UNIV 102, FRESHMAN SEMINAR II
SYLLABUS

Locator | Description | Textbooks | Objectives | Evaluation | Requirements | Outline | Reading Reports | Teaching Strategies | Bibliography

I. Locator Information

II. Course Description

The second half of a year-long, interdisciplinary introduction to the University first-year experience, including University history, policies, and resources; reading, writing, test preparation, and study skills; use of University technology resources, skill tutorials, electronic mail, the internet, and academic and career planning; time and money management; and discussion of selected relevant, contemporary topics in health, literature, science, business, education, politics, economics, and philosophy. Based on profile examination scores, students may be required to complete additional work in the Reading Center. All students who enter the university as first-time freshmen are required to complete UNIV 101-102.

III. Textbooks

• Available in the FSU Bookstore:
• Hébert, Victor, ed. Fayetteville State University: Excellence, Mastery, and Maturity. 2d ed. Littleton, MA: Tapestry Press, 2004. (Abbreviation: EMM)
• Fayetteville State University Academic Planner, 2004-2005. (Planner)
• Available through University College:
• The FSU Undergraduate Catalog, 2004-2006. (Catalog)
• Fayetteville State University Student Handbook, 2004 - 2005. (Handbook)
• Documents from the Freshman Seminar Blackboard website as assigned. (Blackboard)

This course has a companion website accessible through Blackboard (http://blackboard.uncfsu.edu/). Consult Blackboard on a regular basis to keep up with announcements and/or necessary changes in the schedule. The Blackboard website also has a number of handouts, readings, and exercises that are REQUIRED as part of the course. Failure to access the website as directed by your instructor could make it impossible to complete several assignments and accumulate the maximum number of points for an “A” in the course.

To access Blackboard: (1) From the FSU Home Page, see “Student Resources” and click on “Blackboard Learning System,” or (2) Select “Blackboard” on the University College Home page. Enter your FSU user name and password. If you do not know your username and password, go to Banner and click "Look up your FSU Email Account." You use the same information to log in to Blackboard.

IV. Objectives and Competencies

This course is designed to help freshmen develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success as university students:

1. This course will help students set goals consistent with their abilities and interests and develop an educational and career plan that will help them achieve their goals. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
1. reflect on his or her life goals to write a personal mission statement;
2. develop long and short-term academic and career goals that are consistent with this mission.
2. This course will help students gain knowledge of the rules, regulations, and procedures of the university. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
1. explain important events in the history of the university;
2. explain the goals, purpose, and scope of UNIV 102; course requirements, grading methods and criteria, the reading proficiency requirement, and other aspects of the course;
3. participate in university programs.
3. This course will help students become aware of and utilize the assistance available through various university offices and resources. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
1. utilize academic support services such as the University College Tutorial Center, Supplemental Instruction, Student Support Services, and Chesnutt Library;
2. utilize other resources such as Career Services and Financial Aid.
4. This course will help students strengthen study habits and enhance basic skills in reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, quantitative skills, and the use of technology. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
1. use information technology, i.e., e-mail and Internet resources, effectively;
2. practice effective time management, note-taking, and test-taking skills;
3. improve his or her reading comprehension skills through the use of computer-assisted learning programs and intensive reading of texts from various disciplines;
4. improve his or her writing skills.
5. This course will help students develop the interpersonal and social skills and habits that are essential to success at the university and in their careers beyond the university. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
1. collaborate with instructors and other students to complete group assignments;
2. reflect upon the challenges of college life;
3. understand and collaborate with individuals from diverse ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds;
4. demonstrate the dispositions needed to interact positively with others in a learning community;
5. improve his or her confidence and abilities in speaking in small groups and for large audiences;
6. develop guidelines for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and coping with stress and other emotional disorders.

This course addresses the following components of the School of Education Conceptual Framework (corresponding course objectives indicated in parentheses):

1. Content Knowledge: By helping students understand the principles of college-level reading and writing, this course provides knowledge all teachers must have (4.3, 4.4).
2. Learning Climate: By helping students learn to respect and respond to other students of different backgrounds, this course teaches students about the requirements of a positive learning climate (5.3-5)
3. Dispositions: By helping students understand the requirements of a positive learning climate, this course also helps students develop the attitudes, motivations, and beliefs that will enable all students to learn (5.3-5).
4. Diversity: By requiring students to collaborate with faculty and students from a wide variety of backgrounds, this course helps students learn the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are required to enable all students to learn (5.1, 5.3-5).
5. Reflection: By requiring students to reflect upon their own background and upon their college experience, this course helps students develop the habits of reflection that will enable them to continue to develop as individuals and professionals (1.1-2, 5.2)
6. Technology: By requiring students to use computer-based tools in support of their educational objectives, this course helps students understand the value of various aspects of educational technology (4.1).

V. Evaluation Criteria

Grade Distribution.  Your grade will be based on the following assignments:

*These assignments have several parts due throughout the term. Your instructor will provide exact dates.
**Unexcused absences decrease final grade by 5 to 10 points each occurrence.

Final Grade: You will earn points for each written assignment and activity required in the course as indicated above. Your final grade will be a percentage calculated by dividing the total pointed earned by 1000. The Fayetteville State University grading scale will be used to convert this percentage into a letter grade as follows:

Class Attendance Requirements: - The Fayetteville State University Undergraduate Attendance Policy will be enforced in this class. (Catalog, p. 59). In accordance with this policy, the instructor will submit a WN (Withdrawal due to non-attendance) grade when you miss two consecutive hours of class or when you have more than three hours of absences

• Late Arrivals and Early Departures: You must not only attend class, but you must arrive on time and remain in class for the entire period. Two unexcused late arrivals or early departures will count as one absence for the purpose of the attendance policy.
• Excused absences: Absences due to participation in university-sponsored activities, family medical emergencies, and personal illness will normally be excused if proper documentation is provided to the instructor. Other absences will be excused at the discretion of the instructor.
• Appointments, Meetings that Conflict with Class: Please note that you should not schedule appointments with a doctor or dentist or anyone else that conflict with your class time. Such excuses for missing class will be accepted by the instructor only if you provide documentation that the appointment was an emergency or that there were no more scheduling options.
• Appeal of WN grade: You may appeal a WN grade by completing an appeal form and submitting it to your instructor by the WN Appeal deadline.
• Policy on Missed Assignments, In-Class Activities, and Tests: Assignments will not normally be accepted late, and students will not normally be permitted to make up missed in-class assignments or tests. Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the instructor and will require appropriate documentation for illness, family emergency, or participation in University-sponsored activities.
• Policy on Missed University Programs: Students in Freshman Seminar are required to participate in several University Programs throughout the semester. Since information about these programs is provided far in advance, students are expected to arrange their schedules to attend these programs. For students who have documented, emergency conflicts with these programs, make-up work (usually attendance at another program) may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor. There is no assignment substitute for Fall Convocation and Founder’s Day.

Expectations for Classroom Behavior: As instructor, I will respect all students and will make every effort to maintain a classroom climate that promotes learning for all students. Students must accept their responsibility for maintaining a positive classroom environment by abiding by the following rules:

1. Students are expected to arrive to class on time. Students may not leave or prepare to leave class until dismissed.
2. Students are not permitted to sleep in class.
3. Student/teacher relationships, as well as relationships among peers, must be respectful at all times.
4. Students are not permitted to wear headphones or other paraphernalia that may be distracting to the classroom environment. Cell phones should be turned off.
5. Students must refrain from any activity that will disrupt the class.
6. Students are not permitted to use profanity in the classroom.
7. Students should not pass notes or carry on private conversations while class is being conducted.

Consequences of failing to abide by these rules: The first time a student breaks one of these rules, the instructor will warn him or her privately, either after class (in person, e-mail, telephone, or private note) or before the next class. (The instructor reserves the right to warn the student publicly if the violation disrupts class.) The second time a student breaks the rule, ten points will be deducted from the student's next assignment grade. Students who repeatedly violate these rules will be subject to disciplinary actions according to the FSU Code of Student Conduct.

Reading Center (RC) (only for Reading Excellence Center sections): Students who received an I grade in UNIV 101 because they did not complete Reading Center requirements are required to attend the Reading Center in UNIV 102. Attendance in the Reading Center is mandatory. Unexcused absence from the Reading Center counts toward the WN grade. Reading Center instructors award points for participation and for work assigned. These points are included in the final course (UNIV 102) grade. Students not required to attend the Reading Center demonstrate appropriate reading proficiency and will receive the associated points as determined by the Seminar instructor.

In the second week of the semester, Reading Center class students will complete a reading proficiency examination (pre-test). If an acceptable score is achieved on this exam, you will be exempt from the Reading Center class. The reading examination will be repeated at the end of the semester (post-test) or completion of all reading assignments will be required. Otherwise, you will receive an F grade for the course and continue in the Reading Center until Mastery of all reading objectives and a successful post-test. The "F" will be removed and a grade awarded after completing a program of reading instruction to be determined by the reading instructor.

VII. Course Requirements

In UNIV 102, students are required to:

1. Attend all classes and required university programs;
2. Be in class on time each day;
3. Bring to class the syllabus, the course textbook, a planner, a notebook, and any other materials required by the instructor;
4. Complete all assignments and tests in accordance with the assignment schedule;
5. Complete all surveys and questionnaires;
6. Contribute positively to the learning experience of other students
7. Refer to the syllabus and Academic Planner daily to keep informed of upcoming assignments;
8. Access the course website as needed to obtain course documents and complete online assignments.
9. Check e-mail daily for communications from your instructor and other university officials.

VIII. Outline

Readings should be completed prior to the class in which they are discussed. Unless otherwise specified, assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Reading and assignment dates may vary slightly depending on the pace of the class and other scheduled activities. Instructors will announce any adjustments to the schedule in class. You are responsible for keeping up with assignments. If you miss a class for any reason, contact the instructor. Numbers in parentheses refer to the objective and competency served by this activity. All course activities serve specific course objectives.

Note: Flex Class Periods: These class periods are included at the end to accommodate the visits, tests, and surveys that classes will have so that these activities will not have an adverse effect on coursework. Flex hours are built in to prevent disruption of the flow of instruction in the Seminar classes. Flex hours can occur anywhere in the semester’s schedule. Several surveys are planned for the classes as well as visits.

Cultural/FYI Events: Students are required to attend two of the approved cultural events on the University College Calendar (http://www.uncfsu.edu/univcoll/calendar.asp). Other events may be approved by the instructor. ONLY events approved in advance by the instructor receive credit. Students must show proof of attendance at each event. Each event is worth twenty-five points. (2.5)

Reading Reports

Note: Whenever a Reading Report requires you to find a journal, an article, or a website, you must include a complete citation of the article in a standard bibliographic format. You can find guidelines for citing sources in your ENGL 120 textbook or on the Freshman Seminar Blackboard website.

VIII. Teaching Strategies

A variety of teaching strategies will be used in this class. The strategies that will be used most often are:

1. small group discussion and projects;
2. peer review and evaluation of student work;
3. computer assisted learning programs;
4. visits to various campus resources;
5. student presentations;
6. review of video and audio tapes;
7. lecture.

IX. Bibliography

• Carter, Carol, et.al. Keys to Success. Third Edition. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 2000.
• Chafee, John. The Thinker's Guide to College Success. 2d ed. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1999.
• DeLucia, Robert C. Urban Learners: Serious About College Success. 3d ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2003.
• Gardner, John. Your College Experience. 6th ed. New York: Wadsworth, 2005.
• Heiman, Marcia. Success in College and Beyond. Cambridge, MA: Learning to Learn, 1995.
• McGrath, Jane L. Building Strategies for College Reading: A Text with Thematic Reader. 3d ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001.
• Reynolds, Jean A. Succeeding in College: Study Skills and Strategies. 2d ed. Needham Heights: Allen and Bacon, 2002.