University Seminar GS250
Fall 1998

Wednesdays 10-10:50, SS 2514


Prof. Patricia Huckle
AH 3168 - Office hours: by appointment
email: huckle@mail.sdsu.edu




Goals of the Course

1. To ease your personal and academic transition into the campus community.

2. To introduce you to the library http://libweb.sdsu.edu/pac.html, advising center, wellness/safety centers, the career center and other important campus resources.

3. To encourage you to develop the study skills, attitudes and expectations necessary for a successful college experience.

4. To help you gain confidence and competence in taking ownership of your own education.

5. To support an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of an education in relationship to challenges of citizenship and development of a personal quality of life.

Required Materials

  • Making Your Mark, Lisa Fraser (available in bookstore)
  • SDSU Catalogue
  • University Seminar web site: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/src/fsp/UnivSeminar.html

    Grading

    This is a one-unit, Credit/No Credit class. Your final grade will be a combination of homework, class participation and attendance. To receive credit for the course, you must:

    ... have no more than 2 unexcused absences;
    ... participate actively in class discussions;
    ... complete all email and homework assignments satisfactorily.

    Schedule

    9/2: Introduction: "Who are we, where are we going and why here?"

      Homework: get your email account and send me a message about Chapter One: New Beginnings.

    9/9: Time Management.

      Read Chapter 2. Fill out your semester schedule and a weekly schedule and bring them to class. Send me an email and talk about the most difficult part of your schedule.

      Note: 9/14 is the last day to drop a class

    9/16: Appointments with me. Notetaking.

      Read Chapter 3. Bring notes from one of your classes. Send me an email describing how you plan to keep up with class notes.

      Note: 9/21 is the last day to add a class

    9/23 Library Visit.

      We will meet in the New Library Addition, Room 76 (in the basement, under the dome). PLEASE BE SURE TO ARRIVE EARLY.

    9/30: Study and Understand.
      Read Chapter 4. Send me an email reporting on an interview with your professor.

    10/7: Career Services.

    10/14: Examinations.

      Read Chapter 6. Send me an email discussing your approach to exams. What works for you?

    10/21: "Sex, drugs and rocky relationships."

      Session on Wellness and Safety will be held in Love Library (LL431). Take the connecting tunnel between the new and old library, and take elevator to 4th floor. PLEASE BE SURE TO ARRIVE EARLY. Send me an email commenting on the session. What was most important, what struck you as most useful?

    10/28: Friendly Advice.

      We will meet with students who have survived and thrived. Find out what made their college experiences meaningful. For next week, prepare for the session on advising.

    11/4: Academic Advising.

      We will meet in the University Advising Center (Student Services 1641). Web site: http://libweb.sdsu.edu/advising/advserv.html You need to bring your SDSU catalogue and the "check it out" form distributed in class. PLEASE BE SURE TO ARRIVE EARLY. Send me an email after the session. What was useful for you? Have you decided on a major? What would help you decide?

    11/11: Building Community.

      We will meet with representatives from campus organizations.

    11/18: The Purpose of the University, and how to find your way.

      Read Chapter 7. Send me an email discussing this chapter and what it has to say for your life.

    11/25: Appointments with me

    12/2: To be determined

    12/9: Summing up.

      Bring to class a one- or two-page, typed letter to the class of 2000, explaining what the first semester of college will be like, and what they should expect.