Freshman Seminar Outline
Edward P. Kardas (epkardas@saumag.edu)
Fall 2023
http://edkardas.com/Courses/Freshman/default.html
2023-11-24 9:14 AM CDST
The freshman year is a unique period. It marks many transitions: from home, to young adulthood, toward greater responsibility and freedom. One approach, of course, is to just let it happen. Another approach is to regiment and control it. A middle ground between those two extremes is probably the safest and most prudent course. That is, to welcome the transitions while at the same time understanding exactly what changes are taking place and attempting to approach them in a rational way. Over the course of the semester, we will expand and fill in the outline below.
See your classmates HERE
Your mentor is: Tamia Sturges tsturges4710@muleriders.saumag.edu
This class is specifically designed to integrate you into your department as soon as possible. The idea being that the sooner you become part of the departmental community the more likely you will engage in your courses and with faculty which, hopefully, will lead to academic sucess and on-time graduation. If you are still undecided as to a major, this course will provide you with the first steps toward that decision.
Text: this course does not require a textbook
During this course you will have several graded assignments, a few quizzes, and one big test on the SAU Undergraduate Catalog. You will also need to visit the SAU Web page and other online resources as virtual and real field trips.
Counseling Services
- Positive and negative experiences can cause stress, and it is normal for a college student to experience stress. It is also normal to seek out someone to talk to about your stress or other issues hindering your progress in college (or other areas of your life). SAU offers free and confidential* counseling services to its students. If you have questions or feel uncomfortable scheduling an appointment on your own, please feel free to reach out to me so I can help you connect to services.
Doonesbury makes fun of college seminars
Arkansas 6-year graduation rates US rate is 48.3%. Notice it said SIX year graduation rates. College is no longer a four-year experience for many.
- US rate is 48.3%
- SAU’s 6 year graduation rate is 38.65% based on the 2016 cohort.
- Graphs of 4 and 6 year graduation data
- Look at: Freshman Cohort Graduation Rates (4 and 6-year)
- Does it surprise you that so many take so long to graduate?
Topics
- Transitions, Balance, Organization
- Beginning College (works, 2023-08-23)
- Look at this page early on. It gives you information about college and links to important SAU offices
- SAU Catalogs: SAU no longer prints paper catalogs. I'll post YOUR catalog soon
- There will be a Catalog Test later in the year
- PACT 8 Degree Plans
- Required by Arkansas Law, PACT8 Degree Plans allow you to graduate in four years
- Find Your PACT8 Plan soon
- You will have quizzes on most of the following topics
- Health
- Stress and Time Management
- Drugs
- Civility
- How to Study
- Racial Diversity
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- Library Assignment: Please complete the assignments below:
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There are two recordings that you will want to watch and complete assignments.
The assignments are embedded in the videos. Once you have completed both workshop assignments, please let me know. I will send confirmation to Dr. Kardas. If you have any questions, please ask.
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- Gender Diversity
- Money, Credit, & Retirement
- Resumes By the end of the semester you will prepare a resume (graded)
- Bucket List
- This will be another assignment
- Essay Hints
- Use these hints to improve you writing
The items below will NOT be covered in Fall 2023
- Information Literacy This is one of your graded assignments. Find it on our BlackBoard page
- Class-Time Listening and Note-Taking (6)
- Learning Styles,
- VARK
- We'll do the VARK soon. It gives you hints as to you personal study habits
- Critical Thinking
- Mastermind
- This is a game we'll play in class. It shows how to solve problems logically
- Creativity
- Exploration of Majors and Careers
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- O*NET
- This site gives information about just about any occupation available
- We'll check out some career choices for you
- Making Choices
- This module works hand in hand with O*NET to help you choose a career
Disability Support Services:
It is the policy of Southern Arkansas University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services, which is located in the Reynolds Center.
Credit Hours:
As required by federal law, credit hours are earned by attending class (33%), preparing for and taking tests (33%), reading textbook and other assigned materials (23%), and making classroom presentations (11%). Your grade is based on quizzes, tests, and assignment grades. Low attendance may lower your grade.
Southern Arkansas University affirms its commitment to academic
integrity and expects all members of the University community to accept shared
responsibility for maintaining academic integrity. Students in this course are
subject to the provisions of the University’s Academic Integrity Policy,
approved by the president and published in the Student Handbook. Penalties for
academic misconduct in this course may include a failing grade on an assignment,
a failing grade in the course, or any other course-related sanction the
instructor determines to be appropriate. Continued enrollment in this course
affirms a student’s acceptance of this University policyhttps://web.saumag.edu/academics/dishonesty-and-integrity/
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