- Attendance & Participation in Class Discussion (25% of participation points)
- Participation in the Scholar 360 (Course Management System) Community (25 % of participation points)
- Participation in the Case Conceptualization Group Discussions in Class (25% of participation points)
- Demonstration of completion of course readings and critical thought about these readings in class discussions and discussions in the Scholar 360 community. (25% of participation points)
Attendance & Participation in Class:
All students will be expected to attend and participate in the class discussions. In addition to participation in class, students will be expected to make 3 original posts and 5 comment posts on the classroom discussion board. Students will utilize appropriate and professional communication skills in class discussions, class activities, and communication with the instructor and peers regarding the class. This includes but is not limited to listening while others are talking, assertively stating your perspective in an appropriate manner, giving positive and negative feedback, disagreeing appropriately, and dealing with conflict in an appropriate manner.
Participation in the Class Community:
Participation is an important part of the class. It is essential that students complete all the required readings for the course during the week they are assigned and come to class prepared. Students are expected to make a minimum of 3 original posts reacting to the class reading. lecture, and discussion and a minimum of 5 comments responding to other posts. These may be completed any time during the term.
While students are encouraged use the blogging function of the course community for a variety of functions, not all will count toward your participation requirements. All posts counting toward participation credit must include content which advances the discussion. For example, the post must add new information, a different perspective, or connect the discussion to other relevant issues. Posts which are evaluative in nature (i.e., “I agree/disagree,” “nice post,”), summarize previous posts, summarize course readings or lecutres, or only ask a question will not count toward the minimum number of posts. Posts which are about class business (papers, due dates, etc.) do not count toward the 8-required posts for the week.
Critical thought, in reference to discussion board posts, should demonstrate several factors. First, they should demonstrate the student is current on all the reading for the course. Second, they do not merely summarize content from the books, lecture, other posts, or outside sources. Rather, they include additional thought about the content. Third, critical thought is not just agreeing with the perspective of other students or the professor; it is developing your own opinion/perspective on the topic.
When responding to other people's posts, please do so as a comment, not a new post. This helps the readers to follow the discussion and place your comment in context.
If your username on the course management system does not include either your first or last name to help me identify your posts/comments, please be sure to include your name on each of your posts. This will assist me in making sure you get credit for all of your posts.
Case Conceptualization Group Discussions:
Several class periods will involve case conceptualization group assignments. Students will be divided into groups and develop a case conceptualization from a particular theoretical perspective. Students may volunteer to present one of their own cases in class. Although this doesn't count for additional bonus points, it may assist the student in learning the case conceptualization process with one of their own clients and gain additional insight into this client. Students who volunteer to present a case are responsible to mask all identifying information about the client.
Demonstration of the Class Reading
Students should demonstrate that they have done the course readings through their class participation (including the case conceptualizations), reaction papers, and posts/comments on Scholar 360.
Grading Rubrics for Class Participation:
An “A” demonstrates that the student 1) has completed all the reading from the texts and the lecture, 2) the student has read prior posts on class discussion board, and 3) the student has critically thought about the relevant issues prior to posting.
A “B” demonstrates that the student has 1) completed most of the readings for the week (90% or more), 2) has read the majority of the class posts, and 3) has used some critical thought about relevant issues prior to posting.
A “C” equivalent demonstrates the student has completed 1) some of the readings for the week (80% or more), 2) has read some of the class posts, and 3) has demonstrated some critical thought before the post.
A “D” equivalent demonstrates the student has 1) read a minimal amount of the required reading (less than 80%), 2) has read some of the class posts, and 3) has used little critical though about relevant issues prior to posting.
Note on Appropriateness of Communication: Appropriate professional communication is an important part of becoming a psychologist. Students are expected to use appropriate professional communication skills in all class discussions including Emails, class community posts, and chat room discussion. This includes being respectful of different opinions and disagreeing appropriately.