SSP 1000 - Introduction to College Learning Syllabus Fall 2008
Section 56 (Fridays 10-10 :50 Boh104)
Section 5 (Mondays 3-3:50 Life Sci 185)
Instructor Name: Dona Prusak
Section 5 -TA: Shana
Secory
E-mail: dprusak@d.umn.edu
Email
secor012@d.umn.edu
Office: Kirby Plaza 166A
Class Friday 1010:50 Boh 104
Phone # : (952) 200Phone #: 879-3439 (h) 726-7233 (w)
3494
Office Hours: Mondays 9:15-10 or by appt. Class Alias:
ssp1000-56f2008@d.umn.edu
Fridays 2:15-3 or by appt.
Course website: www.d.umn.edu/~dprusak
Section 56 -TA: Kari
Jorgenson
Email
jorg0231@d.umn.edu
Class Monday 3-3:50
Life Sci 185
Phone # (651)4707128
Class Alias:
ssp1000-5f2008@d.umn.edu
Statement of Purpose:
Introduction to College Learning is a course designed to help you make a successful transition into
college life. You have probably been told that college will be much different from high school, and
now is your chance to find out. Every student’s journey will be different. In this class, we will
cover topics that will be helpful to you in your personal and academic life during this transition. The
goal of this course is to improve your chances of having a successful and productive university
experience. Some of you may struggle to meet the demands of your new life for a variety of
reasons. No matter where you are on this continuum, we believe that you will benefit from the
concepts, activities, skills and connections in this course. The mission and purpose of ICL is to
facilitate YOUR successful transition to UMD. The purpose is to help YOU achieve academic
success toward your educational goals in life by making personal connections, fostering
lifelong learning, and participating in a diverse community.
Course Objectives:
1. To expand academic study skills and social skills that enhance your transition into the university
community.
2. To assess and manage personal attributes and limitations that increase successful college
experiences.
3. To form friendships and supportive relationships with peers and instructors and to develop
successful interpersonal communication skills.
4. To use available resources and services to accomplish educational and personal goals.
5. To explore personal career planning processes.
6. To investigate the purposes of a university education and develop lifelong learning skills.
7. To understand, appreciate, and participate in an international and multicultural campus
community.
Grading:
A=95-100%
C+=77-79%
A- =90-94% B+=87-89% B=83-86% B- =80-82%
C=73-76% C- =70-72% D=60-69%
F=<60%
Texts:
Introduction to College Learning: Keys to Success at UMD – 1st Edition. (Required) This text can
be purchased at the UMD Bookstore under the heading SSP 1000
Champ’s Companion Student Planner, UMD 2008-2009 (Required)
Course Requirements/Expectations:
1. Attendance: Consider this class to be professional job in which you are a member of a
team. As in a job, attendance is required because (a) you are an important part of the team,
(b) you are a valuable sounding-board for your peer's ideas and (c) ideas received in class
are vital to your success in college and career. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY due to
the nature of this course. It will be taken every class by sign in sheet. Please make sure you
sign in! To bring meaning to the course content you will be asked to participate in
discussion, group work and other class activities. A variety of class activities will be
conducted throughout the course. These cannot be made up, therefore, your absence forfeits
the opportunity to learn from these activities. Missing more than 1 class will result in your
earned grade being dropped one full letter grade. In case of serious illness, accident, or a
death in your social network, a physician's note and/or other documented evidence of your
absence will be required. If you miss a class for any reason it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
to call or make an appointment to see me. NO emails on the day of class . Please do not wait
until the next class period to find out what you need to accomplish to catch up.
2. Assignments and readings : Assignments and readings are due at assigned dates at the
beginning of class. Due dates are listed on the Class Schedule. Late work is not accepted
(unless there has been faculty approval) I will only discuss grades one week after
assignments are handed back and/or graded.
3. Academic Dishonesty: Dishonesty in any form such as, but not limited to, plagiarism or
cheating on tests and assignments will not be tolerated. Students who misrepresent their
work or commit another act of dishonesty will receive a failing grade for the course. When
you borrow from other's work, you must give them credit in the form of a citation and
reference.
4. Attendance Exclusion: Students who are required to attend university events that conflict
with class time must present documented evidence of the meeting/event demonstrating (a)
that the individual is required to attend and (b) the date and specific times required for
attendance. Students will be expected to make arrangements with the instructor to make up
class absences and to turn in work ahead of time.
5. Email: Please check your UMD email account regularly in order to receive any class
announcements/clarifications/schedule changes. All emails to me need to be formatted in the
way we learned in class.
Netiquette:
Netiquette refers to network etiquette. Apply proper netiquette 'rules' when engaging in various
online communictions. Here is a good website on the core rules of netiquette
<http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html>.
* Use appropriate language in emails and other online communications
* Include your (a) Class and (b) your first and last names in every
email to me so the sender is easily recognized (Recommendation:
Add a signature to your email messages so this information is
automatically included in all messages)
6. Classroom Conduct: Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic
achievement and integrity. Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly
interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Disruptive
behavior includes inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Examples include
ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email,
or surfing the Internet on your computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned
activities.
7. Consultation: If you have questions, need help, are anxiety-ridden, or want to discuss
something in more detail than is possible in class, PLEASE COME SEE ME. I have office
hours, and am available at other times by appointment. Please don't let problems slide until
it is too late. I am here to listen and to try to be of help.
8. Students with special needs: Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or
temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform
the instructor at the start of the quarter. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be
made as suggested through the Access Center to provide for equitable participation.
Assessment Measures:
There will be both in and out of class activities, assignments and projects. Assignments will be in
different formats, such as typed papers, journals, ePortfolio, email and group presentations. Details
of these will be given in class, along with guidelines for completing the assignments. You will be
expected to synthesize information from readings, class discussions, speakers, course work, and
personal and community experiences.
Assignment
Attendance & Participation
Civic Engagement Activity
Syllabus Scavenger Hunt
Advisor Assignment
Civic Engagement Journal
E-mail Assignment
Cultural Artifact
Portfolio Assignments
2-Year Academic Plan
Journals
Team Presentation
Mid term and Final Assessment
Total
Points
70
25
5
10
50
5
10
25
20
30
30
70
350
Assignment Descriptions:
Below are descriptions for all assignments in this course. Please take note of these assignments in
your daily planner or elsewhere. You are responsible for keeping track of when assignments are
due. If you need clarification on any of these assignments, please ask your instructor or teaching
assistant. We are happy to help. Refer to the course schedule for a weekly break down of
assignments and due dates.
1. Class Attendance & Participation: Attendance and participation are required. Students are
allowed one excused absence over the 15 weeks.
2. Syllabus Scavenger Hunt: You will answer questions related to the syllabus.
3. Team Presentation: Working as a group member will be a recurring element of your
college experience. Becoming an effective team member will not only benefit you now but
will be a valuable skill to bring into the work place .there will be groups of approximately
five members each. Each group will investigate a topic and give an 10 minute in-class
presentation.
4. Career Exploration Paper : You will research a major and career that interest you and
think of the lifestyle you would like to live after college.
5. E-mail Assignment: Sending and receiving email is an effective way of getting the
information you need in college. It is crucial that you learn to compose email that
communicates effectively with your professors/instructors, advisors, students, and other
UMD personnel. In this assignment, you will practice how to do this.
6. 2-Year Academic Plan Our academic planning units during November will not only
include course exploration and planning for spring semester but will also include a longrange academic planning. This assignment requires that you devise a two-year academic
plan that encompasses lower division major and minor requirements and the Liberal
Education Program.
7. Journals: You will be emailing journal entries throughout the semester. These entries
encourage you to reflect on your experiences, thoughts, problems, and reactions throughout
the term. They will be graded based on thoughtful responses that incorporate class material
(in class and textbook) Journals are due by email before classtime.
8. In-class Activities/Quizzes: Scheduled activities will take place throughout the semester.
Quizzes will be based on reading assignments and in class discussions.
9. ePortfolio Assignments: Throughout the semester you will be asked to reflect on what we
discussed in class. How you choose to do your reflections is up to you. You can videotape,
use music, write a song or poem, draw, or write. Keep in mind that you need to upload all
material into Portfolio for me to view.
10. Cultural Artifact: Bring an artifact to class (an object or picture) that you believe defines
who you are. Be creative! Be prepared to tell the class on why this object defines who you
are. Questions will be asked so be prepared.
11. Advisor Assignment: You will find your advisor and introduce yourself to him/her and
answer questions related to the online advising resources.
12. Civic Engagement Activity: Your section will be required to complete a survey and either
participate in a local event in the Duluth community or volunteer 5 hours in a community
organization. After the event you will reflect upon your service in a journal format.