Georgia Gwinnett College
GGC1000: First Year College Seminar
Course Information:
Class Time: 7:00 pm – 8:40 pm Tuesdays
Class Location: Building A1580
First Year College Seminar - GGC 1000
Contact Information:
Instructor Name:
Dr. Mai Yin Tsoi
Office number:
A1094
Office phone:
678-407-5735
Cell phone:
678-524-7992
E-mail:
mtsoi@ggc.usg.edu
Course Description:
A course designed to increase students' success in college by assisting the student
in obtaining knowledge and practical skills necessary to reach their educational
objective and beyond. Topics include expectations of college, time utilization, testtaking and communication skills, study techniques, listening and note-taking skills,
library use, use of college resources and personal issues that many college students
face. This course is mandatory for all first year college students (students with fewer
than 30 transferable hours at the time of enrollment.)
Course Values:
Personal Life – students are in charge of their lives in decision-making, taking responsibility for their
actions and possible consequences
Academic Life – students internalize the importance of academic integrity, study skills, time
management and organization
Community Life – students understand importance of diversity & citizenship in college community; they
actively engage in campus activities, with faculty/staff/peers, and develop awareness of surroundings
and potential risk-situation
GGC INTEGRATED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE (IEE) OUTCOMES
1. Clearly communicate ideas in written and oral form.
2. Demonstrate creativity and critical thinking in inter- and multi-disciplinary contexts.
3. Demonstrate effective use of information technology.
4. Demonstrate an ability to collaborate in diverse and global contexts.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of human and institutional decision making from multiple
perspectives.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of moral and ethical principles.
7. Demonstrate and apply leadership principles.
GGC GENERAL ED. OUTCOMES
Georgia Gwinnett College’s General Education program produces engaged and informed citizens
who:
1. Clearly communicate ideas in written and oral form
2. Demonstrate creativity and critical thinking
3. Demonstrate science literacy
4. Demonstrate a broad understanding of diversity
5. Demonstrate effective use of information technology
6. Understand global issues and perspectives
7. Understand the role of history in human development and national and world affairs
8. Understand human and institutional behavior from a political, social, and global perspective
9. Appreciate human endeavors in literature or the arts
GGC 1000 Course Goals:
The goals of the course are:
1. To develop a strong engaging relationship between student and faculty
advisor/mentor
2. To develop a strong intellectual and social relationship between peers
3. To promote the use of active learning skills
4. To develop basic skills required for success in college
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Understand and describe academic experiences for success in college
2. Understand and explain the social and educational issues that contribute or
detract from their success in college.
3. Access college academic resources.
4. Describe factors that impact a family or community’s well-being (physical,
mental, emotional, social).
Basic Skills to be developed
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Oral presentation skills
Creative and critical thinking skills
Researching a project using the library
Developing a cultural competency and appreciation of diversity
Developing an appreciation of the value of community service and of other
cultures, backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels.
Required Text and Supplies:


Textbook:
o Welcome to the Campus of Tomorrow-Today , Pearson Custom
Publishing ISBN: 0-536-39489-X.
Supplementary material provided by faculty and based on chosen theme.
Assessment Tools/ Grading Policy:
50% - Final Paper. This will be a minimum 2 page, double-spaced, typed paper,
Times New Roman Font or smaller, 1 inch margins on all sides. This paper will
describe reflections by the student on what impacted him/her the most during the
course and what he/she learned from the experiences.
20% - Attendance. For every unexcused absence, the grade will be lowered by 3%,
starting on September 23, 2008.
30% - Participation and effort at one community service event. This will be judged by
Dr. Tsoi and other students in the course. Participation and effort includes: showing
up on time, staying for the majority of the event, trying hard to accomplish the course
objectives in the activity, having a positive attitude, having an open-mind, and
willingness to help others.
Grading Scale:
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = 59 or below
Instructor/Course Policies
Students who arrive late (more than 20 minutes) or leave class sessions early (more
than 20 minutes) will marked absent. You are expected to attend every class. Failure
to attend class will affect your grade.
IF an emergency arises and you are unable to attend a class and/or complete an
assignment by the due date you MUST notify your instructor prior to the class start
time and/or the assignment due date. Notification by email, text or phone message is
acceptable. At the instructor’s discretion, make-up work may have a different format
or different content from the regular assignment. Make-up work should be completed
within two days of the original due date. Work missed due to unexcused absences
will be given a grade of zero.
Students who never attend a class by the end of the first two weeks of the term will
be reported for non-attendance. Students who do not drop a class during the
schedule adjustment period and are reported for non-attendance will be automatically
dropped from that course.
If you feel that you are unable to complete your courses due to illness or family
emergency, contact the Registrar’s Office or the Office of Enrollment Management to
attempt to withdraw from your courses without penalty.
As stated in the GGC Catalog: “Students whose absences exceed two-thirds of the
total class meetings in a semester may be administratively withdrawn from the course
by the instructor. This includes excused and unexcused absences. A student
administratively withdrawn from a course due to excessive absences may re-enroll
for that course in a subsequent semester during which the course is offered.”
www.ggc.usg.edu/apply/catalog.php
Final Exam (Paper) due Date:
The date of this exam will be announced.
College Policies
Regent’s policy statement
The University System of Georgia requires that all students enrolled in undergraduate
degree programs in University System institutions (including Georgia Gwinnett
College) successfully complete all parts of a competency examination in reading and
English composition. This competency examination is commonly called "the
Regents' Test", and it is free of charge. A student has two attempts to pass this test
before accumulating 45 hours of collegiate credit. Please sign up for the Regents'
Test when you enroll in English 1102. Do this in time to have two attempts before
accumulating 45 credit hours!
Americans with disabilities act statement
If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities
Act and require assistance or support services, Please seek assistance through the
Center for Disability Services. A CDS Counselor will coordinate those services.
Equal opportunity statement
No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin,
age or disability, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity
conducted by Georgia Gwinnett College.
Affirmative action statement
Georgia Gwinnett College adheres to affirmative action policies designed to promote
diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty and students.
Academic respect
The college exists to foster educational excellence. To this end, a classroom
atmosphere that supports learning must be maintained. You are expected to be an
active, attentive participant in the class. You are also expected to abide by class
policies and procedures and to treat faculty and other students in a professional,
respectful manner. Specifically you should silence your cell phone, turn off your
music and refrain from text messaging or emailing during class. You are expected to
be familiar with the student conduct code published in the Student Handbook.
Honor Statement
The Honor Statement found in our course catalog should be added and signed by
each student for each assignment handed in.
"We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate the actions of those who do."
Course Changes:
This course syllabus provides a general plan for this course. The professor reserves
the right to make changes to the syllabus, including changes to assignments,
projects, examinations, etc., in order to accommodate the needs of the class as a
whole and fulfill the goals of the course. Students should check both WebCT and the
wiki webpage regularly, as course changes will always be announced and recorded
on the course WebCT and/or the wiki webpage.
https://wiki.ggc.usg.edu