UoPeople Online Syllabus Repository (OSR)
Health Science
HS 2212 Infectious Diseases
HS 2212: Infectious Diseases
Credits: # 3
Prerequisites: BIOL 1122
Recommended:
Course Description:
This course provides an overview of the process by which disease is transmitted. Topics to be covered include the microbiology of viruses, bacteria and other infectious agents; host-parasite relations and coevolution; vectors of transmission; and social network models of transmission. These concepts are applied to real world case studies where students learn how to prevent the spread of disease, handle highly infectious patients, and deal with the social ramifications of interventions such as quarantines.
Required Textbook and Materials: UoPeople courses use open educational resources (OER) and other materials specifically donated to the University with free permissions for educational use. Therefore, students are not required to purchase any textbooks or sign up for any websites that have a cost associated with them. The main required textbooks for this course are listed below, and can be readily accessed using the provided links. There may be additional required/recommended readings, supplemental materials, or other resources and websites necessary for lessons; these will be provided for you in the course's General Information and Forums area, and throughout the term via the weekly course Unit areas and the Learning Guides.
- This course does not contain a main textbook; resources to all required reading will be provided in the course Learning Guide for each week.
Software Requirements/Installation: No special requirements.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes:
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Give examples of infectious diseases and their routes of transmission.
- Relate the principles of immunity to the resistance, treatment, and prevention of disease.
- Describe the consequences of various pathogens for the individual infected or the community.
- Apply knowledge of disease characteristics to recommend actions in various scenarios.
- Demonstrate appropriate research, writing, and citation skills.
Course Schedule and Topics: This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.
Week 1: Unit 1 - Infectious Disease: Past and Present
Week 2: Unit 2 - Immunity, Disease Prevention, and Challenges
Week 3: Unit 3 - Infections Spread Through the Air
Week 4: Unit 4 - Infections Transmitted via Skin, Mucous Membranes, or Fomites
Week 5: Unit 5 - Infections Acquired via Body Fluids, Tissue, or Blood
Week 6: Unit 6 - Infections Spread via Sexual Contact
Week 7: Unit 7 - Infections Due to Contact with Animals, Insects, Water, or Soil
Week 8: Unit 8 - Infections Caused by Ingestion of Food, Water, or Fecal Material
Week 9: Unit 9 - Course Review and Final Exam
Learning Guide: The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.
Unit 1: Infectious Disease: Past and Present
- Read the Infectious Diseases course syllabus
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 1 Reading Assignment
- Complete and submit Unit 1 Written Assignment
- Take and submit Unit 1 Self-Quiz
- Complete an entry in your Learning Journal
Reading Assignment
The following resources are to be used as the primary reference materials for this unit.
History and Overview of Infectious Disease
Your Health: The Science Inside, Pages 5 - 21
http://ehrweb01.aaas.org/science-inside/files/2012/03/YourHealth.pdf
Understanding Microbes in Sickness and in Health, Pages 1-21
https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/747/understandingmicrobes,insicknessandinhealth.pdf?sequence=1
What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease, Chapter II, Disease Threats
http://www.nap.edu/read/13006/chapter/4
Infections and infectious diseases, The prevention and control of infection, Pages 1-25
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/102316/e79822.pdf
Surveillance and Social Networks
Networks and the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3062985/
Public health surveillance: historical origins, methods and evaluation
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2486528/pdf/bullwho00413-0101.pdf
World Health Organization, 1994
Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics
1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/12/1/pdfs/05-0979.pdf
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response, Pages 13-29
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44123/1/9789241547680_eng.pdf
Plague, Pages 1-56
http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1372/pdf/C1372_Plague.pdf
Haiti Cholera Training Manual: A Full Course for Healthcare Providers, Pages 4-25
https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/pdf/haiticholera_trainingmanual_en.pdf
Unit 2: Immunity, Disease Prevention, and Challenges
- Peer-assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 2 Reading Assignment
- Complete Unit 2 Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
- Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
- Complete and submit Unit 2 Written Assignment
- Take and submit Unit 2 Self-Quiz
Reading Assignment
The following resources are to be used as the primary reference materials for this unit.
Host-Parasite Relationship
Evolving together: the biology of symbiosis, part 2, Pages 381-384
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1312238/
Human and Helicobacter pylori coevolution shapes the risk of gastric disease
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3910595/
Disease Prevention and Treatment
What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease, Chapter IV, Prevention and Treatment
http://www.nap.edu/read/13006/chapter/6
Understanding Microbes in Sickness and in Health, Pages 23-34
https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/747/understandingmicrobes,insicknessandinhealth.pdf?sequence=1
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Achievements in Public Health, 1900–1999, Control of Infectious Diseases
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4829a1.htm
Frequently Asked Questions About Isolation And Quarantine, Pages 1-6
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/reporting/iq-faq.pdf
Public Health Versus Personal Liberty – The Uneasy Case for Individual Detention, Isolation and Quarantine
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1952707 (Click button to open full PDF)
Immunity and Vaccines
Immunisation against infectious disease, Immunity and how vaccines work, Pages 1-5
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/144249/Green-Book-Chapter-1.pdf
Immunisation against infectious disease, Immunisation procedures, pages 25-29
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/147915/Green-Book-Chapter-4.pdf
Infectious Disease Challenges
What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease, Chapter III, Global Challenges
http://www.nap.edu/read/13006/chapter/5
Disease Emergence and Resurgence: The Wildlife-Human Connection, Chapter 6: Biowarfare, Bioterrorism, and Animal Diseases as Bioweapons, Pages 233-265
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/disease_emergence/Chapter6.pdf
How Antibiotic Resistance Happens
http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/pdf/2-2013-508.pdf
Antimicrobial Resistance: Global Report on Surveillance, Section 02, Pages 9-30
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/112642/1/9789241564748_eng.pdf
Unit 3: Infections Spread Through the Air
- Peer-assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 3 Reading Assignment
- Complete Unit 3 Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
- Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
- Take and submit Unit 3 Self-Quiz
- Take and submit Units 1-3 Graded Quiz
- Complete an entry in your Learning Journal
Reading Assignment
The following resources are to be used as the primary reference materials for this unit.
Practical Guidelines for Infection Control in Health Care Facilities, Additional (transmission-based) Precautions, Pages 15-17
http://www.wpro.who.int/publications/docs/practical_guidelines_infection_control.pdf
Aerosol Transmission
Measles (Rubeola)
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 13, Measles, Pages 209-227
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/meas.pdf
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis, a Measles Complication, in an Internationally Adopted Child
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2640885/pdf/10905971.pdf
Tuberculosis (TB)
Core Curriculum on Tuberculosis: What the Clinician Should Know, Chapter 2, Transmission and Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis, Pages 21-42
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/education/corecurr/pdf/chapter2.pdf
Varicella (Chickenpox / Shingles)
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 22, Varicella, Pages 353-374
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/varicella.pdf
Smallpox
Smallpox: Clinical and Epidemiologic Features
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/5/4/pdfs/99-0415.pdf
Droplet Spread
Influenza
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 12, Influenza, Pages 187-206
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/flu.pdf
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 16, Pertussis, Pages 261-276
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/pert.pdf
Diphtheria
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 7, Diphtheria, Pages 107-117
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/dip.pdf
Haemophilus influenzae Type B disease (HiB)
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 8, Haemophilus influenzae type B, Pages 119-132
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/hib.pdf
Meningococcal Disease
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 14, Meningoococcal Disease, Pages 231-244
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/mening.pdf
Pneumococcal Disease
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 17, Pneumococcal Disease, Pages 279-294
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/pneumo.pdf
Unit 4: Infections Transmitted via Skin, Mucous Membranes, or Fomites
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 4 Reading Assignment
- Complete and submit Unit 4 Written Assignment
- Take and submit Unit 4 Self-Quiz
- Complete an entry in your Learning Journal
Reading Assignment
The following resources are to be used as the primary reference materials for this unit.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis ("Pink Eye") Fact Sheet
http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/IDEHASharedDocuments/conjunctivitis.pdf
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2008
Impetigo
Impetigo Fact Sheet
http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/IDEHASharedDocuments/impetigo.pdf
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/910570-overview#showall
Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice)
Ringworm
Ringworm (Tinea) Fact Sheet
http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/IDEHASharedDocuments/Ringworm.pdf
Staphylococcus Aureus Skin Infections Including MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/methicillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-mrsa/
Scabies
Scabies
http://health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/Scabies.pdf
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/assets/HFMD_Flyer.pdf
Thrush
Oral candidiasis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1742467/pdf/v078p00455.pdf
Cold Sores
Treatment and prevention of herpes labialis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2602638/pdf/0541683.pdf
Athlete’s Foot
Dermatology for the practicing allergist: Tinea pedis and its complications
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC419368/
Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Management
http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?mb08035
Unit 5: Infections Acquired via Body Fluids, Tissue, or Blood
- Peer-assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 5 Reading Assignment
- Complete Unit 5 Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
- Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
- Complete and submit Unit 5 Written Assignment
- Take and submit Unit 5 Self-Quiz
Reading Assignment
The following resources are to be used as the primary reference materials for this unit.
HIV/AIDS
Global HIV/AIDS Timeline
http://kff.org/hivaids/timeline/global-hivaids-timeline/
HIV/AIDS
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/
Stages of HIV Infection
https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/hiv-in-your-body/stages-of-hiv/
More on How HIV Causes AIDS
https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/news/73/how-hiv-causes-aids
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 10, Hepatitis B, Pages 149-172
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/hepb.pdf
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Hepatitis C
http://www.health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files//Fact%20sheets/Hepatitis%20C.pdf
Ebola
Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease)
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/ebola-factsheet.pdf
Contamination of Blood, Blood Products, Organs, or Tissue
Blood Safety
http://www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/bbp/diseases_organisms.html
Infectious Disease Transmission during Organ and Tissue Transplantation
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/18/8/12-0277_article
How we treat cytomegalovirus in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2700312/
Epstein-Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in solid organ transplant recipients
http://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(14)60505-X/pdf
Vertical Transmission
Parvovirus B19 during pregnancy: a review
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279187/pdf/prenatal-04-0063.pdf
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) and Pregnancy
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/documents/lcmvqa.pdf
Unit 6: Infections Spread via Sexual Contact
- Peer-assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 6 Reading Assignment
- Complete Unit 6 Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
- Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
- Take and submit Unit 6 Self-Quiz
- Take and submit Units 4-6 Graded Quiz
- Complete an entry in your Learning Journal
Reading Assignment
The following resources are to be used as the primary reference materials for this unit.
Intro to Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015, Pages 2-9
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6403.pdf
Challenges to the management of curable sexually transmitted infections
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/15/337
The Role of STD Prevention and Treatment in HIV Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/stds-and-hiv-fact-sheet-press.pdf
STDs during Pregnancy
https://www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/stdfact-pregnancy.htm
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea
https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm
Genital Herpes
Genital Herpes
https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial Vaginosis
https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 11, Human Papillomavirus, Pages 175-184
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/hpv.pdf
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination at a Time of Changing Sexual Behavior
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/1/pdfs/15-0791.pdf
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Oropharyngeal Cancer
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/basic_info/hpv_oropharyngeal.htm
Chlamydia
Chlamydia
https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
Syphilis
Syphilis Clinical Management
http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/Syphilis_Clinical_Mgnt.pdf
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis
https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm
Trichomonas vaginalis: a review of epidemiologic, clinical and treatment issues
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/15/307
Unit 7: Infections Due to Contact with Animals, Insects, Water, or Soil
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 7 Reading Assignment
- Complete Unit 7 Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
- Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
- Complete and submit Unit 7 Written Assignment
- Take and submit Unit 7 Self-Quiz
Reading Assignment
Disease Emergence and Resurgence: The Wildlife-Human Connection, Chapter 1: Why This Book?, Pages 5-16
Disease Emergence and Resurgence: The Wildlife-Human Connection, Chapter 1.pdf
Infections Due to Contact with Animals
Anthrax
Anthrax
https://www.health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-09/Anthrax%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Rabies
Immunisation against infectious disease, Chapter 27, Rabies, Pages 329-344
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85762/Green-Book-Chapter-27-v3_0.pdf
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis
http://www.who.int/zoonoses/diseases/Leptospirosissurveillance.pdf
Hantavirus
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps/index.html
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-mers/
Brucellosis
Psittacosis
Psittacosis
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/zoonoses/psittacosis/
Infections Due to Contact with Insects
Leishmaniasis
Visceral leishmaniasis: what are the needs for diagnosis, treatment and control?
http://www.who.int/leishmaniasis/resources/documents/VL_NMR_1107_ok.pdf
West Nile Virus (WNV)
West Nile Virus (WNV)
https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/resources/pdfs/wnvFactsheet_508.pdf
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/lyme/lyme.pdf
Malaria
Malaria
https://www.health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-10/Malaria.pdf
Zika Virus
Zika virus infection
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/ohp-zika.htm
Infections Due to Contact with Water
Legionellosis
Legionella and the prevention of legionellosis, Pages 1-27
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/emerging/legionella.pdf
Infections Due to Contact with Soil
Tetanus
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 21, Tetanus, Pages 341-350
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/tetanus.pdf
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-109/pdfs/2005-109fs.pdf
Unit 8: Infections Caused by Ingestion of Food, Water, or Fecal Material
- Peer-assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
- Read through the Learning Guide and Unit 8 Reading Assignment
- Take and submit Unit 8 Self-Quiz
- Complete an entry in your Learning Journal
Reading Assignment
Introduction to Water and Food Safety
Emerging Issues in Water and Infectious Disease
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/emerging/emerging.pdf
Food Safety Tips
http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/envhealth/foodsafety.pdf
Hepatitis A
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 9, Hepatitis A, Pages 135-147
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/hepa.pdf
Typhoid
Typhoid Fever
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/typhoid/en/
Poliomyelitis
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 18, Poliomyelitis, Pages 297-309
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/polio.pdf
Rotavirus
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Chapter 19, Rotavirus, Pages 311-322
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/rota.pdf
Enterotoxogenic Escherichia coli
Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) & Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS)
Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) & Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS).pdf
Shigella
Shigellosis
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/shigellosis/
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidiosis
http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis and Drinking Water
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/cryptosporidiosis-and-drinking-water/
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis Fact Sheet
http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/IDEHASharedDocuments/toxoplasmosis.pdf
Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacteriosis
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Campylobacteriosis.aspx
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (“red tide”)
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/RecreationalShellfish/Illnesses/Biotoxins/ParalyticShellfishPoison
Vibrio
Vibriosis (Non-cholera) Fact Sheet
http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/IDEHASharedDocuments/vibrio-non-cholera.pdf
Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam
- Review the course and take the Review Quiz; it will not be included in the final grade
- Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
- The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor
Course Requirements:
Written Assignments
Some units in this course require that you complete a Written Assignment. You are required to submit your assignments by the indicated deadlines and in addition, to peer-assess three of your classmates’ assignments according to provided instructions. During this peer-assessment, you are expected to provide details in the feedback section of the assignment’s Specimen Assessment Form, indicating why you awarded the grade that you did to your peer. Failure to submit assignments and/or peer-assessments may result in failure of the course.
Discussion Assignments
Some units in this course require that you complete a Discussion Assignment. You are required to develop and post a substantive response to the Discussion Assignment in the Discussion Forum. A substantive response is one that fully answers the question that has been posed by the instructor.
In addition, you must extend the discussion by responding to at least three of your peers’ postings in the Discussion Forum.
Discussion Forums are only active for each current and relevant learning week, so it is not possible to contribute to the forum once the learning week has come to an end. Failure to participate in the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum as required may result in failure of the course.
Learning Journals
The Learning Journal is a tool for self-reflection on the learning process. In addition to completing directed tasks and assignments, you should use the Learning Journal to document your activities, record problems you may have encountered, and draft answers for Discussion/Written Assignments. The Learning Journal should be updated on a weekly basis, because they will be assessed by your instructor as part of your final grade.
Quizzes
This course will contain three types of quizzes – the Self-Quiz, the Graded Quiz, and the Review Quiz. These quizzes may contain multiple choice, true/false, or short answer questions.
The results of the Self-Quiz and the Review Quiz will not count towards your final grade. However, it is highly recommended that you complete the Self-Quiz each week to ensure that you have adequately understood the course materials. Along with the Reading Assignments, the results of the Self-Quiz should be used as part of an iterative learning process, to thoroughly cover and test your understanding of course material. You should use the results of your Self-Quiz each week as a guide to go back and review relevant sections of the Reading Assignments again. Likewise, the Review Quiz should be used to assist you in a comprehensive review and full understanding of all course material, in preparation for your Final Exam.
The results of the Graded Quiz will count towards your final grade. Specific instructions on the format and content of the Graded Quiz will be provided by your instructor.
Final Exam
The Final Exam will take place following the completion of eight units of work. The format of the Final Exam is similar to that of the quizzes, and may contain a combination of different question types. The exam is a maximum of one hour in duration and is graded electronically. Specific instructions on how to prepare for and take the exam will be provided during Week/Unit 9.
Course Forum
The Course Forum is the place to raise issues and questions relating to the course. It is regularly monitored by the instructors, and is a good place to meet fellow students taking the same course. While it is not required to participate in the Course Forum, it is highly recommended.
Course Policies:
Grading Components and Weights
Each graded component of the course will contribute some percentage to the final grading scale, as indicated here:
Learning Journals | 10% |
Two Graded Quizzes (2 @10%) | 20% |
Discussion Assignments Written Assignments |
20% 25% |
Final Exam | 25% |
TOTAL | 100% |
Grading Scale
This course will follow the standard 100-point grading scale defined by the University of the People, as indicated here:
Letter Grade |
Grade Scale | Grade Points |
A+ | 98-100 | 4.00 |
A | 93-97 | 4.00 |
A- | 90-92 | 3.67 |
B+ | 88-89 | 3.33 |
B | 83-87 | 3.00 |
B- | 80-82 | 2.67 |
C+ | 78-79 | 2.33 |
C | 73-77 | 2.00 |
C- | 70-72 | 1.67 |
D+ | 68-69 | 1.33 |
D | 63-67 | 1.00 |
D- | 60-62 | 0.67 |
F | Under 60 | 0.00 |
Grade Appeal
If you believe that the final grade you received for a course is erroneous, unjust, or unfair, please contact your course instructor. This must be done within seven days of the posted final grade. For more information on this topic, please review the Grade Appeal Procedure in the University Catalog.
Participation
Non-participation is characterized by lack of any assignment submissions, inadequate contributions to the Discussion Forums, and/or lack of peer feedback to Discussion/Written Assignments. Also, please note the following important points about course participation:
- Assignments must be submitted on or before the specified deadline. A course timeline is provided in the course schedule, and the instructor will specify deadlines for each assignment.
- Any student showing non-participation for two weeks (consecutive or non-consecutive) is likely to automatically fail the course.
- Occasionally there may be a legitimate reason for submitting an assignment late. Most of the time, late assignments will not be accepted and there will be no make-up assignments.
- All students are obligated to inform their instructor in advance of any known absences which may result in their non-participation.
Academic Honesty and Integrity
If and when you submit any work that requires research and writing, it is essential to cite and reference all source material. Failure to properly acknowledge your sources is known as “plagiarism” – which is effectively passing off an individual’s words or ideas as your own. University of the People adheres to a strict policy of academic honesty and integrity. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in sanctions by the University, including dismissal from the University or course failure. For more information on this topic, please review the Academic Integrity Policy in the University Catalog.
Any materials cited in this course should be referenced using the style guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA format is widely used in colleges and universities across the world and is one of several style and citation formats required for publication in professional and academic journals. Purdue University’s Online Writing LAB (OWL) is a free website that provides excellent information and resources for understanding and using the APA format and style. The OWL website can be accessed here: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
Code of Conduct
University of the People expects that students conduct themselves in a respectful, collaborative, and honest manner at all times. Harassment, threatening behavior, or deliberate embarrassment of others will not be permitted.
Any conduct that interferes with the quality of the educational experience is not allowed and may result in disciplinary action, such as course failure, probation, suspension, or dismissal. For more information on this topic, please review the Code of Conduct Policy in the University Catalog.