Global Languages, Global Issues |
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Welcome to your first
semester at Sonoma State University, and to the Freshman
Seminar!
Freshman Seminar is a two-unit orientation course for
first-time freshmen at Sonoma State University. It is taught
by an Educational Mentoring Team, consisting of a faculty
member, a professional staff member, and a student peer
mentor.
MISSION STATEMENT
Freshman Seminar is built upon a commitment to student success in the university community. It is designed to create a learning community and a foundation of skills and knowledge that will help students develop the habits of thinking and learning necessary in a complex, technologically sophisticated, and multicultural world. It is also designed to help freshmen develop support systems to ease their transition to the university.
Specifically, the program seeks to: help students make a successful academic and social transition from high school to college; encourage students to clarify their personal values and goals; integrate students' personal goals with their academic interests; help students to develop skills to achieve their academic goals; and create a pluralistic learning community that values diversity.
This special section of Freshman Seminar, entitled "Global Languages, Global Cultures," will also cover topics of interest to freshmen who plan to study a language at Sonoma State as a major or a minor or simply for their own pleasure, or as part of the major in Global Studies. It is also ideal for students who intend to incorporate study abroad or an internship abroad as part of their SSU education. In addition to the core curriculum of the Freshman Seminar, topics covered in this special section will include:
- an introduction to the various language programs offered at SSU;
- an introduction to the major in Global Studies;
- an in-depth introduction to the study abroad program (IP) at SSU;
- interactions with students who have returned from their study abroad experience;
- interactions with relevant student clubs: French Club, German Club, Spanish Club, International Student Association, International House students, etc.;
- interactions with Modern Languages and Global Studies professors;
- explorations of ways to use one's language skills in the local community;
- academic advising within both General Education and the majors;
- career exploration in the global community; and
- guest speakers from local employers who value second language mastery in their employees.
A note about the seminar format of the class: This is not a lecture class, but a seminar; consequently, a good deal of our time will be spent in collaboration. We will all be exploring issues that will be significant to your experience as a new freshman, in a new cultural context, at SSU, as well as issues crucial to your study of language and the global community.
In the end, we hope this class will help you not only to survive the first semester, but also to find a voice, and a language, both orally and in writing, as a means of communicating with those around you, which will enhance your college experience and contribute significantly to your exploration of global languages and global cultures.
- Sonoma State University Catalog;
- Course Packet, available at the College Copy Center,
1435 E. Cotati Avenue, just down the street from campus;- Looseleaf binder (1") for Course Packet and other handouts;
- 2001-2002 School Calendar;
- Schedule of Classes (available at the bookstore);
The grading option for University 102 is CR/NC (credit/no-credit). Your grade will be calculated on a total of 100 points, as follows:
- Cultural Autobiography, 10 pts.
- Listserv Postings, 20 pts.
- Library Workshops, 10 pts.
- Professor Interview, 5 pts.
- Written reactions to "other-culture" events, 15 pts.
- Attendance/Participation, 15 pts.
- Research Project, 25 pts.
A total of 80 points and above will result in a grade of CR for the course; below 80 will result in a NC.
Attendance in the Freshman Seminar is crucial. The instructors will take attendance at each regularly scheduled class meeting. You will be assigned a participation grade based on our observations of your work in class. Attendance at one-on-one meetings with your instructors will also be counted as part of your participation grade; failure to attend these meetings may result in a grade of NC for the course. If a student misses more than two classes, s/he must see the instructors. Should the student accrue three absences or more, s/he may risk a grade of NC for the class.
Homework is due at the beginning of the class for which it is assigned, unless otherwise noted on the course calendar or by the instructors. All homework should be typed, double-spaced, with a 12-point font.
If you have a disability that
requires accommodation in this class, you must notify the
instructor before the end of the second week of class
regarding the nature of the accommodation you need. You must
register with the campus Disabled Student Services, located
in Stevenson Hall, room 1038, phone 664.2677. DSS will
provide written documentation of your verified disability
with the recommended accommodation/authorization which you
must then present to the instructor.
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