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SLS 1501 FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE SEMINAR SYLLABUS
Instructor: Hugo Jimenez (Office number: PC 427; Phone: (305)348-2934, E-mail:
jimenezh@fiu.edu)
Content of Syllabus: Purpose of Course / Text Book / Grading Policy / Course Schedule
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the university and provide information which
will promote and support academic success. The course includes a review of basic skills and
competencies necessary for college success including, but not limited to, time management, study
skills, and an orientation to university policies and procedures.
TEXT:
The Freshman Year: Making the Most of College by Glenda A. Belote & Larry Lunsford. It is
required that each student purchase a personal copy.
GRADING POLICY:
There are several major assignments through which you will earn a grade. Each assignment carries a
different number of credits (or a different weight). The final average will be calculated following the
University's grade average calculation method. You will earn grades by satisfactorily completing the
following assignments and/or criteria:
Punctual attendance along with active class participation is required. Being in class, but falling
asleep, or talking out of the class context, or being disruptive to the class is considered unacceptable
class participation. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class (at 8:00am).
• You are allowed to be tardy once and to be absent once.
• After the first absence, each absence afterwards will lower your grade by one letter grade.
• After the first tardiness, every two late arrival afterwards will lower your grade by one letter
grade.
• If you attendance in the course is unacceptable (for example falling asleep, or being disruptive
in any way) you will be asked to leave the class, and will be considered absent for that class
meeting.
• If you have perfect attendance (and are punctual for all class meetings) you will earn an extra
three credit grade of 'A'.
E-mail set up and usage: Earn a two credit grade by using your FIU e-mail account. Grades will be
assigned as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
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Send me at least 4 messages throughout the semester.
Send me at least 3 messages throughout the semester.
Send me at least 2 messages throughout the semester.
Send me at least 1 message throughout the semester.
Not using your FIU email account.
FIU email is the now the official manner of communicating with student regarding FIU events and
policies. Failure of not having and reading FIU email will not be an excuse for not being informed.
http://www2.fiu.edu/~jimenezh/sylabus2.html
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You may have your FIU email forwarded to a private web-based email account. Nevertheless, in
order to earn credit for your grade, your original messages to me from you must originate from your
FIU email account. But if you are responding to a message sent by me, you may reply from your
commercial account (if you have forwarded your FIU email address).
Time-Management Analysis Project: A three credit grade will be earned by completing this required
project. Details on the project will be given separately.
FIU Campus Involvement: A four credit grade will be earned by participating in three events,
programs, or activities on the FIU campus. The campus involvement may be done in groups of four
(maximum), or individually. A the end of the semester you will make a presentation to the class that
will consist of informing the class of the events or activities in which you and your group participated,
how and where you to contacted the event coordination office, your experience with the activity, and
what you learned from the experience. You're encouraged to use audio &/or visual media for your
presentation; be creative with the presentation. All group members must participate in the class
presentation.
The activities can be selected from the following list:
Join an FIU club or organization,
Join a Student Government Council committee,
Attend a program scheduled on campus (lecture, shows, etc.),
Participate in an intramural sport or recreational activity,
Join The Beacon newspaper or WUFI radio staff.
Other ideas must to be approved first. (The activity must be FIU student life related.)
Reading Journal: A one credit grade will be earned by writing a journal entry on your reaction to
reading assignments throughout the semester.
Final exam: A three credit grade will be earned for the final exam.
It is your responsibility to contact me if you have questions, concerns, or problems. Don't be shy and
don't wait to express your concerns; if you wait too long, it might too late for me to help.
Course Schedule: (The schedule below is subject to change; check your e-mail regularly for updates.)
Jul 03
Jul 05
Jul 10
Jul 12
Jul 17
Jul 19
Jul 24
Jul 26
Jul 31
Aug 02
Aug 07
Aug 09
Intro to course I
Intro to Course II (Chapter 1)
Time Management (Chapter 6)
Note Taking (Chapter 4, 1st half, pgs. 60 -65)
Finances (Chapter 7)
Library Tour
Academic requirements I (Chapter 2)
Academic requirements I
Victim Advocacy
Cultural Enrichment
Career Planning (Chapter 9)
Public Speaking I
http://www2.fiu.edu/~jimenezh/sylabus2.html
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Aug 14
Aug 16
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Public Speaking II
Final
http://www2.fiu.edu/~jimenezh/sylabus2.html
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