Syllabus

Syllabus

We acknowledge and are mindful that CSU, Chico stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, and we recognize the Mechoopda and their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that once sustained the Mechoopda people for centuries.

UNIV 330: Undergraduate Research in College Equity and Success

Spring 2023
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30-10:45am

decorativeDr. Kim Jaxon, Professor of English (Composition & Literacy) & Coordinator, Undergraduate Research
Office hours: by appointment. Email me and we can meet in person or via Zoom at a time that’s convenient to you.
Email: kjaxon@csuchico.edu  (best way to reach me)
Email for sharing Google Docs: kjaxon@mail.csuchico.edu
Twitter: @drjaxon

Welcome to UNIV 330! I look forward to researching together. Here’s a quick overview of the course:

Course Description

From the catalog: This course provides students the opportunity to participate in authentic undergraduate research focused on equity and student success at Chico State. After doing research on equity in higher education, students will use Chico State data to examine factors contributing to student success. Students collect data, apply quantitative reasoning to analyze the information, present their findings, and make data-informed policy recommendations for campus leaders.

  • Class Population: This course is offered in two upper division pathways: Equity, Ethics, and Policy Pathway and Race, Ethnicity, and Sovereignty Pathway. Typically, students complete their upper division GE courses after they’ve completed 60 units of college credit. Students in our class have an interest in understanding college success and equity. 
  • Purpose: This course provides students the opportunity to participate in authentic undergraduate research focused on equity and student success at Chico State. After doing research on equity in higher education, students will use Chico State data to examine factors contributing to student success. Students collect data, apply quantitative reasoning to analyze the information, present their findings, and make data-informed policy recommendations for campus leaders. 
  • Design: The course relies on us working as a research team: we’ll read together, develop research questions, collect data based on those questions, share our analyses, and ultimately share our findings with the broader campus community.

Course Materials

We’ll read together on a platform called Perusall, which will allow us to comment and annotate as a community. No texts or materials to purchase for our class.

Assignments (full descriptions on the Assignments page)

  • Reading in Perusall (6@10/60 points)
  • Research Memos (3@15/45 points)
  • First Case Study (25 points)
  • Second Case Study (25 points)
  • Research Narrative (70 points)
  • Going Public With Findings (25 points)
    • Total: 250 points

(Grade: 95-100%=A, 90-94%=A-, 85-89%=B+, 80-84%=B, etc)

Participation (please read)

I am not a fan of attendance policies. They are uninviting and too much like school for me. Over 20+ years of teaching, I’ve tried out every possible configuration, including no policy at all.  Since we meet twice per week, and this course is closer to a graduate level class, I’d like to recommend that you miss no more than four class sessions. No questions asked. Any more and I fear you’ll feel out of the loop and our community, and it is unlikely that you can pass the course. Our job as a class: create an environment where you want to be here and missing is simply due to some life going on… And, of course, please don’t come to class if you are ill. We’ll figure it out.

  • A note about Data ethics: I take the privacy and security of student data seriously. Here is a helpful link to information about Google’s privacy policies. You can find links to manage your activity and stay informed about the way Google uses your information. Link to Perusall’s privacy statement here. I do not track user information on my WordPress site and you will not need to log in to use.

COVID Information from Chico State:

What You Should Do if You are Symptomatic or Test Positive for COVID-19

  1. If you are symptomatic or test positive, stay at home; do not come to campus.
  2. Call the COVID-19 hotline (530-898-2222) and follow its guidance.
  3. COVID-19 testing is easily available in Whitney Hall. The site is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with rapid tests (results within 30 minutes) available.

Meeting Basic Needs

Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, is urged to contact the Wildcat Basic Needs Program. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable her to provide any resources that she may possess.

Americans with Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability or chronic illness, please contact Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) as they are the designated department responsible for approving and coordinating reasonable accommodations and services for students with disabilities. ARC will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide you further assistance with requesting and arranging accommodations.

Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting

As a Chico State professor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment for Chico State students.  It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible.  However, I am required to share information regarding sexual misconduct with the University. 

Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the Counseling and Wellness Center (530-898-6345) or Safe Place (530-898-3030).  Information about campus reporting obligations and other Title IX related resources are available here: www.csuchico.edu/title-ix