BA 81 E

This course meets online beginning Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 and ends on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. 

Course Units:  .5
P/A Total Hours:  9
Prerequisites:  See technical requirements listed below.
Classification of the Course:  Degree applicable
Course Grading:  Credit/Non Credit
 You will not receive a letter grade for this class, only a CR or NC.

Class Meeting Times and Location:
This class meets entirely online, using the Etudes online classroom. 

Enter the Etudes online class https://etudes-ng.fhda.edu/portal portal here. You will need a user id to access the class. This login is generated automatically by the COS registration system the day after you register. You will not be able to access the online classroom unless you are officially registered AND semester has officially begun. 

See www.siskiyous.edu/online/etudes/ for the full login instructions.

Instructor
Mrs. Margie White          Email:  white@siskiyous.edu      Phone:  468-5916   
Email is the preferred method of communication.  
Office hours: Phone sessions by appointment.  Emails will responded to within 48 hours, except for holidays and other notified times.

Time Expectations
All participants should expect to spend approximately three hours per week over the four week period - a total of 12 hours.  Students will be required to participate each week, and will not be able to complete the entire course in one week.  Students should plan to be online at least twice a week in order to pass the course. 

Course Objectives
This course is designed to acquaint the participant with key elements of decision making and problem solving methods and techniques. Topics will include identifying and removing the blocks to problem solving, methods to generate solutions, and using creativity in the business environment. Emphasis will be placed on using the tools in order to have a more productive professional and private life.

Text
No text is required  for this class. Modules (lectures) and links to internet-based articles will be posted each week.
There are several recommended texts which are optional, but will assist you in learning decision making and problem solving techniques and putting them into practice.

Buzan, Tony , Barry Buzan. The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's
          Untapped Potential. Plume Books. Reprint edition - March, 1996.

Buzan, Tony. Head First: 10 Ways to Tap into Your Natural Genius. Thorsons Publishers; New Ed
          edition - May, 2003.

Gelb, Michael J.  How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day. Dell. 
          February, 2000.

Hammond, John S. , Ralph L. Keeney, Howard Raiffa. Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to Making
          Better Life Decisions. Broadway Books. March, 2002.

Course Requirements

1. Assignments - skill and knowledge demonstration      

There are four (4) individual assignments to be completed during class.  Three of these will be posted to the appropriate discussion Forum, the third assignment will be submitted via attachment.   Assignment points are listed below, specific grading instructions will be given with each assignment.

2. Participation - introduction and feedback on posted assignments           

Active and informed class participation is important in a class of this nature where discussions will contribute to each student's understanding and practice of the subject matter. All students are expected to participate in class in an informed, respectful, and attentive manner.  Points will be given for registering correctly to the forums, posting an introduction, and giving constructive feedback to posted assignments.  

3. Skill Checks - knowledge demonstration in an online test      

One comprehensive test will be given in the final week.  It will demonstrate your ability to comprehend the course requirements and lecture material.  The test is open book, open notes, and will be timed.

Assignment Overview

This class is is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis.  To achieve credit for this course, you must receive 70 out of the 100 points.   See the assignment list and schedule in the ETUDES classroom for due dates.

Copyright Information

Materials used in connection with the course may be subject to copyright protection.

Course Policies and Other Information

Technical Knowledge - Students are expected to have the necessary technology and skills required for an online class.  All students should have a back-up computer connection in place in the event the primary computer or online service malfunctions. Students should know how to use an internet browser program (Internet Explorer^® or Netscape Navigator^®) and be able to research information on the internet. There are  two "Online Readiness" assessments to help you decide if online instruction is really for you. The first assessment looks at your "student" skills, and the second assessment examines your technology skill level. If you have already decided to take an online class, you should review the "Online Survival Guide."

Late Assignments - Because of the short duration of this class, late assignments will be graded downward. Assignments submitted after a certain timeframe will receive 0 points, see the individual assignment instructions for due dates and late penalties.

Academic Honesty - Plagiarism in any assignment is unacceptable. All work taken from other sources must be correctly noted.  If it is determined that two or more students have submitted the same work, all involved students will receive 0 points for that assignment and may be considered for dismissal from the class.

Academic Accommodations: Students have the right to request reasonable modifications to college requirements, services, facilities or programs if their documented disability imposes an educational limitation or impedes access to requirements, services, facilities or programs. A student with a disability who requests a modification, accommodation, or adjustment is responsible for requesting necessary accommodations by identifying himself/herself to the instructor and, if desired, to the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) office Eddy Hall 1.

Students with a print disability--a visual limitation or reading difficulty that limits access to traditional print materials--may request printed materials in alternate media. Examples of alternate media formats include electronic format (e.g., text on CD), Braille, tactile graphics, audiotape, and/or large print. Students can make alternate media requests through the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S) Eddy Hall 1, 938-5297. Students who consult or request assistance from DSPS regarding specific modifications, accommodations, adjustments, alternate text or use of auxiliary aids will be required to meet timelines and procedural requirements established by the DSPS office.

Withdrawal & Incomplete policy – The COS withdrawal policy can be found in the current course catalog.  If you wish to withdraw from the class you must file the appropriate forms.  Check with the Admissions office for the last day to drop this course without penalty.  The COS incomplete policy can be found in the current course catalog.  Incompletes will be given only under the circumstances stated in that policy.

Date and Time of Final Exam:
A ten point comprehensive test will be available online during the last week of class. The test is accessed through the ETUDES online classroom and may be taken at any time during the allotted time frame.  It is open notes, and will be timed.