Course Requirements: 

Success and your grade are dependent on the following: attending lectures; providing thoughtful commentary in class and on discussion boards; and demonstrating your acquired knowledge through written assignments. 

Pre-class Research Assignments: 5%

For each film, students will identify and analyze 5 significant facts that provide historical, social, or cultural context. These assignments are due by midnight on Tuesdays before the film screening. Come to class prepared to discuss your facts.

Weekly Film Reflections: 70%

After each screening, students will submit a 1–2-page written reflection. Reflections are due by Saturday at midnight. 

Final Reflection: 20%

Students will complete a comprehensive analysis of urban representation across three films from different decades, examining how portrayals of urban life and issues have evolved over time. Due April 30 at midnight. 

Class Participation and Attendance: 5%

Class participation and attendance will help you to get the most of this course! It will make the content more meaningful, help with comprehension, and make the course more enjoyable. You may miss 1 class without penalty. With that said, please do not come to class sick. If you are sick and miss more than 1 class, please email me, and we will find a way to make up the class. Institute-excused absences should be communicated to me at least 48 hours ahead of time via email.  

Missed or Late Assignments

Assignments will be submitted via Canvas unless otherwise indicated. Pre-class research is due by midnight on Tuesdays and reflections by Saturday at midnight. I do not accept missed or late assignments unless there are extenuating circumstances (sickness, death in the family, etc.) and you have let me know PRIOR to the assignment being due.

Your Grade

Grades are regularly posted throughout the semester. If you have concerns about your grade, please contact me by the 10^th week of classes. There are plenty of ways in which you can earn an A in the class. Your grade is up to you.

A = >90%

B = 80 – 89.99%

C = 70 – 79.99%

D = 60 – 69.99%

F = <60%

Weekly Article/Video Homework (10%)

Each week, students will find one article or video discussing the theme of that upcoming week’s class, which will be due on Wednesdays by 5 pm. Come to class prepared to discuss your

article/video. Note, there are 12 weeks, but you only need to turn in 10 articles/videos.

Presentation (15%)

Students will do a 5–7-minute presentation about the article/video they found for class. The

presentation must include one dyad dialogue question that will be used during class discussion. A sign-up will be shared during the first week of class to select presentation dates.

Semester Assignments (4 x 10%)

Throughout the semester, students will write a short report on a city of their choosing and how that city is impacted by the topics discussed in class. Assignments are due on Fridays by 5 pm.

Semester Reflection (10%)

Throughout the semester, students will discuss challenges and opportunities for cities. This reflection will be an opportunity for students to discuss their opinions about technology and the city and how those opinions have changed over the course of the semester.

Final Project (15%)

The final project will be an analysis of technology as it relates to a city of the student’s choosing. The final project will be due April 30 at 5 pm.

Attendance/Participation (10%)

Class participation and attendance will help you to get the most of this course! It will make the content more meaningful, help with comprehension, and make the course more enjoyable. Attendance at all sessions is important. Students may miss 2 classes without penalty. With that said, please do not come to class sick. If you are sick and miss more than 1 class, please email me, and we will find a way to make up the class. Institute-excused absences should be communicated to me at least 48

hours ahead of time via email.

A rubric for all graded activities will be shared. Your final grade will be assigned as a letter grade according to the following scale:

A 90 – 100

B 80 – 89

C 70 – 79

D 60 – 69

F Under 60

Late Assignments:  

Assignments will be submitted via Canvas unless otherwise indicated. Article/Video homework due by 5 pm on Wednesdays, and Assignments by Friday at 5 pm. However, if you submit it within 24

hours, I will still give you full credit. If you need to submit assignments more than 24 hours after the official due date, please reach out via email (or in class) and give me a timeline for when you intend to turn in the assignment.

Except under extenuating circumstances, work that is submitted after the 24-hour grace period without explanation will receive a 10% reduced credit, followed by a 10% reduction for each day afterward.

• Attendance & Participation (10%)
• 2xReading Presentations (Individual) (20%)
• Midterm Exam (10%)
• Final Exam (10%)
• Individual project (10%)

Group Projects

• Attend an NPU meeting (20%)
• Comprehensive Plan Presentation (20%)

 Grading Scale

A         90-100%

B         80-89%

C         70-79%

D         60-69%

F          0-59%

Missed or Late Work:

• Within 24 hours of the original due date: 10% deduction off the final grade 

• Between 24-48 hours of the original due date: 20% deduction off the final grade

• Between 24-72 hours of the original due date: 30% deduction off the final grade 

• After 72 hours - Zero grade

• Attendance & Participation (10%)
• 2xReading Presentations (Individual) (20%)
• Midterm Exam (10%)
• Final Exam (10%)
• Individual project (10%)

Group Projects

-       Attend an NPU meeting (20%)

-       Comprehensive Plan Presentation (20%)

 Grading Scale

A         90-100%

B         80-89%

C         70-79%

D         60-69%

F          0-59%

Missed or Late Work:

• Within 24 hours of the original due date: 10% deduction off the final grade 

• Between 24-48 hours of the original due date: 20% deduction off the final grade

• Between 24-72 hours of the original due date: 30% deduction off the final grade 

• After 72 hours - Zero grade

Student Evaluation
Students are expected to attend all classes and labs, participate in class discussions, and complete the required
readings, homework assignments, and any required exams. Unless otherwise specified, all exercises are to be
completed individually, not collaboratively. Students may discuss general concepts related to their homework,
but the assignments must be completed individually.
A = 90-100%
B = 80-90%
C = 70-80%
D = 60-70%
F = <60%

Course Grade Breakdown
(45%) Weekly HWs: See Canvas for official assignment(s) details, due dates and times. All Weekly HWs are due
either Tuesday or Thursday before class at 9:30 am. You must complete a weekly hw to have it replaced with an
extra credit.
(30%) Exam: Chapters 1 – 10 short answer, definitions, practical questions, etc.
(20%) Final Project: Using ArcGIS Online students will describe, analyze, and present topic of interest via an
ESRI Story Map. See Assignment on Canvas for details.
(5%) Class Participation: Attendance is mandatory -- roll will be taken. Four absences are permitted. These
include institute approved absences. However, more than 4 absences require documented approval for all
absences. Check Canvas for your attendance grade, which is updated weekly. The fifth absence lowers your class
participation grade by 2.5%. The sixth absence results in 0% participation grade. Policy effective beginning
Week 2.