Hi, my name is Wes (or Professor Sims, if you prefer the more formal option).
This letter is a little peek into what the course will look like. If you have more detailed questions, please email me .
Our class will begin in Canvas on Tuesday, January 19 . Please be sure to enter the class on that Tuesday.
Critical Thinking and Education At the end of this semester, we will be reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
At the end of 2020, HBO produced a documentary on the book. Here is a trailer.
VIDEO
10 Things You Should Know:
This class will be on the topic of critically thinking about education.
There are two required books for this course, but we won't be using them until about halfway through the course.
We have no face-to-face meetings, so there are not set meeting times for this course.
This class will only use Zoom for office hours. We won't be using Zoom for classes. If you love Zoom, you probably want to pick another class.
This course is 18 weeks long.
You must participate in this course on an almost every-other-day basis.
You must write over 300 words a week in online forums.
You will have homework assignments and readings due once a week.
You will be dropped if you fail to log in for more than 7 days and/or if your postings-to-forum or postings-to-homework percentage falls below 50%.
I highly recommend that you have a computer, laptop, or tablet for this course; a cellphone is too small and limited to complete the course.
Contact info:
Please contact me at carl_sims@cuesta.edu
don't worry that my email says Carl; it goes to me, Wes
Currently, during Covid-19, I am not at my office on campus or on campus in general.
Response time:
I will respond to your emails within 24 hours or one business day at the very latest . If you do not hear back from me, please write me back because I must have missed your email accidentally.
Availability:
When the fall and spring semesters are in session, I will be available during "business hours" from 8-5 Monday through Friday. Outside of those hours, I am not available. See your current syllabus for the times that I hold my office hours.
Course environment: This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.
Class opens / Accessing Canvas: Prior to classes starting on Tuesday January 19th, you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content. You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/ ) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the canvas log in directly.
If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide Links to an external site. . Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.
If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after January 19, 2021 and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu .
Online learning:
If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings. Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class
IS AN ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU?
First, go to the Online Readiness Resources . to take a "self-assessment”. There are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)
Regular Effective Contact policy:
Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.
College Course Description
Presents an advanced composition course beyond ENGL 201A which emphasizes critical thinking, including reasoning, rhetoric, reading, and information fluency in order to develop argumentative skills for diverse contexts and audiences.
Student Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Write arguments using advanced rhetorical and composition skills.
Demonstrate information fluency.
Textbooks and Materials
Technical Support
Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu . If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.
If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.
Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specifications .
Accommodations:
This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services) . at 805-546-3148 or
College & Course Policies:
Academic Honesty Policy: In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conduct . at:
Add / Drop Policy:
You will be dropped if you fail to log in for more than 7 days and/or if your postings-to-forum or postings-to-homework percentage falls below 50%.
In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops
Waitlist Policy: please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions
icons at the top right corner of the subsection.