Course Syllabus

Summer 2026 | INT-1050-VU01 - Dimensions of Self & Society

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Cathy Sandvil
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Ashraf Alamatouri

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

*** This is a low cost ($50 or less) textbook or resource class. ***

INT-1050-VU01 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.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

This class will be a combination of brief lectures, group discussions of readings, and a required research paper which will be presented to the class. Students will write response papers on selected readings. This class is very student oriented, and student led. Topics will be identified by the instructor, current events and student interest.

Evaluation Criteria

Students will be evaluated on the following:

Action	Percentage of grade
Self Evaluation	5
Attendance	15
Reflective Responses	20
Research Paper	25
Participation	15
Presentation of Research	20

Class Participation 15%

This class will involve active discussions on topics presented through the readings. This grade is contingent on students coming to class prepared, actively contributing to discussions (not just holding down a chair), and not using cell phones during class. In the case of a discussion on a topic that triggers someone, you are encouraged to engage in self-care. Different opinions are encouraged and all contributions will be respectfully heard.

Self-Evaluation – 5%

For the final class, you will write a short 1 to 2 page paper on what you learned in this class and what you feel you earned in this class. During the semester, you will see a cumulative grade in Canvas. Sometimes students feel that they have really earned something different than what Canvas states. This is your opportunity to present why you feel you should get a different grade. In addition, tell me what activities / conversations / readings etc. most impacted you and why. If there is a reading that you didn’t connect with, tell me that as well.

You can’t do this self-evaluation incorrectly. (unless it’s too short or you don’t do it at all!)

Reflective Responses – 20%

Reflective writings are the critical thinking piece of this class. After you have read the required readings, you will be expected to write a reflective response. This reflective response demonstrates the connection you made to the reading. For example, if we have a reading about immigration, you could write your response paper on how you feel about immigration or how you would change the immigration policies etc. Perhaps you or someone you know has come to the U.S. and you could write about those experiences. These response papers are only shared with the instructor and I’m not looking for you to re-tell the story (I’ve read them already!) but to focus on what you liked or didn’t like about the reading, and to provide examples of your response to the readings.

Reflective responses should be about 550 to 750 words or more.

LATE WORK – Occasionally, life interferes with getting an assignment done on time. For only the reflective response writings, you are allowed two class weeks when late work will still be accepted and graded. If you continue to turn in late work for more than two weeks, the late work will receive a zero grade. If there are extenuating circumstances that affect your ability to be on time with your papers, please speak with the instructor.

Research Paper – 25%

Doing a research paper is one of the key components of the class. You have to do a research paper in order to pass this class. You will be picking a topic in the first few weeks that we meet. Then, using the Vermont State Colleges Library (VSC), you will research your topic and present it to the class (presentation of research has an additional 20% to your grade). If you’ve never done a research paper, don’t worry! We will walk through it step by step during the semester. The key is to pick a topic that you are interested in and to look for valid resources. We will cover how to do citations and the format of this paper in the class.

Presentation of Research – 20%

You will be expected to present your research findings to the class. Your presentation can include a power point (not mandatory but many students find it easier to talk to a power point ) or you can just present to us. Please do NOT read your paper to the class. We will cover the presentation criteria in more detail during the semester.

Attendance (15% of grade)

Classes will be every Monday from 9 AM to 12:30 PM

Missing one class has a minimal affect on your grade. Missing two classes will result in a maximum grade of B. Missing 3 classes will result in a maximum grade of a C and missing more than 3 classes, you will not pass the course.

If you must miss a class, it is ideal that you reach out to the instructor as soon as possible. If it is known in advance that you are missing a class, the instructor will ask for a volunteer to take notes. This is contingent on someone volunteering to take notes for you. If you do not contact the instructor in advance of missing a class, notes will not be taken or provided.

In addition, if you are late or leave early – up to 2 times = 1 missed class. 2 to 4 times = 2 missed classes. Late or leave early more than 4 times and you fail the course.

Grading Criteria:

Grades:

A = 90 - 100 (A- 90 to 93, A 94 - 96, A+ 97 - 100) To get an A, you must complete all requirements of the projects / papers listed above and a little more. Give more examples, get more creative. Think outside the box and always support your ideas with thoughtful dialogue. Pass work in on due dates and direct your learning path.

B = 80 - 89 ( B- 80 - 83, B 84 - 86, B+ 87 - 89) To get a B, complete all requirements of the projects / papers listed above and turn papers / projects in on due dates.

C = 70 - 79 (C- 70 - 73, C 74 - 76, C+ 77 - 79) To get a C, be late turning things in, if the request is for 3 examples of something, just do two etc.

D = 60 - 69 (D- 60 - 63, D 64 - 66, D+ 67 - 69) To get a D, be late turning things in, don’t attend class or participate. Arrive late. Have an attitude.

F = too many absences (3 or more). Not turning in work at all. Not completing research project. Having an attitude and distracting the class.

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.

Participation Expectations

This class is discussion based and there will be some group work. It is expected that all opinions will be listened to and respected. Differring opinions and ideas promote thoughtful processing and ultimately learning. You will not be told you have to change your mind on any topic but you will be expected to hear all ideas. The classroom is a safe place for everyone.

Missing & Late Work Policy

LATE WORK – Occasionally, life interferes with getting an assignment done on time. For only the reflective response writings, you are allowed two class weeks when late work will still be accepted and graded. If you continue to turn in late work for more than two weeks, the late work will receive a zero grade. If there are extenuating circumstances that affect your ability to be on time with your papers, please speak with the instructor.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
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.