Freshman Seminar GE 100: Syllabus

Instructor: Mark T. Lassiter, Ph.D. Montreat College
Office: Morgan Science Building, Room 203 Fall 2002
Office Hours:.Mon: 10-11,2-4; Tues :4-5; Wed: 10-11; Thurs: 8:30-9:30, 1-2; Fri: 10-11
Phone: 828.669.8012.3303 (Office)
FAX: 828.669.9554
E-mail: mlassiter@montreat.edu
Web Site: http://cesc.montreat.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to assist students in making a successful transition to Montreat College. The two primary objectives of the course are to teach college study, learning and survival skills and to explore the relationship between faith and learning. Topics in this course include the value of a Christian education, learning styles, time management, study techniques, note and test taking skills, planning for the future, and discerning how one's faith affects his or her daily life and worldview. This course is required of all students entering Montreat College as first-time freshmen as well as transfer students with less than 12 hours of academic credit.

TEXTS
Discovering my Design
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Journal for you weekly submissions (2)

COURSE OBJECTIVES
  • Enhance the skills needed for academic success:
    Improve ability to recall information     (EO 3, 5)
    Prepare for and successfully take tests     (EO 5)
    Manage time effectively (EO 1.3, 6, 7)
    Utilize a computer to research, write papers, and assist in Presentations     (EO 4)
  • Determine and develop plans for success:
    Identify personal skills and potential (EO 6, 7)
    Explore personal and career interests (EO 5, 7)
    Examine and consider possible academic majors     (EO 5, 6)
    Develop a four year academic plan     (EO 3, 5, 7)
  • Facilitate integration into the Montreat College community:
    Examine personal beliefs and decisions regarding social issues (EO 1.4, 1.5, 3, 7)
    Discuss ways to create a successful and satisfying experience in college (EO 3, 7)
    Interact in groups, organizations and activities     (EO 1.4, 6)
    Describe ways to communicate in relationships     (EO 2)

    *Educational Objectives from the Academics section of Montreat College's web site: http://www.montreat.edu

    COURSE REQUIREMENTS
    Attendance: Each class is important. You will need to notify me prior to missing a class if it is impossible for you to attend and make arrangements to make up any missed work. Being late 3 times equals one absence. Students who miss more than three one-hour sessions receive an “F” for the course.

    Class Participation: Students are expected to be prepared for and participate in discussions and class activities. Assigned readings must be read prior to class. Each student will participate in at least one individual conference with the instructor outside the normal class meeting time.

    Journals: The purpose of the journal is to reflect on your college experiences most weeks. Some journal entries will be assigned from a text. These will be made up of “discover statements” which help you discover where you are and “intention statements” which help with where you want to go. Other statements will be more free form. You will be given the opportunity to share in a more general manner. All journal entries will be kept confidential.

    Quizzes: Quizzes will be based on required readings, class discussions and assigned activities. The frequency of quizzes will be largely determined by the preparedness of the class for daily discussions.

    Computer Component: This section will be based on two parts. Part 1 is securing a username and password for the network. This must be completed prior to the September 2nd week. Part 2 is submitting the final version of your four-year plan and Summative Essay as an attached e-mail file.

    Four Year Plan: Each student will develop a four-year plan for a selected major designated to meet major and graduation requirements in a four-year period.

    Summative Essay: Each student will prepare a three-to-five page type written essay that explores and evaluates your freshman seminar experience.

    EVALUATION

    A. Class requirements will be weighted according to the following scale
    Class Participation 30%
    Journal Entries 25%
    Quizzes 15%
    Summative Essay 10%
    Computer Skills Evaluation 5%
    Four Year Plan 15%

    B. Grades will be based on the following scale:
    A 93-100 C 73-76
    A- 90-92 C- 70-72
    B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69
    B 83-86 D 63-66
    B- 80-82 D- 60-62
    C+ 77-79 F Below 60





    Montreat College
    Academic Integrity Policy
    a. Definition of Academic Dishonesty
    Academic Dishonesty, such as cheating on tests and plagiarizing essays, violates the fundamental trust underlying all academic work: that the work be the product of the student who submitted it. Montreat College defines Academic Dishonesty as the representation of another’s words, ideas, or images as one’s own. It applies equally to intentional and unintentional quotations, paraphrases, visual images, auditory images, and all electronic means of storage and communication. Academic Dishonesty results in these disciplines and punishments.
    b. Discipline of Academic Dishonesty
    When professors suspect students of academic dishonesty, they will confront the students with their charges in writing. The only possible disciplinarian actions are, (1) a “zero” for the assignment, or (2) an “F” for the course. Students may choose to admit their guilt of Academic Dishonesty and waive a hearing. This involves signing the Academic Dishonesty Notice outlining the disciplinary action. The Academic Dishonesty Notice will then be put on file in the registrar’s office. Students who do not agree to the professor’s charges must appear before a panel of faculty members appointed by the Vice President and Dean of Academics on charges of academic dishonesty. During the intervening period, students must continue to attend class.
    The panel will convene a hearing with the student and the professor at which the faculty member will explain the student’s alleged violation. Students may choose to counter with evidence of their innocence or may admit their guilt.
    c. Punishment of Academic Dishonesty
    If the panel indicates, by simple majority vote, that the student has been dishonest, the panel must fail the student for the entire course. The registrar will notify the student in writing that a failing grade, with a notation that it was received for academic dishonesty, has been entered into the student’s record, even if the infraction occurs before the semester’s official withdrawal date. Students may remove the “F” itself, and enjoy a recalculation of their grade point average by successfully retaking the course, but the dishonesty notation will remain until students apply to the Vice President and Dean of Academics to have it removed following their graduation. Two incidents of academic dishonesty will result in a student’s suspension from the College. The student will not be eligible to reapply to Montreat College for at least two years after suspension. If the panel finds the student not guilty of academic dishonesty, it will notify both the student and faculty member; the case will be dropped.
    d. Exoneration of Academic Dishonesty
    If exonerating evidence becomes available in the five business days following the registrar’s notification, students may appeal to the Academic Affairs committee. Students must remain in the class and work toward its successful completion during the appeal process.