Unit 1 Introductory Seminar:Unit 1 Introductory Seminar:Important Points About Our CourseImportant Points About Our Course

Richard NiebuschRichard Niebusch rniebusch@kaplan.edu rniebusch@kaplan.edu

Greetings Greetings Everyone!Everyone! Welcome to Kaplan University’s School Welcome to Kaplan University’s School

of Criminal Justice.of Criminal Justice. Please review my greeting to all of Please review my greeting to all of

you, the course announcements, the you, the course announcements, the Instructor Expectations document, and Instructor Expectations document, and the course syllabus if you have not the course syllabus if you have not already. already.

Next, Let’s review some important Next, Let’s review some important points about our coursepoints about our course

Communication Is Communication Is ESSENTIALESSENTIAL

This involves This involves discussion boards, discussion boards, seminars, quizzes, seminars, quizzes, essays and emailing essays and emailing me with any me with any questions, concerns, questions, concerns, problems or issues problems or issues that may arise that may arise throughout the entire throughout the entire term. term. Please let me know Please let me know ahead of time if you ahead of time if you experience any experience any difficulties, or have difficulties, or have other extenuating other extenuating circumstances. circumstances. Also, contact your Also, contact your advisor and let he/she advisor and let he/she know as well. know as well.

Time CommitmentsTime Commitments

This is not a self-paced This is not a self-paced classclass.  You should plan .  You should plan on spending about 5 - on spending about 5 - 6 hours or more per 6 hours or more per week on this class. A week on this class. A key to success in key to success in taking on-line classes taking on-line classes is to keep up with the is to keep up with the assignments.  You are assignments.  You are all busy people, the all busy people, the best advice that I can best advice that I can provide to you is to provide to you is to make every effort to make every effort to stay current in your stay current in your course work. course work.

Phone OutreachPhone Outreach

Kaplan University Kaplan University now mandates that now mandates that I must telephone I must telephone you if you are you if you are failing the course failing the course after Unit 2after Unit 2

If you do not desire If you do not desire telephone contact telephone contact please email meplease email me

Academic WeeksAcademic Weeks

Our academic weeks are from Wednesday to Our academic weeks are from Wednesday to Tuesday, therefore Wednesday is the first day Tuesday, therefore Wednesday is the first day of the unit, and Tuesday is the last. of the unit, and Tuesday is the last. Generally, all assignments will be due on the Generally, all assignments will be due on the Tuesday of each unit. Please see the course Tuesday of each unit. Please see the course due dates under the course announcements due dates under the course announcements for further clarification of due dates. for further clarification of due dates. Just as a reminder, the course room “locks” Just as a reminder, the course room “locks” on Tuesday evening at 11:59 PM EST. on Tuesday evening at 11:59 PM EST. Following that time no other submissions will Following that time no other submissions will be accepted.be accepted.

Office HoursOffice Hours

My office hours My office hours are on Sundays are on Sundays between 10:00 between 10:00 and 12:00 pm, and 12:00 pm, EST, in which you EST, in which you can log onto AIM, can log onto AIM, and send me an and send me an instant message instant message with any course with any course related topic. related topic. My My aim sign-in is aim sign-in is rniebusch.rniebusch.

EmailsEmailsYou can also email me, You can also email me, or post a question in my or post a question in my virtual office. I will get virtual office. I will get back to you within a 24 back to you within a 24 hour period. Please be hour period. Please be aware that your aware that your classmates can view classmates can view what is posted in the what is posted in the virtual office, therefore, if virtual office, therefore, if you would prefer the you would prefer the matter to remain matter to remain confidential, please email confidential, please email me or drop by on AIM. me or drop by on AIM.

I check my email each I check my email each morning. Email morning. Email represents the best way represents the best way to reach me: to reach me: rniebusch@kaplan.edurniebusch@kaplan.edu

Returning Your Work Returning Your Work to Youto You

I will return all papers, I will return all papers, projects, and other projects, and other required submissions required submissions throughout the course throughout the course to you within to you within seven seven daysdays of their original of their original submission. That is, if submission. That is, if you turn your paper in you turn your paper in on the 7on the 7thth of the month, of the month, you will get it back no you will get it back no later than the 14later than the 14thth of the of the month. If you do not month. If you do not receive your work within receive your work within this allotted time frame, this allotted time frame, please email me. please email me.

Grading Unit WorkGrading Unit Work

I post grades I post grades for each unit for each unit on Sunday.on Sunday.

You may see You may see grades prior to grades prior to that….. that…..

Accessing the Accessing the Available ToolsAvailable Tools

Access the tools Access the tools available to you, available to you, such as the Library, such as the Library, Career Services, Career Services, and Kaplan and Kaplan University’s Writing University’s Writing Center, where you Center, where you can submit your can submit your assignments for assignments for review and have review and have them returned to them returned to you in a timely you in a timely manner. manner.

Class Class ParticipationParticipation

– Please participate at a minimum, three Please participate at a minimum, three separate days per week, and post separate days per week, and post responses on these days. You must responses on these days. You must respond to each and every question asked respond to each and every question asked in a respective unit to receive credit.in a respective unit to receive credit.

– Responses must address the question, and should Responses must address the question, and should provide original thought, as well as possibly provide original thought, as well as possibly provoke additional commentary by your fellow provoke additional commentary by your fellow classmates. You should respond to one another classmates. You should respond to one another as often as possible, as to initiate further as often as possible, as to initiate further discussion and/or debate, etc. discussion and/or debate, etc.

– Responses should be 100-150 at a minimum!Responses should be 100-150 at a minimum!– ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS AND CONSCIENTIOUS!!! ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS AND CONSCIENTIOUS!!! – QUANTITY is not as important as QUALITY!!!QUANTITY is not as important as QUALITY!!!

Required Comments to Required Comments to Other LearnersOther Learners

For every Unit there is a For every Unit there is a requirement requirement to make to make substantive comments to other learnerssubstantive comments to other learners. This . This requirement is explained in the course syllabus.  requirement is explained in the course syllabus.  Substantive comments mean you will provide some Substantive comments mean you will provide some combination of: initiating further discussion; combination of: initiating further discussion; promoting further thought; providing critical promoting further thought; providing critical dialogue; providing integrative dialogue; providing dialogue; providing integrative dialogue; providing affective support or encouragement; challenging by affective support or encouragement; challenging by showing supporting literature or other showing supporting literature or other documentation, providing meaningful Socratic documentation, providing meaningful Socratic dialogue, and/or self-reflecting regarding the topic.dialogue, and/or self-reflecting regarding the topic.

In general, 50-75 words is expected. In general, 50-75 words is expected. 

Instructor QuestionsInstructor Questions

All questions posed All questions posed by the instructor by the instructor must be addressed must be addressed by students. by students.

If you fail to If you fail to address the address the question, points question, points will be deducted will be deducted from your point from your point total for that weektotal for that week

Unit QuizzesUnit Quizzes

There are quizzes for There are quizzes for you to complete in this you to complete in this coursecourse..

You are expected to You are expected to complete each quiz prior complete each quiz prior to the expiration of that to the expiration of that particular unit, or prior particular unit, or prior to Tuesday evening at to Tuesday evening at 11:59 p.m., EST.11:59 p.m., EST.

There are no make-There are no make-ups for missed ups for missed quizzesquizzes

APA Format and APA Format and GuidelinesGuidelines

– Learn the American Learn the American Psychological Psychological Association (APA) Association (APA) writing style, and use it writing style, and use it to cite any outside to cite any outside references within your references within your postings, papers and postings, papers and projects throughout projects throughout the term. the term.

– There is information There is information regarding APA under regarding APA under the course home, Doc the course home, Doc Sharing and within Sharing and within Kaplan University’s Kaplan University’s Writing Center Writing Center

– You WILL be graded in You WILL be graded in this class for improper this class for improper APA format and APA format and citations.citations.

Spelling and Spelling and Grammatical ErrorsGrammatical Errors

For all papers and projects to be submitted, I will For all papers and projects to be submitted, I will deduct points from any paper that has spelling and/or deduct points from any paper that has spelling and/or grammatical errors. grammatical errors.

These types of errors can be avoided by using any or These types of errors can be avoided by using any or all of the following: 1) submit your paper to Kaplan all of the following: 1) submit your paper to Kaplan University’s Writing Center to ensure its accuracy; University’s Writing Center to ensure its accuracy; your paper will be returned to you within 24 hours, 2) your paper will be returned to you within 24 hours, 2) use your spell check icon, as it is literally a click away, use your spell check icon, as it is literally a click away, and 3) use your spelling and grammar icon available and 3) use your spelling and grammar icon available in almost all Microsoft Word Programs. in almost all Microsoft Word Programs.

As college level students, you are expected to have As college level students, you are expected to have the fundamentals of both spelling and grammar, and if the fundamentals of both spelling and grammar, and if you do not, these essential tools are there to assist you do not, these essential tools are there to assist with the writing process. Your employer would expect with the writing process. Your employer would expect no less from you, and as your Instructor, please no less from you, and as your Instructor, please provide me the same courtesy you would to them.provide me the same courtesy you would to them.

Posting RequirementPosting RequirementOriginal discussion Original discussion ResponseResponse All discussion postings need to be All discussion postings need to be

comprised of at least 100-150 words.comprised of at least 100-150 words.– Some whereSome where in the posting I should see in the posting I should see

evidence of course materials.evidence of course materials.– Mere opinion is nice but you are a student Mere opinion is nice but you are a student

in this course and are here to learnin this course and are here to learn Therefore, your postings should reflect Therefore, your postings should reflect

APPLICATION of course materialsAPPLICATION of course materials

– Initial discussion postings submitted on Initial discussion postings submitted on Tuesdays are adjusted to a 70% scaleTuesdays are adjusted to a 70% scale

DiscussionsDiscussions

What is required?What is required? A response to the instructor posted A response to the instructor posted

discussion questionsdiscussion questions– Must be 100-150 wordsMust be 100-150 words– Should evidence the readingsShould evidence the readings– APA style authenticates the responseAPA style authenticates the response

Peer response(s) to other learners within the Peer response(s) to other learners within the discussion threaddiscussion thread– 50-75 words50-75 words– 1 is the minimum (more postings improves your 1 is the minimum (more postings improves your

score)score)

Late Assignment PoliciesLate Assignment Policies

Late assignments are adjusted to as little as a 60% Late assignments are adjusted to as little as a 60% maximum scale. You have a full seven days to complete maximum scale. You have a full seven days to complete each unit and those turned in on the 8th day or later are each unit and those turned in on the 8th day or later are considered late. Unit assignments are due on Tuesday at considered late. Unit assignments are due on Tuesday at Midnight EST. Midnight EST.

Please make note in the syllabus of the week five deadline. Please make note in the syllabus of the week five deadline. Once the midterm has past, Once the midterm has past, I cannot accept workI cannot accept work that was that was due prior to the midterm week ending (papers, projects, due prior to the midterm week ending (papers, projects, missed seminar assignments).missed seminar assignments).

Past discussions are not subject to make-up as they are not Past discussions are not subject to make-up as they are not timely and do not support the cohort interaction required.timely and do not support the cohort interaction required.

If you have extenuating circumstances and would like to If you have extenuating circumstances and would like to turn work in late without penalty, turn work in late without penalty, you must contact me you must contact me in writing in writing prior to the due dateprior to the due date. .

Note: I will not accept any assignment that is two Note: I will not accept any assignment that is two weeks past due, unless a student has informed the weeks past due, unless a student has informed the Instructor of extenuating circumstances, etc.Instructor of extenuating circumstances, etc.

GradingGrading

As an instructor I do not As an instructor I do not support the notion of support the notion of “grade inflation.” “grade inflation.”

The grade the you earn The grade the you earn will represent a direct will represent a direct reflection of the time and reflection of the time and effort that you invest in effort that you invest in this course. this course.

Kaplan University Kaplan University courses are based upon courses are based upon a 1,000 point grading a 1,000 point grading scalescale– All students have equal All students have equal

access to the pointsaccess to the points There is no “extra credit” There is no “extra credit”

at Kaplan Universityat Kaplan University

Technical ProblemsTechnical Problems

You are responsible for You are responsible for having contingency plans having contingency plans for computer problemsfor computer problems----one suggestion is to be one suggestion is to be familiar with local familiar with local community resources community resources e.g., computer access e.g., computer access through the public through the public library, local University, library, local University, and/or Community and/or Community College; another College; another suggestion is to ask suggestion is to ask friends or relatives in friends or relatives in advance if you can use advance if you can use their equipment in an their equipment in an emergency. emergency.

Technical ProblemsTechnical Problems

This is an online This is an online coursecourse– If your computer is If your computer is

not functional you not functional you must find an must find an alternate way to alternate way to resolve this issueresolve this issue

– Develop a Develop a contingency plan contingency plan now.now.

Software RequirementsSoftware Requirements

Microsoft Windows Operating System Microsoft Windows Operating System (Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP)(Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP) MS WordMS Word

– Corel Word or MS Works are not acceptable substitutesCorel Word or MS Works are not acceptable substitutes Microsoft Office 2000 Microsoft Office 2000 (or higher) (with PowerPoint)(or higher) (with PowerPoint) Adobe Acrobat Reader Adobe Acrobat Reader (minimum Version 6.0)(minimum Version 6.0)

– free download via the Internet at http://www.adobe.com free download via the Internet at http://www.adobe.com AOL Instant Messenger AOL Instant Messenger (free download via the Internet at (free download via the Internet at

http://www.aim.com/) http://www.aim.com/) Windows Media PlayerWindows Media Player (to view video clips) (to view video clips)

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/11/default.aspx http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/11/default.aspx QuickTimeQuickTime (for Windows or Apple) (to view video clips) (free download via (for Windows or Apple) (to view video clips) (free download via

the Internet. The Apple site will recognize your computer and route you to the Internet. The Apple site will recognize your computer and route you to the appropriate link). http://www.apple.com/ the appropriate link). http://www.apple.com/

Real Media PlayerReal Media Player (to listen to audio summaries) (free download from Real (to listen to audio summaries) (free download from Real Media) http://www.real.com/ Media) http://www.real.com/

Adobe Flash Player (to view multimedia presentations) Adobe Flash Player (to view multimedia presentations) http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BIOW P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BIOW

Adobe Shockwave Player (to view some multimedia presentations)Adobe Shockwave Player (to view some multimedia presentations) http://www.adobe.com/products/shockwaveplayer/ http://www.adobe.com/products/shockwaveplayer/

Software RequirementsSoftware Requirements

I I do not do not accept papers and other documents accept papers and other documents submitted in the following formats:submitted in the following formats:– Corel WordCorel Word– Word PerfectWord Perfect– MS WorkMS Work– MS Open OfficeMS Open Office

The requirement is MS Word in accordance The requirement is MS Word in accordance with Kaplan University policywith Kaplan University policy

Paper submitted in alternate formats will be Paper submitted in alternate formats will be scored a zero (0)scored a zero (0)

Late Assignment PoliciesLate Assignment Policies

– My rule regarding late work is as follows:My rule regarding late work is as follows:– The decision to pursue post secondary The decision to pursue post secondary

education is a voluntary one. Life happens education is a voluntary one. Life happens in real time and attempting to complete in real time and attempting to complete college credit will require that you to college credit will require that you to manage work, family and personal time. manage work, family and personal time.

– The criteria that I use in considering The criteria that I use in considering requests for extensions is that there must requests for extensions is that there must be an emergency (as opposed to an be an emergency (as opposed to an inconvenience) that was unanticipated and inconvenience) that was unanticipated and significantly impacted your ability to significantly impacted your ability to complete the required work. complete the required work.

1-3 days late5%

point reduction

More than 3 days late70% ceiling

More than 10 days late60% ceiling

More than 2weeks late

no credit

More than 2weeks late

no credit

Paper Submited withInstructor Permission

Paper Submitted withoutInstructor Permission

1 to 14 days late60% ceiling

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS FLOW CHART

ConclusionsConclusions

Ask questions when you do not Ask questions when you do not understand something. I am understand something. I am here to assist you in your here to assist you in your educational and professional educational and professional goals. goals.

Enjoy the Term! Let’s work hard Enjoy the Term! Let’s work hard together!together!