Greetings, everyone! Welcome to Coun 506: Integration of Spirituality and Counseling
The policies presented below are meant to supplement the “Welcome Announcement” that you
already received. I realize there are some redundancies; these were intentional. It might be wise for
you to print this document. Please read carefully, and let me know if you have any questions.
Begin by visiting the Course Content, found on the left-hand menu on our course’s homepage in
Blackboard. There you will find the Syllabus, Assignment Instructions, and many helpful documents.
Time Management.
Remember, the whole idea of distance learning is to allow busy students to take advantage of quality
education, while managing their own schedule.
For folks with predictable military commitments, I trust you’ve already gauged your ability to
successfully accomplish the course. This means securing internet access, computer resources, and
time.
We’re together for a “short” 8 weeks, and we move along at a fast pace! Please manage your time
wisely.
Due date extensions are very rare and are only appropriate for unique circumstances (debilitating
illness, ER, death in the immediate family, catastrophic event, etc.). Due date extensions must be
requested in advance. Requests for due date extensions after the original due date are almost
never granted.
In this respect, treat your role as a student like you treat your role as an employee. For instance, if
illness is precluding your course progress, make sure you email me so we can discuss the situation.
2
An important note: Please don’t assume that just informing me of a circumstance is the same as
requesting a due date extension. You and I must agree on specific due date for extensions.
Liberty University Honor Code.
Please be sure to read the LU Online Honor Code for Undergraduate and Graduate Students.
You can find this on Blackboard, under Course Content > Syllabus and Assignment Instructions
> Student Expectations.
Pay particular attention to pages 1-2. I will likely document infractions—intentional or unintentional—
on LU Code of Honor Incident Report. I realize the mere title of the report seems accusatory, but the
report is really just the vehicle for reporting demonstrable infractions.
The best way to avoid problems in this area is to make sure you…
1. Use scholarly sources for your research
2. Give credit where credit is due
3. Ensure every reference has a corresponding citation
4. Ensure every citation has a corresponding reference
You will more information on the topic of “Plagiarism” in future communications.
Back Up Your Work.
Did you know that Liberty students have access to 25 gigabytes of free storage space on Microsoft’s
cloud, called OneDrive? What is a “cloud?” It’s basically storage space for your computer files on
someone else’s server; in this case, Microsoft’s. Then, your files can be accessed anywhere there is
internet capability, on virtually any computer. That means, if your computer completely crashes, all of
your data files are perfectly safe!
I encourage you to avail yourself of this great benefit. Here’s the link:
http://www.liberty.edu/informationtechnology/index.cfm?PID=24600
It’s very easy. I use it as a backup for my Liberty files, too.
I also use external hard drives, and I encourage you to use these media, too.
3
I can’t overemphasize the importance of continually backing up your work! Always have a Plan
B…and a Plan C.
Late Assignment Policy.
Please review the Late Assignment Policies in the Syllabus!
Note that late Discussion Board posts are not accepted. Also, grace periods detailed in the syllabus
do not extend beyond the last day of class.
Because of Liberty’s generous 2-week penalized grace period, if you submit an assignment late, it
may be two weeks before it is graded, as I will prioritize on-time assignments. This can have serious
ramifications in terms of your receiving valuable feedback for subsequent course material. It would
be best for you to submit assignments on time.
Assignment Format.
All assignments (except Discussion Board posts) must be submitted as attachments in Microsoft
Word format. Pasting the text of your assignment into the assignment submission box is not
adequate. The assignment will be considered late until it’s submitted in a properly-formatted Word
document. If you have any questions about how to do this, please contact me!
Please compose your Discussion Board posts in Microsoft Word. Make sure you turn on Microsoft
Word’s “Proofing” function (you will receive instructions on how to do this). Please use Times New
Roman Font, 12 point. Copy and paste your document into Blackboard.
4
Course Management.
It is your responsibility to…
- Have continuous access to a reliable Internet provider, even when traveling.
- Check your Liberty email often (I recommend daily).
- Be proficient on Blackboard.
Discussion Boards.
The intent of our Discussion Board (DB) assignments is to replicate class discussion. Another intent
is to spread these discussions over time.
Generally, our DBs have 2 due dates. It is expected that you will post on or before the respective due
dates and that your required inputs fall on at least 2 separate days. In other words, students should
spread their posts throughout the week and not “dump” all required posts at one time.
Some expectations for full credit:
-
Carry on the discussion in the thread you create.
Respond to at least two other student in the thread he or she creates.
Respond to any professor queries.
Remember, there is no grace period for DB participation.
Writing.
 If your message gets lost in the mechanics, it’s still lost.
 Even the best authors in the world have editors. Consider having someone else proofread
your work before you submit it. Avoid the run-it-up-the-flagpole gamble. This happens when
students turn in work they know is substandard, just to see how benevolent the prof will be.
 Avoid using contractions (I’ll, don’t, couldn’t, etc.) in formal writing.
 Avoid writing in first person unless the assignment specifically asks for your perspective.
5
 Avoid writing in 2nd person. This is an easy trap to fall into, but experienced counselors will
encourage clients to “own their statements.” Instead of owning our statements (“When I
jumped out of the plane, I felt my heart pounding before the chute opened.”) we often like to
speak in the 2nd person (When you jump out, you feel your heart pounding until your chute
opens.”) Do you see? Sometimes, when we’re describing our own experiences, we speak in
the second person and thereby ascribe our experiences to others.
 Most prepositions need not be at the end of a sentence. The test phrase for a preposition
is “______ the box.” In the box; over the box; from the box; at the box; etc. Asking, “Where is
he?” is correct. Asking, “Where is he at?” is incorrect. Sometimes, it’s okay to use a
preposition at the end of a sentence (Where are you from?). Mostly, however, it should be
avoided. “Who do you want to speak to?” may be technically correct, but it is MUCH better
said, “To whom do you wish to speak?”
 Even when the assignment solicits your perspective, your assertions must be documented
(and remember, Wikipedia is NEVER a valid source for academic research).
 According to the “The Liberty Way,” Liberty University’s Code of Conduct, part of the definition
of “plagiarism” is, “Paraphrasing a specific passage from a specific source without properly
referencing the source.” A word about the assignment samples provided…it’s very tempting to
use the samples as templates. The almost-certain pitfall is that you’ll use some text of the
sample…which is plagiarism. Also, the samples are imperfect, so you may be copying errors.
Avoid this trap! The samples are provided so you can see what the assignment looks like.
 Avoid slang, jargon, clichés, colloquialisms, hyperbole, and metaphors.
o Slang: Words, expressions, and usages that are casual, vivid, racy, or playful replacements for
standard ones, are often short-lived, and are usually considered unsuitable for formal contexts.
o Jargon: Language that is used by a group, profession, or culture, especially when the words and
phrases are not understood or used by other people.
o Clichés: A phrase or word that has lost its original effectiveness or power from overuse.
Examples:
 Don't mind if I do.
 Far be it from me.
 Leave no stone unturned.
 Back to square one.
o Colloquialisms: An informal word or phrase that is more common in conversation than in
formal speech or writing. Examples:
 Kid (for child).
 Grub (for food).
 Raining cats and dogs.
 Worn to a frazzle.
o Hyperbole: exaggeration. Examples
 I nearly died laughing.
 I tried a thousand times.
o Metaphors: A direct comparison or relabeling. Examples:
 Fido’s a feather; even then kids can carry him.
 Jimmy’s a ball of fire.
 He’s a hard-boiled detective.
6
 Avoid all-inclusive language; terms like any, all, every, no one, everyone, always, none, etc.
This is another easy trap for many writers. Even if you believe wholeheartedly that something
applies to “every” unit or person, it’s often best to leave room for exception. Examples:
o All psychologists are now recognizing the importance of prayer. Better stated, “Many
psychologists…”
o Holidays are depressing for those who recently lost loved ones. Better stated, “Holidays
can be depressing…”
 Do not write as if you are texting your friend about a good movie.
 Do not write as if you are emailing a pal.
 Be safe, and do not use the word “literally” at all!
 Finally, write EVERTHING as if your product were to appear in a national publication like USA
Today or Newsweek. Would you be proud of it? Could Liberty University put your work on the
LU website as an example?
Looking forward to the journey! Feel free to contact me,
Dr. Brian Campbell
Bcampbell63@liberty.edu