing their stories, and learning about potentially heavy or personally relevant material. If, at any point, you feel like the information covered in this class elicits thoughts, feelings, or concerns that you would like to discuss further, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, or the UND Counseling Center (701-777-2127).
Further, if you experience extenuating circumstances, sexual violence, identity-based harm, or any other personal crisis during the semester, don’t hesitate to reach out to me so we can provide academic assistance and help you in this course, and put you in contact with the appropriate resources and services (if needed).
- UND Care Team: 701-777-2664 (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM M-F) or 701-777-3491 (evenings and weekends)
- UND Campus Police: 701-777-3491·UND Student Health: 701-777-4500
- UND Title IX Resources
- Abuse and Rape Crisis Hotline (CVIC): 701-746-8900 (24 hours)
- Grand Forks Police Department: 701-787-8000 (24 hours)
- Emergency Room: 701-780-5280
- UND Student Diversity and Inclusion: 701-777-6985
- Food For Thought Pantry: (Wilkerson Commons Room 169; 701-777-4200)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255)