Course Syllabus 2013
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
PACS 4070 Arbitration Basics
DENTON CAMPUS
FALL 2013
Course Information | Tech Requirements | Access & Navigation | Requirements | Communications |
Assessment | Academic Calendar | Course Evaluation | Scholarly Expectations | Resources |
Course Policies | UNT Policies |
COURSE INFORMATION
- Arbitration Basics
- Fall 2013
- PACS 4070 Arbitration Basics Section 900, 3 credit hours
- Required class meetings – September 7 - Chilton Hall, Room 274 Denton Campus, UNT
-Time - 1:00 – 4:00 pm
- Online required course work – For the weeks August 26 through December 6.
Some assignments (including assignments to be submitted via Blackboard) are due prior to the
September in-person class meeting. They are posted in Blackboard.
Because this course is a combination of online assignments and only one classroom meeting, the
course requires a significant amount of outside reading and writing.
Information presented here is subject to modification during the semester. This should be your
primary reference for the schedule of meeting times, general reading assignments, and course
requirements.
Prerequisite Knowledge and Competencies
--Blackboard
--Computer and Internet Literacy: http://www.clt.odu.edu/oso/index.php?src=pe_comp_lit
--General computer skills
--Information literacy
--Internet research
--Online communication
--Proper grammar and spelling
--Proper netiquette for online education (http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/frankm/573/netiquette.html )
--Use of Internet browser
--Use of Internet search engines
--Use of UNT.edu email
--Word processing
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Course Syllabus 2013
Check this syllabus frequently during the semester.
Professor / Instructor Contact Information
- William E. Hartsfield, Adjunct Professor
- Office-Dallas, Texas
- PACS Office Chilton Hall, room 263
- Off Campus Office Phone (972) 991-7211 Fax (972) 991-7744
- Office hours – by appointment
- Email address – William.Hartsfield@unt.edu (Please use for all communications.)
About the Professor / Instructor
Mr. Hartsfield is an attorney, arbitrator and mediator whose legal practice has encompassed
employment, franchise, health care, and regulatory matters and general business and transactional
matters; his arbitration and mediation practice includes business, employment, labor, health care,
securities and public employee disputes; he has written and lectured regarding the resolution of
workplace and other disputes.
Materials – Text, Readings, Supplementary Readings
- Required texts
Bennett, Steven C., Arbitration: Essential Concepts (New York: ALM Publishing, 2002.)
Goodman, Allan H., Basic Skills for the New Arbitrator (Rockville, MD: Solomon Publications, 2004.)
- Required readings – in accordance with the course schedule in this syllabus and posted assignments.
- Supplementary readings – as assigned from time-to-time.
Note: At times, the instructor will note that he and other arbitrators have views different from those
expressed in the texts and assigned readings. As stated below, students are encouraged to think
critically and to express their views which may differ from the texts, reading materials, discussions,
lectures, etc.
Course Description
Provide students with the basic concepts, information, resources, and skills needed to engage in
arbitration as a user (claimant or respondent) and to understand the skills needed to function as an
arbitration advocate or arbitrator.
Instructional Methods
Class instruction consists of one lecture with a significant amount of participation by all students, as well
as the completion and discussion of mandatory web-based assignments. The instructor expects each
student to participate in order to integrate the subject matter as a new or improved skill. Online
instruction through Blackboard consists of preparation for the mandatory assignments, review of video
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Course Syllabus 2013
and written materials, submission of written assignments, participation in online discussions and
completion of online quizzes.
Course Requirements
Reading assignments: Please note: Due to the dynamic nature of this course, the reading assignments
cannot correspond exactly to each weekly assignment. The reading assignments are designed to
approximate the pace of the class.
Mandatory assignments: Participation in web-based assignments is mandatory. Failure to complete
assignments and/or participate will result in lower final grades.
Class participation: The format of this class requires active and consistent participation.
Quizzes: There will be web-based quizzes in Blackboard to help the student assess his/her
understanding of the core concepts examined in the course.
Final exam: There will be a web-based final exam for this course in Blackboard.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes
Upon completing this course, students will have the information and resources to assess the advantages
and disadvantages of arbitration for different types of conflict and will be able to perform the following:
1. Articulate the essential characteristics and concepts of arbitration.
2. Distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration versus other forms of dispute
resolution.
3. Explain the history of arbitration.
4. Describe the basic functions and duties of an arbitrator or arbitration advocate.
5. Communicate and apply arbitration's ethical guidelines to various matters in conflict.
6. Describe basic standards of contract interpretation.
7. Understand and distinguish between arbitration practices in various industries, sectors, and
settings.
8. Articulate the critical thinking and abilities necessary to resolve difficult issues and challenges
associated with arbitration.
Teaching Philosophy
I am eager to engage students who seek to acquire, improve and further develop their conflict
resolution skills.
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I encourage critical thinking. Feel free to disagree with the concepts in the text and the assigned
readings. At the same time provide the reasons for your disagreement and your suggestion for a
strategy or concept that would be an improvement and why it would be an improvement.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS / ASSISTANCE
The following information has been provided to assist you in preparation for the technological aspect of
the course.
-Hardware and software necessary to use Blackboard:
Check https://learn.unt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_62_1 for the latest
information.
PC: XP, Vista, Windows 7
Mac: OSX
Internet Access PC: with browser Internet Explorer 9 and 8; Firefox 3.6; & Chrome
Internet Access Mac: with browser Safari 5.1, 5.0 and 4.0; Firefox 3.6; & Chrome
Blackboard Learn requires the latest version of Sun JRE 6. The JRE can be downloaded from
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp. JRE 7 is not supported.
Word processor
Video player
PDF reader
-Browser and computer settings:
http://blackboard.force.com/btbb_publicKbView?id=50170000000WkCTAA0&homepage=true
-Computer and Internet Literacy: http://www.clt.odu.edu/oso/index.php?src=pe_comp_lit
-UIT Help Desk: http://www.unt.edu/helpdesk/index.htm
-Hardware and software necessary to use Bb Learn: http://www.unt.edu/helpdesk/bblearn/
-Browser requirements: http://kb.blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=84639794
-Necessary plug-ins: http://goo.gl/1lsVF
-Internet Access with compatible web browser
A wired (versus wireless) connection may provide more stability and allow more consistent playing of
videos.
UNT offers Blackboard Mobile Learn, which enables you to keep up with your classes through your
iPhone, iPad, Android, or Blackberry device. Learn more at: https://bbsupport.unt.edu/MobileLearn
The following technologies are not supported:
Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7
Firefox 1.x, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5
Safari 2.0, 3.x (or any version on Windows)
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Mac OSX 10.4 "Tiger"
Java 5
ACCESS & NAVIGATION
Access and Log in Information
This course was developed and will be facilitated utilizing the University of North Texas Learning
Management System, Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://learn.unt.edu
You will need your EUID and password to log in to the course. If you do not know your EUID or have
forgotten your password, please go to: http://ams.unt.edu.
Blackboard Learn Tutorial and Resources
As a student, you will have access to a Blackboard tutorial via http://www.unt.edu/helpdesk/bblearn/.
One of the first assignments is to complete the Blackboard tutorial to better equip you to navigate the
course.
Blackboard’s On Demand Learning Center for Students. It is recommended that you become familiar
with the tools and tutorials to better equip you to navigate the course.
UNT Blackboard Student Resources: Technical Support:
https://learn.unt.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_62_1
http://help.blackboard.com/ and http://help.blackboard.com/student/index.htm
Being a Successful Online Student
-What Makes a Successful Online Student?
-Self Evaluation for Potential Online Students
What Students Should Do First
Students should submit the following information via email the first week of class:
Subject line: PACS 4070 Arbitration Basics - Section 900 Denton Campus Fall 2013
Name
Student ID
EUID
Best phone number for emergency alerts
Zip code for where you live
How Students Should Proceed Each Week for Class Activities
Students should access Blackboard daily for announcements regarding the course.
You may use the Alerts Feature in Blackboard to create a notification schedule, but you should
not rely solely on it for announcements.
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Student Support
The University of North Texas provides student technical support in the use of Blackboard and
supported resources. The student help desk may be reached at:
Email: https://osprey.unt.edu/helpdesk/email/email.php
Phone: 940-565-2324
In Person: Sage Hall Room 130
Regular hours are maintained to provide support to students. Please refer to the website
(http://www.unt.edu/helpdesk/hours.htm for updated hours.
COMMUNICATIONS
Information about the communication tools in the course and how they will be used:
-Email
For all course-related questions, please read this syllabus carefully before seeking assistance. When
sending emails to the instructor, use William.Hartsfield@unt.edu and identify the topic in the subject
line and please note the course and section numbers and course title and semester in the subject line:
PACS 4070 Arbitration Basics - Section 900 Fall 2013.
The instructor generally sends emails to students’ UNT email address.
Avoid the use of the email service within Learn, as the delivery of those messages can be delayed.
Due to constraints created by arbitrations, mediations and travel to them, students can generally expect
a response from the instructor within 24-hours of sending a message. If your concern is urgent, please
call and speak by phone or leave a message.
- Announcements
Please check the Announcements frequently for updated information and changes.
- Discussions, Blackboard Chat, Online Communications
Please extend the receiver of your message the same courtesy you would expect when communicating.
Please read and consider the content of the message before responding. Profanity and insults will not
be tolerated.
Netiquette—Mutual Respect
This is a conflict resolution class. At all times, a spirit of mutual respect must be maintained in
communications. All communications must adhere to the standards of principled (integrative)
negotiation, e.g. attentive listening, respect for dignity, reasoned statements, use of objective criteria,
seeking to understand and to be understood, no grandstanding. (See Fisher and Ury, Getting to Yes.) In
all communications with class members and instructors, you are required to follow these standards.
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ASSESSMENT & GRADING
Assessments
This course will utilize the following instruments to determine student grades and proficiency of the
learning outcomes for the course.
• Class attendance
• Online quizzes
• Online assignments / discussions
• Online final exam
Students attending the in-person class will have an opportunity to express their views regarding topics
such as the scheduling of quizzes and video assignments.
Bonus Opportunities
You will have a bonus point opportunity that will provide enough points to make up for at least one
assignment or substitute for a low grade. Do not miss the opportunity! Bonus opportunities may also
be used as an accommodation for Blackboard outages or other technical difficulties.
Grading Procedure
Grades will be determined by the following weights:
• Class attendance
• Quizzes (including final)
• Online assignments / discussions
– 5%
– 40 %
– 55%
Total Points Possible There will be 100 points possible for the course, (with the traditional grading scale
applied, unless otherwise notified), plus an additional 10 to 15 Bonus Points (total) that will be
announced. Pay attention to the points possible. Each 10 points you miss will lower your course grade
by one letter, except if you have bonus points. Bonus submissions are generally graded at the end of the
course but prior to the final quiz.
"Points possible" on assignments, quizzes, exams, exercises, discussions, etc. reflect the maximum
points (except for stated bonus opportunities) to be awarded on a particular graded event. As a general
rule, assignments and discussions will be graded and posted within two weeks of the due dates.
A blank beside an assignment may mean you did not submit an assignment on time and did not earn
any points. For example, when you do not take a quiz, Blackboard does not deliver a screen to the
instructor to grade. At other times, Blackboard presents a screen to the instructor to grade for a missed
assignment. You are expected to keep a record of assignments completed. If there is not a grade for an
assignment two weeks after it was due and you submitted it on time, please contact me at
William.Hartsfield@unt.edu .
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The Blackboard Grade Book allows you to track your accumulated points as you progress through the
semester. Keep notes on how many points are available on each activity, as that information may not be
viewable in Blackboard after the deadline expires.
Final grades are determined as follows:
90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
0 – 59% = F
If a student believes he/she will miss class or assignments over an extended period of time and may be
unable to complete all assignments on time, the student should contact the instructor immediately to
discuss options. Because completion of all mandatory exercises is required, repeated absences can
result in a failing grade for the course.
Accessing Grades
Grades will be accessible to students online after quizzes/exams, assignments, submissions, etc are
completed by all students and graded.
Assignment Submission Instructions
Generally, submissions should be entered into the Blackboard submission field. Do not attach a word
processing document to your submission as this slows down grading, and increases the opportunity for
an assignment to be lost in the system. Further, some formats cannot be opened, e.g., .WPS for
Microsoft Works. To be safe, prepare your written assignments (except for quizzes and general class
discussions) in a word processor, save them in a secure format, and then copy and paste them in your
Blackboard submission field. Save all assignment submissions on your computer or other memory
device. Once the deadline has passed for an assignment, you may not be able to view your submission in
Blackboard.
Online Tests/ Quizzes
Students may access quizzes/exams by clicking the Assessments link on the course menu. Each quiz is
timed and can be accessed once (see each quiz/exam for more details) within the scheduled time
window. Please read the on-screen instructions carefully before you click “Begin Assessment.” Please
save each answer before moving to the next question. After each quiz is graded and released, you may
go back to the Assessments page to review your results.
Be certain to save your answers within Blackboard before you exit the quiz. (Generally, there is a
button to click labeled "Save Answer" for each question, a "Save All Answers" button and a "Question
Completion Status" to display which answers have been saved and which have not.) If you do not save
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your answer, there will be nothing to grade and no points earned for that question. If you have any
problems with Blackboard, your starting point is the Student Help Desk, 940-565-2324.
If your exam crashes please click
http://remedy4.ars.unt.edu:8080/rkm/viewdoc.jsp?doc=350&sid=22342&type=Published&terms=qui
ck_searchTerms&user=Self%20 for further instructions
Online Assignments
When viewing pages in Blackboard, be certain that you have scrolled to the bottom of the page and
either selected to display “all” or have displayed each page.
URLs to some materials are provided in the assignments. You are expected to confirm that you can
access the material on the Internet within two days of the posting of the assignment and not seek an
extension for the assignment because you could not access the material later in the week. Some
material, e.g., videos, may not play on your personal computer (Windows or Mac) but all can be reached
from the computers available on the Denton campus in the computer labs. If a URL is broken, you can
often find the material by searching the Internet for the title of the publication. If the URL is broken and
you cannot find the material, please email me at William.Hartsfield@unt.edu promptly.
Please note that "lesson" means web-based reading materials available in the Course Contents folder,
while "chapter" refers, by author, to the two course (hardback) texts.
In Blackboard:
• Online Discussions appear under “Discussions,”
• Written Submissions appear under “Assignments” and
• Quizzes appear under “Assessments.”
Lessons 01-04 are found under Learning Modules.
Some videos are found under Media Library.
Depending on the circumstances, attachments may or may not be provided.
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Weekly Assignments
Generally, assignments are posted weekly. If you do not see an announcement for an assignment, (e.g.,
written submission, quiz, online discussion), review the Syllabus to determine if an assignment is
scheduled for that week and if it is, email the instructor at William.Hartsfield@unt.edu.
Date/Week Topic
8/28
Semester starts
8/28
Introduction, Preface and
Requirements
Readings
Anticipated
Assignment
Preface and
Requirements
Introduce YourselfDiscussion online
Assignments to be submitted are
Blackboard Tutorial
posted in Blackboard prior to the first
Lesson 01
in-person class meeting (including
assignments to be submitted via
Blackboard).
9/02
Introduction, Preface and
Requirements (cont'd)
Arbitration Concepts and Processes
Lessons 01 & 02
Goodman pp. 7-36
Bennett Chap. 1
Introduce YourselfDiscussion online
(Continued)
9/07
CLASS MEETING –Overview of
Securities Material
Arbitration, including securities,
Posted Online
employment, labor, consumer,
construction and commercial
arbitration; differences among types of
arbitration; differences among
arbitrators
Identify two
consumer
arbitration
contracts to bring to
class
9/09
History of Arbitration
Lessons 01 & 02
Written Submission
(Assignment in
Blackboard)
9/16
Legal Framework of
Arbitration/Arbitration Law
Lesson 03
Bennett Chaps. 2 & 4
Written Submission
(Assignment in
Blackboard)
9/23
Functions and Duties of the Arbitrator / Lessons 01, 02, & 03
Procedures and Preliminary Hearing
Goodman - rest of
book
Bennett Chap. 6
Written Submission
(Assignment in
Blackboard)
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Course Syllabus 2013
Date/Week Topic
Readings
Anticipated
Assignment
9/30
Ethics in Arbitration Proceedings
Lesson 03
Bennett Chap. 10
Quiz (Assessment in
Blackboard)
10/07
Integrating Ethics into Practice
Lessons and Prior
Readings
Discussion online
10/14
Contract Interpretation
Lessons and Prior
Readings
Discussion online
10/21
Labor and Employment Arbitration
Lessons and Prior
Readings
Discussion online
Bennett pp. 153-161
10/28
Consumer, Securities & Construction
Arbitration
Lessons and Prior
Readings
Bennett pp. 161-169
Quiz (Assessment in
Blackboard)
11/04
International Arbitration
Lessons and Prior
Readings
Bennett Chap 8
Quiz (Assessment in
Blackboard)
ICDR rules and guides
posted online
11/11
11/18
Principles of Award Writing; Remedy
Power of the Arbitrator
Lessons and Prior
Readings
Arbitration Advocacy
Lessons and Prior
Readings
Are You Cut Out to be an Arbitrator?
Lesson 04
Lessons and Prior
Readings Bennett pp.
131-149
11/25
Thanksgiving No new assignment
12/02
Conclusion & Review
12/7
FINAL QUIZ
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All Lessons and Prior
Readings
Written Submission
(Assignment in
Blackboard)
Written Submission
(Assignment in
Blackboard)
Open DiscussionNot graded
Quiz online through
Blackboard
Course Syllabus 2013
COURSE EVALUATION
Toward the end of the semester, students will be able to complete a course survey at www.my.unt.edu.
Please logon and select SETE.
SCHOLARLY EXPECTATIONS
All works submitted for credit must be original works created by the scholar uniquely for the class. It is
considered inappropriate and unethical to make duplicate submissions of a single work for credit in
multiple classes, unless specifically requested by the instructor.
RESOURCES
UNT Portal: http://my.unt.edu
UNT Blackboard Student Resources: Technical Support: : http://www.unt.edu/helpdesk/
http://help.blackboard.com/ and http://help.blackboard.com/student/index.htm
-Browser and computer settings:
http://kb.blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=84639794
UNT Library Information for Off-Campus Users:
http://www.library.unt.edu/services/facilities-and-systems/campus-access
UNT Computing and Information Technology Center:
http://citc.unt.edu/services-solutions/students
Computer Labs: General access computer lab information (including locations and hours of operation)
can be located at: http://www.gacl.unt.edu/
-Plug-ins:
http://remedy4.ars.unt.edu:8080/rkm/viewdoc.jsp?doc=372&sid=17234&type=Published&terms=quick
_searchTerms&user=Self%20Help
Note: Over time links can break. Generally an Internet search will lead to the listed item.
Please notify the instructor of broken links and the current correct link.
American Arbitration Association University (https://www.aaau.org/resources/adr-resources)
Chambers, Michael, A Preliminary Hearing Is Not Enough: Tips for a Well-Managed Arbitration
(http://www.cabaniss.com/pdfs/MichaelChambersADR_Article.pdf)
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (http://www.finra.org/)
Grievance Arbitration
(http://cdn.calisphere.org/data/28722/2m/bk0003t962m/files/bk0003t962m-FID1.pdf)
International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR) (http://www.adr.org/icdr)
Library of Congress Guide to Law Online (http://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide.php)
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National Academy of Arbitrators, Dispute Resolution in the Workplace
(http://naarb.org/proceedings/index.asp)
NYU Guide Legal Databases (http://www.law.nyu.edu/library/research/foreign_intl/index.htm)
New York Department of Labor Arbitrator Training Videos
(http://www.labor.state.ny.us/agencyinfo/ERBMeeting.shtm)
WERC Grievance Arbitration Case Manual
(http://werc.wi.gov/DOAroot/grievance_arbitration_case_manual.htm)
Search engines
Bing (http://www.bing.com)
Findlaw (http://www.findlaw.com/12international/index.html)
Google Books (http://books.google.com/)
Google Scholar Search (http://scholar.google.com)
Justia (http://law.justia.com/cases/)
Ixquick (https://us2.ixquick.com/)
LEXIS (https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=http://www.lexisnexis.com/us/lnacademic)
Start Page (https://startpage.com/eng/?)
Yahoo (http://search.yahoo.com/)
COURSE POLICIES
General
Unless an alternative deadline is established for a particular exercise, discussion assignments will require
you to participate during the week - not just on weekends. Many written assignments will be due at
11:00 p.m. central time on Sunday nights, but other assignments may be due during the week and
quizzes may occur any time.
New study assignments, discussions, and exercises will be posted each week, usually by Tuesday. Check
in early and often for weekly assignments. You will receive at least three days to complete assignments
and discussions. Quizzes will be announced in advance but are available for only a few hours. While
quizzes may occur any time, they are usually scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays.
Assignment Policy
Due dates for each assignment are posted in the instructions for each assignment and generally posted
in the announcement of the assignment.
Generally, submissions should be entered into the Blackboard submission field. Do not attach a word
processing document to your submission as this slows down grading and increases the opportunity for
an assignment to be lost in the system.
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To be safe, prepare your written assignments (except for quizzes and general class discussions) in a word
processor, save them in a secure format, and then copy and paste them in your Blackboard submission
field. Save all assignment submissions on your computer or other memory device. Once the deadline has
passed for an assignment, you may not be able to view your submission in Blackboard.
Examination Policy
Quizzes and exams are open-book and open-note; however, you may not discuss a quiz or exam with
another student unless both of you have completed and submitted your answers. Missed quizzes or
exams may not be taken at a later date without written documentation that justifies it. Students will
have the opportunity to access a quiz or exam a second time if they lose their internet connection or
have another technological problem that prevents completion of the quiz or exam. Students who
experience either of these situations must contact the student help desk to report the problem and send
the instructor an email at William.Hartsfield@unt.edu . Only then may the student make a second
attempt.
Late Work / Make-ups
Late work will not be accepted without written documentation that justifies the delayed submission.
Acceptance of and credit for late work is determined consistent with UNT policies and at the instructor’s
discretion where permitted.
Make-ups are not available for weekly assignments, quizzes, exams, exercises, discussions, etc., unless-• you have properly processed an official UNT class absence form for an official UNT absence,
(Attendance Policy No 15.2.5, and Dean of Students Office, Absence Verification)
• you or an immediate family member (spouse, life partner, child, parent) are seriously ill
• you experience the death of an immediate family member
• there was a confirmed computer glitch
• there was a confirmed Blackboard glitch
• the UNT server was down or
• you have a scheduling conflict due to work/in-person classes/religious holiday.
You will have a bonus point opportunity that will provide enough points to make up at least one
assignment or substitute for a low grade. Do not miss the opportunity!
No make-ups for the bonus opportunity will be made available, so take advantage of the bonus
opportunity when it is available. You may find that you need those points later.
You should contact the Student Help Desk regarding any computer, Blackboard, Internet, etc. glitches.
(The Help Desk may not be able to duplicate the glitch, but it can confirm you were online in the class at
the time of the problem and what assignment you were uploading.)
For any scheduling conflicts for a quiz, you should contact the instructor to identify alternative solutions
3 days in advance of the date for the quiz.
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A significant amount of time is allowed for most assignments. If the due date for an assignment, bonus,
etc. falls on a religious or other holiday or you or a family member have a minor illness, you are
expected to schedule your work so that an extension or make-up is not needed. If an in person class or
quiz falls on a religious holiday you should contact the instructor to identify alternative solutions at least
3 days in advance.
I seek to be consistent with everyone about missed assignments, quizzes, etc. If I offer one student an
opportunity to take a make-up or allow late submission for partial credit for a reason not listed, I open
the door for all students to get a make-up for all assignments and quizzes missed, misunderstood, etc.,
over the whole semester. As I hope you can understand, such a situation would get out of hand quickly
and would result in an inequity for students who followed procedures. The bonus opportunity is offered
to make allowances for these other excuses.
Anticipated assignments:
Introduce Yourself (discussion online prior to first in person meeting)
In-person Class
History of Arbitration (written)
Arbitration Law (written)
Procedures & Preliminary Hearing (written)
Ethics in Arbitration Proceedings (discussion online)
Ethics Quiz (via Blackboard)
Ethics into Practice (discussion online)
Contract Interpretation (discussion online)
Labor/Employment (discussion online)
Consumer, Securities & Construction Quiz (via Blackboard)
International Arbitration Quiz (via Blackboard)
Award Writing (written)
Are You Cut Out to be an Arbitrator? (written)
Bonus (written)
Open Forum(s) (online discussions that are not graded)
April 27 Final Quiz (via Blackboard)
Class Participation
Students are required to login regularly to the online class site. The instructor will use the tracking
feature in Blackboard to monitor student activity. Students are also required to participate in all class
activities such as discussion board, chat or conference sessions and group projects.
Virtual Classroom Citizenship
The same guidelines that apply to traditional classes should be observed in the virtual classroom
environment. Please use proper netiquette when interacting with class members and the professor.
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Incompletes
If a student wishes to request a grade of “incomplete,” the student must:
•
•
•
Submit the request in writing as soon as possible during the semester.
Submit the request to the instructor at the instructor’s address above.
Discuss the request with the instructor before or after class.
No requests will be considered later than one week prior to the final exam, UNLESS A SERIOUS
INTERRUPTIVE EVENT OCCURS WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD. It is within the instructor’s sole discretion to
grant such a request. Please see the “Grading System” section of the current UNT Undergraduate or
Graduate Catalog for details. STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE AN “INCOMPLETE” MUST COMPLETE THE
COURSE NOT LATER THAN ONE CALENDAR YEAR THEREAFTER TO AVOID AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVING A
FAILING GRADE.
[See UNT policy (http://essc.unt.edu/registrar/academic-record-incomplete.html).]
Copyright Notice
Some or all of the materials on this course Web site may be protected by copyright. Federal copyright
law prohibits the reproduction, distribution, public performance, or public display of copyrighted
materials without the express and written permission of the copyright owner, unless fair use or another
exemption under copyright law applies. Additional copyright information may be located at:
http://copyright.unt.edu/content/unt-copyright-policies.
Undergraduate Online Course Attendance Policy
Students who attend classes regularly typically experience greater success than those students who do
not attend regularly. Students must be present and fully engaged in each mandatory exercise to receive
credit.
Information about the University of North Texas Attendance Policy may be found at:
http://policy.unt.edu/policy/15-2-5
Administrative Withdrawal
Students may add this course or withdraw in accordance with the University’s policy currently in effect.
Syllabus Change Policy
Changes to the syllabus may be necessary at times. Communication of any changes will be made via the
Announcement tab in Blackboard and UNT email.
Policy on Server Unavailability or Other Technical Difficulties
The University is committed to providing a reliable online course system to all users. However, in the
event of any unexpected server outage or any unusual technical difficulty which prevents students from
completing a time-sensitive assessment activity, the instructor will extend the time windows and
provide an appropriate accommodation based on the situation. Students should immediately report any
problems to the instructor and also contact the UNT Student Help Desk:
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https://osprey.unt.edu/helpdesk/email/email.php or 940 565 2324. The instructor and the UNT Student
Help Desk will work with the student to resolve any issues at the earliest possible time.
UNT POLICIES
Student Conduct and Discipline
Please refer to the UNT Faculty Handbook or your department regarding the Student Code of Conduct
Policy.
Academic Honesty Policy
Academic dishonesty is defined in the UNT Policy on Student Standards for Academic Integrity. Any
suspected case of Academic Dishonestly will be handled in accordance with University policy and
procedures. Possible academic penalties range from a verbal or written admonition to a grade of “F” in
the course. Further sanctions may apply to incidents involving major violations. You will find the policy
and procedures at http://vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm.
ADA Policy
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities.
Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA)
to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter
to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may
request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as
early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a
new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to
implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation
website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323
If you have a condition that requires accommodation in this course, please notify the instructor during
the first week of class or as soon as the need arises. Any necessary or appropriate accommodations will
be made provided that timely notice is received, and that the arrangement is consistent with
recommendations from Disability Services, when applicable. Students who require this type of
assistance should contact the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) at (940) 565-4323, or at TTY
(940) 369-8652 to make appropriate arrangements. Information on the services provided by the ODA as
well as application procedures is available at http://www.unt.edu/oda/index.html. Information on
UNT’s policies related to disability accommodations is available at http://policy.unt.edu/policy/18-1-14.
Please note that disability accommodations are not retroactive. Accommodations will be made only
after a disability is officially verified.
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Student Behavior in the Classroom
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students'
opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum
at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the
instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider
whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The University's expectations for
student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including University and electronic classroom, labs,
discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at www.unt.edu/csrr.
Add/Drop Policy
Refer to the UNT Office of the Registrar concerning Add/Drop Periods for this semester
https://essc.unt.edu/registrar/schedule/fall/period6.html .
Important Notice for F-1 Students taking Distance Education Courses:
Federal Regulation
To read detailed Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations for F-1 students taking online
courses, please go to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations website at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov.
The specific portion concerning distance education courses is located at "Title 8 CFR 214.2 Paragraph (f)
(6) (i) (G)” and can be found buried within this document: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getcfr.cgi?TITLE=8&PART=214&SECTION=2&TYPE=TEXT
The paragraph reads:
(G) For F–1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of
one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the
full course of study requirement if the class is taken on-line or through distance education and does not
require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to
completion of the class. An on-line or distance education course is a course that is offered principally
through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit,
cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing. If the F–1 student's course
of study is in a language study program, no on-line or distance education classes may be considered to
count toward a student's full course of study requirement.
University of North Texas Compliance
To comply with immigration regulations, an F-1 visa holder within the United States may need to engage
in an on-campus experiential component for this course. This component (which must be approved in
advance by the instructor) can include activities such as taking an on-campus exam, participating in an
on-campus lecture or lab activity, or other on-campus experience integral to the completion of this
course.
If such an on-campus activity is required, it is the student’s responsibility to do the following:
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(1) Submit a written request to the instructor for an on-campus experiential component within one
week of the start of the course.
(2) Ensure that the activity on campus takes place and the instructor documents it in writing with a
notice sent to the International Student and Scholar Services Office. ISSS has a form available that you
may use for this purpose.
Because the decision may have serious immigration consequences, if an F-1 student is unsure about his
or her need to participate in an on-campus experiential component for this course, s/he should contact
the UNT International Student and Scholar Services Office (telephone 940-565-2195 or email
internationaladvising@unt.edu) to get clarification before the one-week deadline.
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