Class Schedule & Syllabus
Fall Semester, 1999
Tuesday, 3:00 pm - 4:50 pm
Village 200 Seminar Room
Tuesday, 3:00 pm - 4:50 pm
Village 200 Seminar Room
Educational Mentoring Team
Course
Description
Weekly
Topics/Assignments
Assignments and
Activities
Grades
Pat Jackson, Professor,
Criminal Justice Administration
Office: Stevenson Hall 2084 Tel. (707) 664-2126
e-mail: pat.jackson@sonoma.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00am -
12:00pm
Jacqueline Naffaa, Peer Mentor
CSA, Barbera Bldg.,
Room 18 Tel. (707) 665-7144
e-mail: naffaa@sonoma.edu
Bruce Peterson, Student Academic Services
Office: Village 400, Career Services
Tel. (707) 664-3077
e-mail: bruce.peterson@sonoma.edu
Office Hrs: Wednesday and Thursday: 2:00 - 3:00pm and by
appointment
Drop-In Advising: Thursday 11:00am-1:00pm
Required
Texts:
Been There, Should've Done That, by
Suzette Tyler
Sonoma State University Catalog, 1998-2000
[top of page]
Course
Description:
Welcome to your first semester at SSU. This course is designed to ease the transition to college and answer questions that may arise. The main theme of our class is " Self Discovery", and we will be incorporating this topic into each of our weekly classes through a seminar style.
The focus areas for this class include:
Personal development- career and life planning, self-esteem issues, values and ethics, physical, spiritual and emotional wellness.
Computer literacy - Using Internet tools: e-mail, Web, listserve and other tools that assist with information technology andlibrary research.
Personal Interaction - Interpersonal communication, cultural and ethnic diversity, sexual harassment, gender and sexuality issues.
Orientation and Involvement - Academic programs and policies, student groups and organizations, campus support services, academic and career advising.
These skill and learning strategies should work not just in college, but in all areas of your lives.
Send a short e-mail message introducing yourself to the entire class, using our Listserve (univ 102-18@sonoma.edu). You should include what you are most excited about as you start your first year of college, where you are from, your major and some concerns that you may have as you start your college years at SSU. Please keep this introduction short, approximately 1 to 2 paragraphs in length.
2. BBQ At Bruce’s September 10 (optional)
Come to Bruce’s house for a home-cooked meal and a chance to spend some relaxing time with our class. Menu will be burgers, vegiburgers, hot dogs, and home-made ice cream. Could be the high point of the semester!
3. Response Papers Due: Sept. 14, Oct. 19, and Nov. 16, 10 Points each
In following the theme of "Self Discovery", you will be writing a 1-2 page typed paper describing your experience in college up to this point. Is it what you expected? What has happened that you weren’t prepared for? What are you learning about yourself? This will be a way for you to reflect on what you are experiencing and a way for us to stay connected with you.
4. Campus Resource Presentation Due: September 21, 10 Points
For this assignment, you and a classmate will go to one of the resources on campus, interview a staff member, and do a short (5 mins. maximum) presentation to our class on what you learned. This will be a way for you to learn about a number of services and resources on campus.
5. Group Project Due: Varies between Oct. 12 and Nov. 9, 40 Points
You will have an opportunity to work with a group of your classmates to develop a presentation on an important issue affecting college students today, and create a Web Site describing your topic. You will be using the Library, World-Wide Web, and other sources of information and individuals to explore your issue and consider its importance at SSU. You will be meeting with either Pat, Bruce, or Jacqueline as your project advisor. (More information to follow)
6. Time Management Due: October 26, 15 Points
One of the most difficult skills for freshmen to develop is managing their time. In this exercise you will plan out your time for a week and use a classmate to help you stay on track. You will then write a short response paper describing your experience.
7. Interview a Professor Due: November 9, 10 Points
You will have the opportunity to interview a faculty member from your chosen major or possible area of interest. You will be expected to create at least 5 questions for the faculty member to respond to. The questions should include what you want to know about your major or area of interest. You will then turn in a short write-up (1-2 pages) summarizing the faculty’s response.
8. Volunteer Opportunity Due: November 30, 10 Points
There are many opportunities for students to volunteer their services to the community; the amount of commitment will vary. In conjunction with the JUMP Program (Join Us in Making Progress), you are to participate in one volunteer experience. More information to follow.
OR
(B) Community Activity
As an alternative, you may attend a Sonoma County community activity. There are various activities and events happening that will give you a flavor of what is available here is Sonoma County and give you a chance to get off campus. To fulfill this assignment, please bring back with you a ticket stub, flyer of the event, or any type of memorabilia that you acquire.
9. On Campus Event: Due by November 30, 10 Points
Attend a major event on campus - a play, cultural event or other approved activity. Bring in a ticket stub, program, or some other evidence of your attendance. You will then turn in a short write-up (1-2 pages) summarizing the experience.
10. Final exam Due by December 15, 25 Points
This will be a take home, essay exam. You will be asked to reflect on a number ofexperiences you had during your first semester at SSU and comment on what you have learned about yourself.
11. Class Participation, 25 Points
As was previously mentioned, your participation is a crucial part of your learning in this course. We expect you to contribute when you have something to add to the discussion, and to listen to your classmates when they are talking. The quality of your participation will be much more important than the quantity.
Your grade will be determined by the following criteria: attendance, participation in class discussions, timely completion of assignments, and regular meetings with your advisor. Late assignments will be accepted, with a decrease in points, up to one week after the due date.
If you have 2 unexcused absences,
you must meet with Pat or Bruce.
If you have 3 unexcused absences, you will fail the
course.
Class Participation: You will be evaluated on how you contribute to the class in terms of discussion and sharing, and active listening. Because of the personal nature of the course, the idea that "what you put into it determines what you get out of it" applies.
Evaluation of Assignments: The Grading Mode for the course is Credit /No Credit.
You must receive at least 70% of all possible points to receive a Credit (155 points).
Academic Advising: To receive Credit for the course, you must attend ALL 3 meetings,
two with Pat or Bruce, and one with an advisor in your major or possible major. If you are still undecided, your final meeting will again be with Pat or Bruce. Getting to know your advisors is an important part of being successful in college. We are here to assist you in becoming familiar with the campus and succeeding, both academically and personally. These meetings will allow us to check in with you and see how the semester is going, answer any questions you may have and provide other support you may need.
bruce
peterson
revised 1/20/00