Course Description:  This course is designed to help students adjust to college by giving them the information, support and strategies they need to feel secure in their college classes.  It will help students clarify their goals, become familiar with the academic environment, and sharpen their ability to learn and think critically.  2 lecture hours per week. 2 credit hours. Prerequisite: ENG 087 and ESL 065 if required

Course Objectives:

• understand what is expected of college students and how to meet these expectations

• clarify both their short and long term educational and career goals

• utilize learning strategies in their individual courses

• understand ways of thinking critically about articles, books, and other materials in the UCC Library, in databases, and online

• apply critical thinking strategies to learning and life situations

Resources:

Lewandowski, Rosemarie, ed. The First Year Seminar: Union County College.  4th edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage/Wadsworth, 2008.  This book is sold in a bundle with a Student Planner and a pamphlet called Wadsworth Quick Guide for the Community College Student.  All three books are required; you cannot purchase a used copy of the UCC 101 textbook from a previous semester.

Lipson, Charles. Doing Honest Work in College : How to Prepare Citations, Avoid Plagiarism, and Achieve Real Academic Success.  Chicago, IL: U of Chicago P, 2004.

Websites: Thompson/Wadsworth companion site for book chapters, online surveys and quizzes, WebCT, class website; Mathematics support sites such as Success in Mathematics from St. Louis University, Understanding Mathematics from the University of Utah; and various support and study skills sites from Texas A & M University.  UCC email and access to a computer (at home or in a UCC lab) are required for successful completion of this course.

Materials: a pocket folder in which to keep all your graded assignments (you will turn in all your assignments in this folder at the mid-term and final); a jump drive for your college work; looseleaf paper for in-class notes and assignments; students are also required to use their UCC e-mail addresses and to check their email regularly.

Academic Mentor:  In UCC 101-003 class, we are fortunate to have a student who is serving as an Academic Mentor.  Her responsibilities include communicating with you in and our of class (minimum of twice a month), working with you on assignments when needed, and serving as a mentor and liaison between you and the College (not only me, but other members of the faculty, as well, if needed.  She is a successful UCC student, so she will have a lot of good advice, feedback, and comments for you in class and out.  Please be aware that she is a member of the class as well as your resource for additional support and help at the College.  You can contact Joy at 10342890@ucc.edu.

Course Requirements

Attendance:  Attendance is required in this course.  No absences are excused.  Please let me know before you miss a class if you will not be able to attend. 

Participation:  Participation is 25% of the overall grade for this course.  This includes being here on time with all the necessary materials, participating in class discussion, and completing all in-class and out-of-class assignments. Your participation grade in this class can be affected negatively for any of the following:

• The use of electronic devices such as IPods, laptops, blackberries, cell phones, text messaging, or CD players.  All devices should be turned off, not set to vibrate, for the duration of class.

• Doing any work for another class during this class.

• Eating food during class that has a smell or makes a noise.

• Sleeping, daydreaming, or otherwise failing to participate.

• Coming in late or leaving early.

• Arriving in class without having completed the assignment due for that day.

• Talking to your classmates when others are talking or otherwise disrupting class discussion.

Assignments due before the mid-term: Four pow-wows; CSFI survey and brief paper; Academic Autobiography; “Why” paper and image; Group Math presentation(s); ALC Progress Report; Group Activity Report.

Assignments due after the mid-term: Four pow-wows; Career Project; Revised Academic Autobiography; Magazine Article; Presentation Outline; ALC Progress Report; Group Activity Report.

Additional Written Assignments: academic integrity paper; chapter responses; a math problem solution tutorial (due in both MAT 011 and UCC 101); scavenger hunt.  There may also be additional assignments; check the online syllabus and WebCT for   any additions to the syllabus.  If you miss a class and are not sure of an assignment, check the syllabus or contact a classmate.  

MAT 011 ALC Tutoring Sessions will take place on Fridays in the ALC from 10:10am-11:05am, during the time we are in UCC 101 on Mondays and Wednesdays.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to work one-on-one and in groups with a tutor who is specially trained to help you with MAT 011.  Tutoring is for people who need help, but it’s also for people who are already getting good grades to help them maintain their averages and prepare for next semester. Your tutor will help you every Friday; I will attend some of these sessions, as will your mentor, and when there is time, and if you need the help, we will work with you on assignments that are relevant to both UCC 101 and MAT 011.

Breakdown of Grades: Participation (in-class discussion, completion of assignments, presentations, and attendance) 20%; Pow/Wows 20%; Out-of-Class Papers/Portfolios 60% .  

Grading Scale:  100-92 A; 91-87 B+; 86-82 B; 81-77 C+; 76-72 C; 71-67 D+; 66-62 D; below 62 F.  Please see grade explanation attached. Please note that Union County College does not permit the assignment of minus final grades (such as A-, B-, or C-), so I will try not to give such grades on your work. See attached for my grading rubric.

How to reach me: E-mail: chewning@ucc.edu. Voice mail: (908) 709-7182.  Office: Cranford H-125. By regular mail:

                                    Dr. Susannah M. Chewning
                                    Department of English
                                    Union County College
                                    1033 Springfield Avenue
                                    Cranford, NJ   07016

Because of my busy class schedule, I may not have time to return telephone calls. You are much more likely to get an immediate response from me if you e-mail me during the hours of 9am and 5pm. I cannot accept e-mailed or faxed papers, nor can I relay grades (including final course grades) via e-mail or phone. No exceptions. My office hours are M&W 10am-11am; T&Th 1pm-3pm and by appointment. Please make an appointment if you would like to meet with me to discuss your progress in this course. You will be required to meet with me in a conference at least twice during the semester.  Plainfield Students:  our conferences and my office hours will be directly before and after class.

Extra-Credit and Revisions: We can talk about this on an individual basis.  Please note that plagiarized papers (which receive the grade of F) cannot be revised.  Revisions can only be completed on papers if we have met to discuss it prior to your turning it in.

A Note on Grammar: We will not spend much time in class on grammar, but we will discuss your writing in our conferences and in my comments on your written work. I expect your writing (and grammar) to be correct, to begin with, and to develop in style and creativity as the course progresses. All papers must conform in style and format to the MLA System of Documentation and Style. If you find that you need further help with the MLA Style or grammar, speak to me and we can discuss it on an individual basis. You are also strongly urged to visit the Writing Center (in the ALC) for help. I recommend the text A Writer’s Reference, edited by Diana Hacker, if you need a grammar and style handbook.  You can also get help on writing on my webpage at http://faculty.ucc.edu/english-chewning.

Plagiarism and Academic Integrity:  The first instance of plagiarism or cheating of any kind will result in the failure of the assignment.  A second instance of academic dishonesty will result in failure of the class and possible censure and dismissal from the College.  Plagiarized papers cannot be revised.  Please see the attached handout for more specific expectations.

Schedule of Assignments: All assignments are listed below. In addition to these assignments, there may be homework given in class. Some of these assignments will be posted on the online syllabus; however, if you miss a class and miss the homework, you should speak to a classmate (or check WebCT) to get the assignment--don't count on me to give you assignments.