IDS 1200-02,
The Freshman Seminar: Biophilia (3 units)
Fall 2014 –
MWF, 10:00-10:50 am, in Wiegand Gallery Theater Patricia Andrews
http://FSFall2014.blogspot.com pandrews@ndnu.edu
office
hours by arrangement
Philosophy of
The Freshman Seminar
The instructors of The Freshman Seminar
believe that great scholarship, academic success and leadership skills require
a strong academic foundation that transcends disciplinary boundaries. This
course is taught with this premise in mind. This interdisciplinary course is
intended to establish a solid foundation for academic excellence in a
mission-driven university setting. The course is designed to be an intensive,
transitional experience expanding the intellectual vision, interests and
capabilities of the incoming student. In addition to academic success, it is
hoped that the effects of this intellectual transformation shall be carried to
all other aspects of the student’s being, at college and beyond, now and
throughout life. We hope and trust that this integrated learning experience
will encourage students to develop themselves as whole persons, members of
collaborative communities and co-creators of a more just society. We are
dedicated to helping every student succeed in these goals.
Course Theme:
Biophilia
Biophilia. Love for life in all its
manifestations. Is our species at a critical point in history with regard to
our relationship with the non-human world? This intellectually and personally
challenging section will examine cultural, historical, political, medical,
cosmological, ethical, scientific and spiritual dimensions of our relationship
with the natural world within which we live and of which we are a part. We will
also have opportunities to explore leadership development and outdoor skills. This
will be a hands-on experiential course – please arrive with an open mind and be
prepared to get physical outside the classroom.
Learning Outcomes
Students will…
·
examine, analyze, and become fully engaged in
the Mission of the University, the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de
Namur and the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community;
·
develop skills in critical thinking, reading,
listening, seeing and sensing using a variety of traditional and
non-traditional texts;
·
learn practical skills relating to engagement
with the non-human world;
·
learn oral communication skills in small group
and public speaking settings;
·
learn to create thesis-driven communications
derived from a variety of sources;
·
conduct and present primary research;
·
explore their identities as members of local,
national, global, natural and earth communities through critical reflection and
experiential learning activities;
·
distinguish between Community Engagement as
conducted at NDNU and traditional forms of community service;
·
demonstrate inter-personal skills in defining
and working with Community Partners.
·
begin to develop lifelong habits of learning and
leadership.
Course Format
The Freshman Seminar is a
participatory course. Assignments provide the basis for informed class
participation and must be completed before each class session. Additionally,
this section will involve off-campus activites outside of normal class time,
including at least one overnight trip – students should be prepared to approach
these activities with helpfulness and maturity.
Texts
Murphy,
Sr. Roseanne, Martyr of the Amazon: The Life of Sr. Dorothy Stang
SND, The
Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community
Tucker,
Mary Evelyn and Brian Swimme. Journey of
the Universe
Harding,
Stephan. Animate Earth
Additional
readings as assigned in class
Requirements
1) Formal papers and writings
to equal twenty typewritten pages, submitted in MLA format. All papers are due in
hard copy at the beginning of the class period for which they are assigned.
2) Four enrichment activities
with informal written reflections on each activity. These include such things
as campus life events (personal, residential, interpersonal development),
critical thinking events (guest speaker, author event), and creative arts
presentations (theater, concert).
3) Note-taking is an essential
academic skill. Students are expected to keep appropriate and effective records
of what happens during each class session.
4) All students will
participate in community based learning experiences. These will take place
outside of normally scheduled class times and will involve overnight field
experiences.
5) Participation in an
end-of-the-semester Research Conference the evening of December 4.
6) Oral Communication
opportunities develop confidence and skill in public speaking. These will include informal communication in
discussions, impromptu speaking and formal presentations.
7) Attendance and participation
are required. Each student may have up to 3 absences to deal with unexpected
illness or emergency. Every absence greater than 3 will adversely affect your
grade.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
is a violation of NDNU’s code of student ethics and will not be tolerated. It
is a form of intellectual dishonesty that involves the theft of another
person’s ideas, language and/or written thought processes. One violation will
result in a failing grade for the assignment; repeated or flagrant plagiarism
may result in failure of the course or dismissal from the University. See
Student Handbook.
Note to
Students with Disabilities
Notre Dame de
Namur University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students
who have a disability that might affect academic performance in this class are
encouraged to confer with the instructor at the beginning of the semester and
to contact Dr. Peggy Koshland Crane in the Program for Academic Support and
Services (PASS) (650-508-3670; mcrane@ndnu.edu). In order to receive
accommodations, students must register with the PASS office.
Evaluation
A total of 1,000 points is
possible, broken down into the categories below. Students are encouraged to
keep track of their progress on a regular basis throughout the semester.
Midterm & Final Exams 2 exams @ 100
points = 200
Thesis-Driven Composition 1 @ 100 points
= 100
Out Of Class Activity Journal 1 @ 200 points =
200
Research Project & Presentation 1
@ 100 points = 100
Attendance 40
class sessions @ 5 points = 200
Participation 40
class sessions @ 5 points = 200
Course Learning
Outcomes Mapped to Institutional Learning Outcomes
Students
will…
·
examine, analyze, and become fully engaged in
the Mission of the University, the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de
Namur and the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community; (Mission,
Values & Engagement)
·
develop skills in critical thinking, reading,
listening, seeing and sensing using a variety of traditional and
non-traditional texts; (Written Communication & Critical Thinking)
·
learn practical skills relating to engagement
with the non-human world; (Mission, Values & Engagement)
·
learn oral communication skills in small group
and public speaking settings; (Oral Communication)
·
learn to create thesis-driven communications
derived from a variety of sources; (Written Communication & Information
Literacy)
·
conduct and present primary research; (Oral
Communication & Information Literacy)
·
explore their identities as members of local,
national, global, natural and earth communities through critical reflection and
experiential learning activities; (Mission, Values & Engagement)
·
distinguish between Community Engagement as
conducted at NDNU and traditional forms of community service; (Mission, Values
& Engagement)
·
demonstrate inter-personal skills in defining
and working with Community Partners; (Mission, Values & Engagement)
·
begin to develop lifelong habits of learning and
leadership. (Cricial Thinking)
Average Student
Workload Expectations: Class time
consists of 45 hours and students are expected to attend. Students are expected
to engage in approximately 90 hours of out-of-class homework over the fifteen
weeks, or approximately six hours per week. Course assignments are made in
accordance with this expectation.
Workload Distribution: Hours
in Class / Experiential Activities 45
Reading 40
Writing 35
Co-Curricular 8
Exam
Preparation 7
