ACAD101H Syllabus
Fall 2012
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ACAD 101HHonors Principles of the Learning Academy
Winthrop UniversityFall 20121 Credit Hour
Time and Location: R 12:30-1:45 p.m., Kinard 111Section: ACAD101H-001
Instructor: Dr. Tom PolaskiPeer Mentor: Katharine Lindberg
Inst. Office: Bancroft 158PM Phone: 843-460-4109
Inst. Phone: 803-323-4604PM E-mail:
Inst. E-mail:
Inst. Office Hours: MW 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.; TR 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Other times may be arranged by appointment.
Principles of the Learning Academy is an essential course for all first-time freshmen. This course introduces first-year students to the concepts, principles, and skills necessary for successful higher learning and facilitates students’ adjustment to and engagement in the learning academy.
By the end of this course, students will
- understand their responsibilities within the classroom and at the university,
- understand support services and learning opportunities,
- develop a sense of community and connection to the university,
- develop successful academic skills and attitudes, and
- connect personal and social responsibility to their own academic efforts.
- develop thicker, more lustrous hair. (These results have not yet been exposed to clinical study.)
Core Commitments: Educating Students for Personal and Social Responsibility
As a community of learners, we are committed to these dimensions of personal and social responsibility:
- Striving for Excellence
- Cultivating Personal and Academic Integrity
- Contributing to a Larger Community
- Taking Seriously the Perspectives of Others
- Refining Ethical and Moral Reasoning
University-Level Competencies (ULCs)
Winthrop’s University-Level Competencies (ULCs) identify learning outcomes that apply across all undergraduate programs and that all Winthrop graduates attain. These capacities are essential preparation for working productively and living meaningfully in the contemporary and emerging world.The ULCs were approved by Faculty Conference in October 2010.
Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems. They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.
Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible.Winthrop University graduates value integrity, perceive moral dimensions, and achieve excellence. They take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning, and reflect on experiences. Winthrop graduates have a sense of responsibility to the broader community and contribute to the greater good.
Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live.Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields. Winthrop graduates collaborate with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and engaged citizens.
Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. They create texts – including but not limited to written, oral, and visual presentations – that convey content effectively. Mindful of their voice and the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express and exchange ideas.
Global Learning Initiative Components: The global learning initiative components of this course are the following:
- An introduction to the nature, purposes, and opportunities of study abroad at Winthrop University.
- Discussion of the relationship between diversity, including global diversity, and a college education.
Students with Disabilities: Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and need specific accommodations to complete this course, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 323-3290 as early as possible in the semester. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Disability Services, please inform your instructor.
Academic Success Center (ASC):Winthrop’s Academic Success Center is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to perform their best academically. The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and individual study spaces, and academic coaching. The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106. Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or . For more information on ASC services, please visit
Office of Victims Assistance (OVA):Winthrop’s Office of Victims Assistance provides services to survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking as well as educational programming to prevent these crimes from occurring. The staff assists all survivors, regardless of when they were victimized, in obtaining counseling, medical care, housing options, legal prosecution, and more. In addition, the OVA helps students access support services for academic problems resulting from victimization. The OVA is located at 204 Crawford and can be reached at 803-323-2206. In the case of an after-hours emergency, please call Campus Police at 803-323-3333 or the local rape crisis center, Safe Passage, at their 24-hour hotline: 803-329-2800. For more information, please visit:
Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA): Winthrop’s Office of Nationally Competitive Awards identifies and assists highly motivated and talented students to apply for nationally and internationally competitive awards, scholarships, fellowships, and unique opportunities both at home and abroad. ONCA gathers and disseminates award information and deadlines across the campus community, and serves as a resource for students, faculty, and staff throughout the nationally competitive award nomination and application process. ONCA is located in Dinkins 222. Please fill out an online information form at the bottom of the ONCA webpage and email for more information.
Required Texts
Winthrop University Custom Planner.
General Rules: All students are expected to join the instructor and peer mentor in building a safe environment in this class -- a place in which students will be treated with respect regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. ACAD101 students are expected to cultivate personal and academic integrity. Academic misconduct will be addressed in accordance with the Student Conduct Code and the University Undergraduate Catalog.
Attendance and participation: Attendance and participation are required both for regularly scheduled class time and for special events beyond class time. There are 13 class sessions and 10 out-of-class events in this course. These are listed on the course schedule below. Your attendance and participation in class sessions is worth 200points: you may up to 15 points for attendance and participation at each class session, plus a bonus of 5 points. Your participation in out-of-class events is worth 100 points: you may receive up to 10 points for participation in each out-of-class event. Participation in class means exhibiting active listening and engagement as well as playing your part in class discussion. Students will also be called upon to lead class discussions on articles related to the course topics. Participation in out-of-class events will be defined for each of these events. The peer mentor, who is the czarina of attendance and participation, will assign these points in consultation with the instructor; it is possible to receive less than the number of points available if participation is found to be wanting. Use of a communication device during class time or out-of-class events is prohibited; students who use a communication device during class time or at out-of-class events may be counted absent and may receive a grade of zero on related work.
Out-of-Class Events
- Convocation and Community Picnic: Students must attend Convocation in Byrnes Auditorium with their Peer Mentors. Meet at Byrnes Auditorium at 3:45 p.m., Monday, August20.
- Freshman Assembly: Students must attend the appropriate freshman assembly on Tuesday, August 21, 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 m. Meet at Byrnes Auditorium.
- Cultural Events: Students must attend at least two cultural events during the course, at least one of which must be a global cultural event.
- Author’s Address: Students must attend author Kelsey Timmerman’s address to the campus on Wednesday, October 3 in Byrnes Auditorium. This event will not meet the cultural event requirement for the course.
- Alcohol Awareness Event: Students must attend one of the following presentations:
Option #1:“A Shot of Reality.” Presented on Tuesday, September 25 at 8:00 p.m. in Richardson Ballroom.
Option #2:TBA
Option #3:TBA - Fairs, etc.: Students must attend all of the following festive-yet-educational occasions:
Clubs and Organizations Fair: Tuesday, September 4,11:00 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. on Scholars Walk near the DiGiorgio Campus Center and the West Center.
Volunteer Fair: Thursday, September 6, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 m. on Scholars Walk near the DiGiorgio Campus Center and the West Center.
Study Abroad Fair:Thursday, September 20, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the DiGiorgio Campus Center Main Lobby.
- College Connection Meeting: Students must attend the College Connection meeting of the appropriate college. These meetings will be held on Tuesday, October 2 at 11:00 a.m. in campus locations to be determined
Service-Learning Project: Contributing to the larger community is among our core commitments. Inspired by the common book’s call to make a difference in the world, the service learning project for this section is to prepare and manage an offsite sale for Ten Thousand Villages, which is a non-profit organization that tells the stories of Third World artisans and sells their handicrafts. Students must participate in the service-learning project as organized by the peer mentor -- participation is worth 50 points.
Reflections: Each student will compose tenshort reflection essays during the course responding to questions posed in class. The questions will be given out in class on a weekly basis; the reflections are due on the dates listed on the syllabus. Late work cannot be accepted. Each reflection should be between 150 and 250 words. For general expectations see the Reflection Rubric below. Each reflection is worth 15 points. NOTE: All of your reflections must be submitted to Turnitin.com. To register:
a)Go to
b)Enter your Class ID: 5139060
c)Enter your Class Password: polaski001
d)If you need assistance, go to the Dacus Library website for Turnitin User Support.
One-on-One: Each student is expected to meet with the Peer Mentor one-on-one outside of class at least once. The Peer Mentor will work with students to arrange a time and place. Completion of the One-on-One is worth 50 points.
Unless There Is Consent:Students must view this online presentation and complete this program on sexual abuse and violence. Completion of this program is worth 25 points.
Letter to the Entering Class of 2013: On the last day of class, students will write a brief, in-class letter to a Winthrop student who will enter Winthrop in the fall of 2013. More details will be distributed in class. The assignment is worth 25 points.
Grade Calculation: There are 600 possible points for this course:
- 200 from attendance and participation in class sessions
- 100 from participation in out-of-class activities and assignments
- 50 from participation in the service learning project
- 150 from the reflections
- 50 from the One-On-One meeting with the Peer Mentor
- 25 from the “Unless There Is Consent” program, and
- 25 from the letter to the entering class of 2013.
Grades will be based on a 60-point scale: 540-600 for A, 480-539 for B, 420-479 for C, and 360-419 for D.Plusses and minuses will be awarded at the discretion of the instructor and peer mentor.
RUBRIC FOR REFLECTVE RESPONSES
Fall 2012
Element / Excellent / Above Average / Average / Below Average / AbsentAddresses the question
(5 pts) / Addresses the question in a thorough, creative, and engaging way. / Addresses the question in a thorough and engaging way. / Thoroughly addresses the question. / Fails to address parts of the question. / Fails to address the question.
Provides evidence of reflective thought
(5 pts) / Reflection connects question to student’s past experience and applies it to future college career in a creative way. / Reflection connects question to student’s past experience and applies it to future college career. / Reflection either connects question to student’s past experience or future college career. / Entire reflection is superficial. / No evidence of reflective thought is present.
Concrete examples
(3 pts) / Provides succinct, relevant, and interesting examples. / Provides relevant examples. / Fails to provide examples.
Standard English
(2 pts) / Work demonstrates appropriate standard English usage. / Fails to demonstrate appropriate standard English usage.
ACAD101H Calendar (the calendar may be changed with a class announcement)
DATE / CLASS TOPIC / ACTIVITY/ASSIGNMENTS 8/18 / Winthrop University: Your New Home / Reflection #1 Assigned
M 8/20 / Planning, Goal Setting, and Time Management / Reflection #2 Assigned
M/8/20 / Convocation
T 8/21 / Freshman Assembly
R 8/23 / Winthrop University: Still Your New Home / Reflection #1 Due
R 8/30 / Academic Success; Metacognition / Reflection #2 Due
Reflection #3 Assigned
T 9/4 / Clubs and Organizations Fair
R 9/6 / Sexual Assault Prevention; Bystander Intervention / Reflection #3 Due
Reflection #4 Assigned
R 9/6 / Volunteer Fair
R 9/13 / Study Abroad, Honors, and ONCA / Reflection #4 Due
Reflection #5 Assigned
R 9/20 / Campus Engagement / Reflection #5 Due
Reflection #6 Assigned
R 9/20 / Study Abroad Fair
T 9/25 / Alcohol Awareness I
R 9/27 / The Nature and Purpose of a Liberal Education / Reflection #6 Due
Reflection #7 Assigned
T 10/2 / College Connections Meeting
W 10/3 / Author’s Address
R 10/4 / Special Presentation / Reflection #7 Due
R 10/11 / Academic Management: Advising, Scholarships, DegreeWorks / Global Cultural Event Reflection Due
R 10/18 / Communication, Conflict Management, Social Media / Alcohol Event Reflection Due
Reflection #8 Assigned
R 10/25 / Stress Management and Wellness / Reflection #8 Due
R 11/1 / Engagement / Letter to Class of 2017
SS 11/17-18 / Service-Learning Project