Darton College
Welcome to POLS 1101, American Government
(Marietta Online)
GETTING STARTED
1.
From the Darton College site for distance
learning students, you need to view the
following pages to make sure that your
computer is ready for this course.
Minimum System Requirements for Online Learners
2. Go online to Darton College's website www.darton.edu and select GaView WebCT. Log on using the instructions posted. The system may require you to change to a different password. Follow the screen prompts to do so. If you have previously used WebCT, your prior password remains in effect. If you encounter a problem, call the Web Help desk at 229-317-6923 or 1-800-861-8318.
3. If you have never taken a WebCT course, or are not familiar with the features of WebCT view the WebCT quick reference guides [Logging On] [Browser Settings] [Discussion Forum] [E-mail]
WebCT FEATURES: Within WebCT, the course has several features. Each is identified with an icon and is described below.
COURSE TEXT
The course is divided into 18 units, each of which corresponds to a chapter in the text The American Democracy, Eighth Edition, by Thomas E. Patterson, published by McGraw-Hill, ISBN 978-0-07-310349-5. All material for the course is taken from the text and the Instructor's Supplemental Notes. The Supplemental Notes are accessed through the Course Text icon on the course homepage. Some notes contain graphics; accordingly, the files may be slow to load over a dial-up connection.
The Course Text icon also provides a study guide for the quizzes. A study guide for the Final Exam is released prior to the exam as shown on the course schedule. (See Grading below)
All courses taught at Darton College require a graded written assignment. Instructions for this term paper can be found under the Course Text icon. The term paper is due per the course schedule.
STUDENT SUPPORT
In this area are the Course Syllabus, Course Schedule, and the Instructor's Biography. The syllabus provides information on the conduct of the course. The schedule identifies the course content that is to be accomplished on the specified course dates. The biography provides students with background on the Instructor. Some additional material is also included for general background information on topics of major interest.
COURSE MAIL
This area is used for communications between the students and Instructor or among students. When creating an email, use the Browse feature to address the message to the correct recipient. The term paper must be submitted via this feature.
DISCUSSIONS
This area is used to address information or notices to all students and to provide a forum for discussion of topics of interest to the course. Students may initiate discussions with this feature. Note that messages sent in this feature are accessible to all students. For private messages, use the Course Mail. this feature is used for all course updates and announcements.
ONLINE QUIZZES
This area is accessed only to take the quizzes during their open timeframe. Each quiz opens (From:) and closes (To:) as shown in the Course Schedule. The quizzes are listed in the order due; not in the order of their chapter number. You are responsible for completing each online quiz by its closing date and time. Each quiz is timed with one minute allowed for each question on the quiz. Questions not answered at the end of the time are scored as wrong answers. You will not have time to look up answers while taking a quiz. Prepare for the quiz by reading the related chapter using the study guide and answer the quiz questions to the best of your ability. Remember, on a multiple choice quiz, your first response is frequently the correct one. Do not change an answer unless you are sure that it is wrong.
Upon completing each quiz, select View Results to see your score for that quiz. To maintain the integrity of the course, you will not see each quiz question and the correct answer.
A Practice quiz is available within the course to acquaint you with the quiz feature of WebCT. The Practice quiz does not count as part of your grade; it is for familiarization only. You may take the Practice quiz multiple times to get comfortable with the quiz mechanics and the timing feature before beginning the chapter quizzes.
This quiz structure is designed to reduce the number of times an online student must come to the campus. This method provides more flexibility for the student than a test at a set date and time. Use it to your advantage.
Note that pop-up blockers interfere with the quizzes. Turn such browser features off before starting your quizzes. If you are experiencing computer problems at home, go to campus and use a computer there to stay on schedule. It is your responsibility to maintain connectivity to WebCT.
MY GRADES
This area provides the student with a chart of their grades.
GRADING
My grading policy is shown in the Course Syllabus. Grade points are acquired by completion of 18 quizzes, a term paper, and a Final Exam. You can check your grades at any time using the My Grades feature of WebCT. A letter grade will not be visible until after final exams are completed. Do not be surprised if your quiz scores are lower than your past experience. I will post information on your progress as a class with each round of quiz closings. I will advise students who are doing poorly to drop the course prior to the term's Drop Date (see Course Schedule).
The Final Exam is also taken online using the WebCT quiz feature. You will not be required to come to campus. Prior to the Final Eaxm, the Instructor will activate the study guide in the Course Text icon to assist you in preparing for the exam. For grade point values of quizzes, the term paper, and the Final Exam, refer to the Course Syllabus.
WHAT DO I DO FIRST?
The first thing you should do is read all the course requirements in the Course Syllabus. View the syllabus once you logon by clicking the Student Support icon on the course homepage and selecting Student Support Files, then selecting Course Syllabus. The syllabus contains: course description and objectives, course text requirements, grading policy and weights, and information on quizzes and exams.
The Student Support Files also contain a Course Schedule for this online course that provides the course assignments with their associated timeframes and the dates for quizzes and exams.
QUESTIONS
Questions should be addressed to the Instructor by email (roger.marietta@darton.edu) or by phone at (229) 317-6808.
