Online Courses

Linda Muselik SUNY New Paltz is offering online courses in Summer Session 2008. Take the opportunity to attend a class at your own convenience - any time and anywhere. Using a computer, you can receive instruction, compose and submit assignments, ask questions of the instructor and other students, discuss issues and actively participate in the class - all from your home, your office, or the student computer lab on campus! Most courses offered at SUNY New Paltz run on Blackboard.

Hardware / Software Requirements

Access to a computer:

Windows 2000, XP or VISTA
- NOTE to Windows VISTA users: Vista is certified to work with Blackboard. It will not work with Visual Text Box Editor (VTBE) and with WebDAV. VTBE has been turned off (not WYSIWYG) and faculty are not requiring WebDAV access to content.
MAC (OS X preferred) 10.3 Panther
Minimum 256 MB RAM
Your computer must have a Java enabled web browser. Mozilla Firefox is the preferred browser to use on all operating systems. Windows users may consider using Explorer 7.0 or newer; Firefox 2.0; MAC users - SAFARI or Firefox 2.x.. Please use Firefox, free to download from http://mozilla.com

Access to the Internet:
You need a non-restrictive Internet Service Provider (ISP) which will allow youto stay connected for the lenth of time required to post in a discussion, take a quiz and particpate in other online activites. Some Satellite Internet services, notably HughesNet, may not work with Blackboard.

Cable modem, DSL or other high speed connection is ideal and preferred, but NOT required. If connecting via dial-up modem, your computer must have at least a 56K modem that connects at 44K or better. If you have a 56K modem that connects at only 28K you should upgrade to DSL or Cable modem or take a face to face class.

If you connect through a commercial ISP, it is up to them to help you get your computer to connect to the Web.
On campus: computers in any open lab connect to the Web.

NOTE: If connecting via AOL you will experience significant problems if you use the aol browser. Please download and use Firefox (see link above.)

NOTE to VISTA users: Vista is certified to work with Blackboard. It will not work with the Visual Text Box Editor (VTBE) and with WebDAV. VTBE has been turn off (no WYSIWYG) and faculty are not requiring WebDAV access to conotent.

Browser Settings:
Your browser MUST accept cookies and the browser popup blockers must be set to allow sites listed below. If your system does not allow cookies you will not be able to log in to Blackboard. If your system blocks popups for the sites listed you may not be able to log in and you may not be able to participate in some portions of the class.

NOTE: If using Internet Explorer, please include Blackboard as a Trusted site.

IE: Tools -> Internet Options -> Privacy Medium
Firefox: Tools -> Privacy -> Cookies Allow for Originating Web site only

Popup sites to allow (follow similar steps as seen in cookies above to allow these sites):

blackboard.newpaltz.edu
www.turnitin.com
newpaltz.horizonwimba.com
www.artstor.org
my.newpaltz.edu

Software on Your Computer:

Word Processing software MUST be installed on the computer you will use. You MUST be able to save in a format that your instructor can open. This is usually MS Word or RTF format. If your instructor cannot open your files you may have a difficult time completing assignments.
You MUST have an up-to-date anti-virus package installed on your computer. If you submit work that contains a virus your Professor’s anti-virus application will prevent your file from being opened. New Paltz has implemented a campus-wide anti-virus program. Details can be found on the Academic Computing Web site.
Java MUST be installed for many of the activities run on Blackboard.
RealPlayer® may be required for courses with streaming media content
Adobe® Acrobat Reader is required by those faculty providing course material in PDF format.
Adobe® Shockwave may be required
Macromedia Flash
Some courses may require MS Powerpoint player; some may require a graphical package. Your Professor will let you know of any special software requirements.

NOTE: Links for downloading these free applications on the Academic Computing Web site.

Course Sites
Summer 2008 courses reside on the New Paltz Blackboard servers. Blackboard course sites will be available to students one week prior to the beginning of your class.

Username (NPCUID) and Password for Blackboard Courses:
Your username and default password comes to Blackboard from the student records database.

CURRENT New Paltz students: Anyone who enrolled in or registered for classes prior to and including Spring 2008 your New Paltz Computer UserID (NPCUID) has NOT changed. It may be: up to the first six characters of your last name plus the last two digits of your social security number. Your default password is the letter s plus the last six digits of your social security number.
NEW Students: If you have NEVER registered for a course at New Paltz before (that is, Summer '08 is the first time you registered for a course) your NPCUID is your Banner ID. Your default password is the letter s plus the last six digits of your social security number.
ALL Students: If you can’t login (your username or password doesn’t work) send an e-mail to smithl@newpaltz.edu or waiteb@newpaltz.edu requesting help. You must include your first and last name as well as the course and section number of the course you are taking online. You must describe the problem. If a password reset is required, it will be reset to the default password.

DO NOT SEND YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO ANYONE VIA e-mail; DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO ANYONE OVER THE PHONE or EMAIL! Directions for using Blackboard and links to free downloads can be found at on the Academic Computing Online Courses Web site.

Test your computer:
Ideally this should be done through the ISP and on the computer you will use for your online course. After connecting to the Internet, point your browser to: https://blackboard.newpaltz.edu and enter your NPCUID and password.(You can enter through my.newpaltz.edu but that is NOT recommended for online courses.)

Practice Using Blackboard:

After logging in to Blackboard, Click on the Community Tab and “On lineStudents” where you can practice your online skills prior to the beginning of your actual course. Examples of different types of material will be found behind the links. Please explore them.
Example of an online discussion, exam, course e-assignment, etc. can be found in the On line Students site.
Required Textbooks and materials may be posted here. Some of the courses may have special requirements which may include a digital camera, drawing supplies, microphone, headsets or other items as noted. Be sure to check!

Your e-mail:
Students, faculty and staff are required to use the campus e-mail system for campus business. Your instructor may send e-mail to your NPMail account. Be sure to check it frequently. Your e-mail address uses your NPCUID in the address with:YourNewPaltzComputerUserID@newpaltz.edu. Point your browser to https://npmail.newpaltz.edu and login in with the same username and password you use for Blackboard. Your campus e-mail can be redirected to another account after logging in to https://npmail.newpaltz.edu. (Click Filters->type the e-mail address->click Update.) We cannot guarantee that redirection will work with all commercial accounts.

Note to AOL users: Your online experience will be enhanced by using a real browser (IE, Firefox or Netscape.)

Connectivity Issues:
The Student Help Desk is located in Humanities, HUM 103. The students may be able to provide connectivity help. This means they can help you with dial-up or cable modem questions. They CANNOT help with Blackboard itself. The students are available seven days a week during hours posted on their Web site. E-mail the Student Help Desk at helpdesk@newpaltz.edu, or call them at (845) 257-3597.

If you need help with with Blackboard, your NPCUID or e-mail account, send e-mail to smithl@newpaltz.edu or call 845-257-3188 or Brian Waite, waiteb@newpaltz.edu or call 845-257-3117. E-mail is preferred to voice mail.

General Information:
The Center for Research, Regional Education, and Outreach will assist you with add/drop, withdrawals, and general registration problems. Please call (845) 257-2904.

Technical Information:
This includes any and all information about your New Paltz hosted courses running on Blackboard. Your instructor is NOT responsible for solving computer problems. Professional staff in Academic Computing will help you with computer related issues. If you send e-mail or leave a phone message include your course number and/or Professor’s name.
Report any computer problems related to your course or to the use of Blackboard to:

Academic Computing, Instructional Technology, Office - WSB1F:
Linda Smith smithl@newpaltz.edu (845) 257-3188
Brian Waite waiteb@newpaltz.edu (845) 257-3117

Online courses being offered in Summer Session 2008:

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

ANT211/01 Genera1 Anthropology
ANT214/01 Cultural Anthropology
ARE200/01 Art Criticism (Prerequisites: Freshman Composition I and II)
ARH200/01 Introduction to Visual Arts
ARH356/01 Architecture in NYC
ARS105/01 Intro. to Drawing & Design
BIO112/01 Biology Today
BIO170/01 Human Biology
BLK331/01 American Civil Rights
BLK350/01 Contemporary Social Issues
CMM101/01, 02 Media & Society
CMM221/01,02 Intro. to Advertising (Prerequisite: Media & Society)
CMM224/01 Elec Media Mgt. and Economics (Prerequisite: Media & Society)
CMM359/01/02 Communication Among Cultures
CPS100/01 Computers & Applications
ECO100/01 American Economic Development
EDS340/01, 02, 03Soc & Philosophical Foundations of Education
EDS371/01 Child Psychology and Development
EDS372/01 Developing Adolescent
ENG200/01/02 Analysis & Interpretation of Literature (Prerequisite: Freshman English Composition II)
ENG210/01 Great Books: Western (Prerequisite: Freshman English Composition I)
ENG224/01 Expository Writing (Prerequisite: Freshman Composition II)
ENG226/01 Practical Grammar (Prerequisite: Freshman English Composition I)
ENG230/01 Women in Literature (Prerequisite: Freshman English Composition 2)
ENG231/01 American Women Writers-20th Century (Prerequsite: Freshman English Composition II)
ENG302/01/02 English Literature 2 (Prerequisite: Freshman English Composition II)
ENG307/01 The Novel (Prerequisite: Freshman English Composition II)
ENG327/01 Development of Modern English (Prerequisite: Freshman English Composition Comp II)
ENG366/01 Contemporary Ethnic Lit of the United States (Prerequisite: Freshman Eng. Comp. II)
ENG423/01 20th Century Criticism (Prerequisite: English Literature I or II or American Lit I or II)
ENG1440/01 The Beats (Prequisite: American Literature I or II)
GEO273/01, 02 Physical Geography
GLG205/01/02 Environmental Geology
HIS221/01 US History to 1865
HIS222/01 US History from 1865
HIS277/01 Latin American History to 1825
MAT183/01 Intro. to Math Modeling (Prerequisite: College Math)
PHI110/01 Reason and Argument
PHI120/01,02 Intro. Philosophy: Classics
POL229/01 Intro. Comparative Politics
POL311/01 American Environmental Politics
POL323/01 Modern Political Science Theory
POL340/01 African Politics
PSY272/01 Introductory Psychology
PSY307/01 Evolutionary Psychology
PSY304/01 Industrial Psychology (Prerequisite: Introductory Psychology)
PSY315/01 Basic Organizational Psychology (Prerequisite: Introductory Psychology)
PSY344/01 Psychology of Adolescence and Adulthood (Prequisite: Introductory Psychology)
PSY350/01 Psychology of Women (Prerequisite: Introductory Psych. or Women Images &Realities)
SOC100/01 Introduction to Sociology
SOC220/01 Social Inequality - U.S. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology)
SOC250/01 Crime & Society (Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology)
SOC305/01 Juvenile Delinquency (Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology)
SOC350/01 Intro. to Human Services (Prerequisite: Introduction to Sociology)
SOC376/01 Social Problems
THE239/01 History of Fashion
THE327/01 Race, Gender and Performance
WOM220/01 Women Images and Realities

GRADUATE COURSES

CMD523/01 Language & Literacy Development
CPS530/01 Computer Networks
EDS537/01,02 Issues in Multi-Cultural Education
EED536/01 Child, Family, School II (Prerequisite: Child, Family. School I)
NUR521/01 Delivery Care Methods

* pending approval

Online courses run for the entire summer term.
See Academic Calendar for drop/add, percent of liability, and withdrawal deadlines for online courses.

See the schedule of classes for course descriptions.

After registering, students should go to www.newpaltz.edu/online for instructor and course specifics. If you have trouble registering for an online course, contact Vicki Vincent at 845-257-2904 or vincentv@newpaltz.edu.

** Grades for classes ending before the end of a session will not be available until the normal grade posting period at the end of the session.

WITHDRAWING FROM AN ONLINE COURSE
To withdraw from an online course after May 30, please contact Vicki Vincent at the Center for Continuing and Professional Education (C&PE), 845-257-2904, or Records and Registration, 845-257-3100, to obtain a course withdrawal form. A $15.00 fee is required.

Bring or mail the completed withdrawal form and a check for $15.00 made payable to SUNY New Paltz to: Center for Continuing and Professional Education,

Attention: Vicki Vincent
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive.,
New Paltz, NY 12561-2443

In addition, the course instructor must send a request to Vicki Vincent vincentv@newpaltz.edu, via e-mail including the following:
Student name; student ID number; course name, number and semester; and the last date and time the student attended the class.