Norfolk State University
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Syllabus
Fundamentals of Research in Interdisciplinary Studies (INT
360.90)Dr. Andrew T. Arroyo, Ed.D.Summer 2014
BMH C-105Ofc hrs: Email or by appointment
[email protected]
Course Description (Pre-requisites: INT 308, 322):
Exploration of relationships between social theory and the
interdisciplinary process; investigates rationales and appropriate
applications of qualitative and quantitative research methods;
examines techniques for formulating thesis statements and
hypotheses; reviews salient factors for developing valid and
reliable questionnaires, and constructs researchable proposals.
Course Goals and Measureable Intended Student Learning
Outcomes:
By the end of the course, students who actively read, research
and participate will be able to:
1. Given examples of quantitative and qualitative social
research methods, students will be able to accurately distinguish
between the methods and identify the components of each, citing
when each method should be engaged.
2. Given examples of the theoretical principles on which
scientific research is based, students will be able to identify and
prepare via specific techniques for engaging in such research.
3. Given the opportunity to work in groups, students will
demonstrate a positive increased knowledge of interdisciplinary
studies, specifically as it relates to research, inquiry, logic,
reasoning, critical thinking, and scientific methods.
4. Students will be able to prepare a research proposal
demonstrating their acquisition and application of social research
methods, interdisciplinarily.
Course Materials/Required Texts:
Educational Research, 4th edition, by John W. Creswell
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th
edition
Additional readings and/or recordings through Blackboard as
warrantedRelated University-Wide and Course-Specific
Requirements:
This course meets the requirements of the following
competencies: writing, information, technology literacy, oral
communication and critical thinking.
Course Policies/Requirements
Attendance (Participation)/Tardiness PolicyStudents are expected
to attend every class and to be on time. For face-to-face students,
missing more than 20% of classes during the semester will result in
an automatic failure for the course, and excessive tardiness will
result in a serious reduction of the students grade (at the
professors discretion). For online students, missing more than four
discussion boards will result in an automatic failure.
Cell Phone PolicyCell phones should be silenced and put away
during class. No texting is permitted at any time.
Discussion Board Requirements (online courses only) See the
Posting Instructions document located in Blackboard for applicable
discussion board requirements.
Late Work Policy -- Late work is not accepted unless prior
authorization has been given or a doctors note is provided after
the fact. In the event late work is accepted, it is subject to
point deductions at the discretion of the professor, up to 10% per
day. Email Only official NSU email accounts should be used for
course correspondence. Students should check their email a minimum
of three times per week to avoid missing vital course
announcements. Weather PolicyIn case of inclement weather, students
should listen to local major radio and television stations; visit
the NSU website at www.nsu.edu; and/or call the University operator
at 757-823-8600. Students are responsible to be present for class
unless an official closure has been announced. Online courses are
not subject to university closures.
Incomplete PolicyCurrent NSU policy governs incompletes. Please
consult the current policy. Incompletes are given only in very rare
cases. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act
and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if you have
a disability or think you have a disability; contact Supporting
Students through Disability Services (SSDS) for information
regarding programs and services to enhance student success.
Academic Integrity/Plagiarism PolicyPlagiarism is defined as
using other peoples work as your own without crediting them,
including but not limited to: copying others notes, exams, essays,
or information, quoting and paraphrasing others ideas without
giving them credit and proper documentation; using information from
the internet without properly citing source, website address (URL),
author, date, etc. Plagiarism is a form of cheating and will result
in an assignment grade of F and possibly an overall course grade of
F. Any instance of academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated. See
the student handbook for a description of the honor policy and the
consequences for violations.
Use of the World Wide Web for researchFor this and all courses I
teach, the following sources are acceptable: books, magazines,
newspapers, and scholarly journals. No websites are accepted for
research purposes in any paper/project. This includes Wikipedia.
Success PolicyThe best policy for success in any course is
preparation, time management, and constant communication with the
professor. Be proactive instead of reactive. Attending college is a
privilege, not a right. You are accountable for everything that is
in this syllabus, and everything covered in class. The buck stops
with YOU! Grading Scale:100-95 = A (Superior)
94-90 = A-
89-87 = B+ (Very Good)
86-84 = B
83-80 = B-
79-77 = C+ (Average to Adequate)
76-73 = C (INT majors must earn C or better to gain credit
towards graduation.)72-70 = C-
69-67 = D+
66-64 = D
63-60 = D-
59 & below = F
Assignment weights
Attendance/Participation* 20%
4 quizzes**
80% (Given in modules 4, 8, 11, and 16)
*Participation includes following discussion board rules for
online courses and being on time for class, completing weekly
course readings/assignments, and participating in group work and
class assignments for face to face courses.
**Quizzes are online, non-proctored, open book/notes but must be
taken without collaboration, mostly objective, contain between
10-30 questions, and will be timed. Questions will come from
readings and lectures.
ScheduleThe specific readings will be posted in Blackboard each
week. Also, online classes can expect audio recordings at various
points to help make sense of the readings.
