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California State University, Northridge University 100: The Freshman Seminar Fall 2015 Instructor: Noreen Lace E-mail:
[email protected] Office: ST 827 Office hours: m/w 9:30-10:30 Class #: 18608 Class Day/Time: T/Th 11-12:15 Class location: OV 001 Textbooks and Supplies: Every Day Printouts from moodle One folder or a spiral or three-ring notebook for class notes to save work. (You should have one of these for each of your classes). Do NOT throw away any assignments related to this class!
Important Websites:
CSUN Home Page: http://www.csun.edu Class Discussion: Log on to Moodle from the CSUN Home Page Oviatt Library: http://library.csun.edu University 100 Website: http://www.csun.edu/univ100/
Welcome to University 100 Course Description: University 100 is available for GE credit in Subject Explorations, Lifelong Learning (S4), and includes an Information Competence (IC) component. This is a course about making choices: about setting and meeting your personal, academic, and career goals. The Freshman Seminar is dedicated to ensuring your college success and motivating your journey toward lifelong learning. The seminar will enable you to develop your own plan for personal, academic, and career success through self-evaluation, application of specific techniques, discussions, field experiences, and traditional classroom exercises. These activities will help you acquire effective study strategies, stimulate your critical and creative thinking skills, practice university-level oral and written expression, establish short-term and long-term goals, become a skilled user of library resources, and learn to manage time more efficiently. You'll find out about the many campus resources available to students and will be actively encouraged to form lasting relationships with your professor and classmates. And if all goes well, we’ll have a good time, too.
Freshman Connection:
Our Cohort: FCFC
The Freshman Connection aims to link subject matter, Peer Mentor: FCS 170: Creative Expression in FCS. T/Th faculty, and students to use involving pedagogies 9:30-10:30. SQ103. Marine Boyadzhyan Mentor: (experiential learning, hands-on activities, peer Our mentor is a student in the college who are working (18340) Kayla Mallari reviews, discussions, group and pair work, interactive with you throughout the semester and beyond to help you exercises, and so on), and to foster students’ connect with through your U100:the The University Freshman Seminar. T/Th 11- academics, codevelopment of social and academic relationships as curricular12:15am. activities, and career explorations. You will OV001. Noreen Lace (18608) Email: members of the university community. participate in at least three activities with your peer mentors:
[email protected] 1. One on one meetings 2. Academic Resource
3. CSUN Event
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Requirements & Grading:
Essay 1 100 points Essay 2 100 points Get Involved 50 points Cultural Event Report 50points Library days 100 points Student Self-Report Card 50 points Information Competence/Critical Thinking Project 200 points Mentor Activities 100 points Exercises, Moodle Posts, Assignments 250 points Includes time log, health log, ethics, etc Total 1000 points
COURSE AND CAMPUS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: 1. Attendance: This is a participatory workshop class and attendance is essential to our success. Because it is a workshop, being absent will cost your participation points which can result in the loss of a full letter grade every time you are not in attendance. You are responsible for any work the day you miss, and you must come prepared with any work for the following class. There are no excused absences in college. This means: If you miss 4 class meetings, you can and will fail this class. 2. Timeliness: Coming in late to any class is disturbing to the students and the instructor. Coming in late will cost you participation points. If you come in late more than once, you may be asked to leave the class and return, on time, to the next class session. 3. Class work: Students are expected to print out and read all assigned materials; come prepared to discuss them. Quizzes may be used to assure materials have been read. There will be a number of in class assignments that much be fully completed in order to receive credit. All papers, responses, and other work are to be typed, double spaced, MLA style. 4. Late Assignments: An important goal of any class is the development of responsible habits and the ability to meet deadlines. Therefore, late work will not be accepted. Take time to solve technical or logistical problems now. Do not email me an assignment because you missed the deadline. Talk to me if you are falling behind. 5. Participation: As a student in this class you are expected to come prepared, meet with the instructor, take part in the group work, in class writing, and class discussions. If you do not come prepared, if you stare off into space, allow group mates to complete work without your input, use you phone, take part in socializing during class, your participation points will be lost. You will find the class more interesting if you take part in all activities, and come prepared to share your thoughts and ideas.
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6. Academic Dishonesty: Workshops are to teach you to write, respond, and to get help. We will also discuss how to give cited material proper credit. Academic dishonesty covers a large category of unethical behaviors including cheating, copying someone else’s work, buying a paper, receiving substantial or excessive help on any assignment. Please review the college’s policy toward plagiarism in the catalog. Plagiarism is fraud perpetrated upon your classmates, instructor, and college. I report all incidents of plagiarism to the dean of students. The penalty for cheating is failure of the assignment and possibly the class. 7. The Student Code of Conduct is included in the Catalog. Rude or inappropriate behavior, causing class disruption, furnishing false information, or showing up to class under the influence can all have severe consequences. 8. Common Courtesy is expected: This is an academic undertaking and should be treated as such. Students are to be respectful of the views of others in order to participate in a college-level academic discussion. You are not required to agree with others, but you should know how to respectfully disagree. Be respectful of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. 9. Electronics: Your involvement matters. We will find a time to use our phones or computers in class, but they are to be turned off and put away until that time. No texting, checking messages, or playing on social media during class time. If you decide your phone is more important than class by checking messages, texting, or other, you will be asked to leave the classroom. 10.
Email: Please do email me. Include your name and class information. Write full sentences, ask clear questions. Emails without identifying information or lack clear statements don’t warrant a response. Do not email and ask me “what did I miss?” or “did I miss anything important?” I spend hours preparing and presenting a single class topic and cannot summarize it in an email. Obtain the email address of several classmates to ask about assignments and class activities prior to emailing me. (See page xxx below—I’ve given you space for this.) Assignments are not to be emailed I’ve given specific instructions to do so. 11. Instructor Conferences: I’m available by appointment to help you. Studies show students who seek help receive higher grades and are more successful in their academic undertakings. If you can’t think of a good reason, bring in your paper, discuss your progress, ask a question.
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12. HELP: If you have any questions or concerns, I am here to help you. As well, there are a myriad of campus services for students. If you don’t know who to ask or where to go – ask!
Your Responsibilities in this Class: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Use your CSUN student email account appropriately. At a minimum, you must set it up to forward all email to your non-CSUN account. Complete and submit all required homework on time & stapled. Respond to surveys and questionnaires requesting feedback on this course. Participate constructively in class and electronic discussions. Attend class regularly and participate actively. Keep appointments you make with me Type and spell-check your work.
Course Goals for University 100 Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Describe the value of higher education to society. Explain why you are in college. Define and describe the value of lifelong learning. Describe what CSUN expects of you as a student: what are your roles and responsibilities at CSUN? Make positive choices about time and involvement (both curricular and cocurricular). Demonstrate problemsolving and goalsetting skills. Demonstrate familiarity with CSUN's academic policies and programs, and show proficiency locating that information in the university catalog. Demonstrate familiarity with campus resources and locations (e.g. Health Center, etc.). Find, evaluate, and use appropriate print and electronic information to complete class assignments. Assess your strengths and weaknesses in basic academic and communication skills, including reading and listening with comprehension; organizing ideas for presentation; writing brief papers and reports; speaking in public; participating in group discussions; and working cooperatively in diverse communities. Use your awareness of personal style (learning style and/or personality type) to enhance your personal and academic success. Establish positive relationships with other students, with faculty, and with other members of the campus community (i.e., make friends; ask questions; ask for help). Transact basic university business (e.g., select and register for classes, interact with Financial Aid and/or Cash Management, meet requirements for immunizations, view semester grades). Identify ethical issues, appreciate the role of critical thinking in examining alternatives, and formulate your own position with respect to selected issues.
Student Learning Outcomes for University 100 Upon successful completion of your U100 class, you will be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Describe CSUN policies and resources central to your success as a student. Describe some of your strengths as a learner. Describe ways in which you are an agent in your own academic success. Find and use appropriate information resources to negotiate complex challenges (for example, ethical dilemmas, academic assignments, and/or issues of personal identity).
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Demonstrate your ability to use at least one time management technique. Name [at least] two people you have met at CSUN whom you can call on for help.
Lifelong Learning: GE Outcomes Met by University 100 1. 2.
Students will identify and actively engage in behaviors conducive to individual health, wellbeing, or development, and understand the value of maintaining these behaviors throughout their lifespan. Students will apply the knowledge and skills of science and technology and evaluate how they impact individuals, the community, and/or society.
Information Competence: Student Learning Outcomes met by University 100 Information Competence (IC) goal: Students will progressively develop information competence skills throughout their undergraduate career by developing a basic understanding of information retrieval tools and practices as well as improving their ability to evaluate and synthesize information ethically. Students will: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Determine the nature and extent of information needed; Demonstrate effective search strategies for finding information using a variety of sources and methods; Locate, retrieve, and evaluate a variety of relevant information including print and electronic formats. Organize and synthesize information in order to communicate effectively; Explain the legal and ethical dimensions of the use of information.
Major Assignments: 1. Essays: should be typed, double spaced, 3 pages long. You should have a clear thesis and a variety of supporting evidence. Criteria for grading include depth, specificity, integration of course materials, and quality of analysis. Check your grammar, style, and spelling to be sure they are correct. 2. Collaborative Critical Thinking Project: Each student will participate in a group that will identify a significant ethical issue, analyze it, and prepare a class presentation that shed light on
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that issue. The library assignment is also tied to this project. This assignment begins in the 2nd week of class and will conclude with a formal group presentation during the last weeks of class. Each group member must participate. 3. Library Research Assignment: The printout is available on the university 100 website. As a class we will spend some time in the library learning how to conduct research and utilize the libraries resources. In addition, each student will submit an annotated bibliography which reflects proper referencing format. Further information will be announced in class. [missing the library classes will cost you half of the points for your critical thinking project.] 4. Cultural Event: Attend an on campus event or other “cultural” event and write a 500 word analysis of the learning experience in attending such an event. 5. Get Involved: Students will find a venue in which to volunteer their time or become a part of the University Activities culminating in a written report submitted to moodle. Participation Minus Points, assessed as follows: Regular attendance after one
lose 100 points for each absence
Prompt arrival
lose 100 points for each late arrival.
Class participation class
lose
In class exercises in class
lose 10-50 points for impromptu exercises
Missed moodle posts discussion posts
50 points for lack of preparation for
lose 20 points for missed moodle
Talking/cells/distractions lose 50 points for causing distractions by chatting or checking your cell phone etc.
Grades will be assigned as follows:
965-1000
=
A
825-854
=
B-
699-744
=
D+
925-964
=
A-
795-824
=
C+
689-698
=
D
895-924
=
B+ 760-794
=
C
680-688
=
D-
855-894
=
B
=
C-
below 679
=
F
o
745-759
Should points vary, the grading scale will be adjusted accordingly.
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“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” Author Unknown
Classmate Information Name:
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Tentative Syllabus – Subject to Change: Check Moodle regularly. All updates are on moodle Week 1: Aug 25: Syllabus Introductions Homework: Print out Goal Sheet Aug 27: Goals Homework: Print out CSUN’s Mission Statement Read the Introduction to EVERYDAY Moodle Post “First Week”. Week 2: Sept 1: Discuss your mission at CSUN. Essay # 1 Assigned. Homework: Outline your essay. Sept 3: Transitions Homework: First Draft of Essay Week 3: Sept 8: LRC / Using Resources. Healthy Eating exercise explained. Homework: Keep track of your eating/exercise Sept 10: Bring your favorite snack food – Healthy Choices Week 4:
Sept 15: Meet at the Klotz Student Health Center Homework: Print out the Time Log Sept 17: Time Management/Priorities exercise – Time Log explained. Homework: Track your time. Moodle Post – “Health Center/Healthy Eating” Week 5:
Sept 22: Time Management Discussion/ Exercise Homework: print out memory file Sept 24: Memory Techniques / Applying skills to Academia Homework: Study Skills reading. Moodle Post – “Time Management”.
Week 6: Sept 29: Oct 1:
Study Skills Homework: Fill out group survey Group Critical Thinking Project Prep
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Homework: Library Tutorial Week 7: floor
Meet at the Oviatt Library in the Media room/2 nd
Oct 6: Oct 8:
Week 8: floor
Ethics
Oct 13: Meet at the Oviatt Library / Media Room – 2 nd
Oct 15: Research/Annotated Bibliography Prep. Homework: Annotated Bibliography. Moodle Post “Library Literacy”. Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week 12:
Oct 20:
Novel Discussion Homework: Everyday Oct 22: Project Date – tentative Homework: Moodle Post Prep for Group Projects
Oct 27: Group Presentations Oct 29: Group Presentations Homework: Student Self Report Card Moodle Post: Nov 3:
Novel Discussion Homework: Everyday Nov 5: Project Jade – tentative
Nov 10: Meet at the Career Center Nov 12: StrengthsQuest – Career center comes to
us. Homework: Moodle Post Week 13:
Week 14:
Nov 17: Financial Aid Homework: Track Spending Nov 19: Financial Literacy Homework: Moodle Post Nov 25: Police Station Visit - tentative Nov 27: No Class
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Homework: Moodle Post Week 15:
Week 16:
Dec 1: Novel Discussion Dec 3: Freshman Celebration Homework: Moodle Post Dec 8: Novel Finish Dec 10: Culminating Activity
