St. Louis Community College At Florissant Valley

Course Syllabus

IDS 101 503 The Truth Behind the Numbers (3 Credit Hours)

Fall 2008 Semester

8:00 –9:15 TTh

Room B213

Instructor: Chris McDonald

Office: SM 270

Phone: 513-4170

E-Mail: cmcdonald@stlcc.edu

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

Office Hours:

Monday 9:00 – 10:00

Tuesday 9:15 – 10:00, 11:00 – 1:45

Wednesday 9:00 – 10:00, 11:00 – 1:45

Thursday 9:15 – 10:00

Friday 9:00 – 10:00

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.

Fall 08 Week 1	26 Syllabus	28 Chapter 10
Fall 08 Week 2	2 Project 1	4 Chapter 11
Fall 08 Week 3	9 Project 2	11 Chapter 12
Fall 08 Week 4	16 Project 3	18 Chapter 13
Fall 08 Week 5	23 Project 4	25 Chapter 14
Fall 08 Week 6	30 Project 5	2 Chapter 15
Fall 08 Week 7	7 Review	9 Review
Fall 08 Week 8	14 Mid-Term Exam	16 Project 6
Fall 08 Week 9	21 Service Day	23 Chapter 17
Fall 08 Week 10	28 Project 7	30 Chapter 18
Fall 08 Week 11	4 Project 8	6 Chapter 19
Fall 08 Week 12	11 Project 9	13 Chapter 20
Fall 08 Week 13	18 Project 10	20 Chapter 21
Fall 08 Week 14	25 Project 11	27 Thanksgiving
Fall 08 Week 15	2 Chapter 22	4 Project 12
Fall 08 Week 16	9 Review	11 Review
Fall 08 Finals	16	18

IDS 101 503 Cornerstone

The Truth Behind the Numbers

Fall 2008

ATTENDANCE & SYLLABUS ACCEPTANCE

By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have received the syllabus for this course and attended one class.

Please PRINT your name here.

NAME ____________________________________

Please SIGN your name here.

NAME ____________________________________

EXPECTED CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fall 08 Week 1	26	28
Fall 08 Week 2	2	4
Fall 08 Week 3	9	11
Fall 08 Week 4	16	18
Fall 08 Week 5	23	25
Fall 08 Week 6	30	2
Fall 08 Week 7	7	9
Fall 08 Week 8	14	16
Fall 08 Week 9	21 Service Day	23
Fall 08 Week 10	28	30
Fall 08 Week 11	4	6
Fall 08 Week 12	11	13
Fall 08 Week 13	18	20
Fall 08 Week 14	25	27 Thanksgiving
Fall 08 Week 15	2	4
Fall 08 Week 16	9	11
Fall 08 Finals	16	18

IDS 101 503 The Truth Behind the Numbers

Fall 2008

ATTENDANCE & SYLLABUS ACCEPTANCE

By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have received the syllabus for this course and attended one class.

Please PRINT your name here.

NAME ____________________________________

Please SIGN your name here.

NAME ____________________________________