General Studies 101: Seminar in Freshman Studies Fall 2001

Section 29 (CRN 41613)

Details: Academic Credit: 2 Semester Hours

Location: Freshman Studies Week - 304 Humanities

Thereafter - 219 Brehm Hall

Time: Freshman Studies Week; then Tuesdays 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

Instructor: Dr. Eric Pelren

Office: 268 Brehm Hall

Office Telephone: 587-7263

Home Telephone: 587-9594

Electronic mail: epelren@utm.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30 - 11:00 am, 1:00 - 3:00 pm; Thursday 9:30 - 11:00 am, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Drop-in visits and questions encouraged

PEP Leaders:

Nick Wirwa

Telephone: 588-0901; cell - 695-7794

Electronic mail: niclwirw@mars.utm.edu

Aaron Green

Telephone: 588-0329

Electronic mail: aarlgree@mars.utm.edu

Course Textbook:

Your College Experience: Strategies for Success, 4^th Edition, by John N. Gardner and A. Jerome Jewler.

Catalog Description:

Study and small group discussion of problems commonly encountered by students making the transition from high school to college. Assigned reading on current topics, informational programs presented by major academic units, academic and career planning placement and proficiency testing in addition to a general orientation to the University, are the major aspects of the course. Graded on a pass/fail basis. -2001-2002 UTM general catalog.

Course Objectives:

By participating in General Studies 101, you should:

1) Become acquainted with other freshmen with similar academic interests;

2) Become acquainted with a faculty member/academic advisor in your area of academic interest;

3) Be able to use academic survival skills;

4) Learn and use time management tools;

5) Learn and use goal-setting strategies;

• Learn and use critical thinking techniques;
• Learn and us note-taking skills;
• Learn and use study and exam-taking skills;
• Learn to make decisions that benefit your personal well-being;
• Become aware of cultural differences among people;
• Register for courses appropriate for your background and ability;
• Have a support group and a sense of community;
• Become knowledgeable about the institution's support services;
• Develop positive attitudes toward faculty and the teaching/learning process;
• Become more familiar with career opportunities;
• Become involved in cultural events, thus become more aware of cultural opportunities;
• Become involved in the life at UT Martin outside of the classroom;
• Develop enthusiasm for and loyalty to UT Martin;
• Develop self-esteem and self-confidence;
• Be a better-informed consumer of the opportunities and requirements of your education at UT Martin;
• Understand policies and procedures at UT Martin.

Course Requirements

This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This means that you will receive either a "P" or an "F" rather than an "A," "B," "C," etc. To pass, you must do the following:

• Attend and participate in all sessions with Dr. Pelren during Freshman Studies Week.
• Attend and participate in all class meetings during the semester (see Attendance Policy below for clarification).
• Read the textbook chapters in the Tentative Course Schedule below PRIOR to the days that these chapters will be discussed in class; complete and turn in in-class assignments including time-management plan, mid-term exercise, and others.
• Attend The Wildlife Society picnic on August 28, and the CAAS Festival on September 05.
• Be involved with a group service learning activity, to be explained in class.
• Attend at least 1 cultural event and report on that event (see the Cultural Event handout for clarification).
• Keep a journal and turn in at least 1 entry/week (see the Journal handout for clarification).
• Respond to at least one e-mail message from the instructor, and to the campus involvement e-mail survey from the Student Affairs office.
• Take and pass the final exam with a score of at least 60%.
• Sign up for an appointment and meet with Dr. Pelren for academic advising during the spring pre-registration week following the final exam on 11/13.

Attendance Policy

If you have a University-related conflict with a session of this course, you must bring a written explanation and receive the permission of the instructor PRIOR to missing a course session. If a session is missed due to a medical emergency, a written explanation must be presented to the instructor at the following session. Any other absences must be approved by the instructor; otherwise, the student will receive a failing grade for the course.

Tentative Course Schedule

Freshman Studies Week (304 Humanities)

Tuesday, 14 August (8:00 am - 10:00 am): Introduction; review syllabus; explanation of curriculum.

Wednesday, 15 August (8:00 am - 10:00 am): Chapters 1 and 2: Goal-Setting and Time Management.

Thursday, 16 August (8:00 am - 10:00 am): Chapter 3: The Student-Teacher connection; active learning

Friday, 17 August (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm): Student Organizations; review catalog

Semester (Tuesdays, 4:00-4:50 pm, 219 Brehm Hall)

21 August Chapter 4: Learning Styles

28 August Learning Style Review

5:30 pm: The Wildlife Society picnic, Dr. Pelren's house.

04 September Chapter 5: Critical Thinking

05 September 5:30-7:30 pm: CAAS Fall-Fest, North lawn Brehm Hall

11 September Chapters 6, 7, and 8: Classes, Reading, and Making the Grade

18 September Chapter 14: Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll

25 September No Class

02 October Mid-Term Exercise

09 October Personal Values

16 October No Class

23 October Chapter 10: Advisors and Other Campus Resources

30 October Review of catalog and advising; Preregistration advising

06 November Study Session

13 November Final Exam

12-20 November Pre-registration appointment, Dr. Pelren's office