AMH 2020 MDC Live — Day 1: Course Setup, Canvas, Textbook, Assignments, FCLE, and Civic Action

Course Overview

  • AMH 2020 MDC LIVE class; large cohort (about 49 students).
  • Day 1 focus: syllabus/course requirements and Canvas navigation.
  • Day 2 focus: start lecture material.
  • Attendance: screenshots used for attendance; signing in via college SSO/Zoom; issues expected on first day.

Canvas Navigation and Communication

  • Access: College Portal → Canvas.
  • Key navigation: Modules link contains all course materials.
  • Contacts: instructor’s college email and Canvas inbox posted; office: 3506-7, Wolfson Campus; office hours to be posted in announcements.
  • Office hours: two formats—in-person and virtual/remote; meetings may occur in Zoom room.

Textbook and Illumine via SharkPak

  • Textbook: Norton Illumine eBook embedded in modules; linked chapters load upon sign-in if SharkPak access is active.
  • SharkPak: a small fee at registration provides digital access; if opted out, you must purchase access separately.
  • Access issues: try Chrome; accept privacy policies; if problems persist, email instructor (college email) to escalate to Norton support.
  • Textbook structure: chapters are integrated throughout modules (not in one single module).

Assignments Overview

  • Discussion boards: two parts required for full credit – your post (prompt-based) and a response to a classmate.
    • Response length: typically two to three sentences; must address material and classmate's points.
    • Due dates: first icebreaker (Meet your classmates) due Friday; content discussions appear in module two with a due date (e.g., Sept 12).
  • Course requirements quiz: checks understanding of syllabus.
  • Calendar and Coming Up: due dates appear on home page under Coming Up and in the Calendar tab; bottom-right of the Canvas home page also shows upcoming tasks.

FCLE (Civic Literacy Exam)

  • FCLE requirement: needed by degree-seeking students in state colleges/universities to graduate.
  • If you plan to transfer to another Florida state college/university, you must meet FCLE requirements.
  • If you have taken and passed FCLE in high school, check degree audit to confirm credit; if not showing, contact for manual updates.
  • All students must complete the FCLE review test (even if already passed); unlimited attempts to maximize score; due around November 14 (flexible).
  • How to check: MDConnect → Academic requirements / Academic progress (degree audit) to verify FCLE credit.
  • If you need to take it, locate the testing and assessment center on your campus; on-campus boot camps are sometimes available to enable immediate testing.
  • Civic action scorecard: FCLE review may count as a civic action; other actions include online activities and campus events.

Midterm & Final Examinations

  • Format: non-proctored; you can use supplied materials; study is still required.
  • Question types: multiple choice, true/false, and matching.
  • Availability: Midterm due around October 24 with a week-long window; Final has a similar multi-day window.
  • Study aids: review materials linked in modules (a Word document with topics and a PowerPoint review).

Term Paper

  • Length: 6 pages; due November 25.
  • Topic: a social issue or movement (examples: civil rights, women’s rights, immigrant rights, reproductive rights).
  • Structure:
    • Part 1: Historical context (3–4 pages; go back at least twenty years).
    • Part 2: Present context (2–3 pages).
    • Part 3: Concluding reflection (what you learned, changed views, call to action).
  • Requirements: minimum of five academic sources.
  • Support: librarian and writing tutor resources; prompts, rubric, and dropbox located in modules.
  • Tips: read prompts carefully; choose a topic you care about for deeper engagement.

Civic Action Scorecard

  • Mandatory component to encourage civic actions; many activities count (online options available).
  • Examples: visiting farmer’s markets, museums, reading a book, calculating carbon footprint, etc.
  • FCLE review test can count as a civic action.
  • Changemaker Hub: submission portal for civic actions; details to be covered in later sessions.

Attendance & Logistics

  • Instructor will take attendance via screenshots on Day 1.
  • Next class date and details will be announced; Friday due dates are flexible if needed.

Support & Contact

  • For textbook access or technical issues: email the instructor (college email posted in syllabus) or use Canvas Inbox.
  • If textbook access problems persist, Norton support can be engaged via the instructor for assistance.
  • Expect follow-ups: if you don’t hear back within a couple of days, please follow up.