SSP 1000 - Introduction to College Learning Syllabus Fall 2009

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.

Texts: Introduction to College Learning:  Keys to Success at UMD – 2nd Edition.  (Required) This text can be purchased at the UMD Bookstore under the heading SSP 1000

Champ’s Companion Student Planner, UMD 2009-20010 (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 grade being affected. 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 your TA. 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. Being on time for class is a sign of respect for the instructor, TA and your fellow classmates, and you will be marked tardy for being late to class. More than 3 tardies will result in earned grade being dropped one full letter grade. .

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 Honesty/Dishonesty Policy:

   The University expects all students to maintain their own academic integrity and the reputation of the institution.  Academic dishonesty is any intentional act of fraud in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization.  These include cheating, plagiarism, forgery of academic documents, or other forms of academic dishonesty and will result in an “F” for the assignment and may result in an “F” for the course.  Students are encouraged to review UMD’s “Student Academic Integrity Policy” online at http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity or in the textbook, Chp. 8, part 2. Academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community.  This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders. When you borrow from other's work, you must give them credit in the form of a citation and a 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.
6. Classroom Conduct: The instructor will enforce and students are expected to follow the University’s Student Conduct Code.  Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity.  Students are encouraged to review the Student Conduct Code online at http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code  (Also in textbook, Chp. 8, part 1). 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.

   ONLY EXCEPTION IN USING YOUR CELL PHONE IS FOR CLASSROOM EMERGENCY/SAFETY ISSUES BY DIALING CAMPUS POLICE AT 726-7000 OR 911.

7. Mental Health & Wellness Services:As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down or lonely, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation.  These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student’s ability to participate in daily activities.  University of Minnesota services are available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing.  You can learn more about the broad range of confidential (and free!) mental health services available on campus via the UMD Health Services Counseling website at: http://www.d.umn.edu/hlthserv/counseling/.

8.  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.

9. Students with special needs:

   Disability Services& Resources Policy Statement:

   Individuals who have a disability (physical, learning, mental, or emotional), either permanent or temporary, which may affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the term.  Adaptations of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.  Students should contact the Disability Services and Resources office located at Kirby Student Center 254 or by calling 726-8217.

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, 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. 

Grading:

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. You are expected to bring proper materials to class. Emails will go out to remind you to bring computers, completed work pages or be ready to discuss a topic.
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. Moodle Grad Planner online course An online self instruction course about grad planner is required. I will receive a notice of completion through the course. Questions and discussion will happen in class.
7. Academic Plan   Our academic planning days during November will not only include course exploration and planning for spring semester but will also include a long-range academic planning.  This assignment requires that you devise a two or four year academic plan that encompasses lower division major and minor requirements and the Liberal Education Program.
8. 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.
9. Quizzes: Quizzes will be based on reading assignments and in class discussions.
10. 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 or the TA to view.
11. Cultural Assignment: We will explore diversity on campus by doing in class activities. You are expected to participate. Be prepared to tell the class how you define your self. Questions will be asked so be prepared.
12. Civic Engagement Opportunity: Everyone is invited to participate in a Oct. 31st Halloween event at the local nature center. This will be discussed in class. Your participation will help the community and count as community service hours toward formal acceptance into Education programs.

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SSP 1000 Intro to College Learning (ICL) Syllabus Contract Fall 2009

I (please print name)_________________________________________________ have read and understood the syllabus for SSP 1000 Introduction to College and Learning. I know that the syllabus is a contract for learning and my dispositions in the college classroom. I have asked appropriate questions about any parts that I do not understand. I will abide by its contents for the duration of the semester.

Signature ____________________________________________________   Date ___________________________________________________