Navigating the Research University
EDUC 130
Semester
Class Meetings:
Final Exam:
1 academic credit, graded
______
Instructor:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Bring this syllabus and all readings from Sakai to class everyday!
Course Description
This course will provide students with knowledge to succeed at a research university. Students will consider what it means to have a liberal arts education and will learn about motivation, resiliency, and self-advocacy. Students will reflect on their current work toward academic success and their path to graduation.
Course Overview
This course will provide students with knowledge requisite for success at a research university.
- Students will explore the value of a liberal arts education as well as survey educational theories of academic motivation, resiliency, and self-advocacy.
- Through critical thinking, thoughtful analysis, and writing, students will examine the roles of research, diversity and engagement in a community of scholars.
- The course material will be presented within a framework of students' current work toward academic success and their path to degree attainment.
Course Format
The course meets once per week. Attendance and class participation in presentations, activities, and discussions are imperative to your success in this course.
Readings
All readings are available on Sakai. Reading is assigned for each class meeting and must be completed before class starts.
Attendance & Participation
Attendance and active participation are essential to your success in this course. Absences will only be excused for students with extraordinary medical or personal circumstances who provide appropriate documentation to the instructor. It is highly unlikely that students will receive more than 1 excused absence.
Resources Journal
This goal of this assignment is to introduce to you to campus resources and services. Each week you will be required to visit a different resource on campus and collect information on the resource. This journal will document your visits. The journal is worth 25 points towards your final grade. For more information and to get started see the “Resources Journal” document in Sakai.
Portfolio
Homework is assigned each week. The portfolio will be a collection of all of your homework assignments and then some. It will highlight the activities and exercises you complete across the semester. Your portfolio will include the following items:
- Cover Page/Table of Contents
- 1 Page Letter to the Reader (Reflecting on what you learned this semester and areas for further learning and development.)
- Your favorite “Purpose of Education” quote from the first class and a two paragraph (minimum) explanation of what the quote means to you.
- “Introduction to Library Research” Certificate of Completion
- “Plagiarism Tutorial” Certificate of Completion
- Hands on Banking Proof of Completion
- INCLASS Assessment Report
- Career Clusters Interest Survey
- Weekly Calendar Assignment
- Time and Money Management Philosophy Statement
- Goals document (3 goals for fall semester, 3 before graduation, 3 for after graduation)
- Interview With a Faculty Member (2 page summary)
All items in your portfolio should be typed and carefully proofread. The items should be neatly presented with a cover page/table of contents and a letter to the reader. I encourage you to be thoughtful and creative with the project overall. You may include reflective pictures or other design elements that help you tell the story of what you have learned in this course. The final project is due .
NOTE: Your portfolio requires that you interview a faculty member (this is homework for Week 6 – see chart on the following pages). This will take some advance planning and work. You will need to decide on the faculty member you would like to interview (it cannot be an advisor, a graduate student, or an administrator – it MUST be a faculty member). If you are not sure what a faculty member is or how to find one, ask your instructor. You will need to write to the faculty member at least 2 weeks in advance of your planned interview to set up an appointment. You will need to take notes and write up your interview. You should start thinking about and planning for the interview early in the semester.
Final Exam
The final exam will be on .Your final exam will be based on the course readings, discussions, and activities.
Class Participation and Attendance
Class participation includes:
–Participating in group work
–Participating in class discussions
–Asking questions
–Answering questions
–Coming to class prepared (having completed the readings, keeping up with homework, keeping up with the Resources Journal – not leaving it all to the last minute)
Students are expected to attend every class meeting. If you cannot attend a class you are expected to inform the instructor in advance. Class participation and attendance is worth 25 points towards your final grade. Points will be deducted for unexcused absences.
Grades
Your letter grade is determined by total number of points you earn.
Points can be earned from the following class components:
Resources Journal: 25 points
Portfolio: 25 points
Final Exam:25 points
Participation and Attendance:25 points
This table shows the percentage of points required to get each letter grade:
94 - 100 = A86-89 = B+76-79 = C+66-69 = D+
90 - 93 = A-83-85 = B73-75 = C60-65 = D
80-82 = B-70-72 = C-Less than 60 = F
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is an excellent resource on campus to support your development as a writer. If you have never gone to the Writing Center, I encourage you to make an appointment for a face-to-face session with a Writing Center tutor. You can make an appointment online:
The Writing Center may be very helpful with these assignments:
●Faculty interview
●Final Portfolio
●Outline for the final exam
Class Policies
Academic Honesty
The Honor Code is in effect at all times to ensure the integrity of our learning experiences. All academic work in this course, including homework, quizzes, and exams, is to be your own work, unless otherwise specifically provided. For more information on the Honor Code, please see
Electronic Devices
Turn off and put away all electronic devices before class begins. Please do not look at or use any electronic devices for the duration of the class period. For cell phones, please turn off; do not just set to vibrate. If you have a special situation that requires use of an electronic device in class, please see me with your documentation, and we will make arrangements.
Late Assignments
The assignments will not be accepted after .
For students working with Accessibility Services
Please see me as soon as possible to discuss any alternate arrangements.
DAILY TOPICS, READING ASSIGNMENTS AND HOMEWORK
***Bring this syllabus and COPIES OF THE READINGS to every class meeting***
Week / Date / Class Topic(s) / Homework / Reading Due forNext Class (on Sakai)
1 / Introduction / Resources Journal / What are the Liberal Arts and Why a Liberal Arts Education Matters
UNC-Chapel Hill Mission Statement
Research and the Research University
2 / Activity:The value of a liberal arts education / Resources Journal
Print and complete the Career Clusters Interest Survey (found in Sakai). / How to Get Organized in College
Choosing the Best Major for Me
3 / Campus Resources / Resources Journal / Why Does Diversity Matter at College Anyway
Effects of Diversity Experiences on Socially Responsible Leadership
Over Four Years of College
4 / Seminar:The Role of Diversity at a Research University
Activity: Where I’m From / Resources Journal
Complete the Weekly Calendar Assignment (found in Sakai). / Focus while studying and doing homework
Growth Mindset: You Can Grow Your Brain
5 / Campus Resources / Resources Journal
Complete the Hands on Banking Program for Young Adults (directions are at the end of the syllabus) / Better Manage My Time
Time Management in College
6 / Seminar: Managing Student Resources - Time and Money / Time and Money Management Philosophy Statement
Answer the following questions in full, detailed sentences.
a)Why are time and money resources that must be managed for student success?
b)What is your philosophy for managing time and money during college?
c)With time and money, it helpful to “think before you act.” How will you think before you act with money and time while in college?
d)How can you keep track of where your time goes?
e)How can you keep track of where your money goes?
f)What strategies can you employ to make smart financial decisions?
g)What are some ways to save time and money on a day-to-day basis?
h)What are some ways to save time and money on a day-to-day basis?
Resources Journal / Introduction to Educational Research
7 / Seminar: What it means to be a member of a community of scholars / Complete the Plagiarism Tutorial:
Print out the certificate of completion
Resources Journal / The Intrinsic Value of the Liberal Arts:
Cicero’s Example
8 / Activity: Value Card Sort / Interview a Faculty Member
Ask the following questions during your interview:
a)Describe your undergraduate education.
b)What barriers or obstacles did you have to overcome on your path to earning your undergraduate degree?
c)What is one recommendation you have for undergraduate students?
d)What do you think is the value of a liberal arts education?
e)What do you think is the role of diversity in a liberal arts education and at a research university?
f)What is the role of research at UNC-Chapel Hill?
g)What do you like most about being at Carolina?
Practice your active listening skills and take notes throughout the meeting. Write a 2 page summary of your interview.
Resources Journal / How to Manage Stress
How to Talk to Instructors: Tips for Success
9 / Campus Resources / Complete the INCLASS Assessment (see directions towards the end of the syllabus).
Resources Journal / What is Resiliency?
The Road to Resiliency
10 / Activity: Resiliency and You / Resources Journal / Think Positively
Self-Advocacy
11 / Seminar:Self-advocacy and student success / Resources Journal / Motivation
How to Get Enough Sleep in College
12 / Campus Resources / Resources Journal / Test Taking Strategies
Read More Efficiently
13 / Activity:Academic Honesty Workshop / Complete the Introduction to Library Research tutorial:
Print out the certificate of completion.
Resources Journal / SMART Goals
Why Set Goals
14 / Seminar: Goal Setting / Resources Journal / Setting, Elaborating, and Reflecting on Personal Goals Improves
Academic Performance
15 / End of Semester Reflection
Review for Final Exam
Portfolio Due / Goals Document
In full sentences, write 3 goals for the fall semester, 3 goals to accomplish before graduation, and 3 goals for after graduation.
Resources Journal
FINAL EXAM / Resources Journal Due
INCLASS: Inventory of Classroom Style and Skills
Individual Instruction Sheet
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Inventory of Classroom Style and Skills (INCLASS) helps you to assess yourself in seven areas of academic style and skills. Upon submission and approval of your institution number, 40 statements will be presented that relate to these areas.
If you are ready to begin, locate the following URL with your web browser:
This URL will direct you to a web page that contains directions for taking INCLASS. After you
have read these directions, you must enter your institution number to continue. Your institution
number is listed below along with your user name and password.
School Number: 9994
User Name: prwa
User Password: pf4y
After entering this information, the next screen to appear will be the INCLASS assessment. You
must enter your first and last name into the spaces provided for the page to be submitted correctly.
The ID number field is optional.
You will be asked to respond to 40 statements. To help you decide which responses to select, we
would like to explain what is meant by each option.
Almost never like me, does not necessarily mean that the statement would never describe you, but it would only be true of you in rare instances.
Occasionally like me, means that the statement would not usually be true of you, but would fit you every once in a while.
Moderately like me, means that the statement would be true of you fairly often.
Quite a bit like me, means that the statement would generally be true of you most of the time.
Almost always like me, does not necessarily mean that the statement would always describe you, but that it would be true of you almost all the time.
After completing all the items and successfully submitting the results, a two-page report will be displayed listing your scores for each scale, together with your name, institution, date of administration, and an explanation of results. Print a copy of the results for your portfolio.
The Hands on Banking Program for Young Adults
Assignment Directions
- Go to:
- Complete the ENTIRE course
- When you are done, a yellow dot will appear next to each course topic. It will look like this:
4. Print this page.
5. Write the date and time of completion on the page.
6. Under the date and time, write “I have completed this course in its entirety” then sign
your name.