UNION COUNTY COLLEGE             
         UCC 101 First Year Seminar, Summer 1 2009
                         Sec 001: TR 1:00pm-3:30pm, L-313
                           Log on to ANGEL here
 
 

Dr. Susannah Chewning

Office: H-125
Voice Mail: (908) 709-7182
e-mail: chewning@ucc.edu

  
 

Office Hours

T&Th 3:30pm-4:30pm
and by appointment

 
Practicing College Learning Strategies, 4th Edition

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:

Hopper, Carolyn. Practicing College Learning Strategies.  4th Edition. Boston, MA: Cengage, 2007.

A college planner (available in the UCC bookstore).

The Union County College Student Handbook, 2008-2009, available at the link above.  We will use the handbook in class, so please save it to your home computer or to a CD in order to have access to it as we discuss it throughout the semester.

The Union County College Academic Catalog, 2008-2010, available at the link above.  Please make yourself familiar with the handbook (print copies are available in MacDonald Hall) both for registration purposes and with respect to your major.

Websites: Carolyn Hopper’s support page http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/ , ANGEL, 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.

Course Requirements (please see my course policies link for basic course policies)

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.

Please see my classroom etiquette handout for more information on acceptable/unacceptable behavior.

Printed Portfolios, due 11 June and 2 July.

First Portfolio: Why Paper
  Learning Styles assignment
  First  Week self-assessment
   Mid-term self-assessment
 

Assignment on Setting Goals
  Responses to chapters 3 and 7
  Mid-term examination 
Before the mid-term each student should also complete online quizzes 1 and 2 and provide evidence of at least three skills bank visits.
   
   
Final Portfolio: Revisions of Why paper and Learning Styles paper.
  Final self-assessment
  Responses to chapters 1 and 2
  Career Project
  Group Assignment
  Time Management assignment
  Extra-credit assignment on chapter 4, 5, 6, or 8

Before the final each student should also complete online quizzes 3 and 4 and provide evidence of at least three skills bank visits.

E-Portfolio: revised drafts of various assignments posted by the end of 3 July 2009.  You will decide which assignments to include in the e-portfolio, but you must submit at least one assignment in each of the following categories:

1.  Self Examination
2.  Career and Academic Planning
3.  Learning Styles
4.  Resources for Success

Group Presentations:  each group will initially be made up of five students; you will choose a topic from a list I will provide in class.  Each group will speak for a minimum of ten minutes—each member of the group must speak for part of the presentation.  You will have a specific responsibility in your group.  The various responsibilities include editing the final presentation, doing research, writing up the outline and flier, completing an interview or survey, and locating images or artwork for the flier and subsequent printed article.  Each group’s presentation will eventually be put together as a short article for the class magazine.  Due date: June 30.

Breakdown of Grades: Participation (in-class discussion, completion of assignments, presentations, and attendance) 20%; Pow/Wows 10%; Out-of-Class Papers/Portfolios 50%; Quizzes and tests 20% . 

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. On ANGEL at http://ucconline.ucc.edu.  By regular mail at UCC.

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 9am-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 ANGEL) to get the assignment--don't count on me to give you assignments.             

 

 		   
 

    

T         5/26    Introduction to class.  Discussion of setting goals, time management, critical thinking, learning styles.   

Th       5/28    Setting Goals assignment due.  Response due on Hopper, ch. 3. Discussion of Why Paper assignment.  ALC Visit. 
                     Send first quiz to Dr. C on UCC email. 

T         6/2      Hopper, ch. 3. Discussion of Collaborative Learning.  Library Visit.

Th       6/4      Hopper, chs. 7 & 6.  Why Paper due.  ALC Visit (1-1:45).  Discussion of CSFI/Learning Styles assignment.

T         6/9      Hopper, chs. 7 & 6. CSFI and Learning Styles surveys due.  Discussion of learning styles.

Th       6/11    Midterm examination (1-3).  Midterm conferences (1-3).  Quiz 2 due online. First portfolio: Why Paper, Learning
                     Style assignment, skills bank, ALC visits, first and second self-assessments, responses on chapters 3 and 7.and 7.

T         6/16    Hopper, ch. 2.  First group assignment due.  Library Visit.

Th       6/18    Special Opportunity: The author of our textbook, Carolyn Hopper, will meet with us at 12pm for lunch.
                     Hopper, ch. 2. Studying and Bloom’s Taxonomy.  BLS review due on your major or intended career.  Response due on
                     Hopper, chapter 2.

T         6/23    Hopper, ch. 1.  Bloom’s Taxonomy assignment due.  Second group assignment due.  Scheduling/academic plan. 
                     Counseling Visit (2:30).  Quiz 3 due online.

Th       6/25    Hopper, ch. 1.  Weekly and Semester calendars.  Creating a long-term plan.

T         6/30    Hopper, ch. 1.  Response due on chapter 1.  Group presentations.

Th       7/2      Final examination.  Quiz 4 due online.  Final Portfolio: group assignment, career assignment, time management,
                     self-assessment; revisions of first portfolio contents; extra-credit chapter.

 

 

 

     

UCC 101-001 First Year Seminar                                                                                                       Papers

First  Week self-assessment:  In the first week of class, I will ask you to complete a self-assessment in which you examine your academic experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and expectations.  We will begin this paper in class but you will turn in a revised version in your first portfolio.  Final draft due 11 June.

Why Paper:  In this paper you will discuss why you are attending college – for a better job, to become educated for a particular career, because of family expectations – you explain why you’re in college, and why you’re at UCC in particular.  You will also include a picture or image, an original one or one you get from the Web, that best embodies why you are in college.  For the e-portfolio there will also be a reflection assignment associated with this paper.  First draft due 11 June; revision due 2 July.

Learning Styles assignment: In this paper you’ll be discussing your score on the Success-Types Indicator (on http://www.ttuhsc.edu/SOM/success/page_LSTI/LSTI.htm). You’ll respond to some specific questions about your “success-type” learning style and how it impacts how and what you learn. Part of this assignment will also be connected to Hopper’s learning styles chapter and her right/left brain survey.  For the e-portfolio there will also be a reflection assignment associated with this paper. First draft due 11 June; revision due 2 July.

Mid-term self-assessment:  This will be a re-examination of your goals, strengths, weaknesses, and expectations of yourself and your college experiences.  Final draft due 11 June.

Setting Goals:  This assignment will include goals that you have as part of this semester (the summer), your first year of college, your first two years of college, and your final two years in a four-year institution.  You’ll follow Hooper’s guidelines for long- and short-term goals.  For the e-portfolio there will also be a reflection assignment associated with this paper.  First draft due 11 June; revision due 2 July.

Career Project: In this assignment you will look at the curriculum of your major at UCC and at your transfer institution; your career plans and the role of your education in your career; your goals and expectations of college and your future.  There are three parts: an introduction, a review of the BLS website, and a four-year college plan.  For the e-portfolio there will also be a reflection assignment associated with this paper.  Final draft due 2 July.

Group Assignment: On the first day of class you will be assigned to a group and you will work on a group presentation and some smaller group assignments throughout the semester.  At the end of the term you will participate in your group presentation and write a review/reflection (for your final portfolio) of the group experience.  Final draft due 2 July.

Time Management assignment:  We will be discussing time management throughout the semester; this assignment will be a small portfolio of your time management activities, including some schedules that you will create, some responses to readings and in-class activities, and some self-reflections on how you use your time.  For the e-portfolio there will also be a reflection assignment associated with this paper.  Final draft due 2 July.

 

 

 

UCC 101-001 First Year Seminar                                                                               Final Portfolio

 

In order to pass this class, you must submit your work on ANGEL to your e-portfolio.  The assignments you complete in this class can be submitted into the following categories.

1.  Self Examination

2.  Career and Academic Planning

3.  Learning Styles

4.  Resources for Success

You can submit assignments to one of these categories – you decide where the assignments are posted – but each assignment can be posted only once.  In order for the assignments to be graded, you will turn the final portfolio in to me in printed form no later than 3pm on Thursday, 2 July.  But you will have until midnight on Friday, 3 July to complete your e-portfolio.  Be creative; add anything you think will improve your grade.  Your final grade will be determined by the completion of all assignments and the quality of your e-portfolio. The categories can be completed in several possible ways:

1.  Self Examination: any assignment that focuses on your assessment and evaluation of your own skills, challenges, weaknesses, strengths, or goals.  Possible assignments: Why paper; Learning Styles paper; first, second, or final self-assessment; career project; time management assignment; chapter reflections; group assignment.

2.  Career and Academic Planning:  any assignment that focuses on your career or college plans: present and future.  Possible assignments: career project; time management assignment; Why paper; setting goals assignment; group assignment if relevant.

3.  Learning Styles:  any assignment that focuses on how you learn and what you can do to improve your learning style.  Possible assignments: brain hemisphere assignment; Learning Styles paper; career project; chapter 7 reflection; any additional career-related assignment or survey you wish to complete.

4.  Resources for Success:  Post here any assignment in which you discuss and demonstrate the use of resources that will help you succeed in college and beyond.  Possible assignments: extra-credit assignments on chapters 4, 5, 6, or 8; Skills bank assignments (and reflection); ALC journal; scavenger hunt; group project (if relevant); time management assignments; career survey(s) taken through Counseling (and reflection).

For each category on ANGEL, you will submit at least four pages of assignments and a cover page explaining why you included the assignments under that category.  All you’ll add to each category is the cover page; the other material will already have been completed.  The category pages in ANGEL will include the following:

Self-Examination        Career/Academic Planning    Learning Styles           Resources for Success

Introduction                 Introduction                             Introduction                 Introduction

Self-Examination 1      Career/Academics 1                 Learning Styles 1         Resources for Success 1

Self-Examination 2      Career/Academics 2                 Learning Styles 2         Resources for Success 2

Self-Examination 3      Career/Academics 3                 Learning Styles 3         Resources for Success 3