Professor
Dr. Sinclair
Office: AD 201B
Syllabus for HONOR 100: Introduction to Honors
Fall 2014
Subject to Change
Phone: 594-2518
Email: stacey.sinclair@sdsu.edu
Class Schedule/Location
Wednesdays 1:00 -1:50
Storm Hall West, room 11
Office Hours: Fridays 11-12, or email for appointment
Course Description
This course introduces new Honors students to one another and to the honors staff, and explores ways in which they can integrate their learning and experiences to enrich their college experience. This course serves to bring new honors students together for a
"common experience" and to introduce interdisciplinary education and the theoretical and practical integration of knowledge. This course also introduces students to the Honors
Program’s goal of helping students imagine moving their work beyond the classroom into areas such as research, leadership, community and, ultimately, both local and global engagement.
Required Readings
An assortment of required readings will be posted to the course’s Blackboard site. You are responsible for logging in and reading all required articles.
Honor 100 Course Objectives
By the end of the semester, you will know. . .
1. What you want to get from your collegiate experience
2. How to think intentionally and reflectively
3. How to communicate effectively and confidently with faculty members and other professionals
4. The requirements for successful completion of the Honors Program
5. The opportunities available for leadership, community service, and study abroad
6. The traits of an engaged student leader
7. The skills and experiences required to excel in the 21 st century workplace
8. The process for choosing a study abroad program
9. How to build positive relationships with other first year Honors students and Honors
Program staff
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Honors Program Student Learning Outcomes
By the time you complete all the Honors Program requirements and graduate, you will be able to:
1. Examine topics and issues from diverse perspectives, and contextualize phenomena within cultural contexts.
2. Demonstrate self-awareness by identifying personal strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals.
3. Analyze phenomena not confined to a single academic discipline, and make coherent connections among disparate disciplines.
4. Express ideas with clarity and purpose, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate these communication abilities in multiple contexts to a variety of audiences.
5. Demonstrate the ability to explore, and if feasible, experiment with possible applications of their learning toward the solution of "real world" issues or problems.
6. Participate actively and collaboratively with faculty and peers from different fields of specialization in diverse, cross-disciplinary teams to analyze and/or solve applied, realworld issues and problems.
7. Participate in campus and community service as a component of active citizenship, community engagement, and social responsibility.
8. Evaluate issues of global significance from diverse cultural, political, economic, scientific, or technological perspectives and recognize the global context of the knowledge they produce and the decisions they make.
9. Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
Professional Behavior and Participation 1
As in your other courses, I expect professional and ethical behavior at all times. To further clarify, appropriate conduct and participation includes the following:
 Educational Philosophy: Some people believe that we should all be evaluated on the actual outcomes of our work, i.e., you get the grade that you earn based on the knowledge that you demonstrate you know. Others believe that we should be evaluated on the effort that we put into the work, (i.e., you get graded based on how hard you tried). The challenge for many college students is that college is a time when students must transition from the “effort-based” philosophy of K-12 education to the “outcome-based” philosophy of the real world.
The professor of this course believes in outcome-based assessment, not
effort-based assessment. Why? Because she knows that, in the end, operating in an effort-based philosophy does a serious disservice to college students who must graduate to operate in the outcome-based world. What does this mean for you? It means that you will receive in this class the grade that you earn, based on the grading criteria outlined for each assignment.
1 Sections adapted from the HONOR 490A syllabus of Dr. Bey-Ling Sha and the HONOR 413 syllabus of Roy Whitaker.
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 Completion of Assignments: Deadlines are deadlines. Late responses to
assignments will not be accepted. If you anticipate being absent when any assignment is due, please make arrangements with the instructor to hand in the assignment early or to have someone else hand it in for you at the required time. All work done outside of class MUST be typed. Handwritten work for out of class
assignments will be given no credit (zero points). Please give yourself enough time to get your work done, and this includes planning for such events as flash drive or computer failures.

-A note on formatting: In order to receive credit, all written assignments must be double spaced, 12 point font, and use standard margins: 1.0 inch top and bottom, and 1.25 inch left and right. Also, if you have multiple pages, make sure you staple your assignment before turning it in
to class. Failure to format your assignments following these instructions may result in zero credit.
Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes and to be
on time. Any absence, regardless of the reason, will prevent the student from getting the full benefit of the course. Therefore, you are expected to attend EVERY class. While class attendance will not formally monitored through a sign-in list, it will be factored into your grade through random, but regular, unannounced in-class activities. Thus, it is very much in your own benefit to attend each and every class!
Remember to bring paper and pen to write with every class period.
 Classroom Learning Environment: Respect for your peers and professor is expected. Come to class on time, prepared, having read and completed all required readings and assignments. Classroom learning environment must be free from disturbances such as side-conversations, tardiness, cell phones ringing, reading newspapers, eating food in class, bringing others to class, making derogatory remarks, falling asleep, interrupting others, being hostile or antagonistic, recording devices used during class, sending mass emails to the class, etc.
∙ Use of Cell Phones/Communication Devices: There is absolutely no use of cell phones/communication devices in class. No text messaging and checking messages are allowed during class time. This is considered talking on the phone.

∙ Use of Laptops: It is expected that computer use in class is for taking notes on
Honor 100 class material only. And of course no web surfing, checking Facebook, playing games, shopping online, or studying or preparing for other classes.
Academic Integrity: Although collaboration with peers is encouraged to discuss issues, topics, and to help study, you are expected to complete your work independently when individual assignments are given. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Please refer to San Diego State University’s
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Student Handbook for information about disciplinary action in cases of academic dishonesty.



∙ Cheating: Cheating is a violation of the norms of academic work. When you cheat you step outside of the boundaries of what is acceptable if we are to have integrity and honesty in intellectual pursuits. You are in effect signaling a lack of desire to participate in the activities that mark your pursuit as an academic one. So what you do simply does not count as academic work when you cheat and so will be treated accordingly. An automatic “F” will be given if cheating is discovered and further policies as stated in the student handbook will be pursued.

Documented Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student
Disability Services at (619) 594-6473 . To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Amendments and Addenda: The professor reserves the right to amend the course syllabus at any time during the semester; students will be informed of the changes either in class, via email, or through Blackboard. For example, topics listed in the syllabus may be covered on different days to accommodate guest speakers, natural disasters, or class needs. Furthermore, you may receive syllabus addenda that offer specific guidelines for the assignments.
Online Classroom: This course will have a Blackboard (BB) site, accessible at https://blackboard.sdsu.edu. Also, all students are expected to have access to e-mail and to check their e-mail accounts at regular intervals. The instructor will use
Blackboard and/or e-mail to disseminate information pertinent to the course.
PLEASE NOTE: Emails sent through the BB system are automatically routed to the junk mail folder of some email systems, including hotmail. Thus, you should make sure that the instructor’s email address appears in your “safe list” so that you may receive emails from the instructor. Also, since many student emails sent to the instructor from BB may end up in her junk mail folder, please help the instructor find your messages by noting “HONOR 100” in the subject line of your message.
Better yet, please send your email message independently of the BB system.
Contractual Nature of this Syllabus: Students who choose to remain enrolled in this course after the regular schedule adjustment period indicate by their continued enrollment that they have read and understood the syllabus for this course, and that they accept and agree to abide by its procedures and policies.
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Assignments
1.
S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting Assignment [22 points]
Setting goals is a process of identifying and defining the aims, achievements and values you wish to fulfill. By making goals concrete and specific you solidify your commitment and ownership of those aspirations. Ask yourself if your goals are consistent with your personal characteristics, abilities, and level of determination. This assignment helps clarify your thoughts of what you would like to achieve. Using the template provided in the BB
Assignment folder, you are required to type responses to all the questions included. Your responses need to be in complete sentences and should evidence thoughtful reflection AND your goals should be S.M.A.R.T.
2.
Campus Engagement Assignment [14 points]
Student engagement on campus is a key priority for the Honors Program. This activity requires you to first research all the recognized student organizations on campus by visiting http://sll.sdsu.edu/studentorgs/list.html
and explore all the recognized organizations which are listed by type (e.g., academic, leadership, cultural, political, etc).
Then, you are required to identify two (2) student organizations that you are interested in learning more about and getting involved with. Using the template provided in the BB
Assignment folder, you are required to type responses to all the questions included. Your responses need to be in complete sentences and should evidence thoughtful reflection.
3. Faculty Engagement Assignment [20 points]
Students getting to know faculty and using those relationships intentionally is another priority for the Honors Program. This assignment helps you identify which faculty members on campus you would most like to meet and helps you articulate how these relationships could help you get engaged on campus, and thus be a more competitive graduate school or job applicant. Using the template provided in the BB Assignment folder, you are required to type responses to all the questions included. Please note that this assignment does NOT require you to actually meet or conduct any interviews with faculty.
However, we do hope that this assignment gives you the confidence and tools to meet the faculty members you identify, as well as other faculty and staff across campus.
4.
In class activities [18 points]
There are unannounced multiple choice and short answer questions asked and answered
in class that allow me to assess your understanding of the material covered in the readings, and in class, as well as your understanding of yourself and your own strengths, values and goals. They are designed to keep you engaged with the class, and are given at random, unannounced times during the course of the semester.
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5.
Study Abroad Information Session [4 points]
Study abroad is a requirement of the Honors Program. In order to help you be intentional in your study abroad planning, you are required to attend one of the Study Abroad
Information Sessions offered by the International Student Center. You are required to sign in at the Information Session and this will serve as evidence that you attended the session.
These sessions are offered every Tuesday at 2 pm, Wednesday at 12 pm, and Thursday at 4 pm. You can see the dates and times for the sessions here: http://studentaffairs.sdsu.edu/isc/content/Abroad/EAFuture/infosession.html
6.
Final Exam [22 points]
A final exam will be given during the final class meeting and will cover the readings, program requirements and benefits, as well as information covered in the lectures and presentations. More information on the final will be provided in class.
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Extra Credit Opportunities
1. Honors Advising Appointment
Every HONOR 100 student is offered an extra credit opportunity by meeting with the
Honors Academic Advisor during the course of the semester to discuss their course of study and academic plans. Please read the requirements below CAREFULLY in order to make sure you are eligible to receive points.
BEFORE your HONOR 100 advising session, you must:
1) use the MyMap resource ( www.sdsu.edu/mymap );
2) read over the Honors Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies course requirements
( http://uhp.sdsu.edu/dus/honors/requirements.aspx
); and
3) be prepared to discuss ideas on how to fit Honors into your academic schedule
Appointments for HONOR 100 advising sessions will be available between 9:30 AM and 2
PM, and will be offered Monday to Friday. The first appointment will be available on
Monday, September 8 th and the last one will be on Wednesday, December 10 th .
You must self-schedule your HONOR 100 advising session using your Google log-in: https://www.google.com/calendar/selfsched?sstoken=UUR1c3NPck53RVdMfGRlZmF1bH
R8N2Y3ZTAxYjliZjY0NGZhOTRlNTYzY2I5Njg5MGM3OGY
You can register for a Google log-in at www.google.com
You MUST make sure your Time Zone within Google is set to Pacific Time!
Monday and Friday appointments are between 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM and in-person in
AD 201A.
Thursday morning appointments are in the Honors office in Maya Hall, while the
Thursday late afternoon/evening appointments are on the phone!
Also note that you are expected to be on time and at the correct location (AD 201A or the
Honors office in Maya Hall or on the phone) for the advising session you sign-up for.
Appointment times are secured on a first come, first serve basis so it benefits you to schedule your HONOR 100 advising session early in the semester. If you don’t sign up early, and all the slots get filled, you are out of luck.
HONOR 100 advising sessions held in September and October are worth 3 extra credit points.
HONOR 100 advising sessions held in November are worth 2 extra credit points.
HONOR 100 advising sessions held in December are worth 1 extra credit point.
2. PLURIS Profile Builder
Students can earn 2 extra points by completing the PLURIS Profile Builder in its entirety.
This survey is designed to engage you in purposeful learning, and help you create a learning agenda so that you can get engaged in high impact educational practices while you
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are at SDSU (i.e., research, leadership, service, creative activity, study abroad). More information on this extra credit opportunity will be provided in class.
3. Journey Toward Shared Humanity
Participate in the university’s Journey Toward Shared Humanity, a student production created and performed by SDSU students and staff in Tula Community Center:
Sunday November 9 from 3-8pm
Monday November 10 from 4-9pm
Tuesday November 11 (Veteran's Day)- CLOSED
Wednesday November 12 from 4-9pm
Thursday November 13 from 4-9pm
To make sure you gain entry, you need to arrive ahead of time to receive a ticket. Also, tickets are given out on a first come, first serve basis so if you wait to the last minute to go, you may not gain entrance.
Note: You must turn in proof of participation (provided by the staff at the conclusion of the
Tunnel). You will not receive any credit if you do not turn in the proof of participation along.
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Course Grading:
The rubric used to assess all assignments is posted on the BB site. It is strongly encouraged that you consult the rubric BEFORE completing the assignments.
A Grade: 94-100% A
90-93% A-
A is outstanding achievement; available for only the highest accomplishment
B Grade: 87-89% B+
84-86% B
80-83% B-
B is praiseworthy performance; definitely above average
C Grade: 77-79% C+
74-76% C
70-73% C-
C is average; awarded for satisfactory performance
D Grade: 67-69% D+
64-66% D
60-63% D-
D is minimally passing; less than the typical undergraduate achievement
F Grade: Below 60%
F is failing
Grading Dispute
If you have a question concerning the grade on an examination or assignment, you may challenge your grade, in writing, within one week’s time of the return of the examination or assignment. The format used for the challenge must be as follows:
(1) your name, (2) name of assignment or examination, (3) question number if applicable,
(4) points given over points value total (e.g. 3/5), (5) accepted answer, (6) your answer, (7) rationale behind your answer. The case made for your answer should include resources and references including page number of the reading. If your rationale is not contained in the reading, a photocopy of the page from your reference with your rationale marked should be included. After the instructor has reviewed the request, you and the instructor will meet to discuss the issue or the instructor will issue a response in writing.
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Class Meeting Date
Course Schedule (Subject to Change)
Class Topic Reading/Assignment
Due
August 27
September 3
September 10
September 17
September 24
October 1
Expectations & review of syllabus
Dr. Stacey Sinclair
What does it mean to be an educated person, and where does interdisciplinary studies fit in?
Dr. Stacey Sinclair
Introduction of
Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Stuart Henry
- Characteristics of
Interdisciplinarians
Intentional advising 101: Stay on track to graduate with
Honors
Chetana Acharya, Academic
Advisor, Honors Program
Warming you up to engagement
Dr. Martha Enciso, Associate
Director, Honors Program
-Do employers value liberal education?
-What professors wish you knew
October 8
October 15
Purposeful and interdisciplinary learning:
Using learning agendas to leverage engagement
Dr. Kathy Williams and
Dr. Brock Allen, Researchers in
Teaching and Learning
Getting engaged in
Undergraduate Research
Michelle Lopez, Assistant Dean,
Undergraduate Studies
Getting engaged in leadership and community service
Chelsea Winer, Assistant
Student Life Advisor for
Goal Setting
Assignment Due
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October 22
October 29
November 5
November 12
November 19
November 26
December 3
Leadership & Community
Service
Getting engaged internationally: Transformation through studying abroad
Chris Kjonaas, Associate
Director of International
Engagement
Getting engaged in internships
Heather LaPerle, Campus
Internship Coordinator
Enhancing your professionalism
Christine Probett, College of
Business
Making the Honors Program work for you and your goals
Dr. James Tarbox, Director
Career Services Center
Leadership in a Diverse World
Dr. Luke Wood
NO CLASS MEETING
Back to the beginning:
The value of interdisciplinary studies
Dr. Jessica Barlow, Professor and Director, The Sage Project:
Community Engagement for
Sustainable Cities
FINAL EXAM
Campus Engagement
Assignment Due
Putting Education To
Work:
Employer Advice for CSU
Students
Faculty Engagement
Assignment Due
- White Privilege:
Unpacking the Invisible
Knapsack
Journey Toward
Shared Humanity
Proof of Participation
Due
Happy Thanksgiving-
Eat, drink, and be merry!
-deKlerk (2014), Clark
(2013) & Litz (2012),
Honors Graduation student speeches
Deadline for attending
Study Abroad
Information Session at
ISC
December 10
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