Instructor	Mentor
name:	Tim Sheard	Liz Wahlin
office:	FAB 120-04	FAB 135-01
email:		wahlin@pdx.edu
location:	main lecture Cramer Hall 201	mentor sessions Cramer Hall 245

Please note that the syllabus will be adjusted during the quarter. I reserve the right to change it at any time for any reason. You will see on the WebCT homepage when a change has been made and are expected to check WebCT and the class web-page before every class. Webct: http://www.webct.pdx.edu/. Class web-page: http://www.cs.pdx.edu/~sheard/course/Frinq/

Course Description

Texts for Winter

• Required: Collapse by Jared Diamond. # ISBN-10: 143036556 (cheapest version available, at Amazon it is $11.56, # ISBN-13: 978-0143036555)
• Required: Engineering With LEGO Bricks and ROBOLAB by Eric L. Wang. 2nd ed 2004. ISBN 0-9723567-9-7
• Required: They Say I Say by Graff & Birkenstein. ISBN-13: 978-0-393-92409-1. This is the same book we required last semester. You don't need to buy it if you already have it.

Other Readings and Texts online

• Check the daily record for on-line readings.
• Further materials may also be available on WebCT in the content section.

Course Website

1. WebCT: http://www.webct.pdx.edu/
   This course utilizes WebCT to extend your learning environment beyond the classroom. You will be using WebCT for continuing the discussions beyond the classroom, in creating a digital portfolio, submitting your assignments and accessing additional readings posted by your instructor. All changes to the course syllabus and additional assignments will be posted on the course website. If you have an ODIN account and are registered for the class you will be given a WebCT account. Your name and password are the same as your ODIN account.

2. Class web-page: http://www.cs.pdx.edu/~sheard/course/Frinq/
   The class webpage maintains a "Daily Record" which catalogs every class activity. Activities include lectures, mentor-sessions, reading assignments, writing assignments, projects, etc. These are catalogued by day, both when they are assigned and when they are due. You should check the daily record before every class. Hopefully the material here will be the same as the material on WebCT, except here it is organized by day, not by type of activity.

Things needed

• PSU Odin account and registration in the course. These will give you WebCT access, which is also required. If you don't have an account you must get one immediately. You can do so online at: https://www.account.pdx.edu/ After following those three steps you will need to verify your identity at the help desk in the basement of Smith.
• Access to a computer with internet capability.
• Backup Storage. At least one 100 Mb Zip disk or CD-ROMS to store your assignments and portfolio. Please make sure to back up and save ALL work for the entire year.
• Lego Robot Materials: Students will work in groups of 3 or 4 to design and build Lego Robots. Detailed lists will be posted on daily record.
• A pack of 3" by 5" index cards. You will use these for reading assignments, and for other class and mentor session activities.

Mentor Sessions

Term Portfolio

University Studies Goals

• Inquiry and Critical Thinking
  Students will learn various modes of inquiry through interdisciplinary curricula problem-posing, investigating, conceptualizing in order to become active, self-motivated, and empowered learners.
• Communication
  Students will enhance their capacity to communicate in various ways -- writing, graphics, numeracy, and other visual and oral means to collaborate effectively with others in group work, and to be competent in appropriate communication technologies.
• The Variety of Human Experience
  Students will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of the rich complexity of the human experience through the study of differences in ethnic and cultural perspectives, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
• Ethical Issues and Social Responsibility
  Students will expand their understanding of the impact and value of individuals and their choices on society, both intellectually and socially, through group projects and collaboration in learning communities.

Design and Society Learning Goals

• Apply the steps in the design process to create original designs.
• Understand the interdisciplinary nature of the design process.
• Describe how design can improve social and physical systems and explain the societal responsibilities of the designer in areas such as sustainable development and social justice.
• Demonstrate mathematics skills, including application of basic physical laws to contextual problems, testing the functionality of designs, setting and meeting benchmark requirements.
• Analyze a design in terms of the context of the systems in which it operates - human interaction with the design, cultural context, natural harmony, and technical functionality
• Design and solve problems in a team-based culture using effective communication, cooperation, trust and respect. Take advantage of individual thinking styles and cultural diversity to strengthen a team.

Grading and Assignments

• 25% Class participation, including
  1. Attendance (7%)
  2. Reading Comprehension Activities (quizzes, work-sheets, etc) (6%)
  3. Class Preparation activities (reading notes, 1st drafts, products for peer review, etc) (6%)
  4. Class Participation in Discussion and in Mentor Sessions (6%)
• 75% Assignments and Projects including, but not limited to:
  1. Group Presentation (15%)
  2. Team Debate (15%)
  3. Term Paper (15%)
  4. Robot Project(15%)
  5. Mini Portfolio (15%)

Work not turned in, unacceptable work or an absence from class when the work was done receives no credit. In addition if more than five classes (main and/or mentor) are missed the quarter grade will be reduced by one full letter grade. You will be marked absent for the day if you miss more than ten minutes of class. You will receive a failing grade if you miss a total of 10 instructor lead classes or mentor sessions or a combination thereof, despite your grades on work completed.

Readiness to learn means that you will come to class with questions and insights to offer to others and be prepared to discuss the assigned reading. We will be learning from each other and your voice is important. Your participation grade will include attendance, participation in class discussions, participation in online discussions, and group work in class on smaller design problems and case studies.

Student Conduct/Plagiarism:

All forms of academic dishonesty, cheating, and fraud, including but not limited to: (a) plagiarism, (b) the buying and selling of course assignments and research papers, (c) performing academic assignments (including tests and examinations) for other persons, (d) unauthorized disclosure and receipt of academic information and (e) falsification of research data.

Source: Office of Student Affairs at Portland State University, Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility. A copy of the full code can be found at http://www.pdx.edu/media/c/o/CodeofConduct.doc. A copy can be obtained from The Office of Student Affairs at Smith Memorial Center Room 433. The Writing Center at Portland State University has prepared PLAGARISM: A Guide for Students to assist students in understanding plagiarism and developing strategies on avoiding it. A copy of this guide is available from Writing Center located in Cramer Hall 188F. Please read it carefully. Or see http://www.writingcenter.pdx.edu/ or http://www.lib.pdx.edu/instruction/survivalguide/index.htm Scholarly work resulting from plagiarism or cheating will receive no credit and all expectations of student conduct code will be strictly enforced in class.

Disability Resources

Writing Resources

Writing for International Students or Non-Native English Speakers - Classes are available for students with language and/or cultural issues, and need major help with writing. The classes are LING 115, Writing for Non-Native Residents, from the Linguistics Department, or WR 121, College Writing for International Students, from the English Department. The linguistics course emphasizes language and cultural skills and the English course emphasizes the writing process. For additional advice in the Linguistics Department contact Ruth Chapin (725-4147) or Judy Reed (725-8793).

Other: A one-credit supplemental writing course, WR 199, Grammar Refresher, is offered by the English Department for students with more serious writing needs and can be taken concurrently with FRINQ. WR 115, Introduction to College Writing, is for students feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of college-level writing. The English Department also has a number of course offerings dealing with writing research papers and within the disciplines for more advanced writers. For additional advice in the English Department contact Hildy Miller (725-3563).

Back to the class web-page.