Note: The video programs are being offered via streaming video technology through this course site. Each study assignment includes the necessary links for accessing the video stream, using either Windows Media™ Player or RealPlayer_®.

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Optional Online Resource

Accompanying the Sayer textbook is an interactive publisher's Web site that offers learning resources to help you in your studies:

A World of Art Companion Website

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COURSE STRUCTURE

A World of Art is a 3-credit, online course consisting of six (6) assignment modules. Each module is built around two or more chapters in the textbook. Five of the six modules also have a viewing assignment. You are required to complete six (6) written assignments, participate in online discussions, take a proctored midterm examination, and complete a final project in the form of a term paper.

For the course's assignment modules (study assignments, online discussions, and written assignments), go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site.

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ONLINE PARTICIPATION

A World of Art has three (3) graded online discussions, each focusing on a different subject. There is also an ungraded but required discussion in Module 1 titled "Introductions." All class discussions take place on the class Discussion Board.

Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.

For additional information on online discussions, see Online Discussions in the Online Student Handbook.

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WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

A World of Art has six (6) written assignments, one per module.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site, and read through the written assignment questions before you begin each lesson. Your answers to the assignment questions should be well developed and convey your understanding of the course materials. Formulate responses in your own words (do not merely copy answers from your reading materials), citing text materials where appropriate and in an appropriate manner.

Please note that Written Assignments 4 and 5 have two distinct parts to them. Besides answering the essay questions asked in each assignment, you are required to make preliminary submissions concerning your final project term paper. You can get specific information about these submissions in the appropriate written assignment as well as in the Final Project area of the course Web site.

Prepare your written assignments using whatever word processing program you have on your computer. Include your name at the top of the paper, as well as the course name and code and the semester and year in which you are enrolled.

Before submitting your first assignment, check with your mentor to determine whether your word processing software is compatible with your mentor's software. If so, you can submit your work as you prepared it. If not, save your assignment as a rich-text (.rtf) file, using the Save As command of your software program. Rich text retains basic formatting and can be read by any other word processing program.

When satisfied that your assignment represents your best work, submit it to your mentor by means of the

>>View/Complete Assignment

link provided at the bottom of the respective assignment page. Use the Browse button within this link to locate and submit your assignment file.

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MIDTERM EXAMINATION

You are required to take a proctored midterm examination. Consult the course Calendar for the scheduling of this exam.

The midterm exam is a closed-book, proctored exam. It consists of matching and/or multiple choice questions, as well as essay questions. It covers all material assigned in modules 1, 2, and 3 of the course and is two hours in duration. You will not be allowed to have any material with you.

You may take the examination only during the designated midterm exam period, by choosing one of the following two options:

• Online Proctor Option: If you have a webcam with a microphone and a reliable, high-speed Internet connection, you can take the exam online in the convenience of your home. During the first week of the semester, you will select an appointment through the ProctorU scheduling system. Then, on your selected day and time, you will be monitored by a remote proctor who will communicate with you via your video and audio connection. For further information on scheduling and taking an online proctored examination, see the Midterm Examination area of the course Web site.
  
  
• Pen-and-Paper Option: You may choose your own proctor or take the exam at Thomas Edison State College during midterm exam week. You should schedule your exam and submit your "Proctor Request Form" no later than the end of the first week of the semester (see Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site). For more information on scheduling a pen-and-paper proctored examination, see the Online Student Handbook in General Information.

If you are on a course extension and have not yet taken the midterm exam, you must let your examination proctor know when you plan to take the exam and contact the Office of Test Administration (609-984-1181) two weeks in advance to request that your exam be sent to the proctor.

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FINAL PROJECT

You are required to produce a final project in the form of a term paper that is due at the end of the semester. The final project will be worth 20 percent of your final grade for the course.

The term paper that you must produce involves comparing and contrasting either two artists, two art periods, two works of art, or two painting mediums.

Please note that in addition to submitting the final project term paper, you must make two preliminary submissions containing information about your project. For specific information about these two preliminary steps, see the Final Project area of the course Web site. This area of the Web site will also provide details about the final paper.

For details regarding the due date see the course Calendar. For information about grading and expectations for your final project, see the Course Documents area of the course Web site.

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GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Letter grades for online participation, written assignments, examinations, and projects are based on the following numerical grades:

Note: To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of D or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, projects, papers, etc.). You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted.

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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

1. Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.



2. Take the time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, how to schedule exams and arrange for proctors, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State College.



3. Arrange to take your midterm examination by following the instructions in the Online Student Handbook and in this document. Then complete the "Proctor Request Form" and submit it to the Office of Test Administration (OTA) before the end of the first week of the current semester. (See Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site.)



4. Familiarize yourself with the Blackboard environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.



5. If you are not familiar with Web-based learning, or specifically with the Blackboard platform, be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.