Course Syllabus

 

Course Description:

University Seminar is a course designed to help meet your needs as you transition to Texas State University. The course encourages you to reflect upon the value and nature of your university education, as well as help you to develop strategies for life-long learning. We do this through class discussion, student participation, and involvement in the university community.

Diversity in science refers to cultivating talent and promoting the full inclusion of excellence across the social spectrum. This course is no exception. Here you will have an equal opportunity to excel academically with the support of your instructor. Your learning in this course will be fostered with instructional practices that are responsive to the diverse backgrounds of all learners within a culture of kindness, dignity, and belonging.

 

“Be Here. Be You. Belong. This school belongs to all of us.” – Brené Brown, Dare to Lead

Course Topics:

University Seminar will help you get to know your university, yourself, and your community. Everything we will cover in class falls under one of our three umbrella topics:

 

1. Developing Purpose & Defining Success

2. Developing Skills & Relationships for Success

3. Integrating Into Community

You are enrolled in a special section of US1100 that is specific to the STEM Learning Community. In our section we approach course topics through a STEM-focused lens.

 

US1100 Course Objectives (Why we do this course):

1. To facilitate your adjustment to the challenges of life and learning at Texas State

2. To expand your understanding of the nature and purpose of a university

3. To identify practical learning skills and concepts that will promote your academic success

4. To encourage you to explore the connection between university study and life enrichment, life-long learning, and civic responsibility

5. To promote respect for diversity issues and concepts

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Course Format:

This course is taught using a variety of formats, such as readings, oral presentations, and interactive activities. However, the format primarily used will be discussion-based activities that will require active participation from each student. A CANVAS site will be used for this course for announcements and assignments. You can access CANVAS with your Texas State username and password at https://discovery.canvas.txstate.edu or from the link on the Texas State homepage.

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Readings:

All reading materials (textbook, journal articles, scientific papers, etc.) besides the required textbook, either as a hard copy in class or accessed via the CANVAS site or Perusall. You will access our Perusall materials using the sidebar link in our CANVAS page. The reading assigned for any lecture is to be done prior to the lecture.  

Book:	Where to find it:
This Book Will Make You Kinder   By Henry James Garrett	First-year students will receive free access to the digital eBook once fall classes begin.
Open Stax College Success	Class Perusall via CANVAS   Also available for free online at: https://openstax.org

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Communication:

• CANVAS Website: https://discovery.canvas.txstate.edu/ (Use your NetID and password to log-in)

• Bobcat Mail: The official communication between faculty and students (Bobcat Mail issues can be directed to 512.245.4822)

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Class Expectations:

• Please be “present” in class

• Turn your phone to silent and remove any headphones/earbuds

• Attend all classes, be on time

• Come prepared with readings and assignments complete

• Bring necessary class materials with you

• Be responsible and accountable for your assignments

• Actively participate in all class activities and discussions

• Make the course relevant to you

• Follow Group Behavior Contract established in the first class

• Be open to learning about yourself and your future goals

• Comply with the academic honor code

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Grading & Attendance Requirements:

Your performance in the class is based on the results of the scores on the following items:

• All GRADES are posted in CANVAS.

Item	Number	Points (each)	Total
Participation & Professionalism	15	2	30
Peer Mentor Meetings	2	10	20
Short Assignments ·      College Strategy ·      Time Management ·      Science & Society ·      Literature Search ·      Mentor Map ·      Research Opportunity	6	25	150
Medium Assignment ·      Common Experience Review ·      Career Exploration P1 ·      Informational Interview	3	50	150
Final Reflection Essay	1	120	150
Total Possible Points			500

Grading Scale:

Percentile	Grade	Final Grade Scale
90.0 – 100%	A	450.00 – 500.00
80.0 – 89.9%	B	400.00 - 449.99
70.0 – 79.9%	C	350.00 – 399.99
60.0 – 69.9%	D	300.00 - 349.99
0.00 – 59.9%	F	000.00 – 299.99

Description of Assignments: All assignments can be found in the “Assignments” Sidebar Tab in CANVAS. All assignment instructions, materials, and submission details can be found here.

Late Work Policy: In general, no late work will be accepted without a documented emergency. Technology issues are not an acceptable excuse. You can use the one-time “Life Happens” pass if needed, but you must email me within 24 hours of the deadline to arrange a postponed due date.

Attendance Policy

University Seminar is a required course, and attendance is required. There is a strong relationship between class attendance and academic success. You may miss one class without penalty. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain any missed information, handouts, or assignments. Please email Dr. Chang before a class is missed to get updated on what will be missed.

 

Daily Attendance & Seating Charts

For the Fall 2021 Semester, we are required to take attendance each class with seat information. For each class, you will be required to check-in following the QR-code link displayed on the overhead projector. During your check-in you will make a note of what seat you are in during class. This information is required to assist in contact tracing through Bobcat Trace. If you experience a technological issue using the QR-code check in, please notify your instructor and another check-in procedure will be used.

 

Absences and Late Assignment Submissions Due to Covid-19

Please note, these policies are from the Texas State University’s COVID-19 Testing, Reporting, and Response Steps and may change as these recommended steps may evolve over time.

• IF you need to miss class because you either tested positive for COVID-19 or had close contact with someone who received a positive test result: Promptly report to Bobcat Trace. If you test positive for COVID-19 at a facility other than the SHC, notify Bobcat Trace so that contact tracing can be initiated and an assessment made about the need for any other safety measures. Within 24 hours, contact tracers will provide instructions via email.

  • Forward this email to your supervisor/instructor with a note explaining that you will not be able to come to work/attend class due to isolation/quarantine.

    • Your instructor will work with you to arrange access to class content and reschedule assignment deadlines based on your required quarantine.

• IF you need to miss class due to illness/stay home and get tested if you develop cold-like or other COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status. Please notify your instructor as soon as possible about missing class. You should also complete the absence notifications form through the Dean of Students Office. Through this system you can submit medical documentation privately (e.g. Curative test completion) and your instructor will be notified of your official absence from class.

Absences	Deduction	How that affects your final grade
No absences	None	Bonus Points (+10 on your final grade)
1	Life happens	No change
2	- 25 points	Drop by ½ a Letter Grade
3	- 75 points	Drop by more than 1 Letter Grade
4	F	Automatic course failure

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Fall 2021 US1100 Class Schedules (Check Your Respective Section):

Section J06 Mondays @ 3:30 - 4:20 pm:

  

Section R60 Wednesdays @ 9:00 - 9:50 am:

 

Section J09 Thursdays @ 3:30 - 4:20 pm:

 

Course Requirement Color-Coding Legend:

• PURPLE = Participation points, contribute and earn your points!

• GREEN = Short Assignment, can sit down and complete in 1 work period (~1-2 hours)

• BLUE = Medium Assignment, can sit down and complete in 2-3 work periods (~2-5 hours)

• RED = BIG Assignment, you should reserve several work periods to complete this task. This task will require critical thinking and knowledge integration of concepts and theories that have been covered in many classes. Therefore, this assignment is worth the most points, here you will demonstrate that you can weave together multiple topics covered in class with your own unique ideas. You may also want to plan to visit Dr. Chang during Student Hours to get feedback on your first draft or ask questions to make sure you have a clear grasp of the assignment. Set aside about 3-5 work periods over a long period of time to work on this assignment (~5-10 hours).

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