Course Guidelines
Getting Started
Welcome to the Course Guidelines page! Here you will find important information regarding the model
and structure of courses at Trident University as well as helpful hints about format and style of
assignments to be submitted. Please follow these basic guidelines and email your professor for further
information and/or assistance.
You will find most of the course materials, including the readings and case and session long project
assignments on your course CD, as well as on the Internet:
Internet Access and Resources
Just as you are connected to the Internet as you read this information, you will need to be connected to the
Internet in order to:
• Login to the TUI Course Management System, Course Net: http://coursenet.trident.edu, where
you will:
o Upload your assignments
o Participate in “threaded discussions”
o View your assignment grades and feedback, and
o Access your Trident University course materials, email, and library through hyperlinks,
which can also be reached directly through the following URLs:
 Access your course materials, including the readings and case and session long
project assignments, through the TUI Course Development And Delivery
system (CDAD): http://cdad.trident.edu/login.aspx
 Send and receive Trident University e-mail: http://www.outlook.com
 Connect to the course readings and online resources including the Trident
University Cyber Library: http://library.trident.edu
If for any reason your access to the Internet becomes severely restricted and you are unable to connect to
the resources you need, contact your professor at once - often arrangements may be made to provide the
material to you in other ways.
Course Structure
Note that every course at TUI follows the same format/model. Each course has defined learning
objectives. Courses are 12 weeks long and are divided into six modules. The first five modules cover
specific topics and have specific Case, SLP and threaded discussion assignments related to the module
concepts. The final module provides an opportunity to integrate the course topics and requires you to
prepare and submit a self-reflective essay assessing your learning outcomes in the course. Do your best
to complete each module within the two week period.
Final grades are posted and available for viewing by students after the 12th week of the session. Please
see the Trident University calendar, which is linked from the top of each page in your course, for
important dates related to each session (you may also go directly to the calendar at:
http://www.trident.edu/university-information/sessionview/).
Note that you are responsible for regular and active participation in your courses beginning in module 1.
If for any reason you fall behind in the coursework, it is very important that you contact your professor
immediately. Also, do not wait until the last week or day of the session to submit coursework.
Module Elements
The instructional material in each Module has four consistent elements:
• Module Home Page. This section identifies the key issues and concepts of the module. It usually
has some introductory text material, possibly a video or PowerPoint presentation outlining the
Module's issues, and always the specific learning objectives for the module which are aligned
to the course objectives. You should read the material on the Home Page before proceeding.
• Background Materials. This section of the module provides the required readings and may
include presentations and optional readings intended to supplement course content. Together
with what is usually provided in the module home page and the assignments themselves, these
references and resources will give you the context and background information you will need
to analyze and complete the case assignment. You are urged to explore further and bring in
additional relevant source material to support conclusions in your papers.
• Case Assignment. Case-based teaching develops critical thinking as well as analytic, research,
argumentation, and writing skills. The Case Assignment (case study) is a written description of
a problem or situation. "Most cases are a snapshot of a particular situation within a complex
environment." The purpose of the case assignment is to place the student in a position which
will require research, synthesis of information and critical thought. You may be asked to
distinguish pertinent from peripheral facts, to identify central alternatives among several issues
competing for attention, and to formulate strategies and recommendations. The Case-based
method provides opportunities for students to sharpen problem-solving skills and to improve
the ability to think and reason rigorously.
• Session Long Project. The Session Long Project (SLP) emphasizes the personalized application
of each module's concepts from the course. Students are required to engage in an original
integrative project reflecting comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply the course
materials. Each component of the SLP will be graded on a modular basis. The Session Long
Project represents 30% of the student’s overall grade.
• Threaded Discussion. In each module you are required to participate in a threaded discussion
(TD) about some part of the Module topic. Generally your professor will pose a provocative
question or comment for your response, but the subsequent discussion may evolve in different
ways as you engage other students and enjoy a brisk discussion of the issues. The professor
will monitor the discussion and provide guidance where necessary. This is your opportunity to
interact with your colleagues and engage in professional dialogue/discourse. If there is a
problem accessing the TD, please let your professor know as soon as possible so that some
alternatives may be worked out.
Module Expectations
• Read the Module Learning Objectives and introductory text and view any presentations on the
module home page. (Week 1)
• Review all of the required background materials on the background page, including any
articles, presentations, Internet links, and other references. If optional materials are listed, you
are encouraged to explore them as well to further your understanding (Week 1 and 2)
Tip: Review the case and SLP assignment instructions before you begin reading to help you
know what to look for in the background reading.
• Post your input to the threaded discussion. (Week 1 and 2)
• Read the Case on the case assignment page, analyze it, and prepare your paper remembering to
apply the concepts learned in the module. The modular objectives may serve as a guide as you
prepare your essays. (Week 2) Please review TUI Style: The Elements of a Well Written Paper
for guidance on how to structure your paper and cite and reference your sources. Please review
Fundamentals of ProQuest and Internet Utilization for guidance on use of the cyber library and
research in the ProQuest database.
• Complete the assignment for the Session Long Project. (Week 2) Make sure you follow
assignment questions, tasks, and guidelines.
• Upload your case and SLP assignments to CourseNet by the module due date, which is the
Monday following end the Module.
Remember that if you fall behind, it is most important that you contact your professor as soon as possible.
Submitting Assignments
Unless otherwise instructed, prepare your papers using Microsoft Word® (or Microsoft Word Compatible
Format). Papers are to be uploaded to TUI Course Net. You will generally receive an assignment grade
and feedback within approximately 72 hours after you have uploaded the assignment to CourseNet.
Writing Style
TUI encourages Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students to follow APA guidelines for citation of
references. TUI requires all PhD students to follow APA guidelines for citation of references. Students
may use the information found at the following sites:
http://www.apastyle.org/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html