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GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Undergraduate Studies
(This page is under construction for Fall 1999)
Please, check later for update!!!

Orientation I: First Year Seminar
Catalog Description: This course is designed to help freshmen understand the purpose of a college education, to learn about college resources and requirements, to explore values and interests, to learn to make decisions and realistic choices, to explore career objectives and programs of study, and to establish supportive relationships with faculty and staff. The course is required of all first year students during their first semester at Georgia Southern University.

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the "culture of the university";
• Be able to locate and use University resources for academic, cultural, social, and personal needs.
• Develop or improve their study and time-management skills;
• Become familiar with Georgia Southern's procedures, policies, programs, and services.
• Identify personal and work values, and establish realistic career and life goals.
• Strengthen communication and reasoning skills.

Each exam (Midterm/ Final) will have short answer, list, and discussion questions.

• Your success in this class will depend on your active participation in the various class activities. Therefore, it is expected of you:
• to prepare all lesson materials before coming to class, and
• to turn in all required assignments on time.
• NO MAKE UP TESTS, ASSIGNMENTS or HOMEWORK WILL BE GIVEN.

• CLASSROMM BEHAVIOR.  I strongly recommend that students should:
• refrain from eating and drinking in class;
• not wear any type of hat while in class;
• not chew gum while in class;
• refrain from disruptive behavior or talking in class, except for normal classroom activities.

• PUNCTUALITY

Arrive on time to class. To be tardy is disrespectful to both your instructor and your classmates. Please let me know about conflicts with your other classes. If you arrive after the roll has been checked, you are responsible for letting me know so that I can make the necessary corrections.

Students are expected to attend all class sessions and attendance will be recorded. Attendance is required since class participation will comprise 20% of the grade. However, two (2) absences will be allowed. Perfect attendance will receive five (5) points at the end of the semester. The student will receive zero (0) points for attendance after two (2) absences.

Letting me know in advance that you are going to be absent does not constitute an excuse. For example, that you are leaving town early for the week-end is not an excuse, neither attending your cousin's wedding.

Over the course of the semester, each student must attend two (2) campus events, e.g., athletic activities, club meetings concerts or plays, governance meetings, lectures, exhibits, etc. One must be from the cultural category and one from the athletic category. A brief paper (1-2 pages) must be submitted with each assignment. It must be handed in a folder and typed in a PC or typewriter. You will get a separate hand-out for guidelines on each assignments together with specific deadlines.

All homework/ assignments/ projects are due at the beginning of the period. Late assignments will receive one letter grade lower than earned. No excuses are accepted. Call a classmate or the instructor for an update on assignments. If you anticipate an absence, turn in the assignment early or send by a friend to class or to my office. Turn all assailments in a clean, neat folder. All homework/ assignments/ projects will be either from the activities' worksheets from the text or hand-outs provided by the instructor.

Students are responsible for turning in weekly journl entries detailing the student's impressions, activities, concerns (if any), and his/her academic as well as social life for the week.  Students are required to submit journal entries via e-mail to: suazoj@gasou.edu .  All entries are due on Mondays before class time.  The e-mail must reflect the time before class.

The university considers students to be individuals responsible for their own behaviors.  Students are expected to make decisions with an awareness of the consequences that are likely to result from these decisions.  Decision making without considering possible consequences is not justifiable behavior should the consequences, put the student's academic efforts at risk.

Students are expected to communicate in a civil manner in their professional interaction at all times, both in and out of the classroom.  This means that student interaction, including discussion and argumentation, is to be carried out in a polite, courteous, and dignified manner that is respectful and understanding toward both Deers and professors.  Failure to behave in a civil manner may result in disciplinary actions as described by the Georgia Southern Student Conduct Code Policies and Procedures (1999-00).

Cheating, in any of its forms, is a serious offense to the university that compromises the leaming process of the violators as well as their classmates.  Ultimately, the reputation of the institution is at risk.  For these reasons, the university expects students to understand the provisions of the Georgia Southern Student Conduct Code Policies and Procedures (1999-00) that address academic dishonesty and the penalties for it, and to conduct themselves with integrity in their academic efforts.  To that end, students are expected to follow both the letter and the spirit of academic honesty and to consult with their instructors in advance whenever they feel that those ethical standards may be at risk.  All provisions of the student code apply to this class. Any incidents will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office.

1 Midterm	20% (See schedule X approx. dates)
Journal Entries	10% (Weekly via e-mail)
Reaction Paper on Campus Events	15% (See hand-out)
Homework	15% (Weekly)
Class Participation	15%
Attendance	5% (0 after 2 absences)
Final Exam/Final Project	20% (Last day of class)
TOTAL	100%

• DAY ONE: (AUGUST 18)
• We will meet in the Math-Physics-Psych Bldg., Room 2001.at 9:00 am.
• It is possible we won't be able to get into that room, then, we will find one wherever we can.
• Interviews and Introductions
• Tour of the Library and Computer Lab.

• DAY TWO: (AUGUST 19)
• Students will be attending two large-group presentations:

• MAKING COLLEGE COUNT:  This is a 45-50 minute interactive presentation by professionals enlisted by the the First Year Program Committee, to offer quintessential information and advise to students on the pitfalls to and keys to success.
• This class group presentation will be in the Ballroom of the Russell Union at 1:00 pm.

• COMPUTER RESOURCES AT GSU:  This is presented by some of GSU's most knowledgeable and effective teachers, and it will introduce the richest resource on this or any university campus: computers.
• This class group presentation will be in the Theater at 3:00 pm.

• INTRODUCTION TO GSU 1210
• GENERAL POLICIES
• Student Profile Sheet

• New Beginnings
• Getting to Know GSU Through the General Catalog

• Effectively Managing Your Time
• You can also check the following links for extra advice:
• Organizational Central
• Homework 101
• Start reading: The Eagle Eye: Section I, Academic Life (p. 72-89

• Accessing the Internet: A Few Tips
• Today we will meet in the Library Room 1042(near the Computer Lab downstairs)

• LABOR DAY - SEPTEMBER 6 - NO CLASSES FOR STUDENTS

• Improving Academic Performance: The Development of Effective Study Habits
• Click on this link, print and answer: Study Habits Questionare .  Please, bring to class this Wednesday.

• The Eagle Eye: Section II, Student Life (p. 90-99)
• Listening and Values
• Click on this link, print and answer: Listening Self-Evaluation .  Please, bring to class this Wednesday.

• The Eagle Eye: Section III, Student Services (p. 100-107)
• Taking effective notes.
• Click on this link, print and answer: Effective Note Taking Activity Please, bring to class this Monday.

• Effectively Reading your Textbooks
• You and your Textbooks

• Marking Your Textbooks and Asking Critical Questions

• Effectively Reading your Textbooks
• You and your Textbooks

• Effective Preparation and Performance on Exams
• Writing Papers
• The Registrar:  Academic Standards and Policies
• Advisement at GSU.  Use this link to get all your information about advisement.

• Values and Personal Choices
• Diversity Workshops
• Forced Choices
• Diversity Workshops

• Click here for FINAL EXAM: Project

Classes begin ............................................................................................................................................08/20/99
Labor Day---no classes..............................................................................................................................09/06/99
Last Day to withdraw without academic penalty from regular day classes.....................................................10/04/99
Parent's Day..............................................................................................................................................10/8,9/99
Fall Break..............................................................................................................................................10/14,15/99
Thanksgiving Holiday--no classes..........................................................................................................11/24-26/99
Last Day of classes.....................................................................................................................................12/10/99
Final Exam...(see Exam Schedule in Fall Semester Schedule of classes)..................................................12/13-17/99
Graduation..................................................................................................................................................12/19/99