FYS 110.82: First Year Seminar (Life Maps), Winter 2009 Class day and times: Mondays, 12:00 – 1:18 pm, January 12 – April 13, 2009 Instructor: Name: Sue Skiendziel E-mail: [email protected] Course Philosophy: This Freshman Year Seminar course equips students for transitions in education and life. Students will be actively involved in learning and integrating practical tools to succeed. Students will develop a learning portfolio and an educational plan while enhancing critical thinking and study strategies. Required Materials: - Text: Step by Step to College & Career Success 2nd ed. by Gardner, Jewler, and Barefoot - One spiral-bound notebook – please bring to each class session - Paper for in-class and homework assignments. - One new two-pocket folder. Associate Degree Outcomes and Course Objectives: The JCC Board of Trustees has developed a list of essential skills that all graduates should develop. The Board has said: “JCC’s goal is to prepare students to live productive and meaningful lives. Implicit in this goal are efforts to prepare students to: (a) live and work in the 21st century, (b) be employed in situations which will require retraining several times during a productive life, and (c) function in a rapidly changing international society.” In FYS 110 you will: 1. Assess your learning style and write about your goals for academic success. (ADO 7: Thinking Critically.) 2. Improve study strategies to enhance your understanding and to succeed in courses. (ADO 7: Thinking Critically.) 3. Develop communication and leadership skills by working in groups and speaking to your class. (ADO 9: Working productively with others.) 4. Access and effectively use college resources. (ADO 7: Thinking Critically) An introduction to our class: This class is mostly discussion based. Your input is extremely valuable to all of us. Each class session will focus on a topic closely related to college success. I believe that if you critically read each chapter and put a lot of thought into the questions and class discussions related to each topic—you will experience benefits from this class throughout your college experience. This class is for you and your success.Grades: Grades on individual assignments will be assigned using points. Your final course grade will be assigned according to a 4-point scale. I use a point system to calculate grades, with a possible point total of 500 for the semester. The assignments are weighted for this class as follows: Various written assignments 250 points (50%) Capstone project 150 points (30%) Participation 100 points (20%) Slight changes in point totals are possible. Final course grades will be assigned as follows: Grading scale: 4.0 94%—100% (470 -500 points) 3.5 88—93 3.0 82—87 2.5 76—81 2.0 70—75 1.5 64—69 1.0 57—63 .5 50—56 Expectations: You are expected to complete the homework before class begins. Generally, you should plan to spend one to three hours preparing for every class. If you have any questions about an assignment, contact me. Please don’t wait until it is time to hand in the assignment to tell me you did not understand it or for some other reason could not complete it. Attendance at each class session is very important. We will only meet twelve times. I do not keep track of whether an absence is excused or unexcused. Each student gets a ―participation grade‖ for each class session. If you miss a class, you will miss the complete participation grade for that class session. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate or the instructor before the next class meeting to find out what you need to do to prepare for the next class. Points will also be deducted for arriving late and leaving early. My goal is for you to be successful in this class. My experience has shown me that students who don’t attend the classes are generally not successful in class, and those who attend each class have the most chance at success. Each student who has perfect attendance—no absences, tardies, and does not leave any class early—will receive 5 extra credit points. Late Work Policy: It is expected that assignments will be turned in on time. Homework is due at the beginning of class. It counts as late, anytime after the start of class. Because of the tightness of this class’s schedule, it is vitally important to complete each class session’s work before that class—we will discuss that material only during that session. Late work will get a 50% deduction. Additionally, if you will not be at class, work is considered on time if it is in my mailbox by the start of class. The Capstone will not be accepted late.Participation: It is expected that students will participate in class discussions. Each student will be given a participation grade for each class session. Class participation makes our time together much more interesting and valuable to everyone, including me. Participation points will be deducted when students do not participate in the class discussion, have obviously not prepared for class, disrupt the class, text-message, sleep, or do other things besides this class’s work. Academic Honesty Policy The Jackson Community College Catalog states: ―Academic honesty is expected of all students. It is the ethical behavior that includes producing their own work and not representing others’ work as their own, either by plagiarism, or by cheating, or by helping others to do so…Faculty members who suspect a student of academic dishonesty may penalize the student by taking appropriate action to and including assigning a failing grade for the paper, project, report, exam, or the course itself.‖ Other Items to Keep in Mind: 1. Please turn off cell phones before class. If you must be accessible by phone for family emergencies, please have your phone on vibrate only. All phones and personal media devices should be put away during class. 2. Text-messaging during class is not tolerated at all. 3. Students may have an inconspicuous beverage with them in class. 4. If there are any specific questions about grades, please address these to me after class. 5. Remember, I want you to succeed! Let me know how we can work together toward your