PE44A – First Year Experience: Spirit, Mind, and Body
Gosman Athletic Center
Fall 2015
Course Description:
This course creates a unique learning environment in which first-year students are provided with
the tools to help ensure success in their first year at Brandeis University and beyond. FYE:
Spirit, Mind, and Body introduces students to the role of higher education in society and their
role, as students, within our community of scholars. Four core topic areas – communication,
health and wellness, community, and academic skill development – will be explored in depth
through a variety of interactive activities in- and out-of-class. Class participants will be expected
to be active and engaged learners. FYE: Spirit, Mind, and Body class is a not-for-credit,
pass/fail course that, through successful completion, will satisfy a Brandeis Physical Education
requirement.
Course Outcomes:
● Students will engage in exploration and critical thinking of the structure and purpose of a
research university, the nature of peer interactions on a campus environment, and the
process of individual personal development of values and success skills.
● Students will gain an understanding of the role of faculty, students, administrators, and
the community in formation of the political, social, and educational culture of the
Brandeis campus.
● Students will participate in a cooperative learning environment, exploring topics related
to the development of one’s spirit, mind, and body through small group discussions,
dialogue, teamwork, and other modes of experiential learning.
● Students will be encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own behaviors and
learning.
Course Requirements:
● Class Attendance
Our class runs once a week for the duration of the semester. In order for our class to reach its
full potential, we need all students present and engaged in active, participatory learning. Please
make every attempt to arrive to class early or on time. It is expected that students will turn off
cell phones during class time, in order to respect their peers and learning environment.
If you are sick or have a conflict with the class time, please do your best to notify the instructor
through e-mail at least 12 hours before the class begins. If you are more than ten minutes late
to class, it may count as an absence. Attendance is a critical component, students are
permitted 2 excused absences.
● Textbook/Class readings (Recommended)
Each week, the instructor will post one/two readings on the course’s LATTE page. The
readings will be short, thought-provoking, contemporary, and relevant to the discussions held in
class. Given the credit restrictions of the course, it is the instructor’s goal not to assign more
than 30 minutes of reading each week.
● LATTE journal postings
Periodically at the end of a class session, the instructor will share a journal prompt for each
student to respond. Sometimes, it may serve as a personal reflection; at other times, the journal
response may be in reaction to a campus event (or another related activity). These journal
posts will be due on LATTE before the start of the next class session. Students are encouraged
to apply and connect course readings to their own experiences whenever possible. The
instructor will reply to each journal post within a week’s time by offering support, guidance, and
further resources for success.
● Campus Resource Presentations
In groups of 2-3 you are to visit a campus office (see below for a list of recommended offices)
and either participate in a workshop/event or spend 20-30 minutes talking with a staff member in
that office about the services they offer. During the class on October 17th you will present to
the class for 10 minutes on the functions of the office and how you can utilize their services
during your Brandeis career.
Offices: Hiatt, Academic Services, Health Center, Community Service, Leadership/Activities,
Student Financial Services, Study Abroad, ICC, option to pick own.
●
Final Presentation
Working individually, you will reflect on your first semester at Brandeis and well as your future
goals. In any forum you choose, you will reflect on 3 things you learned during your first
semester at Brandeis, 1 thing you would have done differently, 1 thing you will do in your next
semester, and 1 thing you hope to do during your time at Brandeis. You will have 10 minutes to
present to the class.
● LATTE/e-mail maintenance
All course communication will be through our LATTE page, in addition to any e-mail
correspondences that may occur. Students are encouraged to check the LATTE page for
updates to our course.
Disability Services:
If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University, and wish to
have a reasonable accommodation made for you, please notify the instructor as soon as
possible. For more information about Disability Services at Brandeis, please refer to the office’s
website: http://www.brandeis.edu/acserv/disabilities/
Academic Integrity:
o Academic honesty: You are expected to be honest in all of your academic work.
Please consult Brandeis University Rights and Responsibilities for all policies and
procedures related to academic integrity. Students may be required to submit work to
TurnItIn.com software to verify originality. Allegations of alleged academic dishonesty
will be forwarded to the Director of Academic Integrity. Sanctions for academic
dishonesty can include failing grades and/or suspension from the university. Citation and
research assistance can be found at LTS - Library guides
Class Sessions *Subject to change.
Session 1:
Welcome, Introductions, and Teambuilding
● Ice breakers
● Defining the goals of the class
● Setting APPS goals for the semester—Achievable, Personal, Positive, Specific goals for
the present that can lead and grow to enhance your college experience
Things to do for next class session:
● Schedule and share a meal and conversation with two classmates this week
● Journal Entry #1 (post on LATTE before next class session)
○ In 2-3 paragraphs, reflect on the activities you were involved in during your high
school experience. How did you manage your time? Were there specific tools
you used to help you with time management? In addition, reflect on your stress
management and the ways you worked to stay healthy. For example, did you
exercise, meditate, eat healthy, etc.? How do you anticipate how these may
change at college?
● Readings:
○ “The Harvard Guide to Happiness” (via LATTE)
○ “Kids, Welcome, Parents; Go Home” (via LATTE)
Session 2:
Independence & College Transition
● Transition to college
● Time management (Use schedule grids)
● Stress management
● Healthy choices
Things to do for next class session:
● Self Assessment and reflection
Session 3:
Personal Responsibility
● Locking doors, keeping it safe/R&R and CSR/Brandeis Police
● Healthy Relationships - Friends & Intimate Partners/Consent
● Alcohol/Drugs
● Academic Integrity
Things to do for next class session:
● Readings:
The Cheating Culture chapter 5. Please write a one page response.
Session 4:
Academic development
 The Writing Center
● BUGS tutors
● RFs
● Library Tour
Things to do for next class session:
● Journal Entry #2
○ Detail at least 5 of your strengths and 5 of your weaknesses in the following
areas: physical, emotional, social, other. Reflect on how strong your feelings of
self-esteem are and how you can sustain what is positive and how you can make
positive adjustments in your life.
Session 5:
Leadership
● Leadership styles
● Communication
● Crucial conversations
Things to do for next class session:
● Journal Entry #3
Session 6:
Wellness (AOD education)
● Healthy eating
● Fitness
● Creative and easy wellness
● Guided meditation/yoga
Things to do for next class session:
● Visit a faculty member during their office hours
●
Journal Entry #4
Session 7:
Campus Resources Review and prepping for your presentations
Things to do for next class session:
● Journal Entry #5
○ Write a paragraph about what social justice means to you. Is there anything at
Brandeis that you have encountered that seems biased or unjust? If so, did this
surprise you?
● Readings: Unpacking the invisible knapsack
Session 8:
Diversity
● Web activity
● Diversity wheel/CPR reps
● Things that they have been surprised by at Brandeis and how to engage in constructive
conversations (combating bias) this is our house
Things to do for next class session:
○ Journal entry #6 Write about something new you learned about yourself so far
through this class. Reflect on any challenges or positive risks you’ve taken since
coming to Brandeis.
Session 9:
The Arts at Brandeis
 Spingold tour of backstage
 The power of play
 Rose Art Museum
Session 10:
Fiscally Fit First-Years
 Budget basics
 Your credit
 Living well within your means
Things to do for next class session:
● Finalize Presentations
Session 11:
Presentations
Things to do for next class session:
● Finalize Presentations
Session 12:
Presentations
Things to do for next class session:
● Feedback Surveys
Session 13:
Wrap Up and Closing
● Discussing goals/the journey