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Longwood Seminar-030 – Academic Orientation Syllabus
Fall 2007
Class time - Monday and Wednesday 10-10:50 – Willett 208
Instructor: Dr. A. Vonnie Colvin
Office: 116 Willett
Phone: 395-2452 (Willett)
Email: colvinay@longwood.edu
Office Hours: M, W – 11:00 – 12:00
T & H - 9:15 – 10:45
or by appointment
Peer Instructor: Ashley Jarrett
Phone:
757-581-1490
Email:
anj971@longwood.edu
Required text:
Davis, Darrell (1997). Klan-destined Relationships: A Black man’s Odyssey into the Klu Klux
Klan. New Horizon Press.
Longwood University Student Planner (available in Bookstore)
The instructor reserves the right to alter the schedule or syllabus if it is determined that
such a change will benefit the course.
GOAL 1: The development of citizen leaders for the common good by promoting critical
thinking and analysis in all aspects of the students’ lives and by developing the knowledge and
skills that lead to college success (one credit).
Outcomes: Students will

Understand the mission [see below] of Longwood and how it applies to the college
experience

Understand the application of critical thinking skills to multiple situations

Develop the knowledge and skills that lead to college success
The Mission
Longwood University is an institution of higher learning dedicated to the development of citizen
leaders who are prepared to make positive contributions to the common good of society.
Building upon its strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, the University provides an
environment in which exceptional teaching fosters student learning, scholarship, and
achievement. As the only four-year public institution in south central Virginia, Longwood
University serves as a catalyst for regional prosperity and advancement.
Approved by the Longwood Board of Visitors, July 1997.
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Course objectives:
 Help students connect with major, faculty, the Longwood community, and each other.
 Discuss the honor code and citizen leadership.
 Introduce students to uses of the Longwood Student Planner.
 Explore Blackboard and/or other online resources, and reacquaint students with
MyLongwood registration system.
 Explore the University Library from the perspective of the major.
 Survey the resources and challenges presented by social and cultural diversity.
 Discuss how to develop the attitudes, skills, and strategies necessary for success.
 Raise awareness of Longwood academic regulations and expectations for citizen leadership
in the classroom.
 Introduce advising and registration procedures.
 Participate in the end-of-course evaluation
Course Information:
1.
Attendance – “Students are expected to attend all classes. Failure to attend class
regularly impairs academic performance. Absences are disruptive to the educational
process for others. This is especially true, when absences cause interruptions for
clarification of material previously covered, failure to assume assigned responsibilities
for class presentations, or failure to adjust to changes in assigned material or due dates.
Work that is submitted within 24 hours of the due date will be accepted with a 50% grade
reduction. Instructors have the right to lower a student’s course grade, but no more than
one letter grade, if the student misses 10% of the scheduled class meeting times (2 of the
Longwood Seminar class meetings) for unexcused absences.
Instructors have the right to assign a course grade of “F” when the student has missed a
total (excused and/or unexcused) of 25% of the scheduled class meetings times (4 of the
Longwood Seminar class meetings).
Students must assume full responsibility for any loss incurred because of absence,
whether excused or unexcused. Instructors should permit students to make up work when
the absence is excused. Excused absences are those resulting from the student’s
participation in a college-sponsored activity.
2.
Accommodations of Special Needs: Any student who feels s/he may need an
accommodation based on the impact of a physical, psychological, medical, or learning
disability should contact me privately. If you have not already done so, please contact the
Office for Disability Services (103 Graham Building, 395-2391) to register for services.
3.
Honor Code: The importance of the College community adhering to an Honor Code and
to the highest standards of integrity cannot be overstated. Students are deemed
honorable unless their conduct proves otherwise. As members of the institution and
community, you are expected to live by the Honor Code and pledge all class work.
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Course assignments:
1.
Attendance at New Lancer Day Activities
2.
Conference with instructor
3.
Reading discussion
4.
Time management assignment
5.
Planner activity
6.
Attend 2 club/organization meetings and submit report
7.
Interview an alumnus from your program area
8.
Advisor assignment
9.
Attend one cultural event
10.
Library scavenger hunt
11.
Volunteer in the community for five hours
10%
5%
20%
5%
5%
10 %
10%
10%
5%
10%
10%
100%
Course Schedule
Friday, August 24 - Course Overview

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Scheduling issues
Getting to know others in the major
Monday, August 27 – Learning styles
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Syllabus
College Student Inventory
Differences between high school and college - personal accountability
Professor/Classroom etiquette
What’s in a syllabus?
Wednesday, August 29 - Time management/ Note taking and reading text
Assignment for today: Bring syllabi for each course you are taking and your planner.
Monday, September 3 – No class – Labor Day
Wednesday, September 5 – Study skills continued
Assignment for today: Complete time management activity and bring to class
Monday, September 10 - Professionalism and first impressions
Decision-making skills
Wednesday, September 12 – Meet at Moton Museum - tentative
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 - Email the instructor ONE of the assignments from the end of
the syllabus by midnight.
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Monday, September 17 - Plagiarism, cheating – Honor Board - TENTATIVE
Wednesday, September 19 – Klan-Destined Relationships and how that relates to Longwood
University
Monday, September 24 – Career Exploration Session
Assignment for today: Library assignment due – This assignment will require several hours of
work. It is linked from my website at www.longwood.edu/staff/colvinay and click on Longwood
Seminar.
Wednesday, September 26 – Klan-Destined Relationships and how that relates to Longwood
University
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - Email the instructor ONE of the assignments from the end of
the syllabus by midnight.
Monday, October 1 – Advising issues – Banner and registration for spring
Wednesday, October 3 – Advising and registration issues
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 – Email the instructor ONE of the assignments from the end of the
syllabus by midnight.
Wednesday, October10 – Topic to be determined
Assignment: Sign up for and attend a meeting with the instructor between today and October 26.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 – Email the instructor ONE of the assignments from the end of
the syllabus by midnight.
During individual meeting, bring the assignment that you have not already
submitted.
In addition to previously noted assignments, the student will complete the
following:
A. You should have attended a cultural event on campus this fall. You will write a onepage paper describing the event and your perceptions of it. You must stay at the event
for the entire time to satisfy the requirements of this assignment.
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B. Submit a journal entry with the name, phone number, office number, and e-mail
address of your academic advisor. Contact that person and make an appointment.
Conduct a brief interview (in person) with your advisor and write about the
experience. Suggested questions for your interview are: Where did you attend school
for your graduate work? What inspired you to select this area of study? How long
have you been a professor at Longwood University? What is your favorite class to
teach? Other than teaching, what other responsibilities do you have as a professor?
What kind of music do you like? What hobbies or activities do you enjoy? Also ask
them at least two questions you have about the program. Bring to class next time.
C. Documentation of five hours of volunteer work in the community. Include a one page
summary of what you did and what you will always remember about the experience.
D. Correspond and interview via email an alumnus from your program area. This
assignment has several parts:
1.
Conduct an email interview with your assigned program graduate
a.
Be sure to ask the required questions
b.
Ask an additional five questions of your own
c.
Use good judgment in timing your email. These are professionals who do not
often check their email each day.
2.
3.
4.
Write a summary paper of the results of the interview
a.
Note the additional questions you asked
b.
Report on the information you received from him/her
c.
What insights have you obtained from this correspondence?
You should forward me your original email and their responses.
Required questions:
a. Describe your internship experience (or student teaching). What did you do?
Where were you placed – PHETE or who did you work for? (Ex Sc. & TR)
b. What skills did you learn at Longwood that helped you the most in your
internship (or student teaching) and now in your job?
c. Where are you now and what are you doing?
d. If you are not in graduate school, is it something you are considering? Why or
why not?
e. What were the best things about your years at Longwood? Are there suggestions
or pearls of wisdom that you would like to share?
E. Attend two club/organization meetings. Create a one-page summary of what you
learned about each organization and why/why not you plan to continue with the
organization. This assignment will be a total of one page in length.