Email: MarkoMaunula@clayton.edu

Web address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/mmaunula/

University Foundations helps new students make a successful transition to Clayton State University and prepares them to meet the challenges of higher level learning and the demands of their chosen field. The course connects students and faculty who share a common interest by building a community of learners committed to achieving excellence. University Foundations refines academic goals, encourages a greater sense of personal responsibility, creates intentional learners, and provides the information and support that students need to earn a college degree. This discussion-based seminar helps students to learn how to improve their basic skills in areas such as written communication, oral communication and critical thinking. (Institutional credit only; counts in GPA).

Newsmedia and modern society. During this course, we will take an analytical look at the American newsmedia. We will read newspapers, magazines, and dissect some television shows. We seek to identify arguments and argumentation, evaluate the media analytically and critically, and this way increase our understanding of the news’ role and function in shaping our world.

• strengthening students’ abilities to read, write, and speak effectively,
• improving students’ abilities to analyze, interpret, and communicate information in a systematic way,
• developing students’ knowledge of their goals, abilities, and interests in conjunction with practices that contribute to success in college and in their chosen field, and
• building connections between students with similar interests and between students, faculty and the university.

• develop greater proficiency in oral and written communication;
• demonstrate an improved ability to think critically
• use basic communication and instructional technologies
• develop learning-centered relationships with fellow students, advisors, and instructors
• set priorities, establish short and long term goals, and effectively manage time
• identify campus resources that serve various academic, psychological, and social needs
• conduct basic research and find needed research materials online and at the library
• apply knowledge of learning styles to educational tasks
• use learning strategies (reading techniques, note-taking methods, memory strategies, and test-taking strategies) effectively
• understand their majors and identify careers that suit their interests and abilities
• develop habits and strategies that promote fiscal responsibility, healthy lifestyles, stress management, and effective interactions with diverse groups of people

It is the policy of CSU to afford equal opportunity in education to qualified students. Therefore, individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations, or to obtain this document in an alternative format, should contact the Disability Resource Center (disabilityservices@clayton.edu ) Student Center 255, (678) 466-5445

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm

Ability to use the Windows^TM operating system

Ability to use Microsoft Word^TM word processing

Ability to send and receive e-mail using Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM

Ability to attach and retrieve attached files via email

Ability to use a Web browser.

Although we will not use a computer in the classroom, some of the work will require a computer. Feel free to bring the laptop into the classroom, but FOR TAKING NOTES ONLY! No surfing the web, chatting, messaging, playing games, etc.

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Attendance and active participation: 20 %.

Four pop-quizzes: 5% each = 20 %. These are very simple quizzes that simply monitor that you are keeping up with your readings.

Learning journal: 20 %. You will keep a learning journal on the topic: "What have I learned about learning?" You will submit your entries to me at the times mentioned in the syllabus.

Two writing assignments: 10 % each = 20 %.

Final exam: 20 %.

90 and above = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

59 and below = F

The midterm grade in this course, which will be issued on October 6, reflects approximately 25% of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on October 9. The last day to withdraw without academic accountability is Friday, October 9, 2009.

Hand in your papers and other possible assignments in on time. I will NOT accept e-mailed papers, only printed and STAPLED hard copies. NO EXCEPTIONS! REALLY! I MEAN IT!

I will not schedule make-up tests unless in cases of valid emergencies. If you have to miss a test, please provide me with a documented excuse: police report, doctor’s note, et cetera.

University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students throughout the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The University reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Gordon, V. A., & Minnick, T. L. (2008). Foundations: A reader for new college students (4^th ed.). Boston: Thomson Learning.

Also, bring a copy of that day’s New York Times to the class every day. It is available for free to all CSU students, at several free newsstands, around the campus.

Presenting the work of somebody else as one’s own, unaccredited quotations, letting others do one’s work for him/herself, and other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly forbidden. Violators will be pursued and punished according to Clayton State University’s guidelines and regulations.

All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: 

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

For issues concerning ethical rules, student life, student rights and responsibilities, et cetera, please consult the student handbook:

http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook/foreword.htm

Do not be late! We all know Atlanta traffic, so I understand if you run late once or twice. However, habitual tardiness will not be tolerated. Having people popping into the class at all hours disrupts the lectures and your fellow students’ concentration.

Eating and drinking in class is okay, but avoid "loud" foods.

Turn your cell phones off or on silent when you come to the class.

You can use laptops only to take notes or do some other class-related work. No playing games, surfing the web, or chatting with friends, either online or in person. This disrupts your classmates’ work as well as your own.

Clayton State University rules strictly forbid bringing children to the classroom or parking them in the hallway for the duration of the class. If you have temporary child care problems, please contact me.

Check your Clayton State email account daily. This will be a major avenue of communication for this class.

1. August 18, 2009

Introduction.

2. August 20, 2009

Why are we in college?

3. August 25, 2009

College Student Inventory: finding your strengths and weaknesses.

4. August 27, 2009

Strategies for success. HAND IN YOUR LEARNING JOURNAL.

5. September 1, 2009

Learning as a team.

6. September 3, 2009

Learning as a team.

7. September 8, 2009

Faculty Development Day. NO CLASS!

8. September 10, 2009

Presentations of your first group project.

9. September 15, 2009

Library visit. We will meet outside the library, in the room L-200, at our usual meeting time. The visit will help us to learn about our library and the ways to use it as effectively as possible.

10. September 17, 2009

September 14-18 is the Constitution Week. Attend one Constitution Week event in lieu of attending this day.

11. September 22, 2009

How to handle stress.

12. September 24, 2009

Managing priorities: how to avoid negative diversions.

13. September 28, 2009

Catch-up day. Topics to be determined. HAND IN YOUR LEARNING JOURNAL.

14. October 1, 2009

How to know when media is telling the truth? Learning to read modern newsmedia.

15. October 6, 2009

Adjusting to College.

16. October 8, 2009

Biases and viewpoints: how to interpret op-ed columns.

17. October 13, 2009

Writing a news: a group project.

18. October 15, 2009

Writing a news: a group project.

19. October 20, 2009

Catch-up day. Topic to be determined.

 

20. October 22, 2009

I am lost: who can help? What to do when you have personal problems?

 

21. October 27, 2009

I am lost: who can help? What to do when you have trouble learning?

 

22. October 29, 2009

The importance of professionalism. HAND IN YOUR LEARNING JOURNAL.

23. November 3, 2009

Writing an editorial. A group project.

24. November 5, 2009

Writing an editorial. A group project.

25. November 10, 2009

Presenting the group projects.

26. November 12, 2009

Catch-up day. Topic to be determined.

27. November 17, 2009

Interpreting the health care debate: the importance of media analysis.

28. November 19, 2009

How to recognize a good source.

29. November 24, 2009

How to use evidence. HAND IN YOUR FINAL LEARNING JOURNAL.

30. November 26, 2009

"Academia is just like football."

31. December 1, 2009

Catch-up day. Topic to be determined.

32. December 3, 2009