Syllabus

Course Description

In this course, we’ll discuss topics related to a holistic approach to academic vibrancy, personal resilience, joy, and happiness.

• As academics, we face some unique challenges, such as isolation (we can be measured on OUR contribution more than a team contribution and are isolated from our labmates during covid); finishing a PhD, getting tenure, getting promoted -- all based upon the subjective assessment of our work by our advisor, our committee, and other faculty in the world; our work requires a high degree of self-discipline; and we desperately need publications to get a job/promotion/tenure but yet we can get tough peer feedback on and rejection of our publications. The support of a community that understands these challenges can help so much and make us more resilient!

• As academics, we are humans and want what all humans want -- most notably joy and happiness.

• As academics, we serve humanity through our scientific contribution. As such, we should consider the care and growth of our brains and our physical energy in the same way an Olympic athlete trains their body for physical performance. And, being joyful and happy is good for our brainpower. It all ties together!

Each 50-minute session will consist of a short presentation, time to discuss the topic in a breakout room with other PhD students (allowing new relationships to form), and a general open discussion with the whole group.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, a student will ...

• Have a network of other CSC PhD students

• Have strategies for finding more joy and happiness in your life

• Have strategies for self-care

• Have strategies for boosting your productivity

• Have strategies for boosting your brain power

Course Structure

Attendance

The Mondays class sessions essential for the course. The Wednesday class sessions are for you to meet with your group to continue the discussion (see below). There are 14 scheduled class sessions. To pass the class you will need to attend at least 12 Monday sessions. If you are sick, please notify Dr. Williams. A doctor's note will be needed if you will miss too many classes. The university policy on excused absences will be observed (see REG 02.20.03).

Group Discussion and Homework

Each week, you will be given some discussion questions based upon the class topic. On Wednesday during class time, you will get together with others in your breakout group (assigned during class) for one hour outside of class per week to go over the discussion questions. You may be given some additional work, such as to answer a questionnaire found in the literature on a topic we are discussing in class. These questionnaires will be more about self-discovery than anything else. You need to turn in at least 12 homeworks to pass the class. If you miss class, promptly contact Dr. Williams to be assigned to a discussion group.

Volunteering

To pass the class, you must perform two hours of volunteer work, preferably with others taking the class. As the weather gets warmer though the semester, more opportunities to volunteer outside will be available. Check out Activate Good for opportunities. We could consider volunteering as a class [which we won't do due to covid]. Report your volunteering here:

Minimum Grade Requirement

To summarize to pass CSC801, you must:

• Attend at least 12 lectures

• Turn in at least 12 homeworks, which are generally documentation of meeting with your discussion group

• Volunteer for at least 2 hours

Course Policies

Professionalism

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner at all times. Students are expected to act professional both in person and electronically with all members of the teaching staff and their classmates. Communication, both written and verbal, should be respectful and should never include derogatory comments about yourself or others. All criticism (of yourself, the course, instructor, fellow students, resources, etc.) should be constructive. This is a class where people may actually express themselves in more vulnerable ways so respect and professionalism and compassion are especially important.

Students should be aware that their behavior impacts other people, even online. I hope that we will all strive to develop a positive and supportive environment and will be courteous to fellow students and your instructor. Due to the nature of the online environment, there are some things to remember when taking an online course and engaging with others.

Tips for Success:

• Do: Follow the same standards of behavior that you subscribe to offline. Keep in mind that all online communication is documented and therefore permanent.

• Don't: Flame others in discussion forums. Flaming is the act of responding in a highly critical, sarcastic, or ridiculing manner – especially if done on a personal level. Remember that these discussions are meant for constructive exchanges and learning!

Report any unprofessional behavior by any class member to the instructor. Guidelines for electronic communication are listed in the section below.

Unprofessional electronic communication on course forums may result in suspension from the course forum and possible grade penalties.

Electronic Communication

The class will use Moodle Forums for class communications.

Feel free to share your reaction to the course material there as well as any suggested additional resources or experiences. Use this as a place to publicly celebrate your wins! Your wins can inspire others.

Homework Late Policy

All assignments need to be turned in on time.

Grade Appeals

Your attendance and homework will be tracked in Gradescope. If you feel the tracking has an error, notify Dr. Williams within two weeks of the error.

Prerequisites

PhD standing in the Computer Science department.

Required Materials

None

Academic Integrity

Students are required to comply with the university policy on academic integrity found in the Code of Student Conduct found at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01

Honor Pledge

Each week, you will be asked to document that your breakout group met to continue your discussion question. Never include in your documentation that a member of the class attended your meeting if they did not.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Students may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to other students in the course, via digital tools, such as email or web-postings, where relevant to the course. Examples include online discussions of class topics, and posting of student coursework. All students are expected to respect the privacy of each other by not sharing or using such information or comments made in class outside the course.

Statement on transportation and volunteering

Students have to provide their own transportation for any and all class related trips, such as volunteering.

Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with the Disability Resource Office at Holmes Hall, Suite 304, Campus Box 7509, 919-515-7653. For more information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG 02.20.01).

Trans-Inclusive Statement

In an effort to affirm and respect the identities of transgender students in the classroom and beyond, please contact me if you wish to be referred to using a name and/or pronouns other than what is listed in the student directory.

Basic Needs Security

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing or has other severe adverse experiences and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. Alternatively, you can contact the Division of Academic and Student Affairs to learn more about the Pack Essentials program https://dasa.ncsu.edu/pack-essentials/

Non-Discrimination Policy

NC State provides equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts, and prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (“Prohibited Conduct”) that are based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, or veteran status (individually and collectively, “Protected Status”). Additional information as to each Protected Status is included in NCSU REG 04.25.02 (Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Complaint Procedure). NC State’s policies and regulations covering discrimination, harassment, and retaliation may be accessed at POL 04.25.05 or https://oied.ncsu.edu/divweb/. Any person who feels that he or she has been the subject of prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 919-515-3148.

Health and Wellbeing; Supporting Fellow Students in Distress:

These are difficult times, and academic and personal stress is a natural result. Everyone is encouraged to take care of themselves and their peers. If you need additional support, there are many resources on campus to help you:

• Counseling Center (https://counseling.dasa.ncsu.edu/)

• Health Center (https://healthypack.dasa.ncsu.edu/)

• If the personal behavior of a classmate concerns or worries you, either for the classmate’s well-being or yours, we encourage you to report this behavior to the NC State CARES team: (https://advising.dasa.ncsu.edu/resources-for-advisors/advisors-toolkit/cares/)

• If you or someone you know are experiencing food, housing or financial insecurity, please see the Pack Essentials Program (https://dasa.ncsu.edu/pack-essentials/).

As members of the NC State Wolfpack community, we each share a personal responsibility to express concern for one another and to ensure that this classroom and the campus as a whole remains a safe environment for learning. Occasionally, you may come across a fellow classmate whose personal behavior concerns or worries you. When this is the case, I would encourage you to report this behavior to the NC State Students of Concern website: http://studentsofconcern.ncsu.edu/. Although you can report anonymously, it is preferred that you share your contact information so they can follow-up with you personally.

COVID-19 Specific Information:

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, public health measures have been implemented across campus. Students should stay current with these practices and expectations through the Protect the Pack website (https://www.ncsu.edu/coronavirus/). We are all responsible for protecting ourselves and our community. Please see the community expectations and Rule 04.21.01 regarding Personal Safety Requirements Related to COVID-19. The sections below provide expectations and conduct related to COVID-19 issues.

We are most concerned about your health and the health of your classmates and instructors/TAs.

• If you test positive for COVID-19, or are told by a healthcare provider that you are presumed positive for the virus, please work with your instructor on health accommodations and follow other university guidelines, including self-reporting: https://healthypack.dasa.ncsu.edu/coronavirus/. Self-reporting is not only to help provide support to you, but also to assist in contact tracing for containing the spread of the virus.

• If you feel unwell, even if you have not been knowingly exposed to COVID-19, please do not attend any in-person classes.

• If you are in quarantine, have been notified that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or have a personal or family situation related to COVID-19 that prevents you from attending this course in person (or synchronously), please connect with your instructor to discuss the situation and make alternative plans, as necessary.

• If you need to make a request for an academic consideration related to COVID-19, such as a discussion about possible options for remote learning, please talk with your instructor for the appropriate process to make a COVID-19 request.

Course Evaluations

ClassEval is the end-of-semester survey for students to evaluate instruction of all university classes. The current survey is administered online and includes 12 closed-ended questions and 3 open-ended questions. Deans, department heads, and instructors may add a limited number of their own questions to these 15 common-core questions.

Each semester students’ responses are compiled into a ClassEval report for every instructor and class. Instructors use the evaluations to improve instruction and include them in their promotion and tenure dossiers, while department heads use them in annual reviews. The reports are included in instructors’ personnel files and are considered confidential.

Online class evaluations will be available for students to complete during the last two weeks of the semester for full semester courses and the last week of shorter sessions. Students will receive an email directing them to a website to complete class evaluations. These become unavailable at 8am on the first day of finals.

• Evaluation website: https://classeval.ncsu.edu

• Student help desk: classeval@ncsu.edu (for evaluations)

• More information about ClassEval: http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/classeval/index.htm