University 101, Section 105

TR 4:25-5:40pm
Location: WQUADC 108

Instructor: Peer Leader:

Tiffany Howard Jacob Gilbert
howardt6@mailbox.sc.edu rgilbert@email.sc.edu
803-777-5223 864-341-4060
Office: Byrnes Building, Floor 7
Office Hours: Anytime, by appointment

REQUIRED TEXTS: Books may be purchased at Russell House Bookstore

Sewell, M.E., & Friedman, D. B. (Eds.) (2014). Transitions: Building a new community. Columbia,
SC: University of South Carolina.
Supplemental Articles (provided at a later date for Blog Entries)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
University 101 is designed to help first-year students to adjust to the university, develop a better understanding
of the learning process, and acquire essential academic success skills. The course provides a general orientation
to the functions and resources of the university and also provides a support group for students transitioning to
college by examining problems common to the first-year experience. Attaining an appropriate balance between
personal freedom and social responsibility underlies all University 101 activities.

UNIVERSITY 101 COURSE GOALS & LEARNING OUTCOMES

I. Foster Academic Success
As a result of this course, students will:
a Adapt and apply appropriate academic strategies to their courses and learning experiences.
b Demonstrate how to effectively evaluate information sources and utilize University libraries and
information systems for academic inquiry.
c Recognize the purpose and value of academic integrity and describe the key themes related to the Honor
Code at the University of South Carolina.
d Use written and oral communication to discover, develop, and articulate ideas and viewpoints.
e Identify and apply strategies to effectively manage time and priorities.
f Identify relevant academic polices, processes, and procedures related to advising, course planning, and
major exploration.

II. Help Students Discover and Connect with The University of South Carolina
As a result of this course, students will:
a Identify appropriate campus resources and opportunities that contribute to their educational experience,
goals, and campus engagement.
b Develop and apply skills that contribute to building positive relationships with peers, staff and faculty.
c Describe what it means to be a Carolinian in context of the history, traditions, and culture of the
University.

III. Prepare Students for Responsible Lives in a Diverse, Interconnected, and Changing World
As a result of this course, students will:
a Examine how their background and experiences impact their values and assumptions and explain the
influence these have on their relationships with others.
b Describe concepts of diversity and recognize diverse perspectives.
 University 101, Section 105
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c Describe and demonstrate principles of responsible citizenship within and beyond the campus
community.
d Describe processes, strategies, and resources, and explain the implications of their decisions, related to
their overall wellness.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
In accordance with the University policy, grade deductions will be taken for students who have excessive
absences. In this course, each absence (excused or unexcused) over three will lower your course grade.
After two unexcused absences, students will be contacted by their UNIV 101 instructor or peer leader. Each
absence above 3 will lower your grade by half a letter grade. It is important you attend class every day and
actively participate in classroom activities to be successful in this course.
o After 6 absences, you will fail the course.

SPECIFIC COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

Classroom Etiquette Only respect and civility will be tolerated in the classroom. Please turn off all
electronic devices while in class. Side conversations of any kind are disruptive and unacceptable; all
comments should contribute to the class discussion at the appropriate time.
Blackboard The course syllabus, schedule, and instructions for assignments will be posted to our
online site. You are responsible for checking the course site on a regular basis for information on
upcoming assignments and class meetings.
Late Work Assignments are due at the beginning of each class period on dates specified or at other
times as specified on the course schedule. Any assignments turned in after this time will be considered
late. The instructor is generally reasonable about extending deadlines if you have extenuating
circumstances and if you approach me before the due date. However, unexcused late assignments will
be penalized one letter grade per day.
Other The teacher reserves the right to change or modify the syllabus as needed to support the
structure of the course.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY &RESPONSIBILITY

The University of South Carolina expects high standards in all areas from its students. The University, as well as the
faculty, staff, alumni, and students, believe strongly in the Honor Code. This Honor Code requires acceptance of certain
responsibilities and agreement by all students to abide by the spirit of the Honor Code upon entering the University of
South Carolina. In order that you may better understand the required responsibilities, the general University codes are
outlined below.

1. It shall be the responsibility of every faculty member, student, administrator and staff member of the University
community to uphold and maintain the academic standards and integrity of the University of South Carolina.
2. Any member of the University community, who has reasonable ground to believe that an infraction of the Code of
Student Academic Responsibility has occurred, has an obligation to report the alleged violation. Violation of any
of the flowing standards subjects the student to disciplinary action: bribery, cheating, lying and plagiarism.

Your enrollment in this class signified your willingness to accept these responsibilities and uphold the Honor Code of the
University of South Carolina. For further explanation of the Code of Academic Student Responsibility, please refer to the
Carolina Community Policy Manual.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

 University 101, Section 105
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Location: WQUADC 108

The University of South Carolina provides high-quality services to students with disabilities, and we encourage you to take advantage
of them. Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should: (1) Register with and provide documentation to the
Office of Student Disability Services in LeConte College Room 112A, and (2) Discuss with the instructor the type of academic or
physical accommodations you need. Please do this as soon as possible, preferably within the first week of class. *All course materials
are available in alternative format upon request*

SYLLABUS CLAUSE & CONTRACT

This syllabus may be revised and adapted throughout the semester to better serve the needs of the class. The instructor
may assign additional readings and/or assignments as needed. Additionally, decision to remain in this class upon receipt of
this syllabus serves as students acceptance of this syllabus as a binding contract, meaning they agree with the terms set
forth and the expectations of them as members of the class.

Grades will be computed as follows:

Class Participation (including Blog Entries, Community Service, etc) 25%
Other Assignments (i.e Resume, Letter to Self) 25%
Written Papers (i.e Carolinian Community, Academic Engagement, etc) 25%
Midterm & Final 25%
TOTAL 100%

GRADING SCALE (in percentages):

A 90-100 B+ 85-89 B 80-84 C+ 75-79

C 70-74 D+ 65-69 D 64-60 F 59-0
 University 101, Section 105
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Location: WQUADC 108

Description of Assignments

Blog Entry: Students will be asked to create 8 blogs on Blogger. Directions for how to do so will be
handed out on the first day of class. Topics for each topic will be provided the week before the blog is
due.
Lifeline: Each student will be responsible for creating a lifeline. A demonstration will be made on the
first day of class. This lifeline is going to give everyone a chance to learn about you. Who are you?
What life events/activities led you to USC? Everyone will share details such as: where you were born,
where you are from, activities/sports you were engaged in and more. Every student tells no more than
they feel comfortable sharing but needs to share at least 7 things about themselves.
Letter To Self: Each student will write a letter to their future selves about the semester they wish to
have for their first year at USC. The following questions will be answered: What do you hope to
accomplish this semester? What grades will you be getting? What organizations will you be a part of?
What will you have hoped to experience your first semester? At the end of this semester the letter will be
returned to students for reflection.
Email Etiquette: During the semester, one of the topics that we will be discussing is how students
mange relationships with others. During this topic, for one assignment students will be required to email
a person they plan on interviewing for their career exploration paper. Before submitting your request for
an interview, you will be submitting a copy of the email to be critiqued by your peers and instructor.
o INCLUDED IN FINAL PORTFOLIO
Professional Resume: Student will be required to attend the Career Center and turn in a Professional
Resume. The purpose of this assignment is to be able to have a professional resume at hand to send with
your interviewee email request (refer to Email Etiquette Assignment) in completion of the Career
Exploration Paper. We will be referring to the Transitions book for further examples.
o INCLUDED IN FINAL PORTFOLIO
Four Year Curriculum Planner: This is a worksheet in page 147 of your Transitions book. This
curriculum is to be completely filled out with a 4 year plan for classes and graduation. The date that this
is due, we will be having a presentation, Advising: Dont be Cocky by Cross College Advising in the
Student Success Center and can direct any other questions regarding classes or advisement at that time.
o INCLUDED IN FINAL PORTFOLIO
Midterm, Career Exploration Paper/Interview: You are going to explore what careers youd like to have after
you graduate. You will go to the Career Center and research your topic. You should compare and contrast two
different career fields including their educational requirements. The comparison should be followed by a brief
reflection on your projected career path. It will be 3-4 pages in length. Also turned in with this paper will be two
interviews conducted for your two career choices. More directions will be handed out in class, closer to the due
date.
o INCLUDED IN FINAL PORTFOLIO
Final, Presentation: Design and deliver a creative presentation reflecting on and synthesizing your experiences
during your first semester at USC. The presentation will be given to the class on the day of the Final Exam, and
must be 3-5 minutes in length. The following areas will be covered in the presentation: Introduction of Self,
Transition, Academic Strategies, Discovering Carolina and Planning for Next Semester. Further details will be
given closer to the date.
Final Portfolio: At the end of the semester, you will be given some of the work you have completed so that you
are equipped with the tools needed for the rest of your college journey and beyond! This will be turned in and
graded with your final presentation.
Beyond The Classroom Experience: This year our class will be participating in a community service event.
We will be deciding which non-profit agency or community service event we will be attending as a class. More
details will follow later in the semester.
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Location: WQUADC 108

UNIV 101 Passport Reflection Questions

Throughout the semester, you will complete at least one activity among the five categories listed in the passport:
Academic Engagement, Carolinian Community, Columbia Community, and Service and Culture stated in the
University 101 Passport. In addition, you will be assigned short reflection essays coinciding with each category
of the passport. Please address the following questions in your reflection essays for each section of your U101
Passport. These reflection essays should be 1-2 pages per Passport section. Please feel free to add any
additional information about your experiences to each reflection essay.
1. Academic Engagement
a. What activity did you complete?
b. What aspects of this activity did you enjoy? Was there anything that you did not enjoy or made you feel
uncomfortable?
c. What are two new facts that you learned about your academic engagement experience?
d. Did this project help you understand different resources available on USC's campus? Why or why not?

2. Carolinian Community
a. What activity did you complete?
b. What did you like and/or dislike about your experience?
c. How has this experience impacted your time here at USC?
d. What new information did you learn from your experience?
e. How do you plan to stay involved on campus throughout your time as a USC student?

3. Columbia Community
a. What activity did you complete?
b. Please explain how you feel you are more or less connected to the city of Columbia after your experience with
community involvement.
c. How do you see your role as a member of the city of Columbia after exploring the community?
d. What do you see as the importance of getting involved with your community as a USC student?

4. Service and Culture

a. What event did you attend?
b. How does this event relate to your personal service or cultural background?
c. What did you learn from this event?
d. How did this event, if at all, make you more aware of social issues in Columbia or culturally aware of your
surroundings?
Date Class Topic Assignments Notes
8/20 Introduction Classes begin
University 101, Section 105 8/26 Last day to drop a course without a
8/25 Community Building Lifeline
TRDue
4:25-5:40pm grade of a W
Location: WQUADC 108
Organization Fair Scavenger Hunt
8/27 Community Building Community Service Opportunity Fair
Due
9/1 Community Building Blog #1 Posted
Meet in Capstone Conference
9/3 Campus Safety Presentation
Room
Blog #2 Posted
9/8 Time Management Syllabus for all classes due
*Bring Transitions Book
Letter to self and Page 39 of
9/10 Carolina History
Transitions Due
Carolinian Community Reflection
9/15 Carolina History
Due
9/17 Financial Literacy Presentation
9/22 Substance Use Blog 3 Posted
9/24 Academic Skills
Email Etiquette Due (names and
9/29 Managing Relationships
contact info)
10/1 Career Planning
Academic Engagement Reflection
Dont Cocky: Advising Due
10/6
Presentation Four-Year Curriculum Planner
Due (Transitions Pg. 147)
10/12 is the last day to drop a course
10/8 Advising (P) without a grade of WF
Blog 4 Posted
10/13 1 on 1 Meeting
Resume Due
10/15 1 on 1 Meeting
10/20 Open Day Blog 5 Posted
10/22 NO CLASS Fall Break
10/27 Career Presentations Blog 6 Posted
10/29 Career Presentations
Columbia Community Reflection
11/3 See the World Presentation
Due
11/5 Diversity
11/10 Diversity Blog 7 Posted
11/12 Values
11/17 Wellness Blog 8 Posted Day @ Strom
11/19 Open Day
Service and Culture Reflection
11/24 Managing Stress
Due
11/26 NO CLASS Thanksgiving Break
12/1 Final Presentations
12/3 Final Presentations
University 101, Section 105
TR 4:25-5:40pm
Location: WQUADC 108