XYZ 000 | Name of the course will come here 1
Course Syllabus
XYZ 000 | Name of the course will come here
Prerequisites:
1. Please list all the prerequisites of the course here.
Instructor:
E-mail:
Office:
Office Hours: Online office hours by appointment only through
1. Zoom (see Office Hours, under Quick Links, on Blackboard course page)
2. List any other collaboration tool that you would like to use for the office hours.
Course Catalog Description
Insert the course catalog description that can be found at Iowa State University’s
website. Also mention whether the course meets international perspectives
requirements.
Learning Objectives
1. Please list the learning objectives here.
Learning Outcomes
1. Please list the learning outcomes here.
Course Procedures and Policies
Give detailed explanation of course procedures and policies here.
Required Technology
1. A reliable Internet connection,
2. Access to Iowa State University computer system and Blackboard,
3. Commitment to learn how to use the software (VoiceThread, Zoom) provided by
the course,
4. Access to a computer with a microphone and audio capability.
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is one of the technologies that we will be using heavily in this course.
VoiceThread is an audio-based technology solution for sharing images, text, video,
drawing, and personal voice messages and responses. The implementation and use of
VoiceThread aims to create an innovative active learning platform that takes advantage
of both visual and auditory narratives. VoiceThread offers students a dynamic and
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
World Languages and Cultures
Summer 2015
engaging way to research, reflect, deliver content, and interact with the instructor and
classmates.
To be able to use VoiceThread in this course, first you need to have an account
associated with your email e-mail address. Go to https://voicethread.com/ to register for
a free account. All you need is your e-email address. If you already have a VoiceThread
account, you may use it for this course.
Zoom
Zoom is a cloud-based technology that we will be using in our course this semester. It
facilitates video conferencing, online meetings, and group messaging through various
collaboration features. You can use Zoom on your desktop, laptop, and mobile devices.
Iowa State University has a Zoom license that allows students to use this particular
technology for free with your ISU Net ID and password (same as your ISU email user
name and password). Go to https://iastate.zoom.us/ to sign in to your account. I
encourage you to sign in to your account and play with the tool before we start using this
tool for the office hours. You can find more information regarding to this tool on
Blackboard, under Quick Links section.
Required Texts
1. Bergen, Doris. War and Genocide: A Concise History of the Holocaust, 2nd
edition (Lanham, MS: Rowman & Littlefield, 2009). ISBN: 9780742557154
2. Langer, Laurence L., ed. Art from the Ashes (New York: Oxford UP, 1995). ISBN:
9780195077322
3. Levi, Primo. Survival in Auschwitz, trans. Stuart Woolf (New York: Touchstone,
1996). ISBN: 9780684826806
4. Kluger, Ruth. Still Alive: A Holocaust Girlhood Remembered (New York: The
Feminist Press, 2003). ISBN: 9781558614369
5. Niewyk, Donald L., ed. The Holocaust, 4th edition (Boston: Wadsworth, 2011).
ISBN: 9780547189468
6. Spiegelman, Art. The Complete Maus (New York: Pantheon, 1991). ISBN:
9780679406419
7. Wiesel, Elie. Night, trans. Marion Wiesel (New York: Hill and Wang, 2006). ISBN:
9780374500016
Respect and Civility
GER 371: The Holocaust in Text, Image, and Memory treats emotionally charged,
controversial, and contentious material, and we will discuss it in depth. Please show to
your fellow learners the same respect that you wish them to show to you.
Preparation
For this course to benefit you as a learner, you must be prepared. The workload is
carefully designed to be steady and manageable if you apply yourself regularly to the
material.
XYZ 000 | Name of the course will come here 3
Course Syllabus
Blackboard and E-mail Communication
This class is assisted by Blackboard. Make sure to check your Blackboard and your
CyMail account on a daily basis. I will make available to you the course syllabus, class
materials, grades, and other resources, as needed. I may also use Blackboard to
communicate with the entire class or to individuals.
Late Work/Make-up Work Policy
Due to the online nature of the class late work will not be accepted and there will be no
make-up work. Please submit your work by the deadline. If you have any questions,
please contact me well in advance.
Course Expectations
GER 371: The Holocaust in Text, Image and Memory will provide an interactive
experience for students of all backgrounds. In addition to traditional materials, we will
utilize online and digital resources (such as the website of the United State Holocaust
Memorial Museum) in order to further develop skills for the analysis of historical, textual,
and visual evidence as well as the judgment of its reliability. Learners will analyze and
reflect on the consequences of systematic violence and injustice in modern political
systems and refine their written and critical thinking skills with the help of online
assignments including personal online introductions, online quizzes and written
assignments, online video posts, and video journals. There will also be individual and
group video chat sessions on Zoom throughout the course to facilitate learning. For the
final project, learners will have the option to create a project that is based in the digital
humanities.
Students taking the course for the 4-credits are required to read certain texts (provided
by the instructor) and websites in German, submit video journal entries in German, and
prepare the final paper/digital humanities project in German. Students will also have
supplementary discussions with fellow German students and the instructor through
Zoom.
Personal Online Introduction
The aim of this assignment is to have students introduce themselves to their classmates
and instructor on VoiceThread. It is meant to foster interpersonal communication and
enhance the learning experience.
Online Video Posts
The aim of this learning activity is to provide a way for the learners to communicate their
points of views for the materials that are covered within the course.
Quizzes
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
World Languages and Cultures
Summer 2015
You will take eight online quizzes. These 10-15-question tests cover assigned readings
and other materials. The time allowed is 1 hour per quiz. Quizzes must be taken by the
date established and are set to automatically expire at a specific time. Students should
read and study prior to taking a quiz because, although they are open book, all quizzes
are timed. Quizzes are a combination of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and
short answer questions. Quiz grades are released at the end of the allotted time. At that
time students will automatically know their scores (BUT NOT BEFORE). Students should
use the quizzes as an opportunity to improve their performance in class. STUDENTS
SHOULD NEVER TAKE QUIZZES AT THE LAST MINUTE. UNFORSEEN TECHNICAL
PROBLEMS CAN ARISE, STUDENTS COULD RUN OUT OF TIME, OR ANOTHER
PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN THAT WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE
THE QUIZ. Since it is expected that students will not wait until the last moment to take a
quiz, Internet connection problems at home is not an excuse for not taking a quiz. If your
home connection is insufficient, make arrangements to take the quizzes at a computer
lab on campus.
Video Journal Entries
Students will make three video journal entries during the course. In them you will reflect
on the readings and class discussions. These are not lecture notes. The more thoughtful
and thorough they are, the higher their grades will be.
Short Paper/Final Project
This is a 1200-1500 word (ca. 4-6 page) research paper, typed, double space, New
Times Roman 12 point font, 1” margins on all sides, following the MLA format for in-text
quotations.
Topic: Any topic related to the course (in consultation with the instructor).
Sources: You must have a minimum of three sources. You may have one
primary source and two secondary sources. Students also have the option of
producing a digital humanities project in lieu of the paper (requires consultation
and approval of the instructor). Due by the deadline established on the class
calendar.
Grade Distribution
Personal Online Introduction
3 Online Video Posts (7.5% each)
8 Quizzes (5% each)
3 Video Journal Entries (7.5% each)
1 Short Paper/Final Project
Total
5%
22.5%
40%
22.5%
10%
100%
Grading Scale
Letter Grade
Range
Letter Grade
Range
XYZ 000 | Name of the course will come here 5
Course Syllabus
A
B+
BC
D+
D-
93-100
87-89
80-82
74-76
67-69
60-63
AB
C+
CD
F
90-92
83-86
77-79
70-73
64-66
59 and below
Blackboard Learn for Students at ISU
Getting Started
1. Be sure to have an ISU NetID. If you do not, please visit Passwords and
Accounts (https://www.it.iastate.edu/services/accounts)
2. Login to Blackboard Learn with your ISU NetID and password and look for your
course, GER 371 Section-XW for this semester.
General Help with Blackboard
Blackboard Help: FAQs, Searchable Topics, and Step-by-step Instructions
 Blackboard Help for Students (http://help-archives.blackboard.com/BlackboardLearn/9.1/SP09/EN-US/NAHE/Instructor/Content/Mini_TOCs/mt_student.htm)
 Brief Video Tutorials for Students
(http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm)
Basic Troubleshooting (if Bb Learn is not working)
1. Username/Password not working?
 Your Username (ISU NetID) and Password for Blackboard Learn are the
same as those ISU email account.
 For help with Username and Password, please visit Passwords and
Accounts or contact Solution Center at 515-294-4000 or
solution@iastate.edu.
2. If you get an error message, check for Browser and Java Issues on your computer.
3. If you are unable to access course content or activities (e.g., Tests, Discussions,
Assignments, etc.), contact your instructor.
4. Check general Technology Support for Students
(http://www.celt.iastate.edu/elearning/?page_id=141).
Academic Misconduct
All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. Online courses are
not exception. The Student Disciplinary Regulations
(http://policy.iastate.edu/policy/SDR) will be followed in the event of academic
misconduct. Depending on the act, a student could receive an F grade on the
test/assignment, F grade for the course, and could be suspended or expelled from the
University. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically
related matter and any knowing attempt to help another student commit an act of
academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to each of the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
World Languages and Cultures
Summer 2015
following acts when performed in any type of academic or academically related matter,
exercise, or activity:
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of representing directly or indirectly another
person’s work as your own. It can involve presenting someone’s speech, wholly or
partially, as your; quoting without acknowledging the true source of the quoted material;
copying and handing in another person’s work with your name on it; and similar
infractions. Even indirect quotations, paraphrasing, etc., can be considered plagiarism
unless sources are properly cited. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and students could
receive an F grade on the test/assignment or an F grade for the course. The Iowa State
University policy for academic misconduct can be found in the Student Disciplinary
Regulations.
Obtaining Unauthorized Information: Information is obtained dishonesty,
for example, by copying graded homework assignments from another student, by
working with another student on a take-home test or homework when not specifically
permitted to do so by the instructor, or by looking at your notes or other written work
during an examination when not specifically permitted to do so.
Tendering of Information: Students may not give or sell their work to another
person who plans to submit it as his or her own work. This includes giving their work to
another student to be copied, giving someone answers to exam question during the
exam, taking an exam and discussing its contents with students who will be taking the
same exam, or giving or selling a term paper to another student.
Misrepresentation: Students misrepresent their work by handing in the work of
someone else. The following are examples: purchasing a paper from a term paper
service; reproducing another person’s paper (even with modifications) and submitting it
as their own; having another student do their computer program or having someone else
take their exam. Bribery: Offering money or any item or service to a faculty member or
any other person to gain academic advantage for yourself or another is dishonest.
Bribery: Offering money or any item or service to a faculty member or any other
person to gain academic advantage for yourself or another is dishonest.
University Policies
Accommodations: Iowa State University complies with the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Sect 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have a disability and
anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please contact Dr. William Carter to
set up a meeting within the first two weeks of the semester or as soon as you become
aware of your need. Before meeting with Dr. Carter, you will need to obtain a SAAR form
with recommendations for accommodations from the Disability Resources Office, located
in Room 1076 on the main floor of the Student Services Building. Their telephone
number is 515-294-7220 or email disabilityresources@iastate.edu. Retroactive requests
for accommodations will not be honored.
XYZ 000 | Name of the course will come here 7
Course Syllabus
Religious Accommodation: If an academic or work requirement conflicts with
your religious practices and/or observances, you may request reasonable
accommodations. Your request must be in writing, and your instructor or supervisor will
review the request. You or your instructor may also seek assistance from the Dean of
Students Office or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.
Dead Week: This class follows the Iowa State University Dead Week policy as noted
in section 10.6.4 of the Faculty Handbook.
Harassment and Discrimination: Iowa State University strives to maintain our
campus as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students that is free of all
forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex
(including sexual assault), pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental
disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or
status as a U.S. veteran. Any student who has concerns about such behavior should
contact his/her instructor, Student Assistance at 515-294-1020 or email dsosas@iastate.edu, or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at 515-294-7612.
Students with Disabilities: Iowa State University is committed to assuring that
all educational activities are free from discrimination and harassment based on disability
status. All students requesting accommodations are required to meet with staff in
Student Disability Resources (SDR) to establish eligibility. A Student Academic
Accommodation Request (SAAR) form will be provided to eligible students. The
provision of reasonable accommodations in this course will be arranged after timely
delivery of the SAAR form to the instructor. Students are encouraged to deliver
completed SAAR forms as early in the semester as possible.
Student Disability Resources
1076 Student Services Building
Ames, IA 50011-2222
Phone: 515 294-7220
E-mail: disabilityresources@iastate.edu
Website: http://www.dso.iastate.edu/dr/