PARTICIPATION: It is important for you to actively engage with lecture material, so this class uses student response systems (clickers) that (a) help me understand what you know, (b) give everyone a chance to participate, and (c) provide review material for the tests.
QUIZZES: The purpose of the quizzes is to promote learning of course material. The quizzes are designed using an on-line and open-book format each covers 1 chapter from the textbook. They consist of approximately 20 questions and are mostly multiple-choice. Each quiz may be attempted 3 times, and the “highest score” will be recorded. See Canvas for each quiz’s due date.
VIRTUAL REALITY FIELD TRIPS: Students are expected to explore the distinguishing characteristics of physiographic regions, urban landscapes, and archaeological heritage sites for the world regions covered in this class. These assignments use VR headsets (Meta Quest 3) and Wander, a VR app, and will occur most Fridays in the Multipurpose Center (Room 109). See Canvas for further details.
REFLECTIVE ESSAYS: Students are expected to select a short film, watch it, and write a reflective essay on the content for 7 of the different films available this semester (see assignment on Canvas).
FINAL EXAM: Choose 1 of the following options. Option 1: Complete ALL 11 of the VR Field Trips and BE EXEMPT from the final exam. Option 2: Write the final exam during exam week, which will include multiple-choice questions (from the clicker questions), and one short-essay question.
OPTIONAL EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
• Empathy Survey: Students will earn 1 point toward their final grade if they anonymously and honestly complete a 28-question survey.
• Mid-Semester Course Feedback: Students will earn 1 point toward their final grade if they honestly and fairly complete a 13-question survey.
• VR Experience Surveys: Students will earn 2 points toward their final grade if they, complete both pre- and post-experience surveys regarding their experience with VR Field Trips.
• International Movie-Night: Students will earn 3 points toward their final grade if they write a “reflective essay” on the international film for this semester (see Canvas for more details).