SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS
Department of History & Political Science
Professor: Dr. Joseph G. Njoroge, Professor of Political Science
Office: Bowen Hall, Room 211
Days/Time: (MON & WED 1:00- 1:50 P.M., August 16 – October 5, 2010) B 206
Phone: My Office – 229-391-5087 or 391-4950 (School of Liberal Arts Office)
Office hours: 11:00 – 1:00 P.M., & 2:00 - 3:30 P.M. MW
12:00 – 2:00 P.M., &3:30 – 4:30 P.M. TUE/THUR or by an appointment.
Email: jnjoroge@abac.edu
I. General Course Information/Outcomes and Objectives
The successful completion of ABAC 1000 will result in 1 semester credit hour. This course is offered every semester and is strongly recommended for first-time entering freshmen.
Two hours of lecture each week for 8 weeks. This course is designed to provide orientation to the institution and college life, aiding the student in their transition to college expectations and opportunities.
Outcome #1: The student will demonstrate goal setting and time management skills.
Objective A – Create and maintain an academic planner.
Objective B – Develop academic and career goals.
Outcome #2: The student will demonstrate acceptance of academic responsibilities and policies to include punctuality, regular attendance, appropriate classroom behavior, homework preparation, note taking, textbook reading, listening, and exam preparation.
Objective A – Attend all ABAC 1000 class meetings.
Objective B – Complete an essay, examination, or other assessment that requires that the student utilize textbook reading, note taking, listening, and exam preparation.
Outcome #3: The student will demonstrate an awareness of learning resources available on campus.
Objective A – Complete the resource “Scavenger Hunt” (recommended as a group project), including visits to the Library, Student Development Center, and the Academic Assistance Center.
Objective B – Send an e-mail to the ABAC 1000 instructor with a progress report for each class (using their Stallion account).
Objective C – Use WebCT Vista to post a Discussion Board entry.
Outcome #4: The student will demonstrate knowledge of resources and procedures for advisement, registration, and financial aid.
Objective A – Make and keep an appointment with his/her academic advisor.
Objective B – Complete a registration form for the next term.
Objective C – Identify key financial aid policies and deadlines.
Outcome #5: The student will demonstrate awareness of concerns and issues related to personal and civic responsibility and cultural diversity.
Objective A – Explore civic responsibility and cultural diversity though interactive methods such as case studies, workshops, and role-plays.
II. Materials/Resources
· A Few Key to All Success. Dr. Jim Muncy, Few Keys, 2002.
B. ABAC website: www.abac.edu
C. WebCT Vista
D. Pen or pencil, Loose-leaf notebook
III. Learning Resources
Read your textbook. Ask your professor for help in class and outside of class. If there is any student in this class who has specific needs because of learning disabilities or any other disability, please feel free to come and discuss this with me. This course is designed to help you adjust to your academic courses and to college life at ABAC. We hope you will find in this class and here at ABAC much support and encouragement.
IV. Academic Responsibility
Students are urged to pay careful attention to ABAC’s statement of “Academic Dishonesty” found in the college catalog (online). It is unacceptable to claim the work of someone else as your own. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be addressed appropriately.
V. Grading
There are several assignments in the course; each assignment corresponds with one or more of the 5 objectives of this course. Your grade in ABAC 1000 will be determined as a percentage by simply averaging the assignments for the course.
Assignments:
Email Use
Webct Discussion Board Posting
Webct Overview
Library Tour
Completion of Academic Plan Form
Completion of Living Keys to Success Workbook
Completing or generating graduation requirements in banner
Academic skills quiz
Academic policies quiz
Catalogue quiz
Financial Aid Quiz
Technology quiz
Exam on Text
Attendance & Participation
I will use the following scale to determine your final course grade.
|
Percent |
Grade |
|
89.5% – 100% |
A |
|
79.5% – 89.4% |
B |
|
69.5% – 79.4% |
C |
|
59.5% – 69.4% |
D |
|
0% – 59.4% |
F |
VI. Class Attendance
*I expect all students to complete the assigned readings on time, participate in class discussions, and take the examinations as scheduled. After Two unexcused absences, you will not receive your class attendance & participation points. ABAC has adopted a new attendance policy that requires students missing three or more scheduled class meetings to be given a grade of “F” regardless of how they have performed in exams. Please see the attached official ABAC attendance policy. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given unless the student informs the professor sufficiently ahead of time, and offers supporting evidence showing why it would not be possible to take the exam as scheduled. There will be no make up for missed assignments. Late assignments will not be taken for any reason. Absence from class for whatever reason does not excuse a student from full responsibility for class work or assignments missed.
Official ABAC Attendance Policy: Courses at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College are provided for the intellectual growth and development of students. To attain maximum success, students must attend all their classes, be on time, and attend all scheduled course activities including, but not limited to, field trips, seminars, study sessions, individual conferences, and lectures. This interaction with instructors and other students is an important element of the learning process, and a high correlation exists between class attendance and course grades. A student must understand the importance of regular participation in classroom and laboratory activities. The absence of any student affects not only his or her performance but the performance of the class as a whole. Absence from class, for whatever reason, does not excuse a student from full responsibility for class work or assignments missed. Students must accept this responsibility.
Instructors will keep accurate attendance records and must report the individual number of absences with midterm and final grades. Accelerated Session A/B classes meet every day for half a semester, in effect receiving the equivalent of 2 weeks of instruction each week. Students whose number of unexcused absences is more than the number of class meetings in one week (2 unexcused absences) will receive a grade of “F” for the course.
Final determination of what constitutes an excused absence rests with the classroom instructor. In implementing this Policy, faculty will not include in a student’s unexcused absences those absences incurred due to authorized and approved College sponsored events (or in the case of joint-enrollment students high-school sponsored events) in which the student represents the institution as part of a group or under the direct supervision of a faculty or staff member.
Whenever a student is absent, whether for official or personal reasons,
the student must assume responsibility and
provide notice to the instructor, preferably in advance, for making
arrangements for any assignments and class work missed because of the
absence. However, final approval for makeup work remains with the
individual instructor.
For absences occurring on dates involving an activity deadline, it is
expected that students show integrity, commitment, and responsibility. In a
timely manner, communicate the reasons to your instructor by way of a phone
call, an e-mail, or a note, and if the absence is excused, the student may
submit the activity for grading in a timely manner.
A student who stops attending class without officially withdrawing from the course is subject to this attendance policy and will receive a grade of “F” for the course.
*Cell Phones: Please ensure that you turn off all cell phones during class. Personal communication is aided by technology, but it has led to a constant need to be “in touch” with each other regardless of the setting, and the erosion of social courtesy by people texting or talking on their cell phones while others are trying to conduct business. It is very distracting to be lecturing to a class while half the class has their heads down texting furiously away about how boring things are in class – how would you know if you’re not paying attention anyway? It is therefore my policy that cell phones will be turned off or not brought to class. Students will not be excused from class to use a phone or answer a page or text message unless they are sworn police officers or emergency personnel on duty. If you ignore this policy and use your phone in class I will come up to you and personally request that you stop using your electronic device once, repeated use will result in confiscation of the device, expulsion from the class for disciplinary reasons, or a spot quiz in essay form over the most recent course material, worth a full test grade.
*Class Behavior: No talking during class session unless it is to contribute to class specific discussion. Show respect to the professor and to your fellow students. No use of tobacco products allowed in class, including sniffing, chewing, & smoking.
*ADA STATEMENT: Students with learning or other disability who require individualized testing or other accommodations should identify themselves to the instructor and express their needs.
The withdrawal deadline (without penalty) date for this semester is September 9, 2010, at 4:30 P.M.
Last Day of Classes – October 5, 2010.
Final Exam Day – October 6, 2010.
Professor’s Note: * *Please note that I am available during my office hours to answer any questions you may have about any aspects of the course, or about assignments. You can also send me an email or call me on telephone. If you cannot reach me, please leave a message in my answering machine (229-391-5087) or at the School of Liberal Arts office (229-391-4950) and I will call you back. You may also feel free to talk to me shortly following the class, or you can make an appointment. Please take advantage of these opportunities------
Do your best! Rise to the challenge! Live and Learn!
STUDENT CONTRACT:
I have read and understand the terms of the course syllabus for Dr. Joseph G. Njoroge’s ABAC 1000 class. I agree to adhere to and abide by the requirements of this class as stated therein.
NAME (print) ________________________________________
STUDENT ID NUMBER _______________________________
SIGNATURE ________________________________________
DATE _______________________________
Please print this page, complete it, sign and date it. Then bring it to class and turn it in.