Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 | INT-1050-VU05 - 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

Matt Messier
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Ashraf Alamatouri

General Education Requirements

CCV 1st 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 IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

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-VU05 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

IV. Readings:

-Required (You can buy this used on Amazon for as little as $2):

Nomberg-Przytyk, Sara. Auschwitz: True Tales from a Grotesque Land; Translated by Roslyn Hirsch; Edited by

Eli Pfefferkorn and David H. Hirsch. University of North Carolina Press, 1985.

-I will provide all other readings for free. They will be posted on your Canvas page for this course.

V. Assessment

1. Research Project (35% of course grade)

a. The biggest part of the Research Project is the paper which involves 6 stages that add up to 20% of your course grade and results in a 5-page final paper

1. Research Topic (1% of course grade)

a. Find a topic that you can create a thesis from. (For an analytical. expository or argumentative paper)

1.For information on creating a thesis for these types of papers, see:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html

b. The topic will require the use of Vermont College Library sources.

c. Type your topic into the Canvas assignment category

2. Library Assignment (1%)

a. Contact our embedded librarian to ask about sources for your topic. See, “Class Librarian and Library Resources”

b. Minimum Source Requirement: 5 sources (At least 3 scholarly sources and 2 “Presearch” sources - See “Finding Sources for your Research Project” PowerPoint in Block 2

3. Thesis (2%)

a. For information on creating a thesis, see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html

4. Outline (4%)

a. Brief and easy to follow

b. Alphanumeric

c. See https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/types_of_outlines.html

for help with outline

5. First Draft of your paper (5%)

a. Submit 4 parts in one Word document:

1. Title page, Outline, 8 pages of text, and Works Cited page.

2. See “Sample Paper” for proper format

b. Important considerations include:

1. Following your outline with thesis driven information

2. Being clear up front what you are trying to say

3. Using good transitions

4. Avoiding repetition

5. Including 15 - 25 in text citations (MLA format)

a. Half should be from your scholarly sources

c. Draft Assessment

1. Your raw score will be based on the rubric

2. This will give you an idea of how close your paper is to meeting the standards

3. Raw scores will be scaled 25%

6. Final Paper (7%)

a. Addresses all first draft feedback

7. NOTE: First and Final Drafts can only be submitted once. You can submit it early but can’t resubmit once it is graded.

b. Two student presentations (15% of course grade)

1. Thesis/Outline/Sources Presentation (5%)

a. Present Thesis/Outline to the class on the projector.

b. Discuss your “In Class Librarian” interaction

. c. Present 2 Scholarly/credible sources in MLA format.

One scholarly that supports your thesis and one Scholarly/credible that refutes it.

For each source explain:

1. Where you got the sources

2. How they support/refute your thesis

3. How they are scholarly/ credible

2. Facilitate a discussion/debate (10%)

a. Present three different credible perspectives about your research topic

1. Include specific details that argue for each perspective

b. Lead a discussion/debate surrounding your thesis

3. 10-15 minute length per presentation/facilitation

2. Two exams - 20% of course grade (10% each)

a. Mid-Term and Final

b. Exams are based on the readings, reading discussions and reading-related material that we cover in class.

1. Readings will:

a. include a longer text that we will interpret analyze and evaluate over several weeks.

b. include short articles covering a variety of social issues through the lens of the individual and society

c. critically examine the relationship between societal values, individual beliefs, ways of knowing, and cultural worldviews

2. During our weekly reading discussions, we will:

a. examine personal assumptions and biases, and ethical impacts of decision making and participation in society.

b. consider issues from multiple perspectives and discuss, debate, and defend ideas with clarity and reason as part of a respectful learning community.

3. Dimensions of Self Project 10%

a. See https://opentextbc.ca/studentsuccess/ for help. You can use other materials of your choosing. Cite information in your submission:

a. Through a design of your choice, complete the following:

1. What are your dimensions of self? (See 1.3)

a. How are these dimensions impacted by your college goals?

2. What is your plan for success in college? (1.3)

3. What are your learning preferences and Styles? (2.1)

a. Take a multiple intelligence test for help with this section

4. What are your learning differences and challenges? (2.2)

5. Identify applicable strategies to help you succeed in college. (2.3)

6. Identify learning skills and habits of success that will support you throughout your college experience. (See chapters 4-11)

4. Working, Learning & Living Project: 10%
a. This project invites you to explore your interests, discover some of your qualities and skills (i.e.

the strengths you offer the world), and engage in some focused thinking about your future.

5. Information Literacy Quizzes: 5%

a. These brief quizzes created by our librarians will help you develop your ability to select appropriate, valid and authoritative information and to read with a discerning mind.

6. Song/poem presentation: 5%

a. Present a song or poem of your choosing to the class.

b. Discuss why you picked this and how this relates to course themes

7. Class Participation – 15% of course grade

a. Rubric categories (See rubric for more details)

1. Demonstrates excellent preparation

2. Contributes in a significant way to ongoing discussion

3. Listens attentively when others present materials, perspectives,

4. Distracted by Electronic Devices

b. If you have 100% attendance, your final course grade will be increased by 5 pts

c. After one absence, a student's final grade will be reduced.

1. Two absences reduce a student's final course grade by 5 course points

2. Three absences reduce a student's final course grade by 15 course points

3. Four absences result in course failure (-35 pts)

d. Divided attention (Unapproved cell phone/laptop use, working on unrelated material, etc.) affects participation and can significantly impact your final grade.

e. Classroom discussion

1. Please give all presenters your undivided attention and be respectful of counter opinions

2. Our discussion represents an opportunity to learn from and share different perspectives about a variety of topics. Hopefully we can gain insight from classmates’ perspectives and appreciate what everyone has to say.

3. Challenge yourself to participate if you are not comfortable with classroom discussion

4. If you find yourself participating disproportionally during the discussion, please allow others the chance to contribute.

8. NOTE. If you need extra help with assignments, use the extra CCV resources offered to you

a. See “Academic Support Services” found in the “Course Resources” Module

b. Call/email anytime with questions.

VI. Course Schedule: (Research project assignments are in in red. Late assignments will receive no credit. See Canvas Pages for dates)

Weekly Schedule

1. Week 1 (Sept 9-15)

Reading Assignment

-Sherman Alexie's Indian Education

-Plato’s Allegory of the Cave

-10 Strategies to Improve Your Reading Comprehension for College

2. Week 2 (Sept 16-22)

Reading Assignment

-Nomberg-Przytyk, ix-12

Research Project Assignment #1 “Research Topic” Due Sept 23

3. Week 3 (Sept 23-29)

Reading Assignment

Research Project Assignment #2 “Library Assignment” Due Sept 30

4. Week 4 (Sept 30-Oct 6)

Reading Assignment

Research Project Assignment #3 “Thesis” Due Oct 7

5. Week 5 (Oct 7-13)

Reading Assignment

6. Week 6 (Oct 14-20)

Reading Assignment

7. Week 7 (Oct 21-27)

Reading Assignment

Presentation Due

Research Project Assignment #4 “Outline” Due Oct 28

8. Week 8 (Oct 28-Nov 3)

Reading Assignment

Mid Term Exam Due Nov 4^th

9. Week 9 (Nov 4-10)

Reading Assignment

Dimensions of Self Project Due Nov 11th

10. Week 10 (Nov 11-17)

Reading Assignment

11. Week 11 (Nov 18-24)

Reading Assignment

Research Project Assignment #5 “1^st Full Draft of your paper” Due Nov 25

12. Week 12 (Nov 25-Dec 1)

Reading Assignment

Working, Learning & Living Project Due Dec 2

13. Week 13 (Dec 2-8)

Reading Assignment

Final Term Exam Due Dec 9^th

14. Week 14 (Dec 9-16)

Facilitation Due Dec 16

Research Project Assignment #6 “Final Paper” Due Dec 16

Song presentation Due Dec 16

Miscellaneous

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:

CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please

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

CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.

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

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