CSU 1022 SYLLABUS 

FALL 2009

Instructor: Dr. Susan Copeland

CRN: 88074

Section: 08I

Dates/Times/Location: MW 3:00-3:50 p.m. in UC 268

E-mail: susancopeland@clayton.edu

Home Page: http://a-s.clayton.edu/scopeland/index.htm

Office: A&S 210H

Phone: 678-466-4744

Office Hours:  MW 2-3 p.m., 4-6 p.m., or by appt.

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

COURSE TEXT

Gordon, Virginia, and Thomas Minnick. Foundations: A Reader for New College Students (4^th ed.). Boston: Thomson Learning, 2008.

Outside readings may also be provided or will be parts of assignments at one of the Archives.

LEARNER OUTCOMES FOR CSU 1022

The general learning outcomes of the course and learning community program include:

The objectives of the course are that students will be able to:
• 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.
 

REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING POLICY

Your final grade will be determined by the following:

Writing Assignments (5)                     10 points each             50 points

Journal Assignments (3)                      5 points each               15 points

Single Presentation                             20 points                     20 points

Team Presentation                               10 points                     10 points

Final Exam Essay                                20 points                     20 points

SEAs (3)                                             5 pts each                    15 points

Participation                                        20 points                     20 points

Students all begin with 20 class participation points.  Final daily class participation will be assessed according to the following scale:

1 absence = 18

2 absences = 16

3 absences = 13

4 absences = 10

5 absences = 7

6 absences = 4 and so on.

FINAL GRADE ASSESSMENT

A = 136-150 points

B = 121-135 points

C = 106-120 points

D = 91-105 points

F = 90 points or below

LIBRARY INFORMATION
 
There will be one scheduled library activity for our class: an introduction to the library’s resources on September 14. Meet in L-200 (the room near the outside entrance to the library).
 

BASIC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Again, 6 absences equals 20 % of classes missed, so students who miss this many will be withdrawn from the course.

DR. COPELAND'S POLICIES ON ATTENDANCE, ROLL CALL, AND USE OF PERIPHERAL DEVICES

You are, of course, expected to attend all classes. Roll will be called during each class period.  Students who miss five classes for any reason have seriously jeopardized their grades through lack of participation.  Late papers will not be accepted without a physician's, or equally serious, documentation. The same is true with regard to missed exams and quizzes; they cannot be made up without an acceptable and documented reason for absence. While attending class, you are expected to disable any potentially disruptive devices such as cell phones and pagers. 

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Plagiarism involves copying another person’s words or ideas without citing the source with appropriate documentation.  Any student who plagiarizes fails the plagiarized assignment.  A plagiarized paper is considered an incomplete assignment.  Any student who cheats on an exam also fails the exam and the course.

ACCOMMODATIONS

To obtain this document and all other course materials in an alternative format, contact Disability Services by telephone at 678-466-5445 or by e-mail at disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

MIDTERM GRADE STATEMENT

Midterm grades will be posted before the deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty.  They will be calculated by the average of each student’s graded work at that time.

COMPUTER POLICY 

All students at Clayton State are required to have access to a laptop computer and to use that computer actively in all courses for e-mail access, electronic submission of papers, and other uses.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

On the schedule below are readings from our text and assignments listed on the day for which you will be responsible for them in class.  

Assignment Details:

Time Management Table: You will be provided with a time management chart that you should complete to turn in on August 19.

Journal Entry #1: Submit via e-mail by midnight 8/23 a response to this question: What has surprised you about being at Clayton State University? Which people, services, or resources have you found to be especially helpful? Why? Please put CSU 1022, Journal #1 and your name in the message header

College Student Inventory: The College Student Inventory is an online survey that will be distributed in class. Complete this inventory by 8/23. Print a copy of your results and bring the copy to class on 8/24.

Writing Assignment #1: Read Unit 2. Drawing upon the ideas presented in Unit 2, type an essay that you would consider appropriate for a high school newspaper. Explain to the students what they can expect when they come to college. In your essay, summarize/cite at least two ideas/positions from the authors of the essays in the textbook. Bring a hard copy of your typed essay to class on 8/31.

Writing Assignment #2: Read selections from Unit 3. Imagine that you are a college instructor teaching a discussion based class. Drawing upon the ideas presented in the Unit 3 selections, type an essay written to your students explaining what rules you would enforce. In this essay, encourage students to make better use of their time and to learn more efficiently. Your essay should compare/contrast your ideas to those presented by the authors in the textbook. Be sure to cite your sources. Bring a hard copy of your typed essay to class on 9/9.

Writing Assignment #3: Read selections from Unit 4. Drawing upon the ideas presented in Unit 4, write an essay to the provost of Clayton State University, explaining what academic skills are most important to be successful in college and in life. Explain why you believe students drop out of college. Offer advice about how to keep students enrolled at Clayton State. Bring a hard copy of your typed essay to class on 9/16.


Journal Entry #2: Submit via e-mail by midnight 10/11 a response to this question: What would be the perfect job for you? Why would this job be a good fit? How will earning a degree in your current major help you to get a job that you would truly enjoy? Please put CSU 1022, Journal #2 and your name in the message header.

Writing Assignment #4: Imagine that you are writing a letter to Bill Gates. Drawing upon the ideas presented in Unit 5, explain your vision for how technology will change in the future. Explain whether you believe these changes in technology will have a positive or negative impact on our society. Give Bill Gates advice on how we can use technology to create a better society and world. Be sure to cite three or more sources from the textbook in your letter. Bring a hard copy of your typed essay to class on 10/19.

Journal Entry #3: Submit via e-mail by midnight 10/26 a response to this question: What do you think are the main causes of prejudice? How have you or people you have known experienced discrimination? Do you believe that the election of President Obama will reduce prejudice or future racist acts? Please put CSU 1022, Journal #3 and your name in the message header.

Single Presentations: Your will give a multimedia presentation on your discoveries about your family history.  Presentations should be interesting and engaging for the class.  Find out the most interesting facts and anecdotal stories that you can and include them.

Team Presentations: The class will be divided into 4 teams. Each team will conduct research and present information on one of four topics: relationships, finances, alcohol/drugs, and stress/health. After providing this information the teams will lead a discussion or engage the class in an activity related to the topic. The teams must provide reliable information (giving the class the sources). Each member of the team must present some of the information and be involved in the discussion/activity.

Writing Assignment #5: Drawing upon the readings in Unit 9, write a typed letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations explaining whether or not you believe that U.S. college graduates have any special obligations or responsibilities to improve our society. What do you expect this generation of college graduates to do to contribute to the betterment of the world?

Final Exam: The final exam will be an essay exam. There will be one or more essay questions.

TENTATIVE ACADEMIC CALENDAR

 
See http://adminservices.clayton.edu/calendar/acfall2009.htm for updates

August 14 Freshman Convocation
August 17 First weekday class
August 20 Last day for schedule adjustment
September 7 Labor day
September 8 Faculty Development Day (no classes)
September 28 Priority advising period begins
October 9 Midterm (last day to withdraw)
October 30 End of priority advising period
November 5 Registration for fall open to freshmen
November 25 Start of Thanksgiving break
November 27 End of Thanksgiving break
December 7 Start of final exam period
December 7 End of final exam period
December 10 Last day for regular registration for spring classes
December 10 Last day to pay tuition and fees (online only on Dec 8 and 9)