The Freshman Academy Alabama A & M University Councill Hall Normal, Alabama 35762
COURSE SYLLABUS Fall 2016 Course Number: Course Title: Call Number/Section: Class Times: Class Location: Prerequisite(s): Learning Resources: Instructor: Office Location: Office Hours: Email Address: Telephone Number:
ORI 101-06 First Year Experience 71247 TR: 9:00am-9:50am Thigpen Multipurpose Room None AAMU Manual and Resources Mrs. Sophya Johnson LRC 3rd Floor Room 308 MW: 12pm-1pm or by appointment mrs.s.johnson78@gmail.com (256) 372-8783 AAMU Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) “Enhancing Students’ Critical Thinking Skills” Critical Thinking Definition: Critical thinking is analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information into logical conclusions. COURSE DESCRIPTION ORI 101, First Year Experience ~ 1 Credit Hour This course assists new students in making a satisfactory adjustment to the collegiate environment. Topics include, but are not limited to, the history of AAMU, academic policies and procedures, study skills, testtaking strategies, time management, money management, health & wellness, safety, email, letter writing, telephone etiquette, student life, and other relevant information. Entering freshmen and transfer students who enter AAMU with fewer than 31 semester credit hours are required to register for this course which is mandatory for graduation. Students who are 27 years of age or older, may opt to enroll in ORI 101 as an independent on-line study course. The grade earned for this course is used in calculating a student’s overall grade point average, but the credit hours cannot be applied towards fulfillment of degree course requirements. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Students will be able to: 1. Identify the University’s resources and services available to them and explore opportunities for connecting with the AAMU community. 2. Develop strategies that strengthen responsible academic and social behavioral skills such as critical thinking, writing, oral communication, and test taking. 3. Build collaborative learning skills and form a strong peer network by participating in group discussions, presentations, and activities designed to foster greater self-confidence, academic success, and appreciation of diversity, civility and retention.
CLASS FORMAT This is a two-semester seminar course. Students will complete assignments for each class. During class periods, students should be ready to share what they have learned from completing each homework assignments. Discussion, lectures, case studies, online activities, specified lectures/assemblies, individual and group activities, and a variety of audio-visual and computer-based instructional technologies will be used. CLASSROOM DECORUM AND EXPECTATIONS: CELL PHONES and other electronic devices may be required for this course. These devices can only be used if permitted by the instructor. NO head-coverings (hats, scarves, do-rags, etc.) without verification of religious requirement. Civility toward all members of the class is required; violators will be dismissed from the class. All homework assignments must be submitted at the scheduled time and instructor’s permission must be obtained to submit late assignments. Required information for assignments in upper right corner: “First and Last Name”, “Banner ID#”, “CRN#”, “Days and Time of Class”, and “Instructor’s Name”. Students are expected to be on time and prepared for class. Students who arrive to class more than five minutes past the hour will be absent for attendance purposes. SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES The University provides environmental and programmatic access for persons with documented disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Any student who desires information or assistance in arranging needed services for a disabling condition should contact the Director of Special Students Services, Carver Complex South, Room 106, (256) 372-4263. ATTENDANCE POLICY A student is permitted one (1) unexcused absence for each credit hour generated by the class. Therefore, one (1) unexcused absence is allowed in this one credit hour class. Each student who exceeds the number of unexcused absences will be advised by the instructor regarding any applicable penalties. Failure to take examinations and quizzes, and/or carry out assignments at the designated times may result in an appropriate reduction in the final grade. Arrangements for make-up work, due to excused absences, must be initiated by the student. A University Excuse can be obtained upon presenting required documentation to the Office of Special Student Services, Carver Complex South 106. TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE The Tutorial Assistance Network coordinates and maintains a campus wide tutorial and Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. Our tutors and SI leaders serve as "learning partners" for students who request tutorial and SI assistance. Individual and group appointments and walk-in tutoring are available in many academic courses and SI is offered in historically difficult courses (courses with D, W, F rates above 30%). These services are offered at no additional cost to Alabama A & M University students. Students may attend regularly scheduled individual and group appointment tutoring, weekly SI review sessions, and/or Mathematics and English walk-in/drop-in tutoring. The Tutorial Assistance Network is 100% funded by Title III. TAN, a subsidiary of the Office of Retention and Persistence is located in Thomas Hall, room 223. To request a tutor, call 256-372-5487 or register online at www.aamu.edu/TAN.
CULTURAL LYCEUM The Cultural Lyceum Program is dedicated to bringing the most provocative, culturally diverse programming to the university campus. The core intent is to bring world class programs to students, faculty, staff and the community at large. The quest is to expose university and community audiences to venues of entertainment that are beyond the normal rich array of educational programs offered at Alabama A & M, and to perpetuate an international view of the arts. Based on Greek history, a Lyceum (pronounced līsē'əm or in original Greek lȳkeion—meaning to ‘light’ or ‘enlighten’) is defined as an educational institution or a public hall used for cultural events. The Cultural Lyceum Events are primarily designed to enhance the intellectual, cultural and educational experiences of students at the University, thereby contributing to our mission of educating the whole person. Lyceum broadens student awareness of the arts and current issues addressing our society, while invigorating connections to our broader community. Complete Cultural Lyceum assignment in BLACKBOARD to receive points for each event.
GRADE DETERMINATION Course Requirements Points Awarded Attend the Freshman Convocation & Torch Lighting Ceremony (8/17) and submit 50 points attendance verification. Attend Safety Assembly and complete exam (Must attend both days to receive 200 points points) Attend assemblies and complete quizzes (Financial Aid and Library (LRC)) Attendance and quizzes 150 points Complete Assessments (ESSI and Proficiency Profile) 25 points each = 50 Complete assigned exercises in and out of class as well as quizzes 300 points Complete AAMU History oral presentation and written report 200 points Attend three (3) Cultural/Lyceum Events 50 points each = 150 Complete the Midterm Exam 100 points Complete the Final Exam and course evaluation 100 points Total Points Possible 1,300 90% and above A GRADING SCALE 80 – 89% B 70 – 79% C 60 – 69% D 59% and below F
Dates Week 1: August 18-19 Week 2: August 22-26
Week 3: Aug 29 – Sep 2 Week 4: September 5 - 9 Week 5: September 12 - 16
COURSE OUTLINE Topics Take ESSI and Proficiency Profiles Bulldog Email, Bulldog Alert, Blackboard, and Self-Service BANNER demonstration Course Overview, Syllabus Review, Policies & Procedures, Code of Conduct, and GradesFirst Discussion Distribute AAMU History Presentation topics CAREER CARNIVAL ~ August 25, 11a-1p
SAFETY ASSEMBLY at the ARC Building Service Learning & Part-time Job Fair, 8/30 Labor Day, Monday, September 5th Learning Styles Maximize Memory Active Listening Skills Note Taking Skills
Assignments Submit Torch Lighting and Freshman Convocation Attendance Verification Send email to instructor; register for Bulldog Alert; introduce self and respond to 3 classmates in Blackboard; submit Main Menu page for Self-Service BANNER; complete exercise for Course overview, syllabus review, Policies & Procedures along with Code of Conduct; begin work on AAMU History presentation Attend SAFETY Assembly both days and complete quiz for attendance Submit Learning Styles Portfolio Submit Chapter 9 Homework Utilize Cornell note-taking system in another class and submit paper Ch. 9 assignment and assignments Submit Ch. 7 Guided Notes Submit Ch.10 Assignment Quizzes Submit TIME MONITOR Chart Budget Activity in class Quiz ~ Money/Time Management Counseling Services ASSEMBLY at the ARC Building
Week 7: September 26 - 30
Reading and Studying Skills Test-taking Skills CAREER FAIR, September 22, 10a-2p Money Management Time Management
Week 8: October 3 -7 Week 9: October 10 - 14
Stress Management Social Media Do’s and Don’ts Mid Term Review Mid Term Exam
Week 10: October 17 - 21 Week 11: October 24 - 28
LIBRARY Assembly (1st day) FINANCIAL AID Assembly (2nd day) FALL BREAK, October 28th GPA Calculations Curriculum/Major/Registration Prep RESUMEs that Open the Door (2 days) REGISTRATION for SP17 begins Nov. 1 LAST DAY to DROP CLASSES, Nov. 4 AAMU History Presentation
Attend both assemblies at the LRC MPR Complete GPA Activity in class
AAMU History Presentations
Oral and Written Presentations due
Week 6: September 19 - 23
Week 12: Oct 31 – Nov 4 Week 13: November 7 - 11 Week 14: November 14 - 18 Week 15: November 21 - 25 Week 16: Nov 28 – Dec 2
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (Wednesday – Friday) Final Review Final Exam
Career Development Services Presentation at the ARC Building Oral and Written Presentations due