Course Location: Wallace Hall 111

Class Schedule: 13:25 – 14:15 . (Monday & Wednesday)

Course Description: This course is designed to help freshmen develop essential survival skills and adapt to university-level studies and the unique environment of the campus community. General strategies for success in college will be presented and specific resources at The University of West Alabama will be explored.

Course Objectives

1. To provide an extended orientation to The University of West Alabama.

2. To enhance academic skills and develop strategies for success.

3. To talk about issues that concern freshmen during their transition to college.

4. To foster a sense of community among new students at the University.

5. To become familiar with information technology such as e-mail and the Internet.

6. To discuss campus civility and to explore what it means to be an educated person.

7. To introduce students to the cultural and extracurricular opportunities on campus.

Required Text and Materials

· Gardner & Jeweler, Your College Experience, 4^th Concise Media Edition

· Campus Pipeline e-mail account

· 2001 – 2002 University Catalog

· Tiger Paw Student Handbook

· 3.5” diskette (1.44 MB)

· Loose-leaf folder

· Pen & highlighter

Evaluation

· Attendance, Preparation and Participation (40%): Attendance is required. You are expected to arrive on time for each class, prepared and ready to participate. Participation means interacting in class, taking part in class discussions and participating in classroom activities. Assigned readings should be read prior to class since they will serve as the basis for discussions and activities. Students who must miss class for a valid reason (such as illness, family emergency, or participation in a varsity sport) must notify the instructor prior to the absence, either by phone or by e-mail. Each student has a limit of two unexcused absences. Any student who misses more than nine class meetings will fail the course, regardless of the reason for the absences.

· Exams (20%): There will be midterm and a final exam. Each exam will be worth 10 % of your final grade in the course. The midterm is scheduled for October 19^th. The final exam will be held on the date designated by the University final exam schedule.

· Homework Assignments(10%): Exercises from the textbook and other written assignments will be assigned throughout the semester. These assignments must be submitted on time to receive credit.

· Cultural Event (10%) You are required to attend at least two campus-based cultural events during the semester. You must submit a written report that includes the title of the event and what you thought about the program. These reports should be submitted on a 3” x 5” index card. A list of campus cultural events will be provided early in the semester.

· Special Group Project (15%): The class will be divided into groups of 3-4 people. Each group will be given a topic that relates to college transition or the freshman experience. The group must research the topic over the course of the semester. During the last week of classes, each group will conduct a 5 – 10 minute presentation on their topic in front of the class. An outline of the presentation and a bibliography (following APA style) must be submitted by November 16^th. Your group will receive a grade for the presentation. In addition, each member of your group will evaluate you. Your project grade will be an average of these two grades.

Journal Assignments (5%): Each day of the semester, you are required to write at least three sentences about what has happened in your life that day. You should reflect on your experiences during college and discuss issues that are of concern to you. At least once a week, your daily journal entry must be at least 200 words. From time to time, you will be instructed to write about a particular topic in your journal.

At the end of each week, your journal entries must be typed and saved as a Microsoft Word for Windows document. This document, consisting of seven daily journal entries, must be e-mailed to the instructor by Friday at 5:00 p.m. as an e-mail attachment. Your thoughts and your ability to communicate your ideas will serve as the premise on which the journal assignments will be graded.

Grading Scale

90	-	100	=	A
80	-	89	=	B
70	-	79	=	C
60	-	69	=	D
0	-	59	=	F

Academic Integrity: The highest level of academic honesty is expected in this course. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student that engages in any form of academic dishonesty will be referred to the Student Life Committee for disciplinary action.

ADA Statement: The University of West Alabama strives to make its programs accessible to qualified persons defined as disabled by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who have special needs that require accommodation are responsible for notifying the instructor.

Course Calendar

1. Week One (Aug. 20 – 24): Chapter #1 - Overview

2. Week Two (Aug. 27 – 31): Chapter #9 - Research = Library & Internet, Computer Technology & E-mail)

3. Week Three (Sept. 4 – 7) [Monday, Sept. 3^rd is Holiday]: Chapter #2 – Time Management

4. Week Four (Sept. 10 – 14): Chapter #3 – Active Learning

5. Week Five (Sept. 17 – 21): Chapter # 4 – Learning Styles

6. Week Six (Sept. 24 – 28): Chapter # 5 – Critical Thinking and Writing

7. Week Seven (Oct. 1 – 5): Chapter # 7 – Reading Textbooks

8. Week Eight (Oct. 8 – 12): Chapter # 6 – Classes & Note Taking

9. Week Nine (Oct. 15 – 19): Chapter # 8 – Tests, Memory & Presentations – Midterm Exam

10. Week Ten (Oct. 22 – 26) [Tuesday, Oct. 23^rd is Assessment Day. This week is National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week]: Chapter # 14 – Alcohol, Drugs and Sex

11. Week Eleven (Oct. 29 – Nov. 2): Chapter #11 – Relationships

12. Week Twelve (Nov. 5 – 9) [Nov. 5 – 13 is Pre-Registration]: Chapter # 10 – Courses & Careers

13. Week Thirteen (Nov. 12 – 16): Chapter # 12 – Diversity

Thanksgiving Break: November 19 - 23

14. Week Fourteen (Nov. 26 – 30): Chapter # 13 – Stress Management

15. Week Fifteen (Dec. 3 – 6): Last Week of Classes

16. Final Exam: Dec. 12 – 2:00 – 3:00 PM