SFA 101 FreshmanSeminar

Syllabus (Fall 2001)

Semester Schedule (Fall 2001)

Writing Assignment Topics

---

Class Faces and BackgroundInformation Fall 01

Class Faces and BackgroundInformation Fall 99

Advice at the end of thesemester: (to freshmen from freshmen '99)

ClassFaces and Background Information Fall 98

Adviceat the end of the semester: (to freshmen from freshmen '98)

ClassFaces and Background Information Fall 97

---

Return toCourse Information

Go to SFA 101 Website

---

Syllabus for SFA 101 Freshman Seminar(Group 37)

Fall 2001

Note: some aspects of this syllabus (schedule etc.) are tenativeat this time.

Instructor: Dr. Lauren Scharff
Office: ED 215f or 117c (lab)
Office Hours: MWF 10-11, MW 2:30 - 4:30, T 9-11, 2:00 - 3:30 and byAppointment

How to contact me:
Phone: 468-4402
Email: lscharff@sfasu.edu

Student Assistant: Julia Zapatka
Phone: 569-1781
Email: snowbean98@aol.com

CourseDescription:

The freshman seminar is designed to increase student success incollege. Topics include time management, college note and testtaking, critical thinking skills, career planning, the nature of auniversity, and ways to become part of the college community. Whileultimate responsibility for success in college rests with thestudent, this course can provide fundamental assistance.

LearningObjectives:

At the completion of this course, students should be ableto:

• take personal responsibility for shaping their college experience.
• identify resources that are available on campus and in the community that can assist students with problems related to health, academics, personal relationships, discrimination, substance abuse, course changes, part-time work, financial aid, and crime.
• describe and use specific methods to read a textbook with improved retention, take effective notes, and prepare for and take tests.
• talk effectively with college faculty.
• locate and utilize a variety of library services and resource materials.
• identify the essential elements of critical thinking and apply those elements to issues both inside and outside the classroom.
• manage their time more effectively.
• identify career areas in which they have both aptitude and interest.
• discuss functions of higher education in America and events in the history of Stephen F. Austin State University.

Readings:

All students will receive a 2001 SFA 101 Handbook and calendar atthe beginning of the semester. Information in this handbook will beused for class discussion, and be the basis of questions on the exam.You will also receive The Keys to College Success (a quick-tipbrochure with truly helpful hints). Make sure you get them, readthem, and understand them.

Attendance:

Attendance is mandatory. The percentage of times you are presentwhen role is taken will determine 25% of your final grade. You willlose 2.5% of your grade each time you have an undocumented absence. .There will be three evening events scheduled and a football game(Portland State, Sept 1st). The first evening event is an openingconvocation (Aug 28th, 6:00 pm); the second, (a fine arts event),will be chosen by the class, and the third is a trip to theobservatory (Nov 12, 10:00 pm). You must attend at least two of thethree evening events. Early in the semester you will also have a timescheduled to meet with the instructor; at this time you will have adigital photo taken to put up on the class web page.

A documented excuse is one that is verifiable concerning somemedical, family, or personal emergency. You will be required tosubmit the documentation. Oversleeping, leaving town for weddings,concerts, etc. are not considered acceptable excuses.

Exam:

There will be one exam during the semester. It will be on October4th, and it will include multiple choice and short answer questionsand one essay question. The exam will be based on material in thereadings and classes. The exam will not be particularly difficult ifyou have done the readings and attended class. In addition to testingyou on the material, this exam will give us a change to see how youdo on different types of questions and to make suggestions to you forwhen you take exams in other classes. Your grade on this exam willdetermine 15% of your final grade. There will be no final exam.

WritingAssignments:

Three times during the semester you will turn in 1.5-2 page typedpapers (~400 words each). A fourth paper will be required, but itwill be hand-written in class. These assignments will only be read bythe instructor and the student assistant. There will be a list ofpaper topics available below on the class webpage. You may choose anythree for your papers. The due dates for the papers are indicated onthe schedule(*), and on those dates, the paper is due at thebeginning of class. You may turn in papers earlier than these datesif you want.

All papers must be turned in typed (there are several computerlabs across campus that you may use at no charge). Proper sentencestructure and spelling are required. Superficial papers will notreceive full credit. Otherwise, as long as your paper is a reasonableattempt to follow the directions, it will be considered correct. Yourgrades on these 4 papers will determine 40% of your final grade (10%each paper). Late papers will be penalized (-0.5% for later that day,-1% for each subsequent day).

In-Class 5-Minute Thought Jots:

Ten times at the end of class this semester, you will be asked tojot down your thoughts in response to a question linked with theclass discussion (you should write approximately half a page). Julieand I will read these and may use them to promote discussion on afuture class day. There will be no right or wrong answers, but youmust answer the questions in a complete, thoughtful manner. By this,I mean a response that reveals your thoughts or ideas, and anexplanation for your statement. In other words, if you state anopinion, also include why you hold that opinion.

Each response will be worth 2% of your grade, for a total of 20%after you complete all ten. If you have a documented excuse, you willbe allowed to make up the missed response.

Grading:

This is a Pass / Fail course. In order to pass this course, yourattendance percentage, exam grade, writing assignment grades, andlistserv grade must altogether average 75% or better. passing thiscourse will give you one semester credit which can be used toward thetotal number of credits you need to graduate. Passing this class willhave no effect on your grade point average. Failing this course willcount as an F and will affect your grade point average.

What will classes belike?

Classes will use a variety of formats: lectures, small groupdiscussions, guest speakers, visits to campus facilities, exercises,questions and answers and opportunities to simply express what youare feeling or thinking.

In order for this class to be beneficial to you and others,attend every class on time, turn in all writing assignments on time,read the assigned materials, participate in individual and groupactivities and discussions, and treat everyone in this class withrespect and courtesy.

Course Complaints

For any college course, complaints or problems should first bediscussed with the course instructor. Difficulties can usually beresolved there. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the next personto see is the department chair. For SFA 101 courses, the chairpersonis Dr. Tim Clipson (468-2188).

Important University Dates -- Fall1998

Aug 27		last day to add a courseSept 3		Labor Day HolidayOct  16	last day to drop a courseOct  12		last day for regular registration for Nov 10 TASP test (mail postmarked)Oct 15 &endash; Oct 31	late registration for Nov TASP test; call to register; $20 more expensiveNov 10		TASP testNovember		registration for spring classesNov 21-25		Thanksgiving Holiday (begins at noon on Wednesday)Nov 26			last day to withdraw from enrollmentDec  10-14		final exam weekDec  15		Commencement 

Semester Schedule

The following reflects planned topics for each class date.Because open-ended discussion will be encouraged, actual topics mayvary some from below. Paper due dates, the exam date, and the eveningactivity dates can be considered fixed (unless some emergency comesup).

Dates	Tuesday	Thursday
----- / Aug 23	no classes	Intro to course & each other
Aug 28/ 30	Goals / Calendar use (bring copies of all syllabi) Welcome to SFA 6:0pm (Turner Auditorium)	Library computer room: email / Pipeline and Internet
Sept 4 / 6	Labor Day Holiday	Campus Tour: Major Student Assistance Centers
Sept 11 * / 13	Time Management	Panel Discussion
Sept 18 / 20	Study Strategies	Introduction to the Library I (Keys and Student Handbook)
Sept 25 / 27	Speaker and visit UPD	Introduction to the Library II (Keys and Student Handbook)
Oct 2 / 4	Exam Strategies (Keys)	Exam in Class
Oct 9 / 11	Knowing Yourself: personality inventories	Campbell Interest and Skills Survey
Oct 16* / 18	Guest Speaker(s): Student Activities	Results of Interest Survey
Oct 23 / 25	Discussion Day	Panel Discussion
Oct 30 / Nov 1	Cultural Diversity	No class due to evening event
Nov 6 / 8	Advising and registration info	In-Class Writing
Nov 13 / 15	Heath issues and stress mngmnt	No class due to evening event
Nov 20 / 22	Dealing w/your family now that you're at school	Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 27 * / 29	Class Discussion / Review goals	Guest spreaker(s)
Dec 4 / 6	Party	No class due to evening event

* indicates a paper due date

 Additional Dates to Remember:

September 1st : Football game (Portland State)

Monday November 12th : Observatory Trip (10 pm group)

Fine Arts Event: to be determined

Writing Topics

Below are several possible paper topics from which you maychoose. You are required to write on three of the topics. You maychoose which topics, and the order in which you turn them in. Papersare due at the beginning of class on the following dates:

Tuesday Sept 11
Tuesday Oct 16
Tuesday Nov 8 (The in-class paper assignment)
Tuesday Nov 27

• Take a 30-45 minute day-time walk through the arboretum and along LaNana Creek with a friend (stay in area around campus). Describe in detail two things along the way that caught your attention. Assess your thoughts and feelings before, during, and at the end of the walk. Did you sense a change in focus, concentration, relaxation, or general energy level?
• Go to a football game. Describe some of the different people and actions you observe. What makes people seem interesting / attractive to you (as people to get to know, not necessarily as dating possibilities)?
• Interview an RA for your dorm. What are his/her thoughts about the job? What are two dorm situations that he/she hopes not to have to deal with during the year? What is his/her favorite thing that has happened on the job?
• Interview your roommate. Find out about his/her background and things you have in common. Discover some differences also. What do you think your relationship will be like in the semester/ in the future?
• Sometimes the responsible thing to do may feel strange or awkward (or it may not!). Go out and buy a condom. Turn in the receipt with a date on it, and a summary of your thoughts before, during, and after you bought the condom.
• Volunteer to help at one of the agencies around town or at an event on campus. Write about your experience. Don't just summarize what you did; include your impressions and feelings about the experience.
• Involvement is a large part of college life. If you decide to join an organization, describe your thoughts on the organization, the people who are involved, the pros and cons of joining, and what you hope to get out of the experience.
• Interview a faculty member. For example, what area(s) is his/her specialty? What led him/her to work at SFA? What is this person's favorite thing(s) about working here? What is this person's least favorite thing about working here? What is this person's most memorable moment at work?
• Interview a staff member. Use a similar approach as outlined above for the faculty interview.
• Think of some question that you've thought about, but never bothered to find the answer. Go to the library and find at least two different reference materials that pertain to your question and which may possibly contain the answer. Describe your question, your library experience, and something that you learned (the answer to your question, or some related relevant information).
• Get on the World Wide Web. Spend 30-40 minutes searching for information on a topic that interests you. Summarize your topic, what you found, and your thoughts about the experience.
• Go out to eat at a restaurant. Find someone who is eating alone and ask if you can eat with him or her. Tell this person what you are doing, and then sit and talk with him/her for a while. Find out about this person, what he/she is like, and then write about your experience.
• Volunteer at a local nursing home. Sit and talk with an elderly person and find out about his/her past. For example, what experiences did he/she have? What does he/she like to do now?
• Go by the Alumni office and ask to speak to the lady at the front desk, Mary Nell, about the Stephen F. Austin statue in the middle of campus. This is good to do if you have time to sit and listen to her. She knows all about how it was put in, and the history behind it. What did she tell you?
• Make an appointment to speak to our new president Dr. Guerrero. Ask him prepared questions. What are his plans for SFA? How does he enjoy Nacogdoches so far? An appointment may not be possible, but it is worth a try, and he is an extremely interesting person with whom to speak.
• Eliminate your favorite food item for one week. What was it like going without it for those 7 days? Was it hard to resist the urge? Did you go through withdrawal? This is only fair if it is a food that you eat regularly.
• Give the gift of life and donate your blood to the Blood Center. What were your feelings before, during and after your donation? Was this your first time? Turn in proof of donation along with your paper.

Returnto Course Information

---