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FALL 2007  SYLLABUS
IDST 1101.08: First Year Student Seminar

Instructor: Tom Wells                                     Office:  Weir  #206                                          
Phone: 792-7429                                             Edress:  tomwells@schreiner.edu                    
Office hours:     MTWR (1:00 – 2:15 PM);  Others by Appointment

http://faculty.schreiner.edu/tomwells/      provides an electronic version of the syllabus

Peer Mentor:  PJ Bryant

Catalog Description:  A course designed to increase student success in college by enhancing the academic skills of the student.

Course Outcomes:  At the end of the course, successful students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate their understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge through oral and written expression.
    

2. Demonstrate knowledge of academic practices and procedures that lead to success in college, including a variety of study skills and related support behaviors.
    

a.  Describe effective approaches to note taking, studying, and test taking.

b.  Describe at least two methods for improving memorization of factual information.

c.  Understand and overcome problems and stress associated with “test anxiety.”

3. Demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate resources in the library, on the world wide web, and in library databases.
    

a.  Use the library web page to locate various print and on-line resources.

b.  Locate appropriate references to support research on a particular topic using library databases.

c.  Describe responsibilities, privacy concerns, and plagiarism regarding use of the Internet and other resources.

4.   Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of information formats and types and the creators of each.

a.  Distinguish between on-line databases & Internet resources and evaluate the validity of each.
 

Evidence:  Student performance on exams, quizzes, and written assignments.
 

 Teaching Strategies:  The outcomes for this course will be achieved through mini-lectures, small group discussions, in-class individual & small group exercises, readings and exercises from the text and out-of-class assignments. This course focuses on developing individual responsibility and assisting students to create a successful and satisfying experience in college.   

Course Requirements and Grading:                     

Daily Work/Quizzes/Homework assignments (*)                         20%   

Research & Writing                                                                  15% 

Schreiner Experience (**)                                                            5%                         

Exams/Responses                                                                     45%

Final Examination                                                                      10%                 

* -- Includes attendance and participation.  Please see Attendance Policy in the Course Policies section of the electronic syllabus.

** -- Details for Schreiner Experience will be provided in class.

Point Breaks for the Assignment of Course Grades

A         90-100% of possible points

B          80-89%   of possible points

C          70-79%   of possible points

D         60-69%    of possible points

F          < 60% of possible points

Homework: Unless otherwise specified, out-of-class assignments are due at the beginning of class the next class day and, unless otherwise specified, must be typed, double spaced and proofread.

Late Work: Out-of-class assignments are due by 5:00 PM on the due date. Late work will be accepted until the class period following the due date but will receive only one-half credit. Work will not be accepted after the class period following the due date.

Make-up work: In-class assignments, including quizzes, cannot be made up.  Students with excused absences will not be penalized for missing in-class assignments. In order for an absence to be considered "excused", the instructor must be notified in advance and the absence must be due to a university-sanctioned activity (such as an athletic event) or to unavoidable circumstances. Students may be asked to document their requests for excused absences.

Schreiner Experience:  Students must complete the on-line AlcoholEdu course and three of the five Schreiner experience options.  In order to receive credit for a Schreiner Experience event, students must submit either a written summary of the experience or a signed signature card, depending upon the type of event attended.  The AlcoholEdu course must be completed by October 31, 2007.   The remaining Schreiner Experience options must be completed and required documentation submitted by November 21, 2007

Extra Credit:  Students may receive extra credit by attending an additional Schreiner Experience event in the category of Academic Lectures.  Documentation of attendance at additional Schreiner Experience event must be submitted by November 21, 2007.

Other Course Policies           

Classroom Protocol               

http://faculty.schreiner.edu/tomwells/