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Freshman Seminar
Syllabus
Monday Fall 2012
Course Description: Freshman Seminar is designed to assist first-year students in
making the transition from high school to college life. This course seeks to enhance the
learning experience by providing opportunities for students to develop the skills, values,
behaviors, and attitudes necessary for success at the University of Mobile. Topics
include study skills, time management, budgeting, health and wellness, transitioning
into adulthood, Christian Worldview, and career exploration and confirmation.
Students will hear from various university officials regarding UM procedures and will
learn to access MyUM and other campus resources.
Grading and Attendance Policy: Students will receive a grade on class attendance
and items listed in the evaluation below. All assignments should be completed before
the scheduled class date. Attendance is expected, and students are to be on time for
class. A written doctor’s excuse or a letter from an appropriate University official
submitted immediately before or after the absence will be considered for each
absence. (If you miss class because you are in a CPA event or if you are an athlete
missing class for a game, you MUST email your professor prior to class and let him/her
know. Your two allotted absences must be used for this purpose, not in addition to the
two unexcused absences. Students missing more than 2 classes (unexcused)
will drop a letter grade for every absence following.
Evaluation:
Quizzes (each quiz 50pts)
Calling and Career Reflection Paper
Collaboration Forum Entries (50pts each)
Christian Worldview Response Paper
Advisor Contract and Degree Plan
Freshman Experience Reflection Paper
Quitter statement
TOTAL
SCALE:
200pts
100pts
100pts
100pts
100pts
100pts
100pts
800pts
A = 716-800
B = 636-715
C = 556-635
D = 476-555
F = 0- 475
To Print Handouts: Access MyUM Portal at https://umportal.umobile.edu (User ID
is ID# and Password is assigned by Registrar’s Office)
Attendance
Only two absences are allowed. A letter grade is dropped for every absence after two. See
Grading and Attendance Policy above.
Quizzes
Instructors will facilitate 4 quizzes worth 50pts each. To receive credit for quiz assignments,
students must be present in class.
Quiz 1: In class over MyUM
Quiz 2: In class over Academic Success
Quiz 3: In class over Student Success
Quiz 4: Focus 2 Inventory Results stapled to “Calling and Career Reflection
Paper”
Collaboration Forum Entry
Discuss thoughts shared in the group lectures. Under MyUM’s Freshman Seminar page, select
Collaboration then Forum. For the Mashburn Lecture, select “Collaboration Forum Entry #1.”
For the Money Management lecture, select “Collaboration Forum Entry #2”
Calling and Career Reflection Paper (with Focus 2 Results)
Students will reflect on the in-class discussion, utilize Focus 2 results and refer to lecture by the
Coordinator of Career Development. This paper should be 2 FULL pages, typed (12pt font,
double-spaced, 1-inch margins and appropriate format). Focus 2 results need to be stapled to
paper and turned in for credit. See paper grading rubric below.
Christian Worldview Reflection Paper
Read the article “How Can I Know God?” This paper should be 2 FULL pages typed (12pt font,
double- spaced, 1 inch margins with appropriate formatting). This is a response paper reflecting
on the article and Christian Worldview Lecture. Paper should include your personal thoughts
about the topic and points from the lecture. See paper grading rubric below.
Advisor-Student Contract and Degree Plan
Print the Advisor-Student Contract from MyUM handouts. You are responsible for scheduling
an appointment with your advisor to go over the contract and get your advisor’s signature. A
degree plan must be taken to the advisor meeting and a copy made for class. Bring the
completed contract and degree plan to class on the day it is due.
Quitter
You are required to read Jon Acuff’s book, Quitter. A statement is required on Week 15 stating
you have read the entire book. This statement is to be included at the end of your Freshman
Experience Reflection Paper. If the whole book is not read, write a statement declaring estimate
of book read (for example: I have read 90% of Quitter. – Josephine College)
Freshman Experience Reflection Paper (with Quitter statement)
This paper should be 3 FULL pages typed (12pt font, double spaced, 1 inch margins with
appropriate format). Your freshman experience paper is a reflection on your first semester at
UM. Write two pages on what you have done, lessons you’ve learned, how life has changed
during your first semester, struggles you have overcome or unmet expectations. Write one page
reflecting on the required reading Quitter. Add a statement about completion of the Quitter
assignment at the end of the paper. See paper grading rubric below.
Freshman Seminar
Monday
Class & Assignment Schedule
Week 1: August 20, 2012
Academic Orientation and Life at UM
Introduction to Freshman Seminar- Syllabus
Week 2: August 27, 2012
MyUM Training and Why UM? (Lecture includes: directions on how to use MyUM,
discussion on why students have chosen UM and the difference between high school and
college)
Quiz #1
SSC Questionnaire
Week 3: September 3, 2012
No CLASS Labor Day
Week 4: September 10, 2012
Academic Success (Lecture includes: learning strategies, preview of Bloom’s taxonomy
and the different levels of learning, discussion on learning vs. studying and the study
cycle)
Quiz #2
Week 5: September 17, 2012
Student Success (Lecture includes: academic integrity and its components, time
management and organization, stress management and self-care)
Quiz #3
Week 6: September 24, 2012 (Class meets in Ram Hall)
Library guest speaker (Introduces library resources and procedures)
Mashburn Lecture (Lecture includes: what it means to be a part of the “University”)
Week 7: October 1, 2012
Calling and Career (Lecture includes: Focus 2 inventory and its role in assisting
undecided majors and those who have chosen a major, how to prepare for a career
beginning freshman year and understanding calling and career)
Collaboration Forum Entry 1 due on Mashburn Lecture
Week 8: October 8, 2012 (Class meets in Ram Hall)
Alumni Office guest speaker (Introduces the ultimate goal of graduation and becoming
an alumnus)
Money Management guest speaker (Lecture includes: budgeting effectively, saving and
stewardship)
Career Reflection Paper Due with attached Focus 2 Results
Week 9: October 15, 2012
Academic Advising and Registration (Lecture includes: how to plan for advising
including student’s role in the process, how to access and use degree plans and how to
register for the following semester)
Collaboration Forum Entry 2 due on Money Management
Week 10: October 22, 2012
UM Catalog – Scavenger Hunt (Lecture includes: introducing students to office
locations, important persons and school policy and procedures)
Advisor/Student Contract and Degree Plan Due
Week 11: October 29, 2012 (Class meets in Ram Hall)
Christian Worldview Discussion, Neal Ledbetter (Lecture includes: introduction to a
Christian worldview and how it impacts the life of the student)
“How Can I Know God?” article
Week 12: November 5, 2012
Instructors pick (Lecture includes: topic chosen by Instructor based on perceived need of
the class or topic from previous weeks needing more class discussion time)
Christian Worldview Reflection Paper Due
Week 13: November 12, 2012
Campus Involvement (Lecture includes: a student panel explaining ways freshman can
get involved and how it can impact college life– from internships and works studies to
campus life leadership roles and academic clubs)
Week 14: November 19, 2012
No CLASS Thanksgiving break
Week 15: November 26, 2012
Reflections on semester and Quitter (Lecture includes: book review, semester review and
student’s freshman experience)
Quitter Statement Due
Freshman Experience Reflection Paper Due
Week 16: December 3, 2012
“Mingle and Jingle”
Christmas Celebration
Week 17: December 10, 2012
No CLASS Finals Week
Paper Grading Rubric:
Displayed insightful reflection and critical thought
Formatted correctly (Appropriate heading/proper grammar)
Followed directions (12 point font, 1 inch margins, double spaced)
Wrote full page requirement
Turned in on time
___ 20pts
___ 20pts
___ 20pts
___ 20pts
___ 20pts