Fall 2010 | MWF 11-11:50 am | Smith 108
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Centenary's First Year Experience (FYE) course introduces students to the liberal arts and to the processes of inquiry by which scholarly, professional, and public communities formulate knowledge and forge solutions to complex problems. Drawing on research, guest speakers, and cultural events from diverse academic disciplines and from contemporary public discourse, students and faculty examine ideas and analyze the arguments and evidence that are used to make and defend conclusions. We build on this examination to collaboratively engage in research projects that enable students to learn the research, analysis, writing and speaking skills essential to their academic and professional lives.
This course is basically a skills oriented course; that is, we are not concerned with any one topic or subject area per se. Instead, the course is designed to teach a research process that will enable exploration and analysis of almost any topic. Specifically, students learn how to
We will occasionally reference public texts like streaming radio programs or articles from newspapers and general-interest periodicals; we will also access scholarly texts available through the library and its online reference tools. I recommend that you own a good collegiate dictionary, a common tool for any educated person, as well. But for this class, you should purchase, and liberally mark-up as your own, these required texts available in the Centenary Bookstore:
Because this class consists primarily of discussion, group collaboration, and student presentations, you should attend and participate in every class and required co-curricular event. Missing any classes will adversely affect your performance in the course and could lower your participation grade.
True class participation means much more than showing up, though. Read your assignments thoughtfully before you arrive, marking them up to indicate ideas you thought were most provocative or important, and writing down questions you want to consider. Then come to class ready to share your ideas, listen to others, write notes, and have new thoughts. Our class meetings are about active listening and thinking in community. Sometimes we will discuss issues about which we passionately disagree, but we must do so respectfully, with civil discourse: each of us should feel free to share our own thoughts while intentionally making space for others to do so safely as well. Mean-spirited discussion and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Generally speaking, you will get out of our time together what you put in, so prepare thoughtfully and respectfully.
In accordance with the FYE program's general policy on attendance, you will fail the course if for any reason you miss more than nine class meetings throughout the semester. You will not be penalized for officially-sanctioned absences (including those for athletics, musical performances, or other school events), provided that you 1) make prior arrangements to complete all in-class and out-of-class work, 2) participate fully in the class overall, and 3) do not miss any other classes except in the case of an emergency. If you are hospitalized or have a family emergency, you should email me as soon as possible. If you do miss class, you are responsible for keeping up with the reading and assignments due; if you need to make special arrangements, doing so before the absence is best.
Some required convocations will occur outside of our regular MWF class times (often, but not always, during the Thursday convocation hour); failure to attend those required co-curricular events will contribute to your absences in the class itself. Plan to attend required co-curricular events just as you would class. Some are already listed in the class calendar; more events may be added, but you will always be given ample notice. Always conduct yourselves as members of the College, modeling respectable behavior (for example, no text-messaging or other unruly displays of personal boredom) especially at required events.
You are encouraged to visit me during my office hours, email me, or make an appointment to discuss classwork, problems, ideas, or whatever.
Submit all assignments on time: late assignments receive one-half letter-grade penalty for each day they are late. Unless we make prior arrangements, assignments will not be accepted more than one week after the deadline. Non-negotiables: you must submit an abstract and present at the FYE Roundtables in order to be eligible to pass the class.
Format and document your papers according to MLA style and, unless otherwise noted, submit them all electronically as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx). Maintain a reliable system for keeping your drafts, making sure to keep track of all originals as well as graded documents with comments: I recommend that you print and keep hard copies of all work in this course.
The calendar is subject to change at my discretion, with readings or events possibly added.
As a student here, you are bound by Centenary's honor code. We will discuss plagiarism relevant to written and spoken assignments, and I will explain what collaboration is not allowable, but if you have any questions, ask rather than risk a problem. Handwrite, sign, and date the honor code on every assignment you submit in hard copy; type out the honor code in the email to which you attach assignments submitted electronically.
I assume that the honor code describes your general conduct with respect to this class, not just your strict adherence on submitted assignments. You must report all suspected academic dishonesty to the Honor Court, as will I; you should retain all notes, drafts, final papers, etc for each assignment in case you must prove your work in a trial.
Students with disabilities should contact Disability Services (a division of Counseling Services) located in the ground floor of Rotary Hall (telephone 318.869.5466, 318.869.5424) to obtain services. Please let me know if you have any such disability that requires accommodation, and I will work with you to ensure your needs are met.
Your final grade (A = 100-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70, D = 69-60, F = 59-0) reflects
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