Date

HON 110-303 Honors Freshman Seminar

Section Theme: Literature as Exploration

Dr. William D. Atwill Office hours:

Randall Library 2007B MW 3:30p.m.--5:00 p.m.

(910) 962-3679 TR 10:30a.m.--11:30 a.m.

Email: atwillw@uncw.edu and by appointment

Check this syllabus on BLACKBOARD periodically for updates.

Course Description:

In this class, we will have the chance to discuss the nature of knowledge, the life of the mind, the concept of a university, and how a university education changes individuals and affects the future. The class is designed to introduce honors students to the college experience by direct involvement in scholarship, service and leadership activities. This class will include guest speakers, workshops/ field experiences, collaborative learning and independent scholarship. There will be an emphasis on discussion and there are required student projects.

You will be spending about four years (or more if you decide to go to graduate school here) in this particular institutional setting. Like any other aspect of the social world, it is to your advantage to understand the institutional settings you are in and how they work. College is a major part of your life history and this course will help you get the most out of that experience. In addition, an important component of the Honors experience is the development of community through academic, cultural, and service events. Thus, as part of this seminar, you are expected to participate in on- or off-campus experiences related to this.

Catalog Description: Introduces the honors student to the college experience by direct involvement in research, service and leadership activities. The nature of knowledge; the concept of a university; how a university education changes individuals and affects the future. Includes field experiences, collaborative learning and independent scholarship. Emphasis on discussion; required student projects.

Course objectives:

To examine the concept of the university, including your goals and expectations.
To learn more about UNCW- its organization, mission, and traditions.
To examine the impact of modern higher education on students in the U.S.
To explore the meaning of being an educated person and an honors student.
To foster involvement in UNCW and the local community by exploring service and cultural opportunities.
To experience and discuss a variety of learning methods, including discussion, demonstrations, field experience, research and writing.
To explore meanings of community as it relates to the university, to academic disciplines, and to the larger community (city, state, nation, world).
To develop the ability to analyze critically information sources and to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
To learn to lead a seminar discussion.
To demonstrate the ability to work with a group- as well as individually.
To prepare and present an individual oral presentation.
To demonstrate knowledge of UNCW resources and develop skills for their use.
To foster a sense of community among honors scholars at UNCW.

Course Readings:

For each discussion we’ll have something to read. There are many

selections, but they are not designed to be lengthy or burdensome;

two or three per discussion to get into the topic.

Readings will be available EITHER as a pdf on the Blackboard site or at the Randall Library

electronic reserves page. Note that some readings are articles, some are brief on-line articles, some are web pages, some are chapters in books. Check carefully.

If, for some reason, the links do not work, use the author’s name and

title to find the reading.

Beah, Ishmael, A Long Way Gone

Bernstein, S., “Getting it done: notes on student fritters”

Berry, Wendell, “The Loss of the University”

Carson, Rachel, “The Rocky Shores,” from The Edge of the Sea

DePaolo, Rosemary, biography and curriculum vitae

Duane, Daniel, Caught Inside: A Surfer’s year on the California Coast

Fox, Gunnar, Kick Ass in College

Goleman, “Know Thyself”, ch 4 of Emotional Intelligence

Kidder, Tracy, Mountains Beyond Mountains

Loeb, Paul, the Soul of a Citizen

Orlean, Susan, “Surf Girls of Maui,” Women Outside, 1998

Lunsford, Andrea, et. al. Everything is an Argument

Nichols, Jennifer, “Getting Time on Your Side”

Plotkin, Mark, “Beyond the Green Door,” Tales of the Shaman’s Apprentice

Schweitzer, Albert, On the Edge of the Primeval Forest

Tompkins, Jane, A Life in School

Wolfe, Tom, “The Pumphouse Gang”

Additional or alternative readings possible. TBA.

Course Evaluation and Grading

Your final grade for the course will be based on the following:

Written Assignments                                                    40%

Contributions to Seminar and Discussion Leading      20%

Dream Career Project                                                   15%

Final Paper                                                                  15%

Cultural Activities and Reactions (3)                             6%

Service Projects and Reactions (2)                               4%

Your grade for this course is entirely performance-driven based on the quality of your work and participation and in this course. This means that you are not in direct competition with each other for grades. Instead, you are in competition with yourself in terms of how well you learn and apply the material from the course.

I use a 10 point grading scale with + if your percentage ends in 7, 8, or 9 and - if your grade percentage ends in 0, 1 or 2; So 88= B+, 91= A-.

Honor Code

Students are expected to adhere to all aspects of the honor code at all times. It is also expected that individual difference will be respected under all circumstances.

Cultural and Service Requirements

As a requirement of the Honors Freshman Seminar, we offer you the opportunity to learn about cultural and service/volunteer activities in the Wilmington area and on campus! To complete the class and to be in good standing in the Honors Scholars Program, you need to do the following:

Cultural Activities: 3 cultural activities and reactions required Fall semester/ 2 more required Spring semester

Service/Volunteer Projects- 2 service projects and reactions required Fall semester

Date	Location	Topic & Assignments Due
Aug 20	MO 100	Group introduction to HON 110.
Aug 25	LH 104	Overview Theme discussion—Writing as Exploration Question: How has this first week at university been? Review our section's syllabus. Think about the workshops you want to sign up for. Powerpoint miniproject introductions due on flash drive USB device
Aug 27	LH 104	What is a Seminar? Critical thinking, evaluating information, and participating fully Review Dr. DePaolo's Biography and Curriculum Vitae and bring in 2 written questions you'd like to ask her on Blackboard Begin discussion of summer reading—A Long Way Gone. Portfolio Exploration A: written response due 9/4. Prompt: In what way can we read this memoir as an exploration of culture and place today? (2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced) Values Continuum Discuss Workshop choices
Sep 1	LH 104	Discuss Summer reading—Long Way Gone.
Sept 3	MO 100	Time Management – Brittney Knotts READ: Fox, G. Kick Ass in College. "Chapter 9: Time Management: The Cornerstone of Success"; Nichols, J. "Get Time on Your Side."; Bernstein, S. "Getting It Done: Notes on Student Fritters." Bring in 2 typed discussion questions related to any of the readings. Start TIME DIARY with link to calendar template Assignment: Read Aydelotte, F. “The Oxford Stamp,” Tompkins, “The Day I Walked Out of Class,” and Berry, W, “The Loss of the University” in Exploration Readings folder on Blackboard
Sept 8	LH 104	Portfolio Exploration B due in class The Idea of the University-discussion of Aydelotte, Tompkins, Berry Student led discussion: Lee, Moore, Willetts Written Response: Choose either a) Would you have thrived at Oxford? Why/Why not? Try to picture your life in 20 years... describe specific ways you think your college experiences will have shaped your life, or b) What did you think of Tompkins' class- teacher, students, syllabus? Do you hope to have a similar class in college? Why/Why not? Chancellor DePaolo's Biography and Curriculum Vitae Read Chancellor DePaolo’s biography and CV online Bring in three typed questions for Chancellor DePaolo Introduction to Dream Job assignment
Sept 10	LH 104	Meet a Professor: Chancellor DePaolo's Biography and Curriculum Vitae Read Chancellor DePaolo’s biography and CV online. After the class meeting with the Chancellor, consider whether any points in the Chancellor's presentation or readings surprised you. What questions do you still have? What did you learn preparing for meeting with her? One paragraph response due next class
Sept 15	LH 104	Portfolio Exploration C due Theme Day: Rachel Carson, “The Marginal World,” from The Edge of the Sea Henry Beston, “The Headlong Wave,” from The Outermost House Student led discussion: Perez, Shalvey
Sept 17	LH 104	Portfolio Exploration D due Theme Day: Tom Wolfe, “The Pumphouse Gang” Susan Orlean, “Surf Girls of Maui” Daniel Duane, From Caught Inside: A Surfer’s Year on the California Coast Student led discussion: Boring, Hoag
Sept 22	LH 104	Workshops
Sept 24	LH 104	Workshops Portfolio/Express Yourself topic D due today with Time Diary
Sept 29	LH 104	Workshop presentations
Oct 1	LH 104	Theme Day: Plotkin, “Through the Emerald Door,” from Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice Student led discussion: Holder, Kempton Dream Job Preparation Cultural/Service reactions due today (2 total)
Oct 6		Fall Break: Lyceum to Washington, D.C.
Oct 8	MO 100	Portfolio Exploration F due today Honors Advising Discussion Review your Honors Student Handbook
Oct 13	LH 104	Dream Job Presentations
Oct 15	LH 104	Dream Job Presentations
Oct 20	LH 104	Dream Job Presentations Dream Job Paper due today
Oct 22	MO 100	Honors Alumni Panel: Dr. Maria Sabella Sorg, DVM (CHM ’04) Rebecca Brasso, PhD candidate in Marine Biology
Oct 27	LH 104	Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Literature and Exploration Bring 2 thoughtful questions related to study abroad. TYPED.
Oct. 29	LH 104	International Programs/Study Abroad: Dr. Denise DiPuccio
Nov 3	LH 104	Student Led Discussion: Miller, Pajooh Introduction to Albert Schweitzer and the Schweitzer Award READ: Schweitzer, On the Edge of the Primeval Forest, pp. 1-29. Bring in typed response to one of the readings above.
Nov 5	MO 100	Schweitzer Award (MO 100) & Reception (Special Collections)
Nov 10	LH 104	Portfolio Exploration G due today Theme Day: Mountains Beyond Mountains— Student Led Discussion: Cain, Harrell
Nov 12	LH 104	Portfolio Exploration H due today Theme Day: Mountains Beyond Mountains— Student Led Discussion: Gooch, Wexler-Gutsin
Nov 17	LH 104	Theme Day: Mountains Beyond Mountains— Student Led Discussion: Moeller, Schell Bring in typed response to reading
Nov 19	LH 104	Theme Day: TBA Student Led Discussion: Carter, Stark
Nov 24	LH 104	Portfolio Exploration I due today Theme Day Student Led Discussion: Hildebrandt, Sumney
Nov 26	No Class	Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 1	MO 102	Wrap up: Reflective Essay due Final cultural/service reactions due
SUN. Dec 6	Madeline Suite	Final Exam Gathering 4:00-6:00 p.m. Burney Center Attendance is required! Food