SFA 101, Freshman Seminar Instructor: Dr. David Kulhavy Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas 75962 E- Mail: dkulhavy@sfasu.edu Office: Forestry 203F Phone: (936) 468-2141 Office Hours: By appointment Student Instructor: Mr. Travis Jowell Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas 75962 Email: Travis_Jowell@baylor.edu Office: Forestry Lab Building Office Hours By Appointment Our course meets in Forestry, Room 102, TTh 9:30-10:20 Books All students will receive a Keys to College Success pamphlet and a SFA 101 Freshman Success Handbook at the beginning of the semester. Information in the study sheet and handbook will be used for class discussions. Make sure you get them, read them, and understand them. You will also need a class notebook of some type. Other readings will be assigned. You will read two additional articles about a topic selected by the class. Course Description and Purpose SFA 101 is designed to increase student success in college. Topics include time management, college note and test taking, critical thinking skills, career planning, the nature of a university, and ways to become part of the college community. While ultimate responsibility for success in college rests with the student, this course can provide fundamental assistance. Course Expectations Exams: There will be one exam during the semester. It will include multiple choice and short answer questions. The exam will be based on material taken from the readings and classes. Paper and Presentation: The class will investigate how we interpret the past this semester. You will write a group research paper and prepare a presentation for the end of the semester. Grades: The majority of your grade will be calculated based upon attendance. Grades will be calculated in the following way.
Attendance Paper and Presentation Final Exam, Fitness Report Total: 150 points 50 points 50 points 300 points A At Least 270 points B At least 240 points C At Least 210 points D At Least 180 points F Below 180 points Course Policies Any social organization requires some rules. In no particular order here they are. Attendance Attendance is mandatory. A documented excuse is one which is verifiable concerning some medical, family, or personal emergency. You will be required to submit the documentation. Oversleeping, leaving town for weddings, concerts, etc. are not considered acceptable excuses. Attendance will be taken at the end of each class period. Late Work and Makeup Tests All work: tests, assignments, and essays are due when noted on this syllabus. Late work will not be accepted. Makeup tests will only be given in extraordinary circumstances and must be prearranged. Academic Accommodations for Disabled Students To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, and Room 325, 468-3004 / 468-1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to http://www.sfasu.edu/disabilityservices/. Academic Integrity (University Policy A-9.1) Academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Faculty members promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instruction on the components of academic honesty, as well as abiding by university policy on penalties for cheating and plagiarism. Definition of Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one's own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another
source; and (3) incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one's paper without giving the author due credit. Please read the complete policy at http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/academic_integrity.asp Withheld Grades (University Policy A-54) Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair/director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future terms the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average. General Conduct Respect is of utmost importance in the university environment. This is especially true of the classroom. Inappropriate classroom behavior will impact your grade. Guest Speakers and Other Activities SFA observatory night, The University Police Department, housing, The Wellness Center, SFA Library, evening of the arts, multicultural center, Alumni Association Course Subjects and Objectives: Academic Integrity 1. Take personal responsibility for honesty in the student s personal and academic life. 2. Avoid becoming intentionally or unintentionally involved in academic misconduct. Accessing and Evaluating Information 1. Read and think critically 2. Be able to recognize the student s learning style 3. Be able to find adequate information through internet, print, and other resources. 4. Know the difference between adequate and inadequate information Campus and Community Services 1. Get involved in activities and organizations on campus. 2. Get involved in activities that promote social responsibility and service learning in the community. College Classroom Learning Strategies 1. Understand and exhibit the student s most effective ways to learn. 2. Know how to deal with test anxiety. 3. Gain knowledge of useful test-taking skills that satisfy the student s learning strategies. Overview of University Resources
Know the university resources available, their location and what services are offered in the department Personal Survival Skills 1. Fully understand the value of time management and how to avoid procrastination. 2. Understand the concepts of money management and the consequences of making the wrong decisions. 3. Realize the effects of sexual behavior and the lifetime consequences of their effects. 4. Realize the effects of alcohol and drug use and the lifetime consequences of their effects. 5. Be able to identify stressors in your life, the effects of unhealthy amounts of stress, and realize how to cope with stressors. SFA History, Tradition, and Pride 1. Know the important aspects of life of Stephen F. Austin State University 2. Get involved in some of the events around campus that will become a tradition for future students. 3. Understand why we say that a true Lumberjack bleeds PURPLE. The True Value of a College Education 1. Place value on the student s education in terms of grades and expenses. 2. Make successful choices regarding the student s college education. University Rules and Procedures 1. Navigate the University s General Bulletin and identify the policies that relate to the student s academic major. 2. Comprehend the University s Rule and Procedures, particularly those relating to Academia. WORKING SUCCESSFULLY WITH PEERS, FACULTY, AND STAFF 1. Interact with professors both inside and outside of the classroom setting. 2. Positively and successfully interact with all University Staff. 3. Create positive and successful relationships with peers.
Tentative Course Schedule Monday Aug. 30 Overview and Introductions President s Fitness Challenge Sept. 6 Wednesday Sept. 1 The SFA 101 program at Stephen F. Austin; MySFA; degree audit Sept. 8 Sept. 13 Time Management Learning Strategies; note taking; calendar preparation Sept. 15 Test Taking, Quizzes, Study Skils Sept. 20 Picnic on Forestry Deck Joint, F375 Sept. 27 Time Management Joint, F375 Oct. 4 Interest and Skills Survey, library Oct. 11 Interest and Skills Survey Review, Rusk Building 333 Oct. 19 Adopt-a-Tree; Fitness Oct. 26 Personal Health, Diet, Fitness Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Spring 2012 Registration, Advising, etc Nov. 16 Individual Conferences with instructors Schedule to be arranged AARC, University Library Sept. 22 Study Abroad, Jaguars in Argentina Sept. 29 SFA History, Traditions and Pride Oct. 6 Alcohol Awareness, Tell Me Something I Don t Know Oct. 13 Test Taking Reviewed Oct. 21 Scavenger Hunt, SFA Oct. 28 Pumpkin Carving Judging Meet on Forestry deck Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Advising continued Nov. 18 Individual Conferences with instructors Schedule to be arranged
Nov. 23 Life in the Day of a College Student Joint, Panel, invited guests Turn in Financial Aid Nov. 30 Nov. 25 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Dec. 2 Dec. 7 Travel Safety, Packing, Finals, etc. Back with the Family Joint, F375 Dead Week Dec. 9 Final Exam Preparation