Syllabus

The Freshman Seminar: Social Justice & Global Responsibility (3 units)
IDS 1200
Fall 2011 – MWF, 10:00 – 11:50
Patricia Andrews
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 contributors toward a more just society. We are dedicated to helping every student succeed in these goals.

Course Theme: Social Justice & Global Responsibility
It has been said that we live in an increasingly interdependent world. What does that mean? We’ve always been interdependent with our environment – in that regard it is our awareness that is increasing. The growth of human populations has certainly led to increased competition – competition among ourselves, competition with other species that inhabit the planet, and competition with the planet itself. Our successes in the realm of technology have radically increased the competitive edge that human beings bring to those relationships. Some even say that it is our ability to create technologies that overcome nature that makes us truly human. Others argue that it is the awesome capacity of our minds that does so. Both of these, however – technology and mind – can be applied toward the goal of achieving and sustaining more just relationships across the entire spectrum of human influence. I look forward to actively exploring your thoughts on these questions over the course of the semester.

Learning Outcomes
Students will…
• examine, analyze, and become fully engaged in the Mission of the University and the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community;
• learn to think and write critically about a variety of texts;
• learn oral communication skills in small group and public speaking settings;
• learn to write thesis-driven papers derived from a variety of sources;
• explore their identities as members of local, national, and global communities through critical reflection and experiential learning activities;
• be introduced to NDNU’s community based learning concepts and opportunities;
• begin to develop lifelong learning habits through participation in and reflections on various enrichment activities.

Course Format
The Freshman Seminar is a participatory course. Assigned readings provide the basis for informed class discussions and must be completed before each class session. A good portion of your final grade will be based on participation.







Texts
Murphy, Sr. Rosanne, Martyr of the Amazon: The Life of Sr. Dorothy Stang
SND, The Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community
Mam, Somaly, The Road of Lost Innocence
Suskind, Ron, A Hope in the Unseen
Jimenez, Francisco, The Circuit
The Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness
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 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 and reflect on a community based learning experience.
5) Participation in an end-of-the-semester Research Conference on a date TBD.
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. Every absence 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.

Note
If you have a disability for which an accommodation should be made, you may contact Peggy Crane directly at mcrane@ndnu.edu.

Evaluation
A total of 1,400 points is possible, broken 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
Papers (Reading Analysis & Biographical Narrative) 2 @ 100 points = 200
CBL Project Work & Online Journal/Presentations 1 @ 400 points = 400
Research Project & Presentation 1 @ 200 points = 200
Attendance 40 class sessions @ 5 points = 200
Participation 40 class sessions @ 5 points = 200