JOUR/IR 246

International Communiation Online

Week One

Day One

Summer 2004

Topic: Introduction to International Communication Online

Instructor: Jack Lule 
Phone: (610)758-4177 
Email: jack.lule@lehigh.edu 

On this page are the assignments for Monday of Week One. 

DEADLINES: As noted on the Schedule, each week I will post reading and writing assignments by Monday, 7 p.m. and Thursday, 7 p.m.

Each week, you should have the assignments that are posted Monday completed by Thursday, 7 p.m. You should have the assignments posted Thursday completed by Monday, 7 p.m.

For this week, with classes starting on Monday, May 17, you should have your first assignments completed by Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. You should have Thursday's assignments completed by Monday, May 24, at 7 p.m.

No doubt this is a good deal of reading and writing. But by establishing a good, regular online work routine, you should be able to complete the assignments -- and come to grips with important, interesting material.


WEEK ONE, MONDAY: In a summer seminar, my goals for the first day are to go through the syllabus, introduce myself, have the students introduce themselves, and discuss how the class will be organized and conducted. 

Those goals are particularly important for the first day online so I'd like to follow that format. 

READ SYLLABUS: First, if you haven't read through the various syllabus topics on the class home page, please do that and see if you have any questions. 

Make sure you understand the proper way to register for the course; how assignments will be posted; the importance of regular online conference participation; how you'll be graded and evaluated.

If you have any questions, just email me at jack.lule@lehigh.edu. Your browser may allow you to send email from the Web. If not, just use your usual email method. 

REGISTER AT DISCUSSION SITE: Next, I would like you to go to our Blackboard/Course Info online discussion area. The URL address is: 

http://bb.lehigh.edu

You will want to bookmark this address if you use one computer regularly. You can also get always get there from the class home page

The discussion site is easy and fun, once you get to know it. You will first have to register with Blackboard, if you haven't done so already. You should use your 4-digit Lehigh id as your username (such as jlb5 or bgt6) and also your Lehigh password.

Once you log in, Blackboard will show the Lehigh courses for which you are registered. Click on our course.

Although Blackboard has the capability of hosting syllabi, dropping off papers and things like that, I use my own courses pages and email for that. We will only use the Discussion Board. Use the class home page for all schedules and assignments..

Go to the Discussion Board. I will post different topics, usually on our Monday-Thursday schedule. You will see them arranged by date as you scroll down. Click on the day's topic.

You can read any new messages from me or your classmates. You can "Reply" or keep reading the "Next Message."

If you hit "Reply," you will be contributing to that "thread." If you want to create a new thread -- bring up another idea for the day -- you should hit OK at the end of a message and it will bring you back to the Discussion Topic. Then you can click on "Add New Thread."

INTRODUCE YOURSELF: Your next assignment for this preliminary first day is simple. Click the Topic that says, "Introductions," I would like you to do just that. Click "Add New Thread" and write to us.

Provide the class with a screen or so of introduction. Tell us who you are, where you're from, where you're taking the class from, your major, your class, your likes and dislikes, the name of your dog, and anything else that seems pertinent. I will do the same.

RETURN OFTEN OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS TO READ OTHER POSTINGS: You should provide your introduction as soon as possible and then before Thursday, 7 p.m. return to the conference often to read about your classmates and me.

You can respond to classmates (although it's not necessary for Introductions) by hitting Respond. This will put your message under theirs, in the same "thread." Or you can hit OK, go to the Topic area and make a new "thread."

And with that, your first few days of online class will be complete. Congratulations!

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