First-Year Experience

SLS 1501, Fall 2013, Section #U10D

Tuesday, 12:30-1:45pm, DM 193

Instructor Hayat Hammad-Garcia Peer Mentor Cristy Franco

DM 274A Cell #: 786-351-7485
Wednesday 10am-12:30pm cfran063@fiu.edu
305-348-4953
hhammad@fiu.edu

Required Textbooks:
1. The First Year: Making the Most of College, 7th ed. Andrews and Lunsford, 2013.
2. Wine to Water: How One Man Saved Himself While Trying to Save the World, Doc Hendley, 2012.
(This Common Reading book was provided to you when you attended Orientation).
Doc Hendley at FIU: October 22 at 2pm in WUC Ballrooms (BBC) and October 23 at 12pm in GC Ballrooms (MMC)

Purpose: FIU recognizes that a university education takes place both inside and outside of the classroom. SLS 1501
introduces students to the university and promotes and supports academic, intellectual, personal, and social growth and
success. The course presents the skills and competencies necessary for first-year students transition to the university,
including developing effective study skills; understanding University Core Curriculum, major, and career choices;
managing time, finances, responsibilities, health, and wellness; developing social relationships and appreciating the
diversity of our campuses and communities; and preparing for global citizenship.

Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this course are expected to learn:
Strategies and resources that promote and support academic success.
The complex issues and choices confronting a college student.
How to navigate the University environment.
The basic academic policies, requirements and procedures.
That diversity and differences should be embraced and celebrated.

General Class Expectations:

Be on time for class.
It is expected that you attend and participate in class discussion.
Respect the values and diversities of those around you.
Please turn cell phones, pagers, and laptops off.
Prepare for class (i.e. reading material, papers, and projects).
Dress appropriately (no pajamas, bathing suits, etc.).

Course Requirements
Summary Table
Attendance and Participation 20 points
Common Reading Assignments 15 points
Homework Exercises 10 points
Campus Involvement Papers 10 points
Career Project 20 points
Group Project 20 points
Office Chat 5 points
100 points
Attendance and Participation (20 points)
Attendance in this class is mandatory due to the interactive nature of the course. Students are required to be present and will
be granted only 1 absence during the semester. In the event of an emergency, an exemption may be granted, but it is the
students responsibility to inform the instructor as soon as a conflict occurs. It is the students responsibility to complete the
assignments given in class and still abide by the proper due dates. Additionally, all students are required to participate in class.
Your success in this class will depend on your preparedness, interest, and enthusiasm for this class. Attendance and
participation are extremely important.

Common Reading (15 points)

Quiz (5 points)
Essay (10 points) Select an event or theme from the book that you can identify with, and explain how it applies to your college
transition. The paper should be two typed pages in length.

Homework Exercises (10 points)

Each student will submit homework exercises at the beginning of each class.

Campus Involvement Assignment and Paper (10 points)

All students are required to complete 2 campus involvement event papers. One must be a Success Workshop or Exploratory
Panel and the second can be a sporting event, lecture, play, social event, etc. These activities cannot be required for another
course. The paper must be 2 pages, double spaced, and in Times New Roman font. The following are expectations for the
assignment:
Students are required to submit a paper for each event. The paper should address the following issues:
a. Describe the event/ activity.
b. Why you chose this particular activity.
c. Describe your experience.
d. How did you benefit/what did you value from your experience.

Career Project (20 points)

The final project is a career guide project. The goal of this assignment is to produce a professional guide that includes your
plan of action for successfully graduating and beginning your career and/or graduate school. The final project will be formally
presented to the class.

Group Project Cultural Understanding (20 points)

Groups of 4-5 students will select a culture, subculture, or religion that group members are not a part of and research that
culture, subculture, or religion. Students will use and cite (MLA or APA) interviews, books, journals, the internet (check
authors validity and reputation), or newspapers as research resources.

Office Chat (5 points)

Each student should schedule a meeting with the instructor by October 10, 2013. The student and instructor will meet to
discuss academic progress in the course as well as other concerns including but not limited to their FIG, transitions, FIU, etc.

Evaluation:
Final grades for the course will be based on a points system using the following scale:
(A) 95 100 points (B-) 80 82 (D+) 67 69
(A-) 90 94 (C+) 77 79 (D) 64 66
(B+) 87 89 (C) 73 76 (D-) 60 63
(B) 83 86 (C-) 70 72 (F) 59 points or less

Early Alert Program

In an effort to help you succeed, students who perform below academic standards in class may be referred to the
Undergraduate Education Academic Advising Center for further assistance. This includes students who have not been
attending class, submitting homework assignments, or passing quizzes and tests.
Institutional Values: The first-year seminar is intentionally kept at 25 or fewer students, and creating a classroom
environment that reflects FIUs core values is the shared responsibility of instructor and students:

Truthin the pursuit, generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge

Freedomof thought and expression
Respectfor diversity and the dignity of the individual
Responsibilityas stewards of the environment and citizens of the world
Excellencein intellectual, personal, and operational endeavors

Academic Misconduct Statement

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching
and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of
others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all
students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow
students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they
are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as
outlined in the Student Handbook.

Academic Misconduct includes: Cheating The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from
another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class recitations; or the unauthorized
possession of examination papers or course materials, whether originally authorized or not. Plagiarism The use and
appropriation of anothers work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the students
own. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet
sources, is responsible for plagiarism.

Success Theres an APP for That! (Workshops) and Exploratory Panels Select One
Workshops

Topic Presenting Department Day & Time

Linking Courses With Career Skills
Networking 101
Overcoming Current & Past Challenges to
Succeed in College
How to Study for Math to Ensure
Academic Success
Health Field: What Options Do I Have?
Right Mindset for Deciding a Major
Undergraduate Education Tuesday, September 10th
Academic Advising Center 2:00-3:00pm in GC 314
Career Services Wednesday, September 25th
1:00-2:00pm in GC 314
Transfer & Transition Services Wednesday, October 9th
1:00-2:00pm in GC 314
University Learning Center Thursday, October 17th
3:00-4:00pm in GC 314
College of Nursing & Health Sciences Wednesday, November 6th
3:00-4:00pm in GC 314
Undergraduate Education Wednesday, November 20th
Academic Advising Center 2:00-3:00pm in GC 314

Exploratory Panels - Have a major in mind but want to talk to a professional in that field before making a final decision?

Topic Day & Time Majors Fair

Global & Social Sciences and Thursday, September 19th
Academic Advisors from most
Humanities & Arts 3:30-4:45pm in GC 243
majors in one room!
Nursing & Health Sciences and Thursday, October 24th
Biological & Environmental Sciences 3:30-4:45pm in GC 243 Thurs., September 26th
Administration & Management and Thursday, November 14th 11:00am 2:00pm
Physical Sciences & Engineering 3:30-4:45pm in GC 243
GC 243
 TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
Topics and assignments are subject to change

Class Date Topic Assignments

August 27 Introductions & Expectations Reading to be discussed in class: Syllabus
Buy the textbook!

September 3 Getting Started: An Introduction Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 1 & 2

Navigating the University Due Today: Exercise 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (pg.15-16)
September 3: Last day to complete late registrationDrop/Add
period ends

September 10 Studying Effectively Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 3

Due Today: Exercise 3.1, 3.2 (pg. 29-30)

September 17 Its All Academic Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 4

Wine to Water - Quiz Due Today: Campus Involvement Paper
Bring UCC, Major Map, and PDA

September 24 On Time & Stress, Stressing, Stressed Out Reading to be discussed in class: Chapters 5 & 6
Due Today: Exercise 5.1 (pg. 57), 6.1 (pg. 69)

October 1 Relationships: Healthy, Harmful or Hazardous Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 8

Presentation from the Victim Empowerment Program Due Today: Campus Involvement Paper & Exercise 8.1, 8.2
(pg. 93-94)

October 8 Using the Library to Conduct Research Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 7
Field trip to the library GL 245

October 15 Diversity in a Diverse Context Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 9, 11

Becoming a Global Citizen Due Today: Wine to Water Paper & Exercise 9.1, 9.2 &
11.2

October 22 Leadership and Community Standards Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 10

Due Today: Exercise 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
Doc Hendley at FIU October 22: 2pm WUC Auditorium
October 23: 12pm GC Ballrooms

October 29 Career Exploration Presentations Due Today: Career Project Due

November 5 Controlling Your Finances Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 12

Due Today: Campus Involvement Paper

November 12 Maximizing Your Health Reading to be discussed in class: Chapters 13 & 14

Mental Health and Its Impact on Academic Success Due Today: Exercise 13.1, 13.2 &13.3

November 19 Exploring, Developing, and Managing Your Career Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 15

November 26 Putting It All Together Reading to be discussed in class: Chapter 16

Due Today: Exercise 16.1, 16.2

December 3 Group Presentations

December 10 Group Presentations

Schedule TBA