St. Louis Community College At Florissant Valley

Course Syllabus

IDS 101 509 The Truth Behind the Numbers (3 Credit Hours)

Spring 2009 Semester

8:00 –9:15 TTh

Room B244

Instructor: Chris McDonald

Office: SM 270

Phone: 513-4170

E-Mail: cmcdonald@stlcc.edu

Web Page: http://users.stlcc.edu/cmcdonald

Office Hours:

Monday 8:30-9:30, 10:35 – 11(SM268), 12:05 – 1:35

Tuesday 7 – 8, 10:35 – 11(SM268), 12:05 – 1:35

Wednesday 8:30-9:30, 10:35 – 11(SM268), 12:05 – 1:35

Thursday 7 – 8, 10:35 – 11(SM268)

Course Description:

Have you ever wondered how to compute the odds in gambling? How did Al Gore lose the election with more votes? Students will address these question and others by gathering, organizing, and analyzing data.

Course Prerequisite:

ENG: 030 or appropriate placement test score

RDG: 030 or appropriate placement test score

Text:

Concepts and Controversies, Moore, David S., 6th Edition.

Course Objectives:

Students will

• Develop an understanding of the goals of general education and be integrated into the academic community
• Develop the ability to read critically
• Use cultural, behavioral and historical knowledge to recognize, clarify and continue to develop a personal
• Recognize the ramifications of their decisions on themselves and others.
• Analyze ethical issues as they arise in a variety of contexts
• Consider multiple perspectives, recognize biases, and deal with ambiguity
• Develop information-seeking strategies to locate and retrieve.

Method of Evaluation:

Projects 60%

Midterm Exam 20%

Final Exam 20 %

Grading Policy:

A superior 90 – 100 %

B above average 80 – 89 %

C average 70 – 79 %

D passing, below average 60 – 69 %

F failure 0 – 59 %

Make-Up Tests:

Students may arrange with the instructor to take a test early. No make-up tests will be given. If a student misses either the mid-term test or the final exam, then that student receives a grade of zero for that exam.

Late Projects

No projects will be accepted after the due date.

Attendance:

Attendance is clearly an essential factor in successfully completing any mathematics class.

Course Withdrawals:

A W will be issued if a student initiates and completes the course withdrawal process prior to the end of the 12^th week of classes.

The ACCESS OFFICE:

Disability Support Services has been designated by the college as the primary office to guide, counsel and assist students with disabilities. If you receive services through the ACCESS OFFICE and require accommodations for this class, make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Bring your Instuctor Notification Memo provided by the ACCESS OFFICE to the appointment. I will hold any infomation you share with me in strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise.

If you have not made contact with the ACCESS OFFICE and have reasonable accommodation needs, (volunteer notetaker, extended time for tests, seating arrangements, etc.), I will be happy to refer you. The ACCESS OFFICE will require appropriate documentation of disability.

If you have a disability and have no need for accommodations, the use of ACCESS OFFICE is voluntary.

EXPECTED CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

1. Be respectful
• If you arrive late, enter quietly and sit in an available seat closest to the door.
• Pay attention, do not engage in conversation or other disruptive behavior during class.
• Do not eat or drink during class
• Turn off your cell phone or pager before class.
• If you must leave early, leave quietly and do not block other students view of the blackboard or overhead screen as you leave.
• Do not wait to sharpen your pencil after class has begun. If you need to sharpen your pencil, arrive early enough to sharpen it before class.
2. Be prepared
• Bring whatever materials are necessary to participate in class.(pencils, pens, paper, calculator, assignments due,etc.)
• Make sure your calculator has charged batteries before an upcoming test.
• Do not ask me for pencils, paper, calculators, or batteries.
3. Be punctual
• Attend class on time.
• Be on time for all examinations.
• Make sure that your other responsibilities do not conflict with the class schedule.
4. Be responsible
• Spend at least two hours on outside work for every one hour of classroom work.
• Take responsibility for your attendance, participation and learning in the course.

IDS 101 Tentative Calendar

Spring 09 Week 1	20 IDS Ch 10	22 IDS Project 1
Spring 09 Week 2	27 IDS Ch 11	29 IDS Project 2
Spring 09 Week 3	3 IDS Ch 12	5 IDS Project 3
Spring 09 Week 4	10 IDS Ch 13	12 IDS Project 4
Spring 09 Week 5	17 IDS Ch 14	19 IDS Project 5
Spring 09 Week 6	24 IDS Ch 15	26 IDS Project 6
Spring 09 Week 7	3 IDS Review	5 IDS Review
Spring 09 Week 8	10 IDS MT Test	12 IDS Ch 17
Spring 09 Break	17	19
Spring 09 Week 9	24 IDS Project 7	26 IDS Ch 18
Spring 09 Week 10	31 IDS Project 8	2 IDS Ch 19
Spring 09 Week 11	7 IDS Project 9	9 IDS Ch 20
Spring 09 Week 12	14 IDS Proj 10	16 IDS Ch 21
Spring 09 Week 13	21 IDS Proj 11	23 IDS Ch 22
Spring 09 Week 14	28 IDS Proj 12	30 IDS Review
Spring 09 Week 15	5 IDS Review	7 IDS FE Test1
Spring 09 Finals Week	12	14

IDS 101 509 Cornerstone

The Truth Behind the Numbers

Fall 2008

ATTENDANCE & SYLLABUS ACCEPTANCE

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