Spring 2006 Dr.

Tonja Wissinger
BIS 3320-005 Office: GR 2.604
MWF 10:00-10:50 Telephone: 972.883.2814
SOM 2.901 E-mail: twissin@utdallas.edu

The Nature of Intellectual Inquiry

This course is concerned with the systematic study of science and the
academic experience. Science is part of the search for knowledge and each
approach to science contributes to the totality of knowledge. BIS 3320 will
assist students in understanding the pervasive influence of science in our
culture and will increase the student’s breadth of intellectual inquiry. In
addition, the class is designed to assist the students in understanding the
importance of clear communication, documentation, and the use of detailed
information to support arguments.

Office Hours
My office hours are Monday and Wednesdays at 11:00-12:00 in SOM 2.903
and Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:30-2:00 in GR 2.604. If you cannot
meet with me during office hours, please schedule an appointment with me.

Required Texts

Sophie’s World Jostein Gaarder

Aging with Grace David Snowdon
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

Course Requirements:
1. Attendance and class participation. Class participation means
arriving on time, contributing to discussions (including the
submission of discussion questions), and active listening.
Bring your textbooks, notebook paper, and a pen to each class
session.
**Cellphones must be turned off during class. I do not want to see
them or hear them. Laptops may be used during class lectures but
must be put away during discussions.
*If you are unable to attend class, you are responsible for obtaining
the lecture notes from another class member.
 *Students are responsible for signing the attendance sheet at the
beginning of each class meeting. Missing class will have an
adverse effect on your final grade.
2. Completion of assigned readings prior to class.
For every chapter (or article) assigned, you will turn in one
discussion question (typed, double-spaced, etc…).
3. Two 8-10 page papers.
*The assignments will be explained on the first day of class and
discussed throughout the semester. Late assignments will receive
a substantially lower grade.
**Written assignments must be well organized, free of spelling
and grammatical errors, double-spaced, and printed in a 12-14
font. Handwritten work will not be accepted. Do not e-mail the
written assignments to me.

Your course grade will be based on the midterm paper and the final paper
(40% each) and class participation (attendance, tardiness, conduct,
discussion questions, etc.) (20%). There will be no extra credit work.
In addition to the requirements listed above, I expect every student to
thoroughly read this syllabus. Only you can decide whether the workload of
this course will be too demanding (or not challenging enough).
Additionally, I expect students to review the course schedule and catalogue
for information on withdrawals, incompletes, and academic dishonesty.
Remember that academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism,
collusion, and falsifying academic records. I expect all work to reflect each
student’s individual efforts. If you have any questions about this, please see
me.