Transfer Seminar

Transfer Seminar

Professor ______

Transfer Seminar

This one-credit course will introduce new transfer students to the mission and goals of _____. Additionally, students will explore learning and research skills, opportunities for campus and community involvement, and the nature of the liberal arts as envisioned by _____.

This course is required of all transfer students as a vital part of the process of becoming familiar with the ethos of _____ and helping them to integrate into our social and learning environment.

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from curriculum; Student involvement in the campus community.]

Objectives

In this course, students will

- develop and refine their writing, reading, speaking and technology skills in preparation for advanced work in their major area and their future academic studies and professional lives.

- integrate the tools or research, especially those available here at _____, with their field.

- explore what it means to have a liberal arts degree.

- transition into becoming active members of the _____community.

- develop and enhance their roles as citizens through volunteerism, global awareness of and sensitivity to diversity.

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Student involvement in the campus community.]

Assignments

In addition to becoming familiar with _____ through informational, cultural, and academic workshops, students will be given a variety of writing and research assignments, leading up to a Capstone essay. Capstone essay assignment topics will be elicited from faculty in each student’s department, yet general topics will also be given in class.

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty and the curriculum; Feedback.]

Criteria for Grading

• Class Participation (20%)
• Journal (20%)
• Scholarly Article Summary (20%)
• Capstone Essay (combining the Journal, the Scholarly Article Summary, and a new statement about your future) (40%)

All written assignment will be evaluated related to the following guidelines:

A Focused Thesis:The main point of your essay should be stated clearly in the introduction and be followed through in the rest of the essay.

No Plot Summary: Assume the reader of your essay has already read the works you are analyzing. Use specific details from the works to illustrate your point, without retelling the story.

Organization:The essay should be well-structured as a whole. It should have smooth transitions between the paragraphs and exhibit smooth and logical thought processes that read logical conclusion and lack repetition.

Quality of Thought: The literary analysis should be sound, well thought out, and appropriate for the college level. The essay should make points and have insights that are not immediately obvious to a casual reader.

Quality of Writing: The essay should have an academic voice yet exhibit the particular writer’s personal style and individual voice.

Title: The essay’s title should be unique and should accurately reflect the thesis of the essay.

Mechanics: The paper should be free of mechanical errors (spelling and grammar) and conform to the Standard American English for language usage, with citations and a Works Cited page.

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty and the curriculum; Feedback.]

Papers & Assignments

In addition to becoming familiar with St. Joseph’s College through informational, cultural, and academic workshops, students will be given a variety of writing and research assignments, leading up to a Capstone essay.

• Journal. Explain your perception of your transfer experience to _____ so far. Possible topics: What made you enroll at _____ – where were you before this? why did you come here? What have been the up-sides and the down-sides of your transfer experience from application to enrollment? What could have been better? 1 page minimum.Due Sept. 11.
• Scholarly Article Summary. Using the resources you learned about in the library research presentation, find a scholarly research article related to your major field of study (or one that you’re interested in for any reason). Summarize the article, explaining its main topic, research findings, and general conclusion about the topic. If you wish, you may begin by explaining just why you chose the article you did. 1 page minimum, in-text citations and Work Cited / Reference page in your field’s citation format (Humanities: MLA; Social Sciences: APA; History: Chicago).Due Oct. 30.
• Capstone Essay. Using Journal 1, provide a brief overview of why you chose to study at _____, your journey to get here, and why you chose your particular major field of study.

Then, using the scholarly article you found during our library research presentation and any other research material you choose, explain your understanding of a concept or idea you learned in your major field or an area of interest this semester.

Finally, explain your career and personal goals and plans for the future and how both your major and _____ can help you accomplish them.Rough Draft due Nov. 6; Final Draft due Nov. 13.

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty and the curriculum; Feedback.]

Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty

_____expects students to observe academic integrity in all aspects of their academic life, including the conduct of their examinations, assignments, and research. All members of the _____ community share the responsibility for creating a climate of academic integrity, based on fairness to others and respect for oneself. Violations of academic integrity are treated very seriously. Plagiarism (the act of copying, stealing, or representing the ideas or words of another as one’s own without giving credit to the source), cheating on examinations, and all forms of academic dishonesty are forbidden. Students found guilty of such behavior are subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include a reduction in grade, a failure in the course, suspension, or expulsion.

Students with Disabilities

_____, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides assistance and resources to students with disabilities. If you have a documented physical, psychological, cognitive, and/or medical disability and require accommodations, please contact _____. Please be advised that it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with faculty members. All information will be kept confidential.

Schedule

Week 1 (1/22): Orientation – What You Need to Know (overview of college resources, administrative offices, facilities, academic advisement session); Introduction to Transfer Seminar

[Application of Tinto (2006): Support from faculty, staff, and the curriculum.]

Week 2 (1/28): Technology – navigating campus systems, email, portal, advising system, LMS; first writing exercise (journal of transfer experience)

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty, staff, and the curriculum; Feedback.]

Week 3 (2/4): Mission and Goals – history of _____, Mission and Goals, student success strategies

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from staff.]

Week 4 (2/11): Student Life – building and maintaining involvement in campus life, clubs and organizations, the Student Leadership Experience

[Application of Tinto (2006): Student involvement in the campus community.]

Week 5 (2/25): Technology & Academic Integrity – Policy on Academic Integrity, introduction to Turnitin.com, Microsoft Office and other relevant software

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty, staff, and the curriculum.]

Week 6 (3/4): Library Orientation(Library computer lab) – library systems, databases, research, e-portfolios. Assignment: choose at least 1 scholarly article from the major field and write 1-page summary (due in Week 7)

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty and staff; Feedback.]

Week 7 (3/11): Scholarly article summary presentation and discussion –discussion of articles & connections to study in the major field, explanation of Capstone essay assignment

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty; Feedback.]

Week 8 (3/18): Advisement and Registration Process

[Application of Tinto (2006): Support from staff, and the curriculum.]

Week 9 (3/25): Essay Revision – Rough draft to Capstone essay due, peer review.

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty; Feedback.]

Week 10 (4/8): Capstone essay due - review and discussion

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations, Support from faculty, Feedback.]

Week 11 (4/15):Course completion celebration & assessment –Capstone essays returned to students

[Application of Tinto (2006): Academic expectations; Support from faculty; Feedback.]

Weeks 12 & 13 - Students will be required to participate in at least 2 Workshops that will be scheduled throughout the semester as part of the Student Leadership Experience. Suggested topics: Health and Wellness, Communication and Conflict Resolution, Strategies for Career and Personal Success, Social Media

[Application of Tinto (2006): Student involvement in the campus community.]