Welcome to Honors 110: Honors Interdisciplinary Freshman Seminar

http://www.uncw.edu/honors/current-honors110.htm

Fall 2008 Seminar Instructors:

Dr. Diane Dodd (Medical Ethics, DO 205-Caroline Thompson, LINK ), Dr. Bill McCarthy (Seek Truth, LH 107- Caitlin Brooks, LINK), Dr. Kate Bruce (Human Nature, RL 2007, Peter Kapuscinski, LINK), Dr. Bill Atwill (Literature Exploration, MO 102, Ocean Gildee- LINK), Dr. Jennifer Horan (Political Underdevelopment, LH 130- Kai Feliciano, LINK), Dr. Kim Sawrey (Darwin/Evolution, SB 201, Michelle Pavlick, LINK)

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a public comprehensive university dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and artistic achievement, and service. UNCW’s mission statement calls upon its faculty “to stimulate intellectual curiosity, imagination, rational thinking, and thoughtful expression” across all disciplines and professional fields. It also stresses the prime importance of undergraduate teaching.

With that in mind, the purpose of the honors freshman seminar is not only to explore the campus, but also to delve into the nature of the university and what the “life of the mind” is about. How will a liberal arts education change you and affect your future? This is also a chance to learn about how a seminar operates, to research a topic in depth, and to explore how you will get the most from your years here. The class is designed to introduce honors students to the college experience by direct involvement in scholarship, service and leadership activities. This class format includes guest speakers, workshops/ field experiences, collaborative learning and independent scholarship. There is an emphasis on discussion and there are required student projects.

To explore these topics, we will spend class time in various ways. Class meets from at 12:30 to 1:45 Tuesday and Thursday. Some days we will meet together in King Hall Auditorium and some days in your seminar rooms.

Dates and Topics/Locations:

Tuesdays		Thursdays
		August 21	King Hall: Intro to HON 110
August 26	Your Seminar Room	August 28	Your Seminar Room
September 2	Your Seminar Room	September 4	King Hall: Meet Chancellor DePaolo
September 9	Your Seminar Room	September 11	Your Seminar Room
September 16	Workshops	September 18	Workshops
September 23	Your Seminar Room	September 25	Your Seminar Room: Report on Workshops
September 30	Your Seminar Room	October 2	Your Seminar Room
October 7	Fall Break in DC	October 9	King Hall: Honors Discussion/ Advising
October 14	Your Seminar Room: Dream Jobs	October 16	Your Seminar Room: Dream Jobs
October 21	Your Seminar Room	October 23	King Hall: Meet a Professor: International Connection/ Study Abroad
October 28	Your Seminar Room	October 30	King Hall: Meet a Professor: Election
November 4	Your Seminar Room	November 6	Your Seminar Room
November 11	Your Seminar Room	November 13	King Hall
November 18	Your Seminar Room	November 20	Your Seminar Room
November 25	Your Seminar Room	November 27	Thanksgiving HOLIDAY
December 2	Your Seminar Room	December 5	Final “exam” holiday gathering- 9:30 am to 11:00 am

ASSIGNMENTS:

§ Read the description of what seminars are.  Bring at least one typed comment or question to class Aug 26. http://uncw.edu/honors/honors110/seminar.htm

§ Review the syllabus for your section.  Think about which workshops you want to sign up for. 

§ Prepare a 3 slide (max!) powerpoint about yourself--- one that will introduce you to your instructor, links, and classmates.  You must email your powerpoint to your instructor by 5pm MONDAY Aug 25. Instructions at http://people.uncw.edu/bruce\HON 110\powerpoint mini.htm

§ Complete your New York Times subscription form. http://uncw.edu/honors/NYT subscription form.htm The NYT is a "textbook" for this class.  Sit down and read the NYT...Bring a copy of the NYT to class on Tuesday Sept 2.

§ Review Never Let Me Go and be ready to discuss it on Aug 26 and 28.

Meet a Professor Discussions:

We have invited professors to talk with you about their views of learning, the university, and “the life of the mind”. All feature question and answer sessions.

· Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, professor of English, will discuss her views about the importance of the university and her vision for UNCW.

· Dr. Denise DePuccio, international programs and foreign languages professor, will talk with you about experiences mentoring students and about study abroad.

· Dr. Steve Meinhold, political science professor, will share his experiences mentoring students and his thoughts about how students can make a difference.

Workshop Descriptions: Readings will be announced in small groups. You will each attend two. Workshops will be held Sept 16 and 18.

A. Library Resources: Overview of library resources and search engines.

B. Alcohol Awareness and Issues: Meet with Crossroads staff to learn more about alcohol and other drugs, campus policies, etc.

C. Career Services: Counselors discuss opportunities to explore major and career decisions.

D. UNCW Volunteers!/ Leadership Opportunities: Meet with Center for Leadership Education and Service staff to go over service opportunities and leadership programs.

E. Managing Stress in the First Semester: UNCW Counseling Center staff present a workshop on the first semester balancing act.

F. Diversity/Equality Issues: Meet with the leaders of the campus diversity program and learn what UNCW’s diversity initiatives are about.

G. Healthy Intimate Relationships: Meet with staff from the campus CARE Center to discuss how to foster healthy close relationships.

H.  Sex and Wellness:  Meet with staff from Health Promotion office for an open discussion on sexual wellness.

Cultural and Service Requirements:

All freshmen honors scholars are required to participate in at least 4 hours of volunteer service activities through UNCW or in the Wilmington area (2 different types). Your small group instructor will have specifics on this. All freshmen honors scholars are required to participate in at least 3 different cultural activities at UNCW or in the Wilmington area during the fall semester and at least 2 different cultural activities during the spring semester. Your small group instructor will have specifics on this.

Have a great semester!