•What to call me: Alin, (Ah-leen), or even Prof V.
•Contact: Between 8am-3pm PST (anytime by email)
•Best contact option: [email protected] – I work off
campus, if you need to talk via phone, email me and
we’ll set up a time.
Prof Alin’s Course Expectations @ Liberty
University
Hello Everyone. My name is Alin Vrancila and I will be your course instructor for this
class. The following is designed to give you a sense of what will be expected – you
will need to work hard, but always remember, I’m here to coach, exhort and assist
you toward success.
Emergencies and problems?
• Do you need to make up an assignment?
• Severe family Issues keeping you from submitting on time this week?
• Military issues? Or similar emergencies/issues?
I WILL help however I can – but YOU MUST keep me in the loop SOONER rather than
LATER. Email me if these types of issues need to be considered. Don’t wait!!
Getting Started:
I recommend you start by examining the links on the Course Menu area to the left.
Please review these links thoroughly. I will repeat: It is very important that you read
carefully these sections.
•Announcements - I'll keep you informed here with a weekly
announcement posted every Tuesday morning AND in most cases,
reminders through the week.
•Course Content– Syllabus, important materials, weekly (modules) course
documents that you'll need for the class. Assignment Submission area
(drop-box) in each module)
•Discussion Board - Assignments that are intended to be interactive
between you and your classmates.
•Faculty Information – My contact info and bio.
•Liberty Email – email me or others
•Grades/Tools - Various tools that you may find useful.
•Services/Support – Links for Student services, Academic/Technical and BB
support
Communication Issues
* Announcements & Email Communication
There are 2 primary means of communicating to you in this class:
•Weekly Announcements – posted at the beginning of each New Week. (also
sent as an email)
•Email Reminders throughout the week.
I EXPECT YOU to Read Them All! – EVERY one! They are designed to encourage,
challenge and help you to weave through the course…and succeed!
•Weekly announcements will be posted the first day of each new
module/week. They will provide a brief overview of the week’s topic
and assignments.
•You will receive many emails from me and LUO admin . Please make a
point to
check your email daily and respond (when required) with 24-48 hours.
And I will do the same when you email me with questions.
•Reminder: When emailing me: you MUST include your name, course, and
section
(“THEO 354” plus “YOUR Section #) in the subject box and your full name
and student number in the body of the email.
•Never email me an assignment (i.e. essays) unless I give you prior
permission to do
so, all assignments are to be submitted on Blackboard.
Class Policies
1) Late work? - The unpardonable sin in this course is “failure to communicate!”
HERE”S a Typical Scenario: It’s not uncommon within the online learning
community for students to think that because they are online, they can do all
types of activities and get caught up later. For instance, some plan a move
across the state or country, some plan a vacation or an out of town birthday
party and so many other events…including a “quick run” to the hospital to give
birth in the middle of a class, etc. BUT, remember that if you were taking
regular classes at USC but were about to move to Chicago, you wouldn't enroll
that semester. Yes, online is more flexible UNTIL life happens and it pushes out
the studies and the time you thought you had to complete the work. That's why
when you can predict an event - it's CRITICAL to work ahead if possible (or absorb
the penalty). I do understand that sickness and family life-death issues are not
predictable.
2) If you are unable to submit an assignment for any reason, you must contact me
by email
BEFORE the deadline (unless you are not physically able to do so) to make
arrangements. I will consider your situation. Failure to communicate in a timely
manner will greatly reduce your grade and/or totally eliminate your chances to
make up late work. If you fail to contact me ASAP, it means that you are giving
up on the assignment.
•USE your time effectively – set a schedule and maintain it.
3) Discussion Board Interaction
•Interact in the DB’s throughout the week . The expectation is that you
will interact with your classmates as assigned. Typically this involves
interacting with an essay or response to a class discussion per the
assigned schedule. You need to bring in
new ideas, research and analysis in your response posts that builds upon
the ideas of your classmates. You need to do more than just restate your
classmate’s ideas.
•DO NOT submit or post a late DB/Forum without contacting me first.
4) Students should check into the class on day 1 and complete an assignment (at
least a small one such as your bio). Lack of participation in the first week will be
grounds for you being dropped.
5) I will NOT condone plagiarism. If you are found to have plagiarized, you will
receive at minimum a “0” for the assignment or you could fail the course.
Refer to the catalog for further details on plagiarism.
6) I do NOT condone cyber bullying. If you would not say something to someone’s
face, then do not say it online, in an email, or in a discussion forum. Be polite
and courteous in all correspondence the same way you expect others to treat
you.
7) Understand the purpose, value and privilege of studying online: You may be a
veteran of online learning or perhaps this is your first class. Taking classes
online allows for tremendous flexibility and convenience, and the ability to finish
entire degree programs from your computer. Allow me to remind you of a few
items: These are REAL classes requiring real work, don’t mistake them for being
easier than regular face-face classes – they are more flexible and convenient,
but not easier.
•As such, discipline is required – many would say that MORE discipline is
required. Know the deadlines and get your work submitted.
•Plan accordingly – if you are planning a vacation, have fun, but your assignments are
STILL due at the expected time . The same is true of holidays and any other
distractions in your life. If this is your situation, don’t ask for an extension.
(Emergencies are different – contact me concerning those)
•If REAL issues come up, I’m always willing to flex with you, but for instance, if
something goes wrong with your internet or your computer, let me know,
and then find a library, friend or whoever to make sure that you have internet
access and submit your work on time.
•If you are already in 1 or more online classes and THIS one overlaps those, I do
feel for you, but it simply means you are responsible to juggle both. You
signed up knowing that these classes would overlap, so again, plan
accordingly.
•Assume that you CAN find a solution - that you CAN push through the issue,
and then do so. If you absolutely cannot, then contact me (Again, BEFORE
the deadline).
•Students are expected to complete the “End of Course Survey” (if available).
This gives you an opportunity to give me and the class materials a “grade”.
What You Can Expect from Me:
✓I will treat you with respect and assume the best of you.
✓I will respond to your emails within 24-48 hours – usually faster.
✓I will make every effort to provide you quality feedback on papers.
✓I will not do your work for you but I will assist you as a mentor and a coach and
guide you through any rough spots. I want you to succeed and be equipped for
whatever ministry (full-time or through a job) that God has in store for you.
OK, now that I’ve described a rather humorless picture…you are probably a bit
nervous and have “syllabus shock” (even before you’ve seen the actual syllabus), but
keep this in mind: You will be hard pressed to find anyone other than your Mom who
wants you to succeed as much as I do. I will flex with real issues, and give you all kinds
of grace and whatever assistance I can.
But I also expect as does Liberty University and our Lord himself, that you take your
work seriously, schedule your time well, push yourself beyond what “feels” like your
limits and maintain a great attitude filled with God’s grace.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
knowing that it is the Lord Christ whom you serve”. Col 3:23
I look forward to a profitable term as we learn from each other and study how the gospel is
going forth to the nations. God's blessings to each of you as together we pursue His
kingdom work!
My
best,
Alin V.
