Course:
Prerequisites:
Day/Time/Location:
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Office Hours:
HDEV 101, First Year Experience, Fall 2015 (3 credits)
None
Wednesday, 6:30 – 9:25 p.m., Room 202 / Computer Lab 133A
Wendy Nelson
Faculty Suite A
[email protected]
Monday - 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday - 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. (off campus – ANG base)
Wednesday - 3:30 – 4:00 & 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
If you cannot meet at these times, please email me to set up an
appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: First Year Experience is a required course for the General Studies
and Liberal Arts degree programs. The purpose of this class is to introduce students to higher
education practices, effective academic strategies, and the resources of Asnuntuck Community
College. The learning activities in this class prepare students for college coursework through
practice in key academic abilities: information literacy, study skills, using academic sources,
critical thinking, formulating academic-based responses, metacognition, online learning
platforms, and time management. Academic planning, transfer preparation, and career exploration
are also emphasized. The course incorporates reading, writing, and speaking assignments, as well
as enrichment and online assignments. Class participation and discussion are essential.
Course Outcomes (By the end of the course, successful students will be able to …)
 identify and discuss occupations connected to their interests, values, and abilities
 use effective strategies for communicating with instructors
 recognize key advising and transfer factors
 craft written and spoken responses to academic readings/activities
 navigate current online learning platform
 select and apply a variety of study skills to learning activities
 recognize the significance and responsibilities of academic honesty in higher education
 summarize and paraphrase academic literature using standard documentation systems
 access, identify, and evaluate information needed to inform academic, personal, and
professional decisions
 demonstrate critical thinking
 connect learning styles and preferences to metacognition
Course Activities Designed to Meet Outcomes
 Direct instruction
 Full-class and small-group discussions
 Informal and formal writing assignments
 Computer-based assignments
 Collaborative learning activities
 Enrichment activities
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Assessment Methods for Intended Outcomes
- Instructor feedback on discussions and activities
- Instructor evaluation of projects
- Instructor feedback on assignments
- Rubrics
EVALUATION: In-class exercises and projects, writing assignments, responses to Blackboard
prompts, quizzes on readings and class discussions, and a final exam will make up the graded
work for this course. The point breakdown is as follows:
Assignment / Activity
Quizzes / Activities
Assignments
Researching Your Future Report
Final Exam
Total
Points
100
180
120
100
500
Grades are based on the number of points earned:
Points
475 – 500
450 – 474
435 – 449
415 – 434
Grade
A
AB+
B
Points
400 – 414
365 – 399
350 – 364
335 – 349
Grade
BC+
C
C-
Points
320 – 334
305 – 319
290 – 304
289 or below
Grade
D+
D
DF
COMMUNICATION: Email is the best and fastest way to reach me. My email address is
[email protected]. Please include HDEV 101 or First Year Experience in the subject line
to prevent your message from being deleted as spam. Also, please sign your messages with both
your first and last name. In most cases, if your email requires a response, I will get back to you
fairly quickly but please allow 24 hours for a response. If you email on the weekend, a holiday, or
other times when ACC is not in session, you may not receive a response until the next weekday
or whenever classes commence.
I will also email you at times with class updates, cancellations, or other information, so it is
important to set up your ACC student email account and check your email several times a week.
It is Board of Regents policy for students to use their official Asnuntuck email account to
communicate with instructors. Please ensure you only email from your student account; I will not
respond to email sent from your personal email account(s). In addition, I will post announcements
on Blackboard throughout the semester, so please be sure to check both Blackboard and your
email regularly for class announcements.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments are due at the beginning of the class session noted on
the syllabus, or the due date given in class. Please do not email me assignments, unless this is
something we agree upon due to special circumstances. Assignments emailed to me without
advance approval will not be accepted.
Likewise, unless granted an exception by making arrangements with me in advance, late
assignments can only earn, at most, one-half of the assignment’s point value. For example, if an
assignment is worth 20 points but is turned in late, the highest number of points you would be
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able to earn on that assignment would be 10 points. All late assignments must be submitted no
later than one week past the due date to be eligible to earn points on the assignment.
All late assignments must be submitted electronically though Blackboard.
ATTENDANCE: FYE is a class specifically designed to help you succeed in college. Research
has shown a clear correlation between class attendance and student success. Therefore, I expect
you to attend all classes for the full scheduled session. Most weeks will begin with a short quiz to
assess your understanding of the previous week’s assignments or activities. Although these are
low-stakes quizzes, generally worth 10 points or fewer, missing too many quizzes can
significantly affect your final grade. If you arrive in class after a quiz has been distributed, you
will not be able to take the quiz and will forfeit those points.
I do understand there may come a time when you simply cannot be present because of illness, a
family emergency, or other serious issue. If you must miss class, you are responsible for any
material covered or assignments that may be given. Because not all assignments are listed in the
class schedule, and not all materials will be posted on Blackboard, do not rely solely on the
syllabus and BB postings to find out what you missed. Get contact information from your friends
in class so you can get class notes from them. Please note that missing class does not extend your
deadlines for assignments. Be sure to check with me or a trusted classmate well in advance of the
next class session to find out what you missed.
Please note: Many professors – and I am one of them – do not differentiate between “excused”
and “unexcused” absences. The point is not why you missed class; the point is you were not
present and therefore missed class discussions and information.
CLASS CANCELLATIONS: If class is canceled due to weather, instructor illness, or any other
reason, please check Blackboard for instructions. Generally, I try to post information within 24
hours of the cancellation. You may be given an assignment to make up for the missed class time,
so it is important for you to check Blackboard for information. You will be held to the policies on
late or missed work for this additional assignment, so it is important for you to check in for
instructions.
QUIZZES, EXAMS, AND IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION: Twenty-percent of your grade in
this class is based on quizzes and in-class participation. Quizzes will usually be given weekly
over assigned readings and/or material covered in class. If you miss class or are not present when
the quizzes are distributed, you will forfeit those points.
There will be no make-up quizzes or exams, meaning you will forfeit any quiz or exam points if
you come to class late and are not present when a quiz is distributed, or if you miss class on the
day of a quiz or exam. Likewise, if you miss class during a session when specific points are
assigned for completing an in-class assignment, you will not be able to make up those points.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. Any words, phrases,
or ideas that are not your own must be clearly attributed to the outside sources used. We’ll talk
about and practice ways to avoid plagiarism by properly paraphrasing, summarizing, and
documenting sources as the semester progresses. If you have questions about what needs to be
cited or how to cite it, please ask me or get help at the Academic Skills Center.
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All assignments for the course are to be completed individually. Unless otherwise instructed,
collaboration on homework or in-class assignments will be considered a violation of the student
code and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services.
All assignments for this class must be created specifically for this course during the Fall semester
of 2015. If you wish to build on work you have done or are doing for another class, such as
composition, you must get approval from both me and the professor of the other course.
Please familiarize yourself with the policies on student conduct in the ACC Student Handbook,
which can be found on the Asnuntuck website.
ACADEMIC CREDIT HOUR: Asnuntuck Community College is in compliance with
the federal definition of credit hour. For each credit hour, the college requires, at a
minimum, the equivalent of three hours of student academic work each week. For
instance, a typical 3 credit class during a 15 week semester involves a minimum of 9
hours of work per week. Academic work includes, but is not limited to, direct faculty
instruction, e-learning, recitation, laboratory work, studio work, field work, performance,
internships and practica. Additional academic activities include, but are not limited to,
reading, reflections, essays, reports, inquiry, problem solving, rehearsal, collaborations,
theses, and electronic interactions. Student work reflects intended learning outcomes and
is verified through evidence of student achievement.
SEMESTER HOUR: Courses designated by semester hour are intended to prepare
students for credit hour course work. Semester hour designations have expectations of 50
minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 2 hours of student
work outside of class each week for each semester over approximately 15 weeks.
(Semester hour courses do not count towards graduation).
STUDENT DISABILITIES - SERVICES: Asnuntuck Community College, under the
jurisdiction of the Board of Regents is “committed to the goal of achieving equal
educational opportunity and full participation for people with disabilities in the community
colleges.” Please refer to the Persons with Disabilities: Policy Statement in the 2013-2015
Asnuntuck Community College catalog.
Asnuntuck welcomes students with disabilities and embraces the opportunities to provide
positive experiences for all of our students. It is, therefore, the policy of Asnuntuck
Community College to provide reasonable academic adjustments for students with a
documented disability. Students with documented disabilities are encouraged to notify
Katie Kelley, Dean of Student Services, at (860) 253-3011 or [email protected].
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: Asnuntuck Community College does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national origin, marital
status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical
disability, political belief, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or genetic
information in its programs and activities. In addition, the College does not discriminate
in employment on the additional basis of veteran status or criminal record. The following
individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination
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policies: Yhara Zelinka, Title IX Coordinator [email protected] (860) 253-3092
and Katie Kelley Section 504/ADA Coordinator, [email protected]
(860) 253-3011, Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield, CT 06082.
ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER: You are encouraged to get as much feedback as possible on
all written work, and writing tutors can play a vital part in the revision process. Asnuntuck
provides free tutoring services to students at the Academic Skills Center and online.
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CLASS SCHEDULE: Please note – This schedule is subject to change, and likely will change!
Deadlines and assignments may be adjusted, and some additional readings or other assignments
may be announced in class or on Blackboard as the semester progresses.
Week 1 – 9/9
Perspective: “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” – Dr.
Wayne Dyer
Course overview and syllabus review activity
Introduction to Blackboard.
Assignment for next class:
*Student email assignment – 20 pts. (posted on Blackboard)
Week 2 – 9/16
Assignment due:
*Student email assignment
Class activity – Communicating with your professors: Who are these people and what do they
want?
It’s Not Grade 13: How to succeed in college (“How to Get the Most Out of Studying” videos
1&2)
Assignments for next class:
*Read New York Times article, “Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits.”
Take good notes! Study your notes! Be prepared for quiz questions and to discuss this
article in class.
*Watch the remaining three videos in the “How to Get the Most Out of Studying” video
series. Take good notes, study your notes, and be prepared for quiz questions and class
discussion.
*Remember, review your class notes a few times every week. This will help you learn and
retain the material!
Week 3 – 9/23
Assignments due:
*Discuss “Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits”
*Discuss remaining three videos in the “How to Get the Most Out of Studying” video
series
Summarizing: Why and how
Assignments for next class:
*Read and summarize “Metacognition and Student Learning”- 20 pts.
Week 3 – 9/30
Assignments due:
*Summary of “Megacognition and Student Learning”
Computer lab activity – myCommNet: Your portal to everything ACC and beyond (Please be
sure to have your Banner ID and password so you can login and participate!)
Week 4 – 10/7
Introduction to academic writing: How to know it when you see it
Classroom activity: What’s the difference?
Using the LRC and online databases.
Lab Activity/Assignment: Library treasure hunt (to be completed in class) – 20 pts.
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Week 5 – 10/14
From the whole to its parts: Summarizing vs. paraphrasing
Classroom activity – Case studies: What would you do?
Assignments for next class:
*Read “What’s the Problem with Quiet Students? Anyone? Anyone?” Be prepared for
class discussion.
*Paraphrasing assignment – 20 pts.
Week 6 – 10/21
Assignments due:
*Discuss “What’s the Problem with Quiet Students? Anyone? Anyone?”
*Paraphrasing assignment
It’s not as scary as it sounds (I promise!): Introduction to academic documentation
Computer lab activity – From sex to super heroes: Academic research can be about anything!!!
Assignment for next class:
*Find an academic journal article (bring .pdf print-out to next class) – 20 pts.
Week 7 – 10/28
Assignment due:
*Bring academic journal article to class (.pdf print-out)
Classroom activity – I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours: Anatomy of an academic journal
article
Staying out of trouble: Avoiding plagiarism and its “shades of grey”
Assignment for next class:
*Mid-term grade check reflection – 20 pts.
Week 8 –11/4
Assignment due:
*Mid-term grade check reflection
Guest speaker: Transferring to a four-year school
Classroom activity – You be the judge: Serve on a college admissions panel
Assignment for next class:
*Research college choices – 20 pts.
Assignment coming up sooner than you’d like:
*Researching Your Future Paper (first draft due in two weeks)
Week 9 – 11/11
Assignment due:
*Research college choices
Planning ahead for Spring, 2014 – Advising tools and schedule planning
Computer lab activity – Finding your calling: Career interest inventory
Assignments for next class:
*O*Net questions – 20 pts.
Assignment coming up sooner than you’d like:
*Researching Your Future Paper
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Week 10 – 11/18
Assignment due:
*O*Net questions
Volunteerism
Seek and ye shall find: Database search strategies
Assignment for next class (following Thanksgiving break):
*Researching Your Future Paper (first draft)
*Assignment: Exam questions – 20 pts.
***November 20th (by 5:00 p.m.) – Last day to withdraw without academic penalty***
Week 11 –11/25
Thanksgiving break – no class
Week 12 –12/2
Assignment due:
*Researching Your Future Paper (first draft, 10 points). Please bring five copies of
your paper. (Remember you must include a works cited page and in-text citations!)
*Assignment Due: Exam questions (please bring five copies)
Writing workshops
Final exam review session
Assignment for next class:
*Researching Your Future revision (second draft). Using feedback from your
workshopping group, revise your paper for one-on-one conferences.
Week 13 – 12/9
Assignment due: Researching Your Future paper (second draft, 10 points)
Individual conferences, by appointment, will be held during this class session and my office hours
throughout the week. Bring two copies of your latest revision of the Researching Your Future
paper. Please note: One-on-one conferences cannot be rescheduled. If you miss or show up late
for your conference, you will forfeit the points on this assignment and will need to make
arrangements to visit the Academic Skills Center for feedback.
Week 14 – 12/16
Assignment due: Researching Your Future Paper (final draft, 100 points). Must include works
cited page!
Final exam
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