The Honors College at FIU

FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE

 

Course Number: SLS 1501 \Section U 30

Fall 2006

W: 17:00 – 18:15

Instructor: John Bailly

e: baillyj@fiu.edu

t: 305-348-0297

Office: GL 422

Office Hours: MW 9:45 – 10:45 and by appointment

w: http://www.johnbailly.com/

 

“One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.”

Andre Gide

 

 

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the university and provide information that will promote and support academic success.  The course includes a review of basic skills and competencies necessary to college success, including, but not limited to, time management, study skills, and an orientation to university policies and procedures.  In addition, important topics such as alcohol and drugs, AIDS, and acquaintance rape are also included.

 

Course Objectives

  1. developing skills which will support academic achievement,
  2. developing an understanding of the complex issues and chooses confronting a college student,
  3. managing the university environment in ways that support completion of an academic degree,
  4. understanding the resources and services available on campus, and\understanding basic academic requirements, policies and procedures.

 

 

Required Readings

1. The First Year, Making the Most of College. 4th Ed., Glenda A. Belote and Larry W. Lunsford, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, ISBN 0-7575-0226-1, 2003.

2. On the Road, Jack Kerouac

 

 

 

Course Requirements

 

            1. Class Participation – Please be prepared for each class section with having completed assigned readings. Also, you will be welcome and expected to participate in class discussions.

 

            2. Class Schedule and Email – The class schedule is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. All changes will either be announced in class or posted on WebCT. It is the student’s responsibility to regularly monitor WebCT to actively check their FIU email account.

             

            3. Attendance\Off-Campus Research – Aside from attending class at FIU, some of our meetings may be off-campus during our class time (no long trips - promise). It is imperative you attend these. We will visit multiple institutions to see the art and to learn about the missions of the organizations.

             

            4. Papers - We will write two short papers in this course. All papers will be reflections on the university experience. Certain research methods will be required (such as interviews with experts, multiple references, library research…). Papers must be turned in on their due date; no late work will be accepted. They must be typed, double-spaced, and stapled.  Please refer to the “paper guidelines” on WebCT.

 

5. Visual Thinking Project – We will complete one project that will require the creation of an object (painting, sculpture, installation,).  These will not be graded according to technical skills, but rather according to concept and effort.

 

6. Attendance – Class Attendance is mandatory.

            • Two unexcused absences are forgiven. Thereafter, each unexcused absences lowers one’s final grade by one half grade (3 absences makes an A- would become a B+, 4 absences makes an A- a B, and so forth).

            • Students are responsible for everything assigned and for everything discussed in class. If absent, it is your responsibility to get that day’s notes from another student.

            • After any absence, the student must present a written justification (doctor’s note, jury duty) to have the absence excused.

            • Academic integrity is embracive to this policy. That means not being honest in written excuses, or in signing in (others sign you in, you leave before class ends, etc. ad nauseum are considered violations of academic integrity and handled as such.

            • Unexcused absences will consequentially adversely affect your final grade as follows.

 

# of  Unexcused

Absences

ESTIMATED GRADE

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

0-2

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

3

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

 

4

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

 

 

5

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

 

 

 

6 or More

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

 

 

 

 

             

             

Grading Legend

10 pts – Honors Citizenship

20 pts - Class Participation

20 pts - On The Road Quiz

30 pts - Box Portrait Project

20 pts - Christine Fitzgerald Paper

 

Letter grades correspond to the following point scale:

 

A   

94-100

 

A-

90-93

 

B+

87-89

 

B

84-86

 

B-

80-83

 

C+

77-79

 

C

73-76

 

C-

70-73

 

D+

67-69

 

D

64-66

 

D-

60-63

 

F

< 60

 

 

 

 

Participation policy

As this class involves discussion, attendance and class participation is essential.

Participation also means no distractions. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES IS PROHIBITED. All cell phones, iPods, Blackberries and laptops should be turned off.

 

 

Academic Integrity

Please read all information on the following link. Registration in this course requires an acceptance of The Honors College Academic Integrity policy.

http://honors.fiu.edu/plagiarism.htm

 

In this learning community, we are expected to act as moral beings governed by a sense of ethics. These ethics are outlined in the University Code of Academic Integrity.(www.fiu.edu/~dwyere/academicintegrity.html) and the Honors College policy on plagiarism (http://honors.fiu.edu/current_policy_plagiarism.html).  In simple language, in this course you will not cheat, misrepresent others' work as your own (plagiarism), or lie to the instructor or others in this learning community. One act crossing that boundary and you will be recommended for expulsion from the Honors College.

 

Physical, mental and sensory challenges

Every effort, where feasible and practical will be made to accommodate students who are so challenged. Should you require accommodations contact your instructor or the Disability Resource Center if not done so already.

 

Religious observances

Every effort, where feasible and practical, will be made to accommodate students whose religious practices clash with class requirements or scheduling; i.e you practice a religion whose holidays do not coincide with the University closing or an exam is scheduled during a day of high spirituality. Contact your instructor if such a situation arises.

 

 

FALL 2005

Class Schedule
Please note that the class schedule is subject to change.  All such changes will be announced in class.

 

Week                                      Description/notes                                          Reading/Project

1

30 Aug

Introduction

Introduction, Chapters 1-3, pp 1-30; Exercises 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.3 and 3.4, due 6 Sept.

2

06 Sep

Guest speaker, Valerie Johnson, “Undergraduate Studies”

On the Road

3

13 Sep

 

Read Chapter 4, pp 51-61. Exercises 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, due 27 Sept.

4

20 Sep

Guest speaker from “Center for Leadership and Services” (Sania Elshorbgy, ext. 7-1396)

On the Road

5

27 Sep

Library tour and information talk from library staff

Read Chapter 5, pp 72-78; complete exercise 5.1 due 4 Oct.

6

04 Oct

Guest Speaker from “The Learning Center,” Ms. Charlene Eberly, Director of The Writing Center

On the Road

7

11 Oct

Guest speaker from UTS/ETS, Mr. Sedrick Sexton, Coordinator, UTS/ETS

Read Chapter 5, pp 72-78; complete exercise 5.1 due 4 Oct.

8

18 Oct

QUIZ: On the Road

 

9

25 Oct

Guest speaker, “Victim Advocacy Center, ” Ms. Sharonda Lebrun

 

10

1 Nov

Guest speaker, “Outreach and Student Conflict,” Ms. Shawna McNair

Read: Chapters 8-9, pp. 116-130, and 136-142.

11

08 Nov

Guest speaker, tour of Health and Wellness Center, Ana

Complete Ex. 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5 due 29 Nov.

12

15 Nov

Bailly out

 

13

22 Nov