Spring 2018

Time: 12:30-1:45pm MW

MW Room: DHHC 215

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Adam Sundberg

OFFICE: DH 220

OFFICE HOURS: 2pm – 4pm MW and by appointment

EMAIL: adamsundberg@creighton.edu

REQUIRED TEXTS/ TOOLS

Recommended purchase: Cynthia Brewer, Designed Maps: A Sourcebook for GIS Users (ESRI Press, 2008)

Course Blog:

All information (including this syllabus) will be available via the course blog. All readings, responses, and assignments will be posted to this course blog as well. Students are expected to read the weekly assignment, critique the map(s), and post their responses to the blog every Monday prior to class. Responses can integrate readings from previous weeks and are required to include perspectives from the current week. The core of the response should focus on the primary source material, especially the weekly map(s). Practicum exercises will also be posted to the blog. The blog is a living document that shows the development of the course and student projects. Blogging is a flexible format that facilitates a wide range of media and students are encouraged to integrate visual and digital sources into their assigned responses and projects. Students are expected to treat writing assignments as professional development and all standards of academic writing will apply in the blog post as well.

Participation:

The participation grade applies to in-class discussion of the readings and maps and the practicums. All readings must be completed by the assigned date on the syllabus (Mondays, unless otherwise stated). All practicums must be completed by the end of the course. A sizable percentage of the final grade will depends on the frequency and quality of your comments in class. This requires reading the material and formulating ideas and opinions before your arrive at class.

Grading Scale:

• A: 90-100
• B+: 85-89
• B: 80-84
• C+: 75-79
• C: 70-74
• D+: 65-69
• D: 60-64
• F: 59 and below

LATE PENALTIES:

Assignments will be deducted 1/2 of a letter grade for each 24-hour period they are late.

ATTENDANCE:

Education demands your active involvement, therefore daily attendance is required. I will keep track of attendance at the beginning of every class period. One absence will be excused per student, regardless of reason. For every subsequent absence, students will have 22 points (out of 1,100 = 2%) deducted from their final grade . Exceptions to this rule will be very limited and only granted in circumstances left up to the discretion of the instructor.

PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:

Academic misconduct will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism. Do not attempt to use others works without proper citation. Acknowledge the source material for all of your work. In the event of plagiarism, the student will receive zero points for the assignment. While plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct, it also extends to the disruption of class, threatening behavior, cheating or misrepresentation.

DISABILITIES:

If you have a disability for which you need an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Accommodations located in the Old Gym, Room 408 (402-280-2166) as early as possible in the semester.

WEATHER CANCELLATION:

In the event that inclement weather forces the university to close, the course schedule will be adapted at the discretion of the instructor. All changes to the syllabus (and notice of class cancellations) will come via BlueLine.

WRITING HELP:

Good writing is a skill that requires practice, but also guidance. Peer-review is acceptable as long as the authors create products that are demonstrably their own work. (see plagiarism and academic misconduct above). Also, feel free to stop by my office hours if you would like help. The Creighton Writing Center is the best option and an underutilized resource. You can schedule appointments at the Writing Center in Creighton Hall 136.