COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS

Monday Aug. 30 Course Introduction STT 413
Review of syllabus, discussion of assignments. XXX
Discussion of goals. Introduction to Time Management
Assignment: Read Building, Introduction; "On Being an Undeclared Major"

Wednesday, Sept. 1 Library & Other University Resources Library
Meet at circulation desk, first floor of library
Assignment: Read Off to College, 28-30, 53-55 and bring it with you
Look over Building, ch. 8 and bring it with you

Monday, Sept. 6 Labor Day no classes today
Assignment: By Sept. 7 send an e-mail to the instructor from your University account
Include your name, local address &/or box #, local phone, where you are from, a few majors you are considering and why.

Wednesday, Sept. 8 Presentation on the University's Ignatian/Jesuit Identity Royal Theater
Assignment: Read Building, ch. 1 and look over "Do you Speak Ignatian?"
Hand in log #1 "Time Management" with copies of p. 33 & Semester Overview

Monday, Sept. 13 Time Management STT 413
Assignment: Read Building, ch. 2 and 3, Off to College, 34-40
Bring pp. 33 & 29 of Building, completed, and be prepared to discuss
Hand in log #2 "Jesuit Identity"
Schedule appointment with instructor

Sept. 14 -29 Appointments with instructor

Wednesday, Sept 15 The Humanities place TBA
Assignment: Read Building, ch. 5 and handout to be given to you.

Monday, Sept. 20 Academic Success Strategies STT 413
Assignment: Read Building, ch. 4, 6
Hand in log #3

Wednesday, Sept. 22 Academic Success Strategies place TBA

Monday, Sept. 27 Academic Planning STT 413
Discussion of GE curriculum with emphasis on meeting the Writing Intensive and Diversity requirements.
Fill in and hand out index cards for at least 3 e-sheets
Assignment: Read Building, ch. 7 Hand in log #4

Wednesday, Sept. 29 Decision-making GAL 117
Assignment: TBA

Monday, Oct. 4 Academic Planning STT 413
Major Fair discussion and preparation. XXX
Discussion of Evaluation sheets
Questions for presenters' worksheets.
Assignment: Hand in log #5

Wednesday, Oct. 6 Academic Planning GAL 117
Presentations by Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors from various majors.

Monday, Oct. 11 Fall Break No Class Today

Wednesday, Oct. 13 Major Fair EAGEN AUDITORIUM, GUNSTER CENTER
Come to the Major Fair - meet and talk with the members of departments you are interested in.
Assignment: Find your instructor and hand in log #6.

Monday, Oct. 18 Career Planning LEA 1011
Presentation by Betty Rozelle from Career Services
Assignment: Review Building, ch. 12

Wednesday, Oct. 20 Preparing for your advising appointment GAL 117

Monday, Oct. 25 STT 413
Assignment: Review Building, ch. 4-6 to prepare log #7
Hand in log #7

Wednesday, Oct. 27 Academic and Career Planning GAL 117
Presentations by alumni/ae

Monday, Nov. 1 Course Conclusion STT 413
Assignment: TBA

XXX

LOG ASSIGNMENTS

1. Time Management
Work out a proposed schedule for Sept. 7-13, using the time schedule on p. 29 of Building and the "semester overview" that you received in class. Then present a typed assignment of how you will organize your term so that you will be able to meet the requirements for each course and still have the time for other activities and commitments. Log #1 must be submitted along with xeroxed copies of your time schedule and the semester overview. We'll return it all to you next
week.
Due Sept 8. Give to instructor when you sign in.

2. Jesuit Identity
a) Identify several aspects of the University's Ignatian/Jesuit identity, giving the sources of your information (e.g., the class presentation, assigned readings, outside readings or interviews). XXX
b) What do you consider the most important aspect? Explain. XXX
c) What are some ways by which the University of Scranton has tried to make its Ignatian/Jesuit identity clear to you since your arrival?XXX
d) Is there anything that you expected to find at the University because of its Ignatian/Jesuit identity that you have not seen so far? Explain.
Due Sept. 13 in class

3. The best way to study for humanities (and other) courses
As part of your preparation for writing this log, look up the course descriptions of each course you are taking that could potentially lead to a major (you don't need to worry about WRTG 107, COMM 100, or C/IL 102). In your log, consider how you have been studying for those courses. Specifically, how do you approach unfamiliar or complex material or courses in which you are not sure what you are being asked to do? Do you use different methods in studying for the variety of courses on your schedule? How have your ways of approaching your studies changed since you began your university career three weeks ago? How successful has your way of studying been? Re-read your previous logs for some background material.
Due Sept. 20 in class

4. Becoming Engaged in Academic Life
Becoming engaged in university life begins with your willingness to become involved.XXXSelect one club, social, survey or cultural organization at the University of Scranton that relates in some way to your personal concerns or goals. Interview a member of that organization. (NB: Your RA is not an appropriate interview subject for this assignment.) You should prepare for the interview by writing out 5-8 questions. The log you write after the interview may not merely summarize the interview. It should present your thoughts on the significance and relevance of what you have learned. The log must be submitted together with the questions mentioned above.
Due Sept. 27 in class

5. Interest Inventories
Take one of the Interest Inventories in order to find out which category you fall into. Write a log on your findings. Did anything surprise you?
Due Oct. 4 in class

6. Evaluation Sheets
Fill in the courses you are now taking on the 3 Evaluation sheets you received in class. XXXIn your log, identify the 3 e-sheets you have received and discuss what you have learned from them. Include the following: (a) did all your courses fit it? (b) are you "on track", and if not, what would be your strategy for catching up in this major? (c) how do these courses seem in terms of the results of your score on last week's Interest Inventory? Do these majors/courses seem to "fit" with your own personality type?
Due Oct. 13. Give to instructor when you sign in.

7. Midterm Grades Any Surprises?
Before beginning to write this log, re-read your assignment concerning your study habits and your approach to your studies. Review your plans for Time Management (Assignment #1).XXXNow evaluate your study habits in terms of the midterm grades you received. Are your methods working to your satisfaction? If not, what do you see as the problem? How can it be rectified?XXXIf you are pleased with your grades, what words of wisdom can you offer other students who seem to be struggling with the courses? What's the difference between "studying harder" and "studying smarter"?
Due Oct. 25 in class

8. Final Log
Congratulations! You have just about completed your first semester. We often hear the statement "if I just knew then what I know now " Well, this is your chance to help someone else.

Write a two-page typed letter to next year's first year students. Describe your experience with college. Include any combination of the following: what have you learned, how have you changed, what do you wish you had done, what new experience are you happy that you tried?XXXWhat frightened you, and how are you feeling about it now? Is college what you expected?XXXGive them some advice on making their first semester a success. Selected excerpts from your papers ( cited anonymously) will become part of next Fall's issue of "Freshman to Freshman" and will be distributed to the freshmen in the class of 2004.
Due at the time of your final interview with the instructor between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9.

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