UNV 450
McNair Seminar 1: Summer Research Program and Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) Preparation Syllabus
Summer 2008
PROFESSOR:
Mary Nell McNeese, Ph. D.
Associate Professor
Educational Leadership and Research
EMAIL:
Mary.McNeese@usm.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday-Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CLASS HOURS:
Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS: Scholars may contact the professor via email at any time, during
office hours and/or leave a message on the office telephone at any time. Emails and
calls will be returned promptly.
NUMBER OF COURSE CREDIT HOURS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW: This course will serve as an introduction to
the structure of the GRE, with emphasis upon strategies for taking a computer adaptive
exam. The types of questions in each of the sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative
Reasoning, and Critical Thinking/Analytical Writing) will be examined and strategies
for improving performance on each will be practiced.
REQUIRED TEXT (furnished): Kaplan GRE Study Guide, with CD. 2008
COURSE GOAL: The goal of this course is to provide opportunities to explore and
practice the GRE CAT exam. Through the classroom and self-study activities, the
Scholars will prepare for the GRE CAT exam.
UNV 450 COURSE SYLLABUS (Summer, 2008)
Revised (02/01/08)
1
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The Scholar will:
1
Identify and explain the Computer
Adaptive Test.
List the three major sections of the
2 current GRE Exam.
3
4
Name the four types of Verbal
questions, the two formats of
Quantitative problems, and the two
types of essays used in Analytical
Writing.
Utilize strategies learned to maximize
performance on a CAT Exam.
9
10
11
12
Explain the scoring of the GRE CAT
13
5 exam.
6 Practice testing on CDs repeatedly to
14
develop skills in clock utilization for
the GRE test.
7 Apply performance strategies to
15
increase scores on the GRE exam.
8 Identify and explain the components of 16
a graduate school application package.
GRADING CATEGORIES:
5 Exams (Improvement or 1,000 min.) 200 points
Reflective Writings
300 points
Class Participation
300 points
Work with Graduate Assistants
100 points
Work with Faculty Research Advisor
100 points
TOTAL
1, 000 points
Discuss preparatory steps to be used
on the days prior to the exam and the
strategies to be used on the day of the
exam.
Apply the strategies learned in class to
maximize performance on each of the 4
types of Verbal and Quantitative
Reasoning questions (arithmetic,
algebra, and geometry problems).
Analyze data using central tendency
(mean, median, mode, and range) and
charts and graphs for the quantitative
portion of the exam.
Practice the computer form of the GRE
test until comfortable with that format.
Use the templates for Issue and
Argument Essays repeatedly.
Use the Kaplan method for each of the
question types studied.
State advantages and disadvantages of
the GRE CAT exam.
Be informed participants and on-time
by 9:00 am.
POINT ACCUMULATION FOR GRADE ASSIGNMENT:
90-100%
(900-1000)
A
80-89%
(800-899)
B
70-79%
(700-799)
C
60-69%
(600-699)
D
Below 60% (Below 599)
F
UNV 450 COURSE SYLLABUS (Summer, 2008)
Revised (02/01/08)
2
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Requirement(s)
Due Date
Points
Specific Indicators
Participation
Scholars are expected to be on(Objectives 6, 7, 11,
Weekly
Up to 30 time and well-prepared
12, 13, & 16)
pts. per participants in classroom
week
activities. Seven points will be
(300 pts. deducted for each unexcused
total)
class absence and five points
will be deducted for each
unexcused tardy. Even with
proper documentation, ONLY
Ms. Bourland can excuse
absences/tardies.
Work with the
Up to 10 Scholars will be well-prepared
Graduate
Weekly
pts. per
and on-time for small group
Assistants (GAs)
week
sessions and scheduled private
(Objectives 4, 7, 10,
(100 pts.
weekly appointments. Points
& 14)
total)
will be deducted for missed
appointments.
Work with the
Up to 10 Scholars will be well-prepared
Faculty Research
Weekly
pts. per
and on-time for scheduled
Advisor
week
private weekly appointments
(Objectives 8, 9, 10,
(100 pts.
with the Faculty Research
& 11)
total)
Advisor. Points will be deducted
for missed appointments.
Up 30 to Scholars will write a doubleReflective Writings
Weekly
pts. per
spaced 1-page reflection on the
(Objectives 1, 2, 3,
reflective weekly assigned topics, which
5, 8, 9, & 15)
writing
will be due each Monday.
(300 pts.
Reflections should show
total)
evidence of critical thinking and
reflection. Discussion questions
will be distributed weekly to
guide the reflective writings.
Note the topics scheduled in this
syllabus and on the class
calendar.
Exams
Throughout
Scholars will either show score
(Objectives 4, 7, 10
Summer
200 pts. improvement from the GRE Pre& 14)
Term
Test to the Final GRE Exam OR
will score a total of 1000 or
above on the GRE Pre-Test or
the Final GRE Exam.
UNV 450 COURSE SYLLABUS (Summer, 2008)
Revised (02/01/08)
3
Due
Date
Weekly Reflective
Writing Topics
Week 1
5/27
The McNair Experience
Week 2
6/2
Week 3
6/9
Week 4
6/16
The GRE Pre-Test
Week 5
6/23
Week 6
6/3
Week 7
7/7
Week 8
7/14
Week 9
7/21
Week 10
7/28
The Three Sections of
the GRE Test
Strategies to Maximize
Performance on the
GRE Test
The Literature Review
Section of the Research
Paper
The Methods Section of
the Research Paper
Presentation of the
Research Paper
Graduate School and
Undergraduate
Research
Graduate School and
the GRE Test
Overall Course
Reflection
TEACHING TECHNIQUES/METHODS USED IN COURSE: individual computer
practice, practice tests, games, tutoring materials and sessions, vocabulary building
activities, large and small group classroom practice sessions, self-study, problem
solving, large and small group classroom discussion, lecture with PowerPoint, Pre, Mid,
and Post Full Length GRE Testing, Score It Now, and Actual GRE CAT Exam.
DISABILITY STATEMENT: If a Scholar has a disability under the American with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office
for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and
procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical
disabilities, and/or chronic health disorders. Scholars can contact ODA if they are not
certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. Mailing address: 118 College
Drive #8586, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-8586; Telephone (601) 266-5024; TTY: (601) 2666837; Fax: (601) 266-6035.
UNV 450 COURSE SYLLABUS (Summer, 2008)
Revised (02/01/08)
4
EXAMS RUBRIC
Criteria
Improved
Performance On
the GRE Exam
Acceptable
200 Pts.
Scholars will
demonstrate the
class methods for
maximizing
performance on
the GRE exam by
either scoring a
minimum total of
1,000 on the GRE
Pre-Test or the
Final GRE Exam
or by showing
improvement
from the GRE PreTest Exam.
Not Acceptable
0 Pts.
Scholars will
demonstrate no
improvement from
the GRE Pre-Test and
will not score a
minimum total of
1,000 on either the
GRE Pre-Test or the
Final GRE Exam.
WEEKLY CLASS PARTICIPATION RUBRIC
Criteria
Scholars are
expected to be
on-time and
well- prepared
participants in
classroom
activities.
Distinguished
30 Pts.
Scholar is an
on-time, wellprepared
participant in
all classroom
activities.
Proficient
20 Pts.
Scholar is a
moderately
prepared
participant in
classroom
activities;
however is
tardy once or
twice during
the week.
UNV 450 COURSE SYLLABUS (Summer, 2008)
Revised (02/01/08)
Basic
10 Pts.
Not Acceptable
Less than 10 Pts.
Scholar is a
poorly
prepared
participant in
classroom
activities
and/or is tardy
three or four
times during
the week.
Scholar is not a
prepared
participant in
classroom activities
and/or has
unexcused
absences during the
week.
5
WEEKLY REFLECTIVE WRITINGS RUBRIC
Criteria
Participation in
Reflective
Writing on
Weekly
Assigned GRE
Preparation and
Research Paper
Topics
Distinguished
30 Pts.
Proficient
20 Pts.
Not Acceptable
Less than 10
Pts.
Scholar will
Scholar will
Scholar will
Scholar will not
write at least
write at least
write less than
write the one
one doubleone doubleone doubledouble-spaced
spaced page on spaced page on spaced page on page on the
the assigned
the assigned
the assigned
assigned
weekly GRE
weekly GRE
weekly GRE
weekly GRE
Preparation and Preparation and Preparation and Preparation and
Research Paper Research Paper Research Paper Research Paper
Topics by
Topics by
Topics by
Topics by the
Monday.
Monday but
Monday but
Monday
Scholar will
will not stay on will not stay on deadline.
stay on the
the assigned
the assigned
assigned topic.
topic. Scholars
topic. Scholars
Scholars will
will show
will not show
show evidence
evidence of
evidence of
of critical
critical thinking critical thinking
thinking and
and reflection.
and reflection.
reflection.
UNV 450 COURSE SYLLABUS (Summer, 2008)
Revised (02/01/08)
Basic
10 Pts.
6
RUBRIC FOR WEEKLY WORK WITH GRADUATE
ASSISTANTS
Criteria
Distinguished
10 Pts.
Proficient
8 Pts.
Basic
6 Pts.
Not Acceptable
Less than 6 Pts.
On-time, wellprepared
participation
in small group
activities and
the scheduled
private
appointment
with GAs
Scholar is an
on-time, wellprepared
participant in
all small group
activities and
the scheduled
private appt.
with GAs.
Scholar is a
moderatelyprepared
participant in
all small group
activities and
the scheduled
private appt.
with GAs
and/or is tardy
once or twice
during the
small group
activities or
private appt.
Scholar is a
poorlyprepared
participant in
all small group
activities and
the private
appt. with GAs
and/or is tardy
three or four
times during
the small group
activities or
private appt.
Scholar is not a
prepared
participant in small
group activities and
the private appt.
with GAs and/or
has unexcused
absences during the
week.
RUBRIC FOR WEEKLY WORK WITH FACULTY RESEARCH
ADVISOR
Criteria
On-time, wellprepared
participation
in the large
group
activities and
the scheduled
private
appointment
with Faculty
Research
Advisor
Distinguished
10 Pts.
Scholar is an
on-time, wellprepared
participant in
the large group
activities
and/or the
scheduled
private appt.
Proficient
8 Pts.
Scholar is a
moderatelyprepared
participant in
the large group
activities
and/or the
scheduled
private appt.
UNV 450 COURSE SYLLABUS (Summer, 2008)
Revised (02/01/08)
Basic
6 Pts.
Scholar is a
poorlyprepared
participant in
the large group
activities
and/or the
scheduled
private
appointment.
Scholar is tardy
for scheduled
private appt.
Not Acceptable
Less than 6 Pts.
Scholar is not a
prepared
participant in the
large group
activities and/or
does not keep the
scheduled private
appt.
7