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CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
UNV 101 Foundations of University Experience (3) F, Sp, Su. Introduces students to the vocabulary and processes of critical thinking and their application to reading and writing, academic and personal skills critical for success in college and the practical application of those skills within a seminar setting. Students develop study skills, learn about campus resources and policies, and explore career options. Each section focuses upon a
different seminar topic which serves as the basis for assignments and class discussions. (This section has an education emphasis.)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To enhance students’ ability to make a successful transition to higher education, the University101 course offered at MissouriWesternStateUniversity will:
  1. Provide students with knowledge of the rules, regulations, procedures and resources of the university. Upon completion of the course the students will be able to:
  2. use the University Catalog and other materials to locate policies, plan a program of study, and other academic endeavors
  3. explain the significance of, and calculate, his or her GPA, access mid-term and final grades
  4. act as responsible members of the Western community
  1. Introduce students to collegiate level study and academic skills. Upon completion of the course the students will be able to:
  2. utilize the academic resource centers, including but not limited to the library and the computer labs
  3. use the information technology available on-campus including e-mail, the Banner system, computer assisted learning programs
  4. practice effective time management, study habits, note-taking and test-taking skills
  5. discuss and/or debate issues in small groups as well as present ideas to larger groups
  6. demonstrate college appropriate writing skills
  7. Understand the process and vocabulary of the critical thinking process. Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
a. formulate clear and precise questions over identified problems
b. gather, assess and interpret relevant information
c. test conclusions against relevant criteria and standards
d. consider and analyze alternative theories and position
e. communicate, orally and in writing, effectively to determine solutions to complex problems
IV.Enable the students to develop interpersonal and social skills for success at the University and in life beyond their academic career. Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
f. collaborate with peers and instructors
g. understand and appreciate diverse ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds
h. reflect on his or her goals
i. discuss current events and issues of local, regional and national and global concern
Investigative Questions & Topic Discussions:
  • What are the characteristics of a critical thinker?
  • What is the process used for critical thinking? (Thinking through the “elements of thought”)
  • What is & how do I become a master student? (Is it for everyone? Is IQ involved?) Emphasis on specific skills will include: reading skills, effective note taking, preparingfor tests, goal setting, time management & valuing diversity.
  • What resources are available to me as a college student at MissouriWesternStateUniversity?
  • What are the academic policies of MissouriWesternStateUniversity?
  • What quality dispositions do good leaders possess?
  • Why are these qualities essential to teacher leaders in the field of education?
  • What is a caring community of learners and why & how does this environment facilitate learning?
  • What is intrinsic motivation?
  • What do employers look for in prospective employees?
  • What is service learning and how does this affect community, our world & me?
COURSE METHODOLOGY:Discussion groups, direct teaching, field trips, guest speakers, reading & journaling.
MEETING TIMES: 12:30-1:50 MW Murphy Hall 104
TEXTS:Carter, C., Bishop, J., Dravits, S. (2006).Your Keys to Success:At Missouri Western State University, Building Successful Intelligence for College, Career and Life(Brief 5th Ed), Publisher: Pearson/Prentice Hall: ISBN: 9780135128466.Course Catalog: Publisher: MWSU,ISBN: 281882002113.Paperback: Among School Children by Tracy Kidder, ISBN# 0-380-71089-7
You will also need a 70 page spiral notebook (writing journal).
The Griffon Edge Planner is recommended, but not required. This planner will aid you in planning your semester studies as well as inform you about activities on campus.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Attendance: Inordertoimprovestudentlearningaswellastoachievecompliancewithfederalfinancialaidpolicies,
Westernhasamandatoryattendancepolicyforall100-levelcoursesand200-levelcourses.Youwillbegivenanexcusedabsencewhenactingasanofficialrepresentativeoftheuniversity,
providedyougivepriorwrittenverificationfromthefaculty/staffsupervisoroftheevent.
Documentedmedicalabsencesareexcused. Allotherabsenceswillbedeemedunexcused.Themaximum
numberofunexcusedabsencesallowedforthisclassbeforethemidtermreport,October14,isthree(3).
Thus,whenyouhavefour(4)unexcusedabsencesyouwillbereportedtotheRegistrar’sOffice,whowill
automaticallywithdrawyoufromthisclass.TheFinancialAidOfficewillreducefinancialaidasappropriate.
It is my hope that you will see the benefit of coming to class. Most of your learning will occur as you engage in thoughtful discussions about the topics. Disciplining yourself to put your college career first will help you with future academic responsibilities. It really is all about choices. See points given for attendance. Attendance is 26% of your grade and is earned by coming to class and arriving on time.
Assignments & Grading:Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Assignments turned in LATE will have a grade reduction of 10% per MWSU school day. For example: If an assignment is due on Tuesday and you turn it in later than the start of class, the grade is lowered by 10%. If you turn it in the following day (Wed.), the grade is lowered by 20%...Thursday, your grade is reduced by 30%. Another example: If due Thur. and you turn it in the following Mon. your grade is reduced 30%. Excuses are not accepted. This way I do not have to "judge" your reason, making the policy fair for all. This policy also applies to quizzes and tests (no exceptions).
A Caution: Please read and listen to the particulars of each assignment very carefully. Ask questions if you are unsure of what is required. Note that when an assignment outlines points that must be included you will lose credit if ANY of the required parts of the assignment are missing or have not been given appropriate attention. Points will be deducted for incorrect grammar usage, spelling and punctuation errors.
Center for Academic Support: Located in the Northeast corner of the library building (Hearnes Center 213), the Center for Academic Support is a free service of the university. The Center offers help primarily for writing and math. Should you need help, you may wish to call the Center for an appointment at 271.4524 or drop by to make an appointment.
Special Needs: If you have a special need, e.g. hearing loss, learning disability, etc. that requires special arrangements, please inform the instructor after the first class meeting so that proper arrangements can be made.
Appeals: If at any time you feel that I have treated you or your work unfairly, make an appointment with me to discuss the issue or provide me with a written description of your perceptions and position. See your student handbook for academic procedures and policies.
Academic Honesty:Academichonestyisrequiredinallacademicendeavors.Violationsofacademic
honestyincludeanyinstanceofplagiarism,cheating,seekingcreditforanother’swork,falsifying
documentsoracademicrecords,oranyotherfraudulentactivity.Violationsofacademichonestymay
resultinafailinggradeontheassignment,failureinthecourse,orexpulsionfromtheUniversity.
Whenastudent’sgradehasbeenaffected,violationsofacademichonestywillbereportedtothe
ProvostordesignatedrepresentativeontheAcademicHonestyViolationReportforms.
Please see the 2010- 11StudentHandbookandCalendaron page 24 for specific activitiesidentified as violationsof thispolicyandthestudentdueprocessprocedure.Thishandbookisalsoavailableonlineat
Cell phone policy: Cell phones should be turned off and are not to be visible in the classroom. Please keep them in your pocket or purse. Further, they are not to be used for talking or texting during class. If you have a potential medical emergency please discuss this with me before class for permission to have your cell phone turned on during class.
Disruptive Behavior: Students are paying to attend this class for the purpose of education. Therefore, if there is disruptive behavior impairing others' ability to hear or learn, the disruptive student/s may be asked to leave the room. Non-compliance with the request may result in removal by security. Be respectful of your professor and classmates.
DIVERSITY: Every effort will be made to see that cultural diversity, as well as special needs, are met within my classroom by providing a wide range of literacy experiences and assignments that provide opportunity for student individuality to be expressed.
GRADES: The following percentages will be used to determine grades:
90-100-A 405-450 points
80-89-B 360-404 points
70-79-C 315-359 points
60-69-D 270-314 points
0-59-F 269 and lower
Grades alert you to areas of strength and weakness and can indicate the degree of professional effort you are investing into the development of becoming a master student.
Summary of Assignments
(Reminder: late work receives a lower grade.)
175 points – attendance (every absence after one deletes 25 points, each tardy deletes 10 pts.)
25 points - Developing the skill of inquiry. For each chapter in Keys to Success, write 3
questions, preferably real questions you have, about the topic. Each chapter's
questions will be worth 3 points: Write them on a 3x5 note card with your name
& the Chapter # at the top. One copy will be turned into me at the beginning of
class.(These will be used in class and will not be accepted late!) Earn all 24 pts. to
get the extra bonuspoint.
50 points – Partner Dialogue Journal from reading Among School Children
Start each entry on a new page. Date & label each chapter title for each entry.
(5pt deduction for each one missing)
Your name and your partner's name on outside cover of journal. (2 pt.
deduction if missing)
50 points– Power Point Presentation - TBA
50 points - Convocation:Failure to sign in will mean a zero on the assignment. You are
tobring a typed organized summary (1 page, single spaced) of the presentation with
comments; half page summary, half page your response. There will be a discussion
in class, the next class period. Papers are due at that time and attendance cannot be
made up and paper will NOT be accepted late.(Attend w/ no pp. =-25 pts)
50 points - Demonstration of Critical Thinking and Writing Essay - TBA
25 points - Discoveries Worksheet Response - developed from the Noel Levitz College (TBA)
25 points – Critical writing essay on diversity and the meaning of community
450 points total
Professional Courtesies
1. Get to know your advisor and professors. Call them by name, Dr., Mrs., etc.
2. If you schedule an appointment with a professor, and need to cancel, be sure to notify them, apologize, and reschedule. If you forget an appointment, an apology should follow. ADD your professors' office phone numbers into your cell phone, so you can quickly notify them, if needed.
3. Make advisement appointments during the set registration time, unless requested and approved otherwise by you or your advisor. Remember, faculty are busy, so be considerate of their time.
4. DO NOT TEXT IN CLASS! KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE OFF! This sends a very disrespectful message to your professor. Be attentive & respectful in class, arrive on time, and don't begin shuffling books and papers to leave before the class has been dismissed by the professor.
5. If you send an e-mail to your professor, do not use shorthand. Be professional. Write a business-type, friendly letter. Greeting, body, and closing. Also, check your spelling!
6. Take responsibility: Check your MWSU e-mail and WebCT frequently.You are responsible to know what is going on in your class. It is not the professor's responsibility to hunt you down and check on you. If you are getting behind, make an appointment to get help from your professor. Self-management is essential in college. Lead by example, and keep track of your progress. In four years, where will you be? That is defined by your effort, and decision-making, not your friends. Make smart decisions to better yourself and your future.
7. Be courteous and respectful to your fellow classmates. Not everyone will agree with you and your opinion. That's okay. Learn to be a good listener, and become a critical thinker. If you need motivation or help, get a study buddy or group from each class.
The Journey
"Each of us begins somewhere. Each day is an adventure in possibility, where the future comes together with the past, and the potential of who we are waits to be created." (Anonymous)