ASU Class Notes: Blackboard, Syllabus, Policies, and Course Structure

Blackboard and Grades

  • Blackboard is the central place for course materials, group work, and especially grades. In this class, the instructor tries to put all grades there so students can track progress at any time. Visuals may vary by class or instructor, but the core idea is consistent: grade visibility and transparency.
  • The most important concept is how grades are determined (the weighting of different components).
    • Professors set, at the start of the semester, how much each component is worth (e.g., tests, homework, participation). These weights are typically expressed as points or percentages.
    • Real-world implication: if homework is 50% of the grade vs 20%, your effort and strategy should change accordingly.
  • Concourse software is mentioned as a tool that helps students see grades consistently across tasks.
  • The syllabus is described as a contract for the class: major changes to the grading scheme are not allowed after the term starts, though minor adjustments can be made if there are unusual events (e.g., two weeks missed).
  • In short: What’s on the syllabus generally stays the same; changes should be only minor and justified.

Syllabus: Contract, Changes, and Purpose

  • The syllabus describes the course in detail and acts as a contract between instructor and students.
  • Change policy: major changes to grading or course structure are not allowed; minor adjustments may be made for exceptional circumstances.
  • The top of the syllabus includes a description of email response expectations (this class emphasizes timely communication).

Email and Communication Policy

  • ASU culture emphasizes rapid email responses from faculty; the expectation is to respond within 24 hours.
  • If there’s no response within a reasonable window (the speaker cites 24–48 hours as a concern), students should take appropriate steps to escalate or follow up (the transcript references campus logistics and building navigation to illustrate campus structure).
  • The instructor uses ASU email for communication to avoid spam warnings that come with external addresses.

Office Hours and Access to Faculty

  • Office hours are listed as Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:00–12:00 (two hours before the class in this description).
  • If those times don’t work for a student, emailing the instructor to arrange a meeting is encouraged.
  • The instructor notes they are often available in the office because they’re on a grant and teach two actual classes; they’re in the office regularly when they’re on campus.
  • Office hours are for student interaction: you don’t need a specific question—questions, concerns about grades, or casual discussions are appropriate.
  • “Student hours” (the term sometimes used in syllabi) emphasize that professors are available to support students; visiting during office hours should not be treated as a bother.

Using Your ASU Email and Course Identification

  • Using the ASU email address helps avoid external warnings about external content.
  • When communicating, include what course you’re in to help the instructor identify the context quickly.

Course Structure and Textbook for this Class

  • This particular class has no tests or quizzes; the grade is based on two components:
    • Attendance/participation (showing up, paying attention, contributing)
    • Turning in assignments
  • Textbook: OpenStax College Success (by the same organization behind other free, open textbooks).
    • OpenStax is highlighted as a reputable source of free online textbooks; the instructor uses it as a reference and follows its outcomes and learning objectives.
    • Students are not required to rely solely on the textbook, but it’s a good resource for further study.
  • The textbook’s outcomes and learning objectives are present on every syllabus for accreditation purposes, but may not be critical for day-to-day student actions.
  • The focus for students is on class activities and assignments, not on exhausting all textbook sections.

Grade Components and Points Allocation

  • Assignments over the next eight weeks total to 72.572.5 points.
  • AI prompting (the built-in AI tool on Blackboard) accounts for 7.57.5 points.
  • Discussion questions (discussion boards) are required (to practice using discussion boards and to support online class requirements).
  • Attendance accounts for 1515 points.
  • The system automates these blocks in the syllabus so instructors don’t have to copy-paste every time.
  • Note: The stated points add up to a subset of the overall grade; there is also a discussion-questions component with unspecified points in this transcript, so the exact total is not fully enumerated here.

AI Policy and Academic Integrity

  • The artificial intelligence policy has evolved: it used to be that AI usage was discouraged or prohibited, but policy has loosened to allow AI use in some contexts, with professor approval and clear guidelines.
  • The core message: if you plagiarize or cheat, you will go through formal processes (not a light consequence) because college-level integrity matters for fairness and learning outcomes.
  • If a student is detected cheating, the academy relies on formal procedures (academic conduct board) rather than informal dismissal.
  • The institutional stance emphasizes fairness: accommodations and supports should be applied consistently to all students, not on an ad-hoc basis.

Academic Conduct and Integrity Procedures

  • Appeals for grades: there is a formal appeal process where a student can present evidence; the professor can present their own evidence; it’s a structured process, described in the student handbook.
  • If academic misconduct is suspected (e.g., plagiarism, cheating), it’s handled through the Academic Conduct Board; the outcome can range from meetings to sanctions, depending on the case.
  • The campus emphasizes confidential support and guidance; students can discuss concerns without immediately escalating to drastic actions unless necessary.

Disability Services and Accommodations

  • If a student needs extra time on tests or other accommodations, they must go through the Student Disability Services (SDS) office.
  • Accommodations (e.g., time and a half on tests, preferential seating, ability to record classes) require formal approval; instructors cannot grant these unilaterally due to fairness to all students.
  • If accommodations are approved late or if a student misses coursework due to a disability or illness, an incomplete grade may be considered, with arrangements to complete the work later (such as taking the final exam).
  • If a student experiences hospitalization or significant illness, they should inform the instructor; communication is encouraged so accommodations can be arranged.

Attendance, Incompletes, and Time Off

  • If you’re hospitalized or otherwise unable to complete coursework, inform the instructor; do not disappear without communication.
  • In some cases, an incomplete grade can be granted to allow time to complete work after recovery; this is a standard accommodation pathway when circumstances prevent timely completion.

CARE/Reporting and Student Support Systems

  • The institution uses confidential reporting tools (e.g., CARE reports) to address student welfare concerns, including mental health, housing, or food insecurity.
  • Anyone can submit a CARE report if they’re worried about a student; reports are confidential and do not reveal the reporter’s identity.
  • The system exists to connect students with support services and ensure safety and well-being on campus.

Scholarships, Majors, Minors, and Electives

  • Electives are described as optional classes.
  • A bachelor’s degree requires 120 semester hours. When a major is designed, students complete required courses, and electives fill in the rest to meet the total hours.
  • Once a student reaches the required hours, remaining courses can be chosen to align with interests (e.g., sports finance as a minor or elective track).
  • Majors can lead to high-paying jobs; minors can tailor a field of study and may not carry the same weight as a major, but they add specialization.
  • Minors are harder to locate in some catalogs; they are often used to complement a major (e.g., finance major plus a sports-related minor).
  • There can be elective planning and curricular planning to ensure a four-year path fits within the 120-hour requirement.

Curricular Approvals and Accreditation Pieces

  • When creating a new major, there’s an accreditation process requiring detailed documentation about requirements and a sample curriculum to show four-year feasibility.
  • Some items may not be required for every program, but the sample curriculum demonstrates the possibility of meeting degree requirements within four years.

Practical Advice and Real-World Relevance

  • Syllabus and grading transparency helps students plan study strategy and manage workload.
  • Understanding the point values and what to prioritize (participation vs assignments vs AI prompts) can shape study habits and workload management.
  • Knowing where to seek help (office hours, SDS, CARE reports) promotes proactive support and reduces risk of falling behind.
  • Awareness of academic integrity rules helps students avoid common pitfalls around AI usage and citation.
  • Planning for accommodations ahead of time (e.g., disability services) is essential for fairness and academic success.

Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

  • Blackboard tracks grades; the syllabus is a contract; major changes are limited to minor adjustments.
  • This class emphasizes attendance/participation and assignments; no tests/quizzes in this specific course.
  • OpenStax College Success is the primary textbook reference; outcomes and objectives are outlined on the syllabus for accreditation.
  • Grade components include assigned points for assignments, AI prompting, discussion boards, and attendance, with some totals explicitly stated as 72.5,7.5,1572.5, 7.5, 15 (plus unspecified discussion question points).
  • AI policy is evolving; use should be discussed with the instructor; honesty and integrity are strictly enforced with formal processes for violations.
  • Disability services provide legitimate accommodations; unauthorized adjustments are not allowed to maintain fairness for all students.
  • If trouble arises (illness, hospitalization), communicate early; incompletes can be used as a last resort to complete work.
  • CARE reports and confidential support systems exist to help students facing personal or academic challenges.
  • Electives and minors help tailor a degree within the 120 semester hours requirement; planning ahead ensures a feasible four-year path.
  • The assignment flow may include guided AI interactions and reflective questions (e.g., seven rounds of dialogue with an AI and a final reflection) as part of a graded activity; details are provided in the course prompt.

Assignment Highlight (Example Prompt Structure)

  • The class includes an AI-based assignment where students engage in at least seven rounds of dialogue with an AI following a given prompt, then answer a reflection question, and submit all work to a virtual whiteboard for instructor review. This is due Friday as a major early-grade checkpoint.