Gannon-Giroux FYS – Life Maps Syllabus Fall 07Welcome to:FYS 110-61: Life MapsCourse Syllabus and InformationFall 2007 1 Credit HourInstructor: Billie Gannon-GirouxOffice Location: James McDivitt Hall, Room 150Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-8:45 a.m., any others by appointmentOffice Phone: (517)787-0800, extension 8333E-Mail: [email protected]: 1st floor, McDivitt Hall Office, Karen Marler is the Building SecretaryMy Fall Schedule:FYS 110-01: Life Maps (8/20-11/12) 9-10:20 M. Walker Hall 104MTH 120-09: Beginning Algebra 11-12:56 M. & W. McDivitt Hall 209MTH 095-02: Basic Mathematics 1-2:56 M. & W. McDivitt Hall 151FYS 110-61: Life Maps (9/12-12/5) 9-10:20 W. Walker Hall 126Catalog Description of FYS 110:The First Year Seminar equips students for transitions in education and life. Students willbe actively involved in learning and integrating practical tools to succeed in college. Students will develop a learning portfolio and an educational plan while enhancing critical thinking and study strategies.Course Philosophy:As a class, we will define what the keys to success are for college students. Through small group activities and, homework assignments and reflections, we will work our way toward creating a portfolio which will serve as a tool as we carry on in our collegiate careers.Four Major Journeys we will explore in Life Maps:1. Inner Journey: We will strive to learn more about how we fit into the college community of learners by discovering our personal strengths, habits, and learning styles. 2. Classroom Community: We will become active participants in the learning community by developing effective and efficient study strategies and test-taking skills along with perfecting our management of time.3. College Navigation: We need to create this Life Map so that we can find out whatit takes to “make it” in college. We will discover our available resources and howto use them in the most effective way.4. Career Path: We all have to choose something to be when we grow up. We will make that a long term goal in this course while deciding the best path to attaining that goal.Gannon-Giroux FYS – Life Maps Syllabus Fall 07FYS 110 Objectives and Student Outcomes:Students completing FYS 110 will:1. Assess their learning styles, career aptitudes and build and educational development plan (EDP) for academic success (ADO 7: Thinking Critically).2. Learn and apply study strategies to enhance their understanding and to succeed in courses (ADO 7: Thinking Critically).3. Develop leadership skills by participating in small group activities, and learning about student life and service learning opportunities (ADO 9: Working productively with others).4. Access and effectively use college resources (ADO 7: Thinking Critically).WHAT ARE ADOs?The Jackson Community College Board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in the college. Two of these Associate Degree Outcomes (ADOs) are addressed in this class, including:ADO 7: Thinking critically.ADO 9: Working productively with others.Required Texts and Materials: - Coping with College: A Guide for Academic Success, by Alice Hamacheck, 2007. Available at the JCC Bookstore, Potter Center.- A flash/jump/thumb drive or floppy dick/CD in order to electronically store assignments. Flash drives are preferable (check the sales at Best Buy/Circuit City/Wal-Mart).- An academic weekly or monthly planner (calendar) available at most office supply stores and superstores. This is to help you organize your assignments and reading schedules for all of your classes. Organization is the key to success in college and beyond.- A 3-ring binder (1 ½ inch) to keep all of your assignments in one place. Also, thisis a good place to keep your copy of the class syllabus, handouts and other assignments. Assignment Quantity and Points Total PossibleVocabulary Enrichment Activities 4 @ 10 points 40Attendance and Participation 12 @ 5 points 60Homework Assignments 10 @ 10 points 100Reflections 10 @ 10 points 100Educational Portfolio 1 @ 200 points 200GRAND TOTAL: 500 pointsGannon-Giroux FYS – Life Maps Syllabus Fall 07Course Requirements:Attendance and Participation:I DO expect you to attend each scheduled day of class. We meet a total of twelve (12) days, for a little more than an hour each time. If you miss one class, it will have a negative effect on your grade. If you miss two classes, you will see that your grade goes down one full letter. While you are in class, it is expected that you will actively participate in discussions and activities. I ask that you read the assigned chapters BEFORE you come to class so that we can have a more meaningful conversation. You are responsible for completing all assignments, reflections and projects as they are assigned which is all considered as part of your participation and attendance grade. If you are unable to attend class, I expect a phone call. A little courtesy goes a long way with me. Each class period is worth 5 points (60 total). Homework Assignments: These will be given and defined in class. Most of these activities will become the necessary portions of your portfolio – I like to call it “double-dipping.” All assignments must be typed, double-spaced and carefully proofread for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. I ask that you use a readable font, such as Times New Roman and that the page margins are set at 1 inch all around. These assignments will be worth a totalof 10 points each (100 total). (Due Dates are indicated on the Class Schedule)Reflections: A valid reflection should be AT LEAST three paragraphs in length, each paragraph consisting of no less than 3-5 sentences. In this weekly reflection, you should include three things:1. A brief summary of the assigned readings (1 per chapter).2. An answer to one enrichment questions at the end of the chapter (1 per chapter).3. One paragraph on your week as a student. Reflections should be approximately 5-6 chapters or two TYPED pages. These are wortha total of 10 points each (100 total). (Due Dates are indicated on the Class Schedule)Vocabulary Enrichment Activities:While you are in college, you will encounter a language different from anything you’ve ever heard before. I believe in the power of words and in the importance of learning whatthose around you