Course: UNYP 99101 Introduction to University Studies
Credits: 1 semester credit / 2 ECTS
Length: 1 semester (15 weeks)
In-class contact hours: 15
Language of Instruction: English
Level: Lower-level course in a bachelor's degree program
Pre-requisites: None
Teaching methods: Lectures, readings, discussion, in-class exercises
Class times, rooms
Classroom 22
6 different sections: Mondays 12:00; 13:00; 14:00; Thursdays 12:00; 13:00; 14:00
Instructors
William Barnard, Ph.D.
Catalog Description
A required graded course for all new UNYP students with no previous university studies. Basic academic and organizational skills necessary for success at university; institutional resources and policies; integration into the university community.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
* apply effective academic skills in a variety of typical academic contexts (lectures, discussion, tests, essays, presentations);
* apply effective organizational skills in the successful completion of the course;
* demonstrate a practical knowledge of institutional resources and policies;
* understand the requirements and characteristics of scholarly work;
* define their personal learning goals;
* actively engage with the university culture in both academic and non-academic fora;
* develop the skills needed to be independent life-long learners.
To successfully complete the course, students will:
* develop coherent, sustained arguments or interpretations in writing, supported by appropriate examples;
* articulate ideas, and respond to the ideas of others, in the context of group discussions;
* manage self and time to successfully meet course requirements, including preparation (homework and studying), attendance, active participation, and the timely submission of assignments.
General Education Requirement
The competencies of Critical Thinking / Reasoning and Information Management are infused throughout this course.
Critical Thinking / Reasoning
Students will:
* identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments as they occur in their own or others' work; and
* develop well-reasoned arguments.
Information Management
Students will:
* perform the basic operations of personal computer use;
* understand and use basic research techniques; and
* locate, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Required Readings, Viewings, Listenings
Bartholomae, D., & Petrosky, A. (2008). Ways of Reading (8th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.
Bishop, J. (2008). Lecture: Introduction to Literature: Organizational and introductory lecture. University of California, Berkeley. 27 August 2008.
Bloom, P. (2007). Lecture: Foundations: This is your brain. 22 January 2007. Yale University.
Brown, J., Campbell, K., and Fischer, L. (1986). American Adolescents and Music Videos: Why do they watch? International Communication Gazette 37, 19-32.
Deguid, P. (2006). Lecture: Open Source. 27 November 2006. University of California, Berkeley.
Freire, P. (1970). The "banking" concept of education. Chapter 2 of Pedagogy of the Oppressed. In D. Bartholomae & A. Petrosky, Ways of Reading (8th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.
Hidalgo-Redondo, Ó. (2008). Electoral and non-electoral lessons of the crisis of Spanish leftist alliance Izquierda Unida. European Electoral Studies, 3(2), 140-161.
Moretti, F. (2000). The Slaughterhouse of Literature. Modern Language Quarterly 61(1), 207-227.
Preiss, M., & Fráňová, L. (2006). Depressive symptoms, academic achievement, and intelligence. Studia Psychologica 48(1), 57-67.
Rodriguez, R. (1982). The achievement of desire. Chapter 2 of Hunger of Memory: The education of Richard Rodriguez. In D. Bartholomae & A. Petrosky, Ways of Reading (8th ed). Boston: Bedford/St. Martins.
Shiller, R. J. (2008). Lecture: Technology and invention in finance. 18 January 2008. Yale University.
Smith, S. B. (2006). Lecture: Introduction: What is political philosophy? 11 September 2006. Yale University.
Sturman, M., Walsh, K, and Cheramie, R. (2008). The Value of Human Capital Specificity Versus Transferability. Journal of Management 34(2), 290-316.
UNYP Student Guide 2009-2010
Wade, C., & Tavris, C. (2002). Appendix: Statistical methods. In Psychology (pp. 659-663). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
All readings are available on NetLearn, or through the internet if linked to above. Some readings are also available in the UNYP Library. Audio/video lectures accessible on the World Wide Web.
Course Requirements, with estimated workloads
* Quizzes (best 10 out of 12) - 1 hour of preparation per quiz, 10 hours total
* Homework (best 10 out of 12) - 1 hour preparation per paragraph, 10 hours total
* Essays (2) - 8 hours preparation, writing, and revising per essay - 16 hours total
* Active, positive participation in class meetings - 1 hour per week, 14 hours total
* Weekly readings / viewings / listenings - 10 hours total
Total estimated workload for the semester: 60 hours
Criteria for Determination of Grade, including evaluation methods
* 20 % Quizzes
* 20 % Homework
* 20 % Participation
* 20 % Essay 1
* 20 % Essay 2
Criteria for evaluating specific assignments are included with the assignment.
General Requirements
* All course work is governed by the UNYP Honor Code, and students are expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and academic integrity in their work. All students are expected to be familiar with the UNYP Honor Code.
* All readings / viewings / listenings should be completed before that week's class meeting; they form the basis of that week's work in class.
* Students should have a copy (paper or electronic) of the week's readings at each class meeting.
* Mobile phones should be on silent; no calling or texting during class meetings (wait until the breaks).
* All media and communication devices, including computers, may not be used in ways that distract you or other students from our work during class meetings.
* Unless otherwise specified, homework and papers / essays are due by email before noon on the day of that week's class meeting.
* Late work is not accepted.
* Missed work / assignments / assessments may not be made up.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their teacher as soon as possible to discuss reasonable accommodation.
Grading scale
A: Outstanding work
B: Good work, distinctly above average
C: Acceptable work
D: Work that is significantly below average
F: Work that does not meet minimum standards for passing the course
Specific grading criteria are included with each assignment.
Technology Expectations
* Regular use of word processing software
* Regular use of internet
* Regular use of UNYP NetLearn
* Regular use of your UNYP email account
* Regular use of this course blog.
