Orientation 1 Syllabus

Fall 2000                                     Instructor

Course Number: Orientation 1                           Name: Bob Duval

Section: 408 and 405                                                Office location: RFL. Office Building (ERA)

Class Day (405) Tuesday 13:00-13:50             Office hours: By Appointment

Class day: (408) Wednesday 12:30-13:20

Phone: 293-4372 x 13050              E-mail: bduval@wvu.edu

Class location: 110 ERA

Student Assistants:

Section 405 Tuesday 13:00-13:50

Name: David Richards

E-mail: dricha11@wvu.edu
Phone: 293-4372 x 13604

Section 408 Wednesday 12:30-13:20

Name: Amanda Neider

E-mail: aneider@wvu.edu
Phone: 293-4372 x 13544

Orientation 1 Web address: http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/duval/orient1

Course Description

      The purpose of Orientation 1 is to provide you, the first year student, with information and tools for making a successful transition from high school to college; to ensure that you become an active member of the WVU student body, to help you develop a better understanding of the learning process; and to help you acquire basic academic “survival skills.”

      The activities in this course are designed to increase your success in college by providing you with some critical knowledge, skills and experiences.  We also introduce you to life/culture, resources, policies, procedures and services at WVU.  Success in this course depends upon you acquiring certain skills and knowledge that will support your academic experience.  Your active participation in the class will enhance the experience for both you and your classmates.

Course Objectives

Course Objectives	Learning Outcomes
1.      To develop and enhance your academic skills including learning, critical thinking, time management, test-taking, and computer skills.	·         Utilize a daily planner effectively ·         Participate in goal setting and self-evaluation ·         Develop an effective study schedule ·         Identify and understand key terms and concepts during reading and note-taking ·         Develop and utilize systematic study and note-taking methods ·         Utilize strategies for taking subjective and objective tests effectively ·         Develop positive relationships with faculty members ·         Utilize effective problem solving techniques ·         Constructively utilize e-mail and the WWW
2.      To gain experiences in which you can relate to and value people of diverse cultural backgrounds.	·         Identify ways to be respectful and responsive to persons regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or culture ·         Utilize strategies to understand and relate to people from different backgrounds
3.      To balance the freedoms and responsibilities that are a part of University life.   4.      To consider the options available when making decisions about important life choices, particularly concerning alcohol, substance abuse, personal safety, sexual behavior, etc...	·         Utilize strategies to avoid procrastination ·         Recognize the facts, dangers and problems associated with drugs and alcohol ·         Identify the types, causes, warning signs and dangers surrounding eating disorders ·         Identify the causes, symptoms, and contributing factors of depression ·         Utilize strategies to develop healthy and positive relationships ·         Develop and utilize effective communication techniques ·         Understand the types of STDs and protection strategies ·         Identify and utilize strategies for preventing and responding to sexual assault and harassment ·         Utilize a structured problem-solving system ·         Utilize responsible money-management strategies (especially credit-card debt/use)
5.   To explore campus issues, resources, culture, and history.	·         Understand the background and history of WVU ·         Identify different campus helping resources and the many services that they provide ·         Participate in a campus organization or activity ·         Understand pertinent WVU procedures and policies ·         Utilize and access the STAR registration system with ease ·         Understand and take responsibility for advising and academic progress ·         Understand academic dishonesty and the consequences it holds ·         Understand responsibilities and obligations associated with living in off-campus housing ·         Develop and utilize leadership skills

Academic Honesty and Integrity

      In this course and all courses at WVU, we expect and value academic honesty and integrity.  We expect that our students will subscribe to the following:  “Students should act to prevent opportunities for academic dishonesty to occur and in such a manner to discourage any type of academic dishonesty.... Academic dishonesty includes plagiarism; cheating and dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and projects; and forgery, misrepresentation, and fraud.”  (WVU Undergraduate Catalog)

Required Materials

·        All Orientation 1 students must purchase the required textbook, which contains the readings and assignments for the course.

·        We strongly recommend that you also purchase a day-timer or planner so that you can more effectively manage your time and schedule.

·        Things to bring to each class:

      1.   your textbook

      2.   syllabus

      3.   daily planner

4.      an enthusiastic, positive attitude

Course Requirements

1.   Course textbook and assignments:

      The textbook and all assignments are designed to help you to:

·        reflect on your transition from high school to the university

·        apply and integrate the new student success and learning strategies you will be learning

·        explore your values, interests and abilities

      You are required to bring your textbook to class each week.  You may utilize it during many class activities.

Textbook Readings and Homework Exercises: You should prepare for class by reading and completing all assigned pages or viewing the assigned film before coming to class.  Be prepared to discuss the readings and or films  in class and answer two basic questions: 1). What did I learn?  2).  How can I apply this information to my situation as an entering student?  Some of these assignments appear in the syllabus.  Other assignments, however, may be given out at the end of class.  If you miss a class, it is very important to contact the instructor, student assistant, or a classmate for information about the assignments.

Group Presentation: One of your homework assignments may be to do a presentation for the class.  As a member of a two or three person group, you will pick a campus resource, student organization or office not discussed in this course.  In your presentation, you can describe the resource, its location and what it has to offer students at WVU.  Plan to use visual aids in your presentation.  Your presentation should be about 5 minutes long. 

2.  Event Reaction Papers:

We encourage you to attend many different types of events across campus.  All of the required events are free to students.  To get credit for each event or program that you attend, you must write a reaction paper describing what took place and your feelings and thoughts about it.  Questions and instructions for writing your reaction papers are in your textbook for this class.  Your reaction papers should be one full page that is typed and double-spaced.  Your instructor may ask you to rewrite your reaction papers, if he/she thinks they are inadequate.

Your final grade depends heavily upon how many of the programs you attend and the quality of your reaction papers.  In order to earn an A in the course, you must attend 6 of the events; to earn a B you must attend at least 5; to earn a C you must attend at least 4; to earn a D you must attend at least 3.  Of course, your grade also depends upon the quality of your performance in the other requirements for the course.  Below are descriptions of some of the activities you may choose to attend and write about.

Jump Start Programming Series: We know that some very important learning at WVU takes place outside of the classroom.  While you are a WVU student you will have many opportunities for learning and discovery inside and outside of your classrooms.  To encourage this extra-curricular learning and discovery we have developed a workshop/speaker series for all first year students. Many of these workshops or speakers are conveniently located in the residence halls and the Mountainlair.  Note: These activities are open to all University students, not just those who live in the residence halls.  You are required to attend four of these programs – two of which are health/wellness related and two which have an academic or scholarly focus.  You must write a one-page reaction paper after attending each workshop.  Two of these reaction papers are due by mid-semester.

WVU Major/Career Day: This activity is planned for October 25^th and designed to provide first year students with up to date information about various majors, course requirements, transfer information, and job market information.  Representatives from various WVU colleges and the Carruth Center for Counseling, Career Services Center and the University Advising Services Center will be available to answer your questions and help you to explore your options.  Even students who are “certain” about their major/career choices are required to attend so that they can develop a Plan B major.  [Note: WVU students change their major an average of three times before they graduate.]   You must write a reaction paper about the event.  This reaction paper is due the week of Oct. 30^th-Nov. 3rd.  Students who cannot attend this activity will be provided with an alternative assignment.

Diversity Week Event:  Diversity week will occur September 25-29th and is devoted to offering you opportunities to explore issues of diversity on campus.  During this week, there will be discussions about social justice and creating a campus community, films that deal with issues related to diversity, special music and food events from different cultures around the world.  You will be required to attend at least one of these events (excluding films).  You must complete a reaction paper about the event you attend.  This reaction paper is due the week of Oct. 9-13^th.

3.  Class Participation/Attendance:

      It is very important that you attend class and we assume that you want to come and to actively participate.  In all university courses, attendance is essential for your success.  Attendance and coming to class on time are mandatory.  If you need to be excused for a class you must notify your instructor or student assistant prior to the class you need to miss, or bring documentation of your excuse.  (You will find this is true for most of your classes at WVU.)  If you miss more than two classes, your letter grade will be reduced by one letter for each unexcused absence.

      In this class you are free to express your opinions and share your ideas.  But with that freedom comes the responsibility to do your best work, to turn in your assignments on time, and to treat other class members and the instructor with courtesy and respect.

4.  Final Exam:

      You will complete one examination.  The content of the questions will come from material covered in the assigned readings, class presentations and discussions.

5.  Individual Conference with Instructor:

One way to be more in touch with the campus and to develop your communication skills is to get to know your instructors.  We encourage you to meet with each of your instructors whenever you have a question or concern about your class work.   To help you begin this communication, you will meet with the instructor of your Orientation 1 class for about a 30 minute individual session.  You should schedule a time to meet with your instructor before mid-semester.

Grading:

      You can earn an A, B, C, D or F in this course. The grade you earn depends on the energy and effort you put into the course.  Your final grade will be determined by the number of points/grades you have earned on class assignments (a method used in many university courses), and the number of classes and programs that you attend.

      It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades/points.  PLEASE keep all of your assignments until you have received your final grade.  Grade disputes can be settled by looking at your work and the score that the instructor wrote on your paper.  If you cannot produce the paper, the dispute is left to the discretion of your instructor.

      Although extra credit activities/assignments are not designed to replace those required for the course, we have developed a range of activities, which will supplement your learning process.  All extra credit activities/assignments must be approved in advance by your instructor.

      Grading systems can be confusing.  If you do not understand the system used in any of your courses, talk to your instructor early in the semester for clarification. 

Grading Scale

Activity                                                                                   % of your grade

1.   Homework                                                                                     30%

2.   Event reaction papers                                                                     15%

3.   Class attendance/participation                                                         15%

4.   Final Exam                                                                           37.5%

5.   Individual conference with your instructor                             2.5%

	Assignment				Points for each	Total Points
	1. Homework				Variable	60
	2. Event Reaction papers				5 (x 6)	30
	3. Class Attendance				2 (x 15)	30
	4. Final exam				75 (x 1)	75
	5. Individual Conference with instructor				5 (x 1)	5
	Total = 200
Grading Scale
A Range		B Range	C Range	D Range			F Range
194-200 =A+		174-179 =B+	153-159 =C+	133-139 =D+			0-119 =F
188-193 =A		167-173 =B	147-152 =C	128-132 =D
180-187 =A-		160-166 =B-	140-146 =C-	120-127 =D-

WVU’s Social Justice/Disability Statement

   West Virginia University is committed to social justice.  Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin.  The instructor of this course concurs with that commitment and expects to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination.  Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.  If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise the instructor and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).