Course Syllabus

Summer 2026 | INT-1050-VO10S - Dimensions of Self & Society

Synchronous Class

Synchronous courses are delivered through a combination of online and regularly-scheduled Zoom sessions. In synchronous classes, students must attend Zoom sessions and actively engage with each other and faculty in course activities and discussions.

Faculty

Elizabeth McHale
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Gundy

General Education Requirements

First Semester Seminar

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

In this interdisciplinary first-semester seminar, students make the transition to college-level academic culture. This seminar is designed to help students develop the learning skills and habits of success that will support them throughout their college experience and as they consider career pathways. Reading, writing, and discussion are central to developing an understanding of academic and societal responsibility. Students critically examine the relationship between societal values, individual beliefs, ways of knowing, and cultural worldviews.

Essential Objectives

1. Interpret, analyze, and evaluate a text and its sources.
2. Demonstrate foundational information literacy, research skills, and academic honesty necessary for academic writing.
3. Demonstrate effective written communication skills, including active engagement in asynchronous online discussion.
4. Apply effective strategies for building new knowledge and skills through reflection on learning preferences, challenges, and goals.
5. Identify possible career goals and educational pathways.
6. Examine social issues through the lens of the individual and society.
7. Examine personal assumptions and biases, and ethical impacts of decision making and participation in society.
8. Consider issues from multiple perspectives and discuss, debate, and defend ideas with clarity and reason as part of a respectful learning community.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

INT-1050-VO10S Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

This course will rely heavily on experiential learning, which is learning by doing. To this end, general teaching methods may include:

· Course "reading" materials that are presented in a wide variety of formats: articles and essays, informative and thought-provoking videos, audio programs, virtual museums, etc.

· Weekly online activities that will prompt you to engage in meaningful experiences meant to inspire self-reflection and skills-building.

· Fun and challenging projects that grant you the freedom and flexibility to pursue your own interests within clearly defined instructions and expectations that give you the chance to apply your academic learning to your real life.

Discussion Forums

Each week, students will participate in discussions on the texts (which include readings and film clips). In your original response, provide the following: 1. a demonstration of critical thinking. 2. specific references to the reading. 3. reference to how this week’s material connects to previous weeks’ material and the topic as a whole. 4. original thoughts and ideas. 5. references to at least one independently acquired outside source, when pertinent or directed. 6. proper English written in complete and coherent sentences. Plan to revisit the discussion forum to respond to the discussion at least two times after Wednesday, up until Sunday night (midnight). In responding to other students (and me), your posts should contribute to and further the discussion.

Evaluation Criteria

20% - Weekly Assignments and Discussions

30% - Essays

20% - Career Exploration Project

10% - Presentations

20% - Participation and Attendance

Important Note About Evaluation Criteria:I will make every effort to help you not only succeed in this class but also to excel. If something doesn’t make sense, if you are ever feeling overwhelmed by this class or events in your life, or if you are unable to log in and meet your deadlines for a particular week,contact me via email.Never hesitate to email if you need help.

You must complete all the formal writing assignments to pass this class.Let me know if you have any questions.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.