UK 110: Orientation to the University of Kentucky and College Readiness Skills

Course Outline, Fall 2013

Sect 007
Class Time and Location: Tuesday/Thursday (7:45-8:45 AM)

Location: Classroom Building 243

(2nd & 3rd floor)

Professor of Record
Name: Dr. Laurie A. Henry
Office: Dickey Hall #337
Phone: (859) 257-7399
Email Address: lauriehenry@uky.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
Peer Instructor
Name: Colby Clair
Phone: 859-221-3966
Email Address: Colby.Blair@uky.edu
Course Description
This course is specially designed to orient first year students in the STEAM Academy in the academic
operations and expectations of the University of Kentucky and to prepare them for future academic success by
introducing key strategies. The course is comprised of lectures, discussions, exercises, and out-of-class
assignments which help students reach the student learning outcomes listed in this syllabus.
Required Materials
Common Reading book, Where Am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. Demonstrate and apply the behavioral and academic expectations as well as learning management
systems (for example, course syllabi and Bb) that are the foundation for success in college setting.
2. Engage in discussions and evaluations of University of Kentuckys Common Reading Experience text.
3. Apply learning strategies for achieving academic success such as study skills and information literacy.
4. Locate and use designated campus resources.
5. Evaluate various campus activities (one campus event, one cultural event, one lecture) for academic,
social, and professional development.
Course Requirements
1. Class participation is critical to the success of students, and it adds to the success of the course.
Participation includes attending and being prepared for class, involving yourself in class discussions and
activities, assuming responsibility for your own learning, and contributing to the learning of others.
2. Complete and submit, as directed (electronically or hard copy), all assignments by designated dates and
times.
Grading Criteria and Assignments
Grades for UK 110 will be assigned based upon assignment points and attendance points.

Assignments
Common Reading Experience 3-Page Paper (or project)
5 Library Tutorials and Quizzes
Mid-Term Grade Assignment
Cultural Event Attendance
Lecture Attendance
UK Leaders Panel Discussion
Study Strategies Assignments
Weekly Time Plan
Time-Tracking Assignment
Class Note-taking and reworking assignment
Reflection Entry About Me and Why College
Reflection Entry How Is It Going?
Sketchpad Assignment
Professor Interview
TOTAL

Points Possible
100
25
25
20
20
20
20
20
20
15
15
25
25
350

Attendance Points
Attendance will be tracked by an attendance question asked during each class session. Points will be
awarded or deducted according to the following point scale:
-If you answer the question correctly, you will receive +1 bonus point.
-If you answer the question incorrectly, you will not be penalized.
-If you are absent, without an excused absence, your overall point total will be deducted by 10 points.
Late Assignments
Assignments turned in late, without an excused absence, will receive a maximum of 50% credit.
Grading Scale
A 90% and higher
B 89 80%
C 79 70%
D 69 60%
E 59% and below
Mid-term Grade
Mid-term grades will be posted in myUK by the deadline established in the Academic
Calendar (http://www.uky.edu/registrar/registrar-academic-calendar).
Final Exam
There is not a final exam.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend ALL class sessions unless their absence is excused. Attending class is an
important part of succeeding in any course, especially a discussion-based course like UK 110.
Excused Absences
Students need to notify the professor of absences prior to class when possible. S.R. 5.2.4.2
defines the following as acceptable reasons for excused absences: (a) serious illness, (b)
illness or death of family member, (c) University-related trips, (d) major religious holidays, and
(e) other circumstances found by the professor to fit reasonable cause for nonattendance.
Students anticipating an absence for a major religious holiday are responsible for notifying the

instructor in writing of anticipated absences due to their observance of such holidays no later
than the last day in the semester to add a class. Information regarding dates of major religious
holidays may be obtained through the religious liaison, Mr. Jake Karnes (859-257-2754).
Students are expected to withdraw from the class if more than 20% of the classes scheduled
for the semester are missed (excused or unexcused) per University policy.
Verification of Absences
Students may be asked to verify their absences in order for them to be considered excused.
Senate Rule 5.2.4.2 states that faculty have the right to request appropriate verification when
students claim an excused absence because of illness or death in the family. Appropriate
notification of absences due to University-related trips is required prior to the absence.
Academic Integrity
Per University policy, students shall not plagiarize, cheat, or falsify or misuse academic
records. Students are expected to adhere to University policy on cheating and plagiarism in
all courses. The minimum penalty for a first offense is a zero on the assignment on which the
offense occurred. If the offense is considered severe or the student has other academic
offenses on his or her record, more serious penalties, up to suspension from the University,
may be imposed.
Plagiarism and cheating are serious breaches of academic conduct. Each student is advised
to become familiar with the various forms of academic dishonesty as explained in the Code of
Student Rights and Responsibilities. Complete information can be found at the following
website: http://www.uky.edu/Ombud. A plea of ignorance is not acceptable as a defense
against the charge of academic dishonesty. It is important that you review this information as
all ideas borrowed from others need to be properly credited.
Part II of Student Rights and Responsibilities
(http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/part2.html) states that all academic work, written or
otherwise, submitted by students to their instructors or other academic supervisors, is
expected to be the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. In cases where
students feel unsure about the question of plagiarism involving their own work, they are
obliged to consult their instructors on the matter before submission.
When students submit work purporting to be their own, but which in any way borrows ideas,
organization, wording or anything else from another source without appropriate
acknowledgement of the fact, the students are guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism includes
reproducing someone elses work, whether it be a published article, chapter of a book, a
paper from a friend or some file, or something similar to this. Plagiarism also includes the
practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the work which a student
submits as his/her own, whoever that other person may be.
Students may discuss assignments among themselves or with an instructor or tutor, but when
the actual work is done, it must be done by the student, and the student alone. When a
students assignment involves research in outside sources of information, the student must
carefully acknowledge exactly what, where and how he/she employed them. If the words of
someone else are used, the student must put quotation marks around the passage in
question and add an appropriate indication of its origin. Making simple changes while leaving
the organization, content and phraseology intact is plagiaristic. However, nothing in these

Rules shall apply to those ideas which are so generally and freely circulated as to be a part of
the public domain (Section 6.3.1).
Please note: Any assignment you turn in may be submitted to an electronic database to
check for plagiarism.
Accommodations Due to Disability
If you have a documented disability that requires academic accommodations, please see me
as soon as possible. To receive accommodations in this course, you must provide me with a
Letter of Accommodation from the Disability Resource Center (Room 2, Alumni Gym, 2572754, email jkarnes@email.uky.edu) for coordination of campus disability services available
to students with disabilities.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Date(s)
Week 1
Sept 17 & 19

Topics
Orientation & Introduction to UK 110/ How to Read a Course Syllabus
a. Preparing for Success in College
b. Behavioral Expectations
c. Syllabus as Academic Contract
d. Submission of Assignments
e. Communicating with Instructors/Professors

Week 2
Sept 24 & 26

Library Tour and Academic Resources

a. Physical Resources
b. Electronic Resources

Week 3
Oct 1 & 3

Week 4
Oct 8

Week 5
Oct 15 & 17

Week 6

Goal Setting
c. Time Management
d. Stress Management
e. Action Plans
f. Self-Assessment
g. Motivation
Academic Advising
a. Choosing a Career
b. Choosing a Major
c. Connecting with Mentors
(*No class on October 10. Fayette County Schools are closed.)
Study Strategies
a. Note Taking
b. Exam Preparation
c. Study Groups
d. Academic Enhancement and The Study
Cognition and Intelligence

Oct 22 & 24

Week 7
Oct 29 & 31

Week 8
Nov 5 & 7

Week 9
Nov 12 & 14

Week 10
Nov 26 & 28
Week 11
Dec 3 & 5

Week 12
Dec 10 & 12

a. Learning Styles
b. Multiple Intelligences
c. Liberal Arts and the UK Core
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
a. Understanding and Evaluating Information
b. Making Connections
c. Deeper Learning
d. Engagement
College Reading & Writing Strategies
a. Reading with Purpose
b. Comprehension Strategies
c. Writing with Purpose
d. Argumentative Writing
e. The Writing Process
Speaking and Listening
a. Making Oral Presentations
b. Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking
c. Engaging with Small and Whole Group Discussions
No ClassesUniversity Holiday
Thanksgiving Break
Financial Literacy
a. Financial Responsibility
b. Balancing a Checkbook
c. Credit and Debit Cards
d. Paying for College (Understanding Student Loans, Financial Aid, Scholarships, etc.)
Thinking Globally/ Getting Involved on Campus
a. Diversity
b. Stereotypes
c. Interacting with International Students
d. Student Organizations
e. Dos and Donts on Campus
f. Cultural Centers and Events
**Dead Week**

Dec 13
Dec 16-20

Last Day of Classes

Final Exams

UK 110 ASSIGNMENTS
1. Common Reading Experience
Students will read the selected CRE text Where Am I Wearing? Written by Kelsey Timmerman.
Weekly reading will be assigned at the discretion of the course instructor.
2. Online Discussion
Students engage in online discussions related to CRE text. This will familiarize students with
common Learning Management Systems used by universities (e.g. Canvas and Blackboard).
3. CRE Paper or Project
To be determined by the UK 110 course instructor(s)
4. Library Online Tutorials and Quizzes
Students complete 5 online library tutorials and quizzes found at http://libguides.uky.edu/infolit101.
Quiz answer keys are located on UK 110 website under library lesson plan heading. The tutorials
are as follows:
Step 1. Develop Your Topic: Watch Developing a Topic and take Quiz 1.
Step 2. Search Strategies: Watch Generating Search Terms and take Quiz 2.
Step 3. Find Credible Sources: Watch What Is a Library Database? and take Quiz 3.
Step 4. Popular and Scholarly Articles: Watch Popular and Scholarly Sources take Quiz 4.
Step 5. Evaluating Sources: Watch Evaluating Internet Sources and take Quiz 5.
5.

Mid-Term Grade Assignment

Ask students to list their courses and mid-term grades for any and all courses they are enrolled in at
their high school and/or college level. Then, students should calculate their GPA using the GPA
calculator found at www.uky.edu/Registrar/GPAcalc.htm. If a student hasnt received a mid-term
grade for a course/class, he or she should talk with the teacher/instructor/professor to obtain one.

6.

Campus Cultural Event and Lecture

Students must attend one campus cultural event and one campus lecture. Weekly announcements by
Peer Instructor will include event and lecture options that are appropriate for this age group. It is up
to each instructor to determine what qualifies as a cultural event and appropriate lecture under the
advisement of the instructor of record. Students will write an event/lecture reflection.

7.

UK Student Leaders Panel Discussion

Peer Instructors will arrange a panel discussion of UK Student Leaders from a variety of student
organizations and/or campus clubs. A representative from the Center for Student Involvement should
be included. Student Leaders will discuss the benefits of being involved in college events and
activities and becoming immersed in the university community as a UK student. Specific annual
events should be highlighted (e.g. Dance Blue).

8.

Recommended Assignments for Study Strategies

Before Time Management/Goal Setting session, assign:
Go through your syllabi and transfer all exam dates and major assignment dates into electronic or
paper academic calendar/planner. Bring calendar/planner to class and show peer instructor.

Using your weekly time plan form, keep track of how you spend your time for two days. Include
time spent on class, study, job, meals, exercise, sleep, social media, electronic games, etc.
After Note Taking session, assign: Using one of the methods discussed in class, rework your notes
from each of your courses. Bring reworked notes to next class to show us.
9.

Recommended Reflection Questions

Instructors may choose a few reflection questions. Examples follow:
Tell us a little bit about yourself (family, interests, etc.).
The following is a good reflection question to ask after the goal setting/time management session:
Why did you decide to attend the STEAM Academy? Why is a university education important to
you?
Looking back over the past few weeks, how has your experience at UK fit with your expectations of
college? What has been your biggest adjustment? What have been some of the difficulties?
Interview a university professor in person (not through email) during office hours and write about
the experience. Some sample questions you could ask in your interview are: a. Where did you attend
school for your graduate work? b. How long have you been a professor at UK? c. What is your area
of academic expertise? d. How many classes do you teach each year? e. What is your favorite class
to teach? f. Other than the time you spend in the classroom, what do you do as a professor? h. What
hobbies or activities do you enjoy? i. What one piece of advice would you give to a first-year
student?

10.

Sketchpad
Students will maintain a digital or physical sketchpad in which he/she documents a creative analysis
of experiences related to the UK110 course and their involvement with the UK campus community.
Sketchpads will be shared on a weekly basis to stimulate conversations related to campus
experiences.