(Another beautiful #door #rome by superkimbo CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Welcome Letter

Hi there! Welcome to Political Science 001/Intro to Government (Online - 8 weeks). Even if you’ve taken online courses before, I know some of you may be nervous about this experience. Not to worry—I am here to help! I aim to make this course easy to navigate so you can spend time learning the material and fulfilling the course objectives. If you have any questions concerning the course layout, post to the Q&A Forum.

This class is asynchronous, meaning we do not meet at a particular time. All of your materials are available for you to work through them during the week.

Basic Info

Professor:

Mzilikazi Koné, Ph.D (Call me Dr. or Professor Koné)

Email:

mkone@collegeofthedesert.edu

**In General, communicate via the Canvas INBOX**

Meetings

There are no face-to-face meetings

Virtual Office Hours:

Drop-in hours are an informal place to meet with me where you can ask questions or chat. You do not have to stay the whole time. This is a no-pressure meeting!

Monday:

Tuesday: 2 pm - 5 pm

Wednesday: 3 pm - 5 pm

(Or by Appointment)

Schedule a time to meet with me during these times.

Title/Duration of Course: PS 001/Intro to Government (Online) is an 8-week course from October 23rd, 2023 - December 15th.
Accessing Our Course: We will use Canvas to create an online learning environment. You can access our course on Canvas on or before 10/23rd. On this date, log into your MyCOD account. Once you log in, you will have access to Canvas. Click on the Canvas icon. There you will see "Courses.” Click on “PS 001…” to access our course. Alternatively, you can go directly to the Canvas Log-in Page.

How to Succeed in this Online Course

Fully Online: This fully online course has no in-person class meetings.
Log-in Issues with Canvas: If you are having trouble logging into Canvas/accessing the course, you can try troubleshooting the issue by going to the Canvas Student Guide.
Log-in Issues with MyCOD: If you have issues accessing your MyCOD account, watch the following Getting Started Video. First-time users should go to COD’s First Time Users’ log-in page.
Netiquette: Check out " Netiquette: Ground Rules for Online Discussions" for ideas about online classroom interactions and what is expected of you.
What to do if you don't have Microsoft Word: Your Civic Engagement papers must be uploaded as a Word or PDF document. If you use Google Docs, read "How to Save Google Docs as a PDF." If you use Pages, read "How to Save Documents Created in Pages as a PDF." You can also use Office 365 for free through your MyCOD account. To do this, visit "Student Resources" and read the section on Office 365.

School Resources

DSPS: I will accommodate any needs if you are registered in the DSPS program. You must be registered with the DSPS (Disabled Students Programs and Services) office to receive accommodations. DSPS can help students with a range of accommodations. If you are unsure if you qualify for accommodations, such as extended test time, I encourage you to visit the DSPS office (Craven’s Student Services Center, Room 118) to see what options may be available. For more information about DSPS, their services, and how to contact the office via email or phone, visit Disabled Students Programs and Services.
TASC: Check out COD's Tutoring & Academic Skills Center! They have online tutoring available. I have seen students' writing improve significantly after they received help on their first drafts at TASC. Best of all, this service is free for all registered students.
Library: Need help with research? Visit the Reference Desk. Need access to course textbooks? Go to the copies on reserve. Want to research on your own? Go to the Library Databases.
Veterans Services: If you are a vet or a dependent of a vet and don't yet know about all that COD has to offer, check out the resources on the Veterans Services page.
Financial Aid Office: If you have any questions regarding aid or want scholarship or work-study information, go to the college's Financial Aid page.
Academic Counseling: See an academic counselor if you have trouble in your classes or have questions about which courses to take.
Student Services: For more information on what COD offers, like student clubs, bus passes, childcare center, etc., go to the Student Services page.

Self-Assessment: What does it take to be a successful online student?

COD offers an overview of what it’s like to take online courses. Review the helpful material at Online Learning at College of the Desert. Pay close attention to the “Are You Ready” article. Then, read the following article elaborating on many aspects of online learning: 5 Tips to Succeed in an Online Course. It will also help to review tips on Discussion Board Etiquette.
Then, take the following self-assessment to determine if online courses are a good fit for you and what you might need to do to prepare yourself for this class adequately: Online Learning Readiness Questionnaire (Self-Assessment).
If after reading this letter and taking the self-assessment, you have any questions or concerns, please send me a message via the Canvas Inbox. Note that messages via Canvas and office hours interactions are my preferred contact method. However, I welcome other forms of communication. If you want to schedule a telephone or in-person appointment outside of office hours, send me a quick Canvas message to arrange an appointment.

I look forward to helping you through this class! :)

Professor Koné