LSEM 100-01

Longwood Seminar for Liberal Studies

Fall 2013

Monday, Wednesday 3:00-3:50 pm; G03Chichester

Instructor:Dr. David S. Hardin

Peer Mentor:Emily Duke

Office:205D Chichester

Phone:434-395-2581

Email:;

Webpage:

Office Hours:1:00-3:00 Monday and Wednesday and by appointment

Required Material

  • Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Broadway Paperbacks, 2011 – This will be brought to class on each day we are scheduled to discuss it. It’s best to use the paperback version for uniformity in pagination. We will have Canvas discussions about the book as the semester progresses.
  • Three-ring binder – as Liberal Studies majors, you will receive much more information than most other majors. A major and important set of documents that will carry through to graduation is “LSEM 2013 Liberal Studies Sections Special Materials,” which will be handed out on the first official class meeting day (Monday, August 26). This will be brought to class on most days. Materials from me usually also will be available in Canvas.

Suggested Material

Student Planner

Course Description (from the Undergraduate Catalog)

[This course is designed to provide the student with] The knowledge and skills that lead to success in college, the ability to use critical thinking and analysis in all aspects of student life, and preparation for assuming the role of citizen leader working for the common good (one credit).

Course Objectives

Welcome to Longwood and our LSEM class! I am looking forward to helping you adjust to Longwood and being in college–what many people consider the best time of their lives. In addition to meeting the goal outlined below, I hope to give you some tips and tools to make your LongwoodUniversity experience as enjoyable and as successful as possible.

Core Course Objectives

Through this course, you will:

Develop academic knowledge and skills to promote a broad range of success at Longwood.

Establish goals for personal academic success.

Explore academic majors and discipline-related career options.

Develop strategies to promote personal social awareness and skills needed by citizen leaders.

Understand the mission of LongwoodUniversity and how it applies to the college experience.

Understand the application of critical thinking skills to multiple situations.

Grading

Final grades will be based on the total points you accrue, and scored by the following percentage distribution: ≥ 94% = A; 90-93.99% = A-; 87-89.99% = B+; 84-86.99% = B; 80-83.99% = B-; 77-79.99% = C+; 74-76.99% = C; 70-73.99% = C-; 67-69.99% = D+; 64-66.99% = D; 60-63.99% = D-; < 60% = F.

At the end of the term, if you decide to argue for raising an average that is on the cusp between two letter grades or portions of letter grades, you must make a compelling case based on (1) stellar attendance,(2)completion of all assignments, and (3) active participation.

Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability should contact the Office of Disability Resources (Graham Hall, 395-2391) to register for services. Once you register for services, contact me privately and I will do my best to accommodate any special needs.

Course Requirements

Your grade is comprised of points from 9 different assignments. These assignments relate to participation in specific types of events and/or a written reflection that will be turned in via Canvas (or in hard-copy form). Each item below is worth 10 points out of your final grade (out of 100 points), with the exception of your FYRE assignment (item #8), which is worth double (or 20%/20 points).

  1. New Lancer Days Reflection – 10 points

There are two parts to this activity: a) You are expected to participate in New Lancer Days (September 22-24), and Emily will note your attendance; (b) You are to write a 150-word reaction to NLD to be turned in via Canvas. Please note that this should NOT be a simple recap of what you did during NLD. Please discuss how the activities made an impact on you and how they helped you understand the vision of the university and your role as a student. You may want to discuss which parts of the program were most/least helpful to you, as well as any questions you may still have after participating in NLD. Due in class: 8/28.

  1. “Why I am in College/What I learned my first week in college” paper and “My Weekly Schedule” – 10 points (5 points each)

There are two parts to this grade: a) A no more than one page (double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins all around) paper addressing the questions: Why am I in college? What do I expect to get out of it? What was my first week in college like, and what did I learn from it? This paper will be turned in via Canvas. One of the most important elements of success in college is good time management. Using the template provided by the professor, keep track of all of your activities for a full week (7 days, 24 hours a day). Everyone will use the same color scheme provided by the professor, and we will discuss this in class. Due at the beginning of class: 9/4.

  1. Midterm Reflection – 10 points

As a freshman, your professors will assign you a midterm grade estimate. Before these estimates are made available, you will be asked to hypothesize your grade for each of your classes. After your actual estimates are available, you will fill out your midterm reflection, which will include your hypothesized estimate, your actual midterm estimate from your professor, and a short reflection for each class describing your plan of action for the rest of the semester. This will be turned in in class. Based on your midterm grades, the professor may require an individual meeting. Due at the beginning of class: 10/7.

  1. Freshman Reflection – 10 points

Towards the end of the course, write a 150-word summary identifying what you liked and disliked about your freshmen semester, the experiences you encountered, and the personal growth you attained. Reflect upon the activities and people that helped in your first semester experiences, as well as prepared you for the following semesters. This will be turned in at the beginning of class. Due 11/4.

  1. Activity Bingo – 10 points

There are two parts to this activity: a) You are to attend at least five campus-wide activities on the Activity Bingo sheet; and b) write a 200 word reflection on all of the activities (40 words for each activity isn’t much). Please wait to post your reflections via Canvas until all have been attended (in other words, you will post once, but that post will include your five reflections). This will be turned in at the beginning of class. Due: 11/11.

  1. Civic Engagement – 10 points

There are two parts to this activity: a) You are to participate in one volunteer activity (you are encouraged to do this in small groups or pairs), and; b) submit a 150word reflection via Canvas on the experience. This will be turned in at the beginning of class. Due: 11/11

  1. Advising Meeting – 10 points

Each student is required to meet with me before theregistration period to discuss your progress and your classes for next semester. When the time comes I will post a sign-up sheet on my door and you can sign up for an appointment. When you come to your appointment you must bring: A typed document showing a four year schedule listing which courses you will take which semester (a four year “plan ofstudy”). You must make sure that you have all prerequisites for a course before you can enter it on your schedule. You will get half the credit of this grade for signing up for the meeting on time and arriving on time. The other half relate to the materials you bring with you. See schedule below for dates.

  1. Freshman Year Reading Experience Assignment – 20 points

This is based on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The assignment is worth double (i.e. 20) the points because it has two major parts:

(1) First Impressions of TILHL – write a 100-word impression of the book overall, including naming the important themes and your impressions of them; do you like the book? This will be turned in at the beginning of class. Due 9/16

(2) TILHL paper–Henrietta Lacks has made a major contribution to our understanding of human genetics. The story of how that came about and the family drama and societal issues of the times it revealed makes the book a perfect way to address science, human understanding, ethics, and historical issues of race and class in the Chesapeake region at the high school and university levels. You are planning on becoming an elementary school educator. In a 200 word essay, explain what aspects of Henrietta Lack’s story would you teach to elementary school students and why? This will be turned in at the beginning of class. Due: 11/11

  1. Attendance and Participation – 10 points

Your attendance, participation, and preparation will be evaluated as part of your grade. Participation points will include charting the Campus Navigation Map (due 8/26), filling out your Canvas profile including a mugshot (due 8/28),completion of myLongwood certification, required course assessments on Canvas, attendance at “Prelude tothe Profession” (due 9/9), etc. Posting to the Facebook group and joining in on Canvas discussions are significant parts of your participation grade. Activities included under this assignment will be summarized ona “checklist” provided toyou by the professor. I will provide feedback throughout the semester if I think this part of your grade is suffering.

Additional Activities. There are other activities that are requirements of LSEM courses and you earn credit for these just by showing up to class (through your attendance/participation grade). Some things will be outside the classroom setting (e.g. MotonMuseum). If you would like to suggest a place for us to visit or a person to come speak, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Classroom Policies

Attendance

Attendance is checked in each class and outside class activities. Attendance is an extremely important aspect of your experience in college. Simply get in the habit of attending all classes. You will learn as you progress into harder coursework that making up missed material is rather difficult and can result in a downward spiral! According to the Undergraduate Catalog of Longwood University, the instructor has the right to fail a student who has missed a total (excused and unexcused!) of 25% of the scheduled class meeting times (that’s just 4 LSEM class meetings!). Excused absences are those resulting from the student's participation in a college-sponsored activity, from recognizable emergencies, or from serious illness and will require written documentation (cited from Longwood Undergraduate Handbook).

Classroom Etiquette

Classroom conduct is one of the more obvious aspects of attitude and overall learning environment. Good etiquette reflects a positive attitude. Respect the instructor, peer mentor, and each other. Talking andmaking annoying noisesaredisrespectful and distracting. I am a stickler for this. So much so that I have a list of dos and don’ts entitled “Classroom Etiquette”. Following my etiquette guidelines is part of your attendance/participation score. We will go over this in class.

Technology

All electronic communication devices – phones, iPods, iPads, etc. -- are to be turned off unless otherwise instructed. Although this is a Canvas-based course, you should not need your computerduring class unless approved by the instructor or as part of a specific activity.

Assignments

All assignments that require writing (most of them) must be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font, double-spaced, with one inch margins all around. Due dates for your assignments are above and in the weekly schedule. Stay up-to-date by putting them in your planner. Grades for late assignments will be deducted by 20% per day late under acceptable circumstances. An assignment is considered late immediately after the start of the class in which it is due.

Class on the web

I pre-date the Internet and home computing by two decades (probably much like your parents). Nonetheless, I try to take advantage of the modern technology I can master. Longwood has just switched from Blackboard to Canvas. As a result, all of your professors are struggling to get up to speed with this new platform. If I can manage it, there will be announcements, supplemental handouts, etc. posted on Canvas. You are expected to check your email and Canvas at least once every 24 hours (this is part of your participation grade!). Although I am not a member of your linked-in generation – and for the life of me I can’t understand why you want to stay in touch with everyone around the clock –I will do my best to respect the 24-hour email rule and respond to your emails within 24 hours. This is in hopes that you will get used to checking your email and Canvas on a regular basis and continue this practice through the rest of your time at Longwood. I will create a Facebookgroup that you all will name so we can keep in touch, network, and let your families know what you’re up to in your first semester at Longwood.

Assignment and email etiquette

Assignments and emails should be written properly and professionally. It is common courtesy that will pay off in the long run. Emails should be thought of as a professional letter, not a note to your BFF (or mortal enemy). I have 150 other students, so you should identify yourself with “LSEM” and a subject in the subject line of any email you send me. Not only in this class but in all professional correspondences you should write as though you are trying to be employed by the person on the receiving end. To mangle the old saying, you catch more flies with spell-checked and grammatically-correct honey than poorly-composed and hard-to-read vinegar. Any Facebook entries you post should be crisply composed, tasteful, spell-checked, and reflect positively on you, this course, your classmates, and LongwoodUniversity. We will discuss this topic further in class.

Honor Code

Do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. It is better to do poorly on an exam, assignment, or even an entire class, than destroy your entire college career. If you are suspected of infractions of the honor code you will be turned over to the Student Honor Board for adjudication. You never want to have to appear before your Honor Board peers – it is decidedly unpleasant!

Disabilities

Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability should contact the Office for Disability Services (103 Graham Building, 395-2391) to register for services. Once you register for services, contact me privately and I will do my best to accommodate any special needs.

Course Schedule

Wk / Date / Topic(s) Covered/Activities/Dates to be aware of / Assignments Due/
Homework
0 / F 8/23
Class 0 / First Meeting! Welcome to Longwood! – 1:15-2:30Chichester G03
Handouts, handouts & more handouts; Viva FarmVegas!; Introductions, class picture, Facebook group name;The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (TILoHL) discussion; Devising a question & choosing a presenter for the “Active Engagement: The Impact of HeLa” panel discussion (7:30 pm Jarman Auditorium) / Homework:
  • Enjoy New Lancer Days!
  • Add a profile pic to your Canvas profile
  • Begin posting to Facebook
  • Start“My Weekly Schedule”recordation beginning Monday morning!

1 / M 8/26
Class 1 / New Lancer Days impressions; syllabus discussion;
Introduction to Canvas & myLongwood; “Classroom Etiquette”; Math Praxis I; BMI spreadsheet
Prelude to the Profession 3:30-4:30 Hull 132 8/27
Prelude to the Profession 10:00-11:00Hull 132 8/28
Wellness Fair10:00-3:00 in the Health & FitnessCenter 8/28 / Due:
  • Campus Navigation Map
  • Under Pressure
Homework:
  • Review the syllabus thoroughly and do any assignments it suggests for Wednesday
  • Get your base weight and height measured at the Wellness Fair and begin entering data into the BMI spreadsheet
  • Bring a couple of other course syllabi to class Wednesday
  • Attend one “Prelude to Profession” meeting before 9/9 (get proof of attendance)

W 8/28
Class 2 / High school vs. college; Conducting Professor Intel; Care & Feeding of College Professors
Prelude to the Profession 3:30-4:30 Hull 132 8/29 / Due:
  • Syllabus freebie
  • Canvas profile pic
  • New Lancer Days Reflection

2 / M 9/2 / Labor Day – No class!
Last day to drop/add is September 3!
Prelude to the Profession 3:30-4:30 Hull 132 9/3
Prelude to the Profession 10:00-11:00Hull 132 9/4 / Homework:
  • RELAX, reflect, and appreciate the progress of the early 20th century!
  • Color-code “My Weekly Schedule”
  • Compose “Why am I in College?”“What I Learned My First Week in College”

Wk / Date / Topic(s) Covered/Activities/Dates to be aware of / Assignments Due/
Homework
2 / W 9/4
Class 3 / Weekly Recap
Emily’s Time Management Tips
LSEM Bingo
Prelude to the Profession 3:30-4:30 Hull 132 9/5 / Due:
  • My Weekly Schedule
  • Why am I in College? & What I Learned My First Week in College
Homework
  • Begin doing activities for LSEM Bingo

3 / M 9/9
Class 4 / Weekly Recap
Liberal Studies Program– Melissa BaldwinEmily’s experience with/tips for Liberal Studies; LS Special Materials discussion
Prelude to the Profession 3:30-4:30 Hull 132 9/10 / Homework:
  • Read “How to Survive a Hardin Course” (see Dr. Hardin’s webpage)

W 9/11
Class 5 / Writing Center – Alix White
Center for Academic Success – Rebecca Sturgil“How to Survive a Hardin Course”; Study skills
Convocation is 9/12! / Due:
  • Prelude to the Profession attendance
Homework:
  • Compose “First Impressions of TILoHL”
  • Read and be prepared to discuss “Why Science is Like Play”

4 / M 9/16
Class 6 / Weekly Recap
TILoHL & Critical Thinking; “Why Science is Like Play”; Thinking Beyond the Minimum
Involvement Fair 9/17 / Due:
  • First Impressions of TILoHL
Homework
  • Go to Involvement Fair

W 9/18
Class 7 / Campus involvement – Emily
Greek Life – visitor
Rock the Block 9/20
Family Weekend is 9/20-22!
Prelude to the Profession 3:30-4:30 Hull 132 9/19
Wk / Date / Topic(s) Covered/Activities/Dates to be aware of / Assignments Due/
Homework
5 / M 9/23
Class 8 / Weekly Recap
“Library vs. Wild” – Greenwood Library
6 / M 9/30
Class 9 / Weekly Recap
Study Abroad – visitor
Midterm Reflection
Study Abroad Fair 10/3 2-5 pm Lankford
Oktoberfest Weekend is October 4-5
Professors submit mid-term grade estimates 10/7 / Homework:
  • Enjoy Oktoberfest!
  • Hypothesize course grades before October 7

7 / M 10/7
Class 10 / Weekly Recap
Financial Literacy – Gayle Covington
Fall Break is 10/14-15!
Note day change for Week 8/Class 11! / Homework:
  • Enjoy Fall Break!

8 / W 10/16
Class 11 / Weekly Recap
Academic & Career Advising Center – Mary Meade Saunders
Deadline to withdraw with a “W” is 10/16 at 5 pm! /
  • Advising Session #1 sign-up (if needed)
  • Write up “Midterm Reflection”

9 / M 10/21
Class 12 / Weekly Recap
Understanding the Advising Process;
Spring & 4-Year Planning / Due:
  • Midterm Reflection
Homework:
  • Sign up for Advising Session #2 (held 10/28-31, 11/4-7, 11/11-12) on sign-up sheet outside Dr. Hardin’s office

10 / M 10/28
Class 13 / Weekly Recap
myLongwood certification G13 / Homework:
  • Compose “Freshman Reflection”

11 / M 11/4
Class 14 / Weekly Recap
Health Center fieldtrip
Advising & Registration for Spring 2014 begins 11/4! / Due:
  • Freshman Reflection
Homework:
  • Compose “TILoHL Paper”
  • Compose “Activity Bingo” paper
  • Compose “Civil Engagement” paper

12 / M 11/11
Class 15 / Weekly Recap
TILoHL Paper Discussion – Henrietta Lacks: what aspects of her story would you teach to elementary school students and why?
Registration day for you is November 13! / Due:
  • Advising Session (by 11/12)
  • TILoHL paper
  • Activity Bingo
  • Civic Engagement

This syllabus is tentative and verysubject to change as events warrant. Any changes will be discussed in class and major changes will be consensus-based if possible