FAQ Sheet for ARH 201

Survey of Western Art I

Read this FAQ Sheet very carefully!

 

1. How is this course taught/delivered?

The course is taught completely online via D2L.

 

2. How do I get to the website?

Go to: http://www.d2l.arizona.edu.  The course website will be available 5-7 days prior to the beginning of the course.

 

3. How do I login?

You must use your UA net id and password.

 

4. When can I get access to the complete course and syllabus?

The complete course website will be available several days before the official start date of the class – check 7-5 days before the first day of class, Tuesday, December 22. However the quizzes and other testing materials will not be available until the first official day of class, December 22.

 

5. Are there any required meetings in a traditional classroom?

No – we never meet in a traditional classroom.

 

6. Are there any required meetings at specified times in a virtual classroom?

No, but if you wish we may meet via the Chat function, and you are encouraged to set up a time via the D2L email function.

 

7. Can I take this course from a location outside of Tucson?

Yes, but you must always keep in mind that all dates and times are Tucson time. This is absolutely your responsibility to keep in mind this time factor.

 

8. What is my TEXTBOOK and where do I get it:

Your required text is: Marilyn Stokstad, Art History: A View of the West, vol. I, third edition.  ISBN number 10: 0131566105

You may buy this at the ASUA bookstore. You must have your textbook in order to do any of the assignments. Get this right away! I will not accept any late work

because you did not order --- and receive--- your textbook to begin assignments!!!

This is entirely your responsibility. If you order the book on-line, pay very careful attention to this! Late mail delivery, or the wrong textbook is your problem, not mine.

In addition to the textbook, the textbook website you will have powerpoint presentations with a voice over that I am calling “Beyond the Text,” as a source of information. You will be tested over this material.

 

9. What kind of assignments will we have?

You will have three types of assignments:

 

1. Chapter Quiz: For each chapter (or half chapters for three long chapters) you will have 25 multiple choice or True False  questions. These 25 questions will also cover material presented in the “Beyond the Text” powerpoint. The syllabus and course schedule will clearly indicate what material you will be responsible for each Chapter Quiz.

2. Chapter Comparison: For each chapter (or half chapters for three long chapters) you will be shown two images that are not in the textbook, but which are comparable and similar to images in the textbook. There are 10 multiple choice, true false questions about the two images.

3. Unit Discussions: At the end of each Unit of material you will be shown three images from the text book and asked to write a 500 word (2 pages) response to some questions associated with the images.

 

10. How will I turn in my work? 

All work is completed on the D2l website.

 

11. Do I have to keep to the weekly assignment schedule?

Yes, each assignment has a limited availability each week. Once the assignment closes, you may not take it.

 

12. Do I need to have access to email and the Internet regularly?

Yes, this is essential – no ifs, ands, or buts! This is your responsibility to see that you have email and the proper Internet access! You must check the D2L course website daily! Please make sure that you will have ready access to a dependable internet connection. If you don’t think you will be able to access the course site daily, you will have a difficult time completing the course requirements.

 

13. How are assignments graded?

Quizzes and Comparisons, and are graded automatically by the D2L after you complete, save and submit your assignment. You will see your grade as well as the correct answer to each question. The Weekly Discussion will be graded by the instructor and grades will be posted to the D2L gradebook.

 

14. How do I contact the instructor or my colleagues?

As soon as you can enter the D2L coursesite, please use the email function in your course website (instructions are posted for this on the site – try it and send a test message after you enter).

 

In your emails please be respectful and courteous – do no use the imperative at any time. Rude and impolite emails will not receive a response! (I never respond to the pager, by the way!) Until the D2L site is available to you, please use UA Webmail.

 

15. Very important!!! Email Etiquette:

In my emails, I always take the time to address each student by name, or the class as a unit by it’s title. I use a greeting and a closing salutation. I receive 100’s of emails during the course and I take each one seriously and address students with respect. If I receive an email that does not have a subject

heading or uses the imperative, I will very likely not respond to it. Being polite and respectful takes only a few extra seconds of your time. Think of emailing during the course as an extra opportunity to practice your writing skills!

 Lack of punctuation, capitalization,etc. and abbreviations such as “asap” will disincline me to read and respond to your message. Do not use emails as text messages (do not use texting language in your emails) --- let’s save that for getting in touch with friends and family!

 

16. How often does my instructor pick up email from the course website?

I try to be as responsive as possible and normally check the website and the D2l email several times a day.

 

17. Should I check in via email with the instructor before the course officially begins on Monday, June 8?

Yes, please do – introduce yourself and let me know that you have gotten into the site. I like to know a little something about my students!

 

18. After you have read this FAQ sheet, please email me and let me know that you have registered and reviewed the information in the FAQ sheet.

Prior to getting access to the course website, send email to Dr. Plax at jplax@email.arizona.edu

After getting access to the course website, send all email to Dr. Plax through the D2l website email function.

 

19. Remember: this is a 3-week course – it condenses a 15-week course – you must be prepared for the rapid pace of work!