DRAFT
University 100 Freshman Transition Seminar
COURSE SYLLABUS – Fall 2010
Section:
Class Day/Time:
Class Location:
Instructor:
Email:
Phone:
Office:
Office Hours:
Peer Advisor:
Email:
Phone:
Office:
Office Hours:
Required Textbooks:
- Your Guide to Success at Mason, ISBN: 111142036X (includes access code for online
resources)
- Student Handbook 2010-2011, George Mason University (available online at
http://sa.gmu.edu)
Introduction
The main objective of this course is to assist you with your transition to Mason through
the development of a relationship with others in the class including the instructor and
peer advisor, the establishment of a knowledge base of campus resources, and the
acquisition of basic academic skills for success. A list of 13 competencies have been
identified that we hope you will have developed upon completion of this course. They
are:
- to critically evaluate information, both in and out of the classroom in order
to make valid, sound decisions on your own;
- to achieve your maximum academic potential;
- to be responsible and involved members of the university community;
- to be proficient in using technology available at Mason;
- to be safe;
- to be healthy, both physically and mentally;
- to live, work, and learn respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and
beliefs;
- to be familiar with resources available at Mason;
- to be familiar with Mason policies and procedures;
- to feel comfortable and safe in your living environment;
- to develop a network of supportive peers, upper-class students, faculty and
staff;
- to enjoy your experiences in University 100 and at Mason; and
- to better understand yourself.
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Your Responsibilities
In this course, you will have a number of regular responsibilities. Your grade for the
course will be determined by the level of performance of these responsibilities – which
include your participation in class discussions, journal writing, attending the outdoor
teambuilding event and outside events, and completing homework assignments.
Participation
Because this class is designed as a seminar, you are expected to attend and participate
in all class discussions and activities; therefore, absences and late arrivals will reduce
your participation grade. It is expected that you notify the instructor if you will be
absent or late, prior to the start of class. If an unforeseen circumstance prevents you
from attending class, follow-up communication with the instructor in a timely manner
will be taken into account in calculating the participation grade.
Journals
Several times throughout the semester, you will be assigned a topic to write about in
your journal. Each journal should be a clear and concise reflection of your personal
involvement in that week’s topic of discussion. You should submit your journals
electronically to both the instructor and peer advisor before the beginning of the next
class, unless otherwise instructed. Each journal will be evaluated on completeness and
effort, not content. Journals should be approximately one double-spaced page in
length, with attention to grammar and proofread for errors.
Teambuilding Event
As part of the University 100 experience, you will participate in a teambuilding event on
the date and time below. Attendance at this activity is an academic requirement of
the course and will constitute 10% of your overall grade. If you have any concerns
about your ability to attend this activity, you must notify the instructor at the first class
meeting.
Date/Time:
Location:
Academic Advisor Meeting
Meeting with your academic advisor on a regular basis is a crucial part of your college
experience. Advisors can assist you with a variety of different issues - deciding on a
major, selecting courses, finding an internship, and many other things. You are required
to schedule at least one meeting with your advisor during the semester. During this
meeting you should create a plan for at least the next three semesters and complete/
submit the form provided by your instructor.
Outside Events
To broaden your knowledge of campus resources and activities, you are required to
attend three Mason community events outside of the classroom during the semester.
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One should be academically-based, one cultural or performance-based, and one related
to a student organization on campus. Your grade for each outside event will be based
on a reflection paper (summary of the event and reflection of what meaning it held for
you) – double-space typed, proofread for grammar and errors, and at least one page in
length. It should be submitted electronically to the instructor and peer advisor prior to
the class meeting on the due date listed below:
-
Outside Event #1 reflection paper due:
Outside Event #2 reflection paper due:
Outside Event #3 reflection paper due:
Note: Learning Services (located under Counseling and Psychological Services) offers
academic skills and self-development workshops throughout the semester. For more
information, call (703) 993-2999 or go to http://caps.gmu.edu. Attending one of these
workshops can be counted towards an Outside Event, with proper registration and
verification.
Homework Assignments
You will be assigned various homework assignments throughout the semester to assist
in your learning of the course material. Most of these assignments will come from your
textbook and online resources related to the textbook or to the university.
Final Assignment
You will work individually or in pairs to prepare a 10-minute presentation on one of the
topics studied in class. You will also prepare a 2-page paper in which you will summarize
the learning that took place to accomplish this effort. Your topic must be approved by
your instructor. Details and a rubric will be provided by your instructor.
Grading
Your grade for the course will be based on the assignments and percentages listed
below:
Points
Class Participation
30
Journals
10 - 2 for each of 5 entries
Teambuilding Event
10
Academic Advisor Meeting
10
Outside Event Essays
15 – 5 for each of 3 essays
Homework Assignments
10 – 2 for each of 5 assignments
Final Assignment
15
100 total points
Extra credit opportunities can be discussed with the instructor after mid-semester
evaluations.
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Grading Scale
A+
A
A-
100
99-94
93-90
B+
B
B-
89-87
86-84
83-80
C+
C
C-
79-77
76-74
73-70
D
F
69-60
Below 60
Mid-Semester Evaluations
Shortly after spring break, you will receive a mid-semester evaluation. This evaluation
will indicate your grade in the course thus far and specifically note any issues that are
adversely affecting your grade. At any time during the semester, please feel free to see
the instructor and/or peer advisor to discuss any challenges that you may be
experiencing.
Policies
Late work: Assignments will not be accepted late. This policy will be strictly enforced.
In the event of an unusual and dire emergency, contact the instructor and peer advisor
before an assignment is due or shortly thereafter. You may be required to provide
evidence of your emergency in order to be considered for alternative accommodations.
Honor code: This class operates in accordance with the university honor code. Even
though you are encouraged to work together on some assignments and projects, you
are expected to submit your own original work. Your journals should be written by you
and not shared with others in the class. You are required to attend outside events in
person and write your own reflection papers. All suspected honor code violations will
be reported to the honor committee for appropriate action.
Open door policy: Both the instructor and peer advisor are open to your comments,
suggestions, and feedback on the course at any time. Feel free to email the instructor
and/or peer advisor or see them before or after class to discuss your ideas and
concerns. You may also submit your thoughts anonymously.
This syllabus: You should consider this syllabus as your contract for the course. You
must follow the directions for each assignment and ensure that you submit your work
on time. This class can be successfully completed if you manage your time effectively,
come to class prepared, and turn in work in a timely and high quality fashion. These are
behaviors that will enable you to be academically successful in your other classes as
well.
Students with disabilities: If you are a student with a disability and you need academic
accommodations, please let your instructor and peer advisor know at the first class
meeting. All academic accommodations for students with disabilities must be arranged
through the Office of Disability Services, (703) 993-2474 or http://ods.gmu.edu.
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Schedule
A course schedule is provided below. Note that unforeseen circumstances may cause
changes to the schedule, but you will be notified of changes accordingly. Each reading,
homework, and journal assignment is due at the beginning of the next class, unless
otherwise noted. If class is canceled for some reason, you are expected to complete
that week’s assignment, as if class was held.
Week #1
Introduction to University 100
8/30-9/3
Class Activities:
Review class expectations, ground rules, syllabus, honor code,
information sheets, Mason email, and Mason policies. Introduce
Student Activities website.
Homework:
Read “About the University” and “University Policies” in the
Student Handbook, located on the following website:
http://sa.gmu.edu.
Journal Topic:
Reflect on your first semester of college.
Week #2
Mason Traditions and Jargon, Campus Involvement, Policies
9/6-9/10 (*Monday classes do not meet)
Class Activities:
Review Mason traditions and jargon, campus involvement
opportunities, and policies. Complete the self assessment on
page xxxiv in the textbook.
Homework:
Read pages 239-242 and 269-271 in the textbook.
Journal Topic:
No journal topic this week.
Week #3
Practice Integrity
9/13-9/17
Class Activities:
Copyright and Honor Committee presentations.
Homework:
Read pages 38-44 and 286-300 in the textbook. Bring in a current
article that relates to the negative impact that drugs and alcohol
can have on college students. Be prepared to discuss your article.
Journal Topic:
No journal topic this week.
Week #4
Healthy Choices: Drugs and Alcohol, Relationships and Safety
9/20-9/24
Class Activities:
Drugs and alcohol, relationships and safety presentation.
Homework:
Read pages 300-307 in the textbook. Complete self
assessments 1, 2, and 3 on pages 310-312.
Journal Topic:
Complete Create #2 on page 249 in the textbook.
First Outside Event essay due.
Week #5
9/27-10/1
Healthy Choices: Coping and Stress Management
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Class Activities:
Homework:
Journal Topic:
Discussion on coping and stress management.
Read pages 32-37 and 271-276 in the textbook.
No journal topic this week.
Week #6
Public Speaking, Conflict Styles
10/4-10/8
Class activities:
Review public speaking tips. Conflict styles overview and
questionnaire.
Homework:
Complete the conflict styles questionnaire, if not completed in
class. Read pages 47-56 in the textbook.
Journal Topic:
No journal topic this week.
Week #7
Diversity
10/11-10/15 (*Monday classes meet Tuesday; Tuesday classes do not meet)
Class Activities:
Diversity presentation.
Homework:
Plan for attending your second Outside Event.
Journal Topic:
Complete Reflect #2 on page 60 in the textbook.
Week #8
Leadership, Community Engagement, Learning Through Experience
10/18-10/22
Class Activities:
Homework:
Journal Topic:
Review leadership, community engagement, and learning through
experience.
Read pages 315-339 in the textbook. Complete self assessment 1,
2, and 3 on pages 343-345.
Respond to Reflect #1 on page 346 in the textbook.
Second Outside Event essay due.
Week #9
Money Management
10/25-10/29
Class Activities:
Discussion and video regarding money management.
Homework:
Read pages 349-365. Complete self assessment 1 and 2 on pages
368-369 of the textbook.
Journal Topic:
No journal topic this week.
Week #10
Major and Career Decisions
11/1-11/5
Class Activities:
Career Library visit – report to SUB I, room 348.
Homework:
Read pages 65-81 and 90-95 in the textbook. Complete self
assessment 1, 2, and 3 on pages 114-116 and bring to class.
Journal Topic:
No journal topic this week.
Week #11
11/8-11/12
Learning Styles and Skills: Part 1
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Class Activities:
Homework:
Journal Topic:
Review learning styles, scheduling, time management,
organizational skills, and motivation and goal setting.
Read pages 155-182 in the textbook. Complete self assessment 1,
2, and 3 on pages 145-148 in the textbook.
No journal topic this week.
Week #12
Learning Styles and Skills: Part 2
11/15-11/19
Class Activities:
Review listening and note taking, concentration, study skills,
managing anxiety, and exam strategies.
Homework:
Continue working on your final assignment presentation and
paper.
Journal Topic:
What advice would you give this fall’s incoming freshmen about
how to succeed in college, based on your learning and
experiences so far?
Third Outside Event essay due.
Week #13
Thanksgiving Break – Wed/Thu/Fri classes do not meet
Week #14
11/29-12/3
Final Assignment Presentations and Course Wrap-up