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NSCC 1010-N26:
First Year Experience
Instructor: Dr. David Gerth
Times: TR 2:00 - 3:20 pm (alternate weeks)
Classroom: H-311
Office: C-232G
Phone: 615-353-3423
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
The First Year Experience course is a one credit hour course, designed to meet three hours per week
for five weeks. It introduces first-time freshman students to strategies and techniques for academic
success. The course develops and applies practical knowledge and relevant skills for first-year college
students. The course includes an orientation to college resources, policies, processes, utilization of
technology, and information literacy.
Course Outcomes:
Upon Completion of the course, student will be able to
Identify student support resources for achieving academic success
Create academic and personal goals
Explain strategies for effective time management that support student success
Describe personal learning styles and barriers to achieving academic success
Apply study strategies to enhance personal learning styles
Utilize student support resources to register/enroll the next academic semester
Required Text: College Success: A Concise Practical Guide, Strickland,
ISBN: 9781627513593; 2016-2017 Academic Planner
Assignments:
Regular Discussion Questions in NS Online (D2L)(Modules 1-5) – 25 points for initial post
& 25 points for response
Students are required to participate in regular group discussions in the Discussions area of NS
Online and answer questions regarding assigned readings, class lectures, and discussions. Each
student is asked to thoughtfully answer each group discussion question for the assigned week as well
as respond to one (1) discussion response left by a fellow classmate to promote discussion. Each
submission must be a minimum of 75 words. Questions to think about when answering the discussion
question include but are not limited to: “How did you come to think this?”, “Why do you believe
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this?”, and “What do you think of a contrasting view from your own?”, and “Do you have evidence for
this?”
Initial posts are due by Thursday of the week class meets. This will give time for responses to be
posted over the next week.
Sexual Harassment/Hate Crimes Training (Module 1) - 50 points
The Tennessee Board of Regents is mandating that all new college students receive training on Sexual
Harassment and Hate Crimes. Nashville State will be providing training through a module-based
online program called Haven. Students are expected to complete the training provided. Go to the
Assignment Dropbox and the associated module in the Table of Contents for instructions.
Students for whom completing the assignment is uncomfortable for personal reasons may satisfy the
course requirement by meeting with the Dean for Student Services (615-353-3261 / [email protected]) to discuss why completing the assignment is uncomfortable. For information
regarding resources for victims of sexual misconduct, please contact the Dean for Student Services.
Pre-Post Test on Financial Literacy (Module 2) – 50 points
Everfi, a financial literacy program, will be available to students within D2L. Students will complete
modules covering a variety of topics related to money and finances. Students will complete a pretest
at the beginning of week two and a post-test at the beginning of week ten. Go to the Assignment
Dropbox and the associated module in the Table of Contents for instructions.
Learning Style Quiz (Module 3) – 50 points
Students will complete a personal learning styles inventory to understand how they learn best and
then discuss ways to integrate their style into the classroom and with study skills. Students will also
discuss how to compensate for the modes of learning in which they do not show a strength, but may
still encounter in college classes. Go to the Assignment Dropbox and the associated module in the
Table of Contents for instructions.
Kuder Career Assessment (Module 4) – 50 points
Students will complete the Kuder Assessment to help determine their career goals and interests. The
website and college code will be provided. Go to the Assignment Dropbox and the associated module
in the Table of Contents for instructions.
Goal Development Presentation (Module 5) – 100 points
Students will prepare a PowerPoint or Prezi that discusses their academic and career goals. Students
should also include their degree plan and the results of their career assessment (provided by Career
Services). The project should include the SMART goals developed throughout the semester for
achieving students’ ultimate professional and academic goals as well as their plans to overcome any
challenges that may arise along the way. Go to the Assignment Dropbox and the associated module
in the Table of Contents for instructions.
Library Scavenger Hunt – 50 points
During the first ten weeks of the semester complete the Library Scavenger Hunt. Instructions are
found in the Assignment Dropbox.
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Final Exam – 50 points
A pretest will be administered at the beginning of the course, and a final exam will be given at
the end of the course. The exam will be based on required readings, class lecture, and discussion. A
thorough review will be provided for the final exam. The exam will consist of 25 multiple choice
questions. Both the pretest and final exam are found in the Quizzes area of NS Online.
Assessment
Value
Total Points
Five Weekly Online Discussions (Modules 1-5)
50 points
250 points
Haven Sexual Harassment (Module 1)
50 points
50 points
Pre- and Post-Test on Financial Literacy (Module 2)
50 points
50 points
Learning Style Quiz (Module 3)
50 points
50 points
Kuder Career Assessment (Module 4)
50 points
50 points
100 points
100 points
Library Scavenger Hunt
50 points
50 points
Final Exam
50 points
50 points
Goal Development Presentation (Module 5)
650 points
Grading Scale
A = 90 – 100%, 585-650 points
B = 80 – 89%, 520-584 points
C = 70 – 79%, 455-519 points
D = 60 – 69%, 390-454 points
F = 59% and below, 389 and less points
ATTENDANCE POLICY
1. Each student is expected to be on time, attend all scheduled classes, and stay for the entire
class session.
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2. An absence is defined as non-attendance for any reason, including illness or emergency.
3. Absences Allowed:
Fall & Spring Semester: No more than 2 absences. Any student who has more than allowed
absences above will receive a grade of “FA” for the term. Coming to class late (after the instructor has
taken attendance) and/or leaving early (before the instructor dismisses the class) counts as a tardy.
Three (3) tardies count as one (1) absence. Any student arriving more than 30 minutes after class
has started or leaving more than 30 minutes before class is dismissed will be considered absent for
the entire class.
Any student who is absent is responsible for the content of the class missed and any
assignments given. The student is encouraged to get notes and information missed from another
student in the class or to contact the instructor.
In-class assignments cannot be made up unless the course instructor decides work
can be made up.
Student Communication Channels
It is the student's responsibility to check D2L and MyNSCC email on a regular basis. These are the
official communication channels between the college and students. Students are responsible for the
information communicated through those channels. D2L contains specific course information and
MyNSCC contains information important for other purposes.
Early Warning System
Nashville State Community College has implemented an Early Warning System to notify students via
e-mail about academic problems such as poor classroom attendance, poor performance on
assignments/tests, poor communication skills, late/missing assignments, and/or lack of classroom
participation. Please note that Early Warning Alerts do not affect a student's academic standing.
ADA Compliance Statement
Nashville State complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you wish to request any special
accommodations for any courses in which you are enrolled, contact the Access Center at 353-3721.
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