FYS 110 First Year Seminar: The Culture of College “Life is a journey. You’ll need a map. Stay on course!” Course: FYS 110 Meeting date: Monday Time: 4:30 PM to 5:48 PM Location: 104 B. Walker Hall Instructional Period: 8/24/09 to 11/22/08 Instructor: Nancy Miller, MS Office: 100 B. Walker Hall Office Hours: by appointment E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (517)796-8413 Text: Step By Step to College and Career Success, Third Edition, Gardner, et.al. RVSD 2009. Supplies: JCC Student Handbook, Three ring binder or folder, Writing utensil, and paper. All items should be brought to each class Course Philosophy and Description: This first year seminar provides strategies for assimilating college culture through effective communication, acclimation to college responsibilities and requirements, and navigation of occupational and transfer planning, including financial aid and goal setting. Associate Degree Outcomes (ADOs): The JCC Board of Trustees have determined that all graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in college. The ADOs addressed in this class are:  The ability to think critically and solve problems (ADO #7), and:  The ability to work productively with others (ADO #9) Course Goals In FYS 110, you will: 1. Assess your learning styles, assess your career aptitudes, and write an academic plan. 2. Use active learning techniques to ensure that you stay on course. 3. Develop communication and leadership skills by working in groups and speaking to your class. 4. Access and effectively use college resources. 5. Build your critical thinking skills as you read various selections and answer questions related to them. Instructor’s Responsibilities for Your Learning: Accessibility: before/after class or by appointment, I am here to help you have a successful college experience. For this course I will provide advance notice of expectations and will make information and requirements easily accessible to you. No question is dumb. If you don’t understand something chances are good that someone else doesn’t either. Timeliness: I will be on time for class (beginning and ending) and will return work to you within one week if its completion. Student’s Responsibilities for Your Learning: Timeliness: Be on time for class and turn your work in by the due date. Points earned will be reduced by 25% each week that work is late. Attendance & Participation: You will get the most from the class by attending and participating. A significant portion of your grade is calculated based on both of these. Ask for help when you need it: We all need help at times in our life. While you are trying to establish your independence, this is the wrong time to let pride interfere with your success. Assignments and Time Management: You will receive a calendar of readings and assignments. You are expected to read the assigned materials and do journal writing and homework before class starts. You should spend about 2 hours preparing for each hour of class time. Class Format: Although the setting may be relaxed, the expectations are still college-level. You are expected to actively participate in discussions, actively read the selections, and put much thought into your journals and assignments. If you put forth a lot of effort in this class and take each assignment seriously, we believe that this class will give you more confidence in your college work, and it might possibly change your ways of thinking.(W) – indicates withdrawal from the course. Withdrawal from requires preplanning and discussion to make sure you do not compromise your financial aid to assure you meet deadlines (I) – Indicates incomplete. Taking an incomplete requires prior documentation and approval of the instructor Please Note: Students must earn a minimum 2.0 grade in all pre-requisites and all courses contributing to an earned certificate or degree. Grading Scale 95-100 = 4.0 85-95 = 3.5 80-84 = 3.0 75-79 = 2.5 70-74 = 2.0 65-69 = 1.5 60-64 = 1.0 59 or below = E Small Group Work: Often in class, you will be asked to complete assignments working as a team. Your ability to collaborate, communicate, and contribute effectively are critical to your success as a learner who can help foster others’ learning. These skills are essential in work, community, family, and in life. Employers in our tri-county area continually ask that we help students develop critical thinking and collaborative skills. They know that developing these skills need practice and application. We will be working on both of these—critical thinking and collaboration—in our small group projects. Participation/Attendance: Sitting in class is not participation. Participation demands your active presence and your readiness to discuss ideas, to work collaboratively, and to stay on task. Attendance is mandatory. If you miss a class due to an emergency, 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. You probably have a busy life and many things that compete for your time. Nevertheless, class attendance and school work must be high priorities if you are to benefit from the course and receive credit. Attendance matters! Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made. Disruptions to your class participation including texting or working on other courses will not be tolerated. Homework Grades: Learning Portfolio 40 % Homework Grade 10 points fully complete and acceptable quality 7 points, complete and lacking effort 5 Partially complete and lacking effort 3 Minimally complete and/or poor quality/effort 0 Not complete – or absent and no prior notice Educational Plan & Final Presentation 30% Participation/Attendance 30% Intermediate Grading: To comply with college policy and federal regulations I am to assign a grade to you after approximately two weeks, five weeks, and eight weeks. The grades assigned are letters with the following meanings:  V: Verifies that you are participating and your work so far has been acceptable.  H: Means that you are participating, but your work shows that you may require Help in order to complete the class successfully. If