LSEM 100 - 27
Longwood Seminar
Fall 2009
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Instructor: Dr.
Harbour
Peer Mentor: Ashley Lauer
Office: East Ruffner
228
Phone: cell
Office phone:
395-2219
E-mail address:
Office hours: MWF
11:00-12:00
Class Time: M and W 10:00-10:50
TR:
9:30-10:30
Classroom: East Ruffner 256
E-mail address: harbourwr@longwood.edu
Course Description: The goal of the Longwood Seminar is to help develop citizen leaders for the common good by promoting critical thinking and analysis in all aspects of the students’ lives and by developing the knowledge and skills that lead to college success.
Texts: Students are required to get a subscription to the New
York Times from the Bookstore (also required for Posc
150)
Students are also responsible for the summer reading: Radical
Simplicity
Course Objectives:
1. Develop academic knowledge and skills to promote
a broad range of success at Longwood.
2. Establish goals for personal academic success.
3. Explore academic majors and discipline-related career options.
4. Develop strategies to promote personal social awareness and skills needed by citizen leaders.
Outcomes: Students will
* Understand the mission of
* Understand the application of critical thinking skills to multiple situations
* Develop the knowledge and skills that lead to college success
Course Requirements:
1.
Developing an academic plan for success. Students will set goals
and plans for the year (for 10 points). For an additional 10 points they
will write an evaluation at the end of the course on how well they are
advancing towards their goals and offer any appropriate revisions to those
goals and plans.
2. The activity designed to demonstrate the use of the library resources will
involve participation in class meeting on that subject (10 points).
3. The activity designed to expand an awareness
environmental and sustainability issues will be writing a three page essay on
the summer reading Radical Simplicity (10 points).
4. The activity designed to demonstrate an understanding of the Longwood Code
of Honor and learning about Longwood traditions involves attendance at the
Honor Program (10 points).
5. Three page essay involving New Lancer Days reflection. (10
points).
6. The activities designed to demonstrate an exploration of relevant career
fields is our program with the director of the career center
and development of a professional resume and web based portfolio.
(10 points)
7. The exercise designed to demonstrate awareness of time management issues
will be completion of time management study in class (10 points).
8. Development and use of an academic calendar/planner. (10 points)
9. The assignment designed to develop civic awareness involves daily
reading of the New York Times. Informed citizenship requires a knowledge of current events. Student participation
in class discussion of current political developments will count for part of
their grade for Longwood Seminar. (40 points for test
on knowledge of current events given on the last day of class.)
10. The assignment designed to demonstrate the application of critical thinking
is completion of an essay in which the student critiques an editorial in the
New York Times. 10 points
11. The activity designed to demonstrate civic engagement is
participation in at least 2 meetings or activities of the Political Science
Club (20 points).
12. Mylongwood registration certification with
Peer Mentor. (10 points).
13. Development of a tentative two year academic schedule. (10 points).
14. Participation in a political campaign or community project. (10 points).
15. Oral presentation on topic of interest to the student. (10 points).
TOTAL POINTS 200
A = 200-180 points
B = 179-160 points
C = 159-140 points
D = 139-120 points
F = 119 and below
As one can see, half of the grade for the semester is based daily reading of the New York Times. For the fall of 2009 students will be asked to pay special attention to the war in Afghanistan, other conflicts in the Middle East, issues involving terrorism, rival assessments of the performance of the Obama administration, the national debate over health care, issues involving the intersection between science and politics, debates over environmental issues, issues involving the diversity of the American population, analyses of public opinion, and coverage of breaking crises. Part of each class will be devoted to discussion these matters. Students will also be introduced to publications on the left and right that view the world differently than the principal editorial writers in the Times. Students will write a critique of at least one Times editorial.
**If you are a student with a disability, it is your
responsibility to register with the Office of Disability Support Services and
to notify your instructor at least two weeks prior to a needed accommodation so
reasonable accommodations can be made.
Course Outline:
LSEM
class begins August 21 - Orientation and Introduction to Longwood Seminar
Aug. 24 establish long-term goals for attending University, establish
short term goals for personal and academic achievements during the first
semester - discussion on professional behavior
Aug. 26 effective studying, note taking, listening in class (turn in
essay on goals on Aug. 26)
Aug. 31 Information literacy - Library resources in political
science (in regular classroom)
Sept. 2 Stress management - and visit
to Counseling Center (room 305)
Sept. 7 Labor Day and no classes
September 9 Class will meet at the Career Center in the basement of
Lancaster (room G09)
September 14 Test taking strategies
Sept. 16 Environmental and sustainability issues - Discussion of Summer
reading (hand in essay on Radical Simplicity)
Sept. 21 special program on internships, globalization, and study abroad
Sept. 23 University academic regulations and requirements, advising issues
Sept. 28 Writing and critical thinking skills (turn in critique of a New
York Times editorial)
Sept. 30 Extra oral presentations
Oct. 5 Finishing the semester well; individual advising meetings with
Instructor
Oct. 7 Test on New York Times stories and current events; turn in review
of original goals; individual meetings with instructor
Oct. 12-13 Fall Break: Oct. 14-16 more individual advising
meetings with instructor