Seminar Leader:
Office:
Office Phone:
Pioneer Peer:
Course Description:
SMC 102 is the second part of a program at SMC known as The Freshman Year Experience. All freshmen are required to take the two-semester series consisting of SMC 101 and SMC 102. During your sophomore year, you will also take SMC 103, which builds on the objectives of The Freshman Year Experience.
A seminar leader, who is a member of the SMC faculty or staff, teaches the course. A Pioneer Peer assists the seminar leader and members of the class. Pioneer Peers are sophomores who can especially relate to freshmen and serve as mentors.
SMC 102 is designed to continue the process of helping you make the transition from high school to college. As in the fall, the class generally meets on Mondays from 11:00 – 11:50 am. Each week the class will focus on a topic that provides information and opportunities that lead to a successful college experience. Fully participating in the course will help you meet the following objectives:
Course Objectives:
- Participation in a small group experience
- Laying a foundation for successful adjustment to college
- Making college a meaningful experience
- Understanding the purpose and values of SMC
- Learning about the services and resources of SMCGaining academic skills
- Gaining social skills
Required Materials:
- Discovering SMC 102, a custom-published resource manual/notebook, to be purchased from the SMC Bookstore; these books are to be turned in at certain points during the semester for partial credit
- The SMC Student Handbook
- The SMC Catalog
- A folder or three-ring binder in which to keep handouts and other materials
Attendance:
You are expected to attend every class session. This includes small group seminar classes and assembly programs – see schedule below. Up to two absences are allowed in case of unexpected situations such as illness. Students who miss more than two (2) seminar meetings of SMC 102 will be dropped from the class due to excessive absences. (Any absence counts, regardless of the reason. If you simply cut two classes and then miss one due to illness, you will have exceeded the limit, and will “FA” the class.) Also, up to 60% of your grade is earned by attendance at cultural events and other types of programs in addition to the Monday classes.
Attendance Cards:
Colored cards are used to record your attendance at events for this course. Each student receives a card at the door upon arrival for an event. You must fill in the information on the card (name of event, your name, social security number, and seminar leader’s name) neatly, completely and accurately to ensure proper credit for your attendance! No credit will be given if you leave early or if your card is illegible. Return your card to the designated monitor at the end of the event.
SMC 102 Syllabus
Page 2
Tardiness:
No attendance cards are issued after an event has started, so be prompt, please! Your seminar leader will determine how to treat tardiness to class meetings.
Conduct, Attitude and Participation:
Appropriate behavior and dress are expected at all class seminars and SMC 102 events. Talking at inappropriate times, whistling during performances, and wearing caps are examples of inappropriate behavior. Your are expected to exhibit a cooperative attitude in class, and to make an effort to achieve the objectives of the course. If your seminar leader determines that you are not benefiting from the class, and/or are distracting others, you may be required to leave a class session or be dropped from the course.
Seminar Meetings:
Your seminar group will meet every Monday from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. during the spring semester except as noted below. Special note: Each of the weekly meetings is counted as class attendance, even though some are assemblies. [This needs to be changed next version. Is inconsistent with schedule below.
| Date |
Type of Meeting |
Topic |
| January 14: |
Seminar class |
Course Introduction |
| January 21: |
Assembly in Old Gym |
Volunteer Fair |
| January 28: |
Seminar class |
Relationship Shifts |
| February 4: |
Cultural Event in Camak |
Southern Voices |
|
(5 point cultural event credit only – does not count as a class) |
| February 11: |
Seminar Class |
Diversity |
|
(A special video program will be broadcast to classrooms) |
| February 18: |
Assembly in Camak |
Personal Security (Metro Crime Group) |
| February 25: |
Cultural Event in Chapel |
Faculty/Staff Showcase |
|
(5 point cultural event credit only – does not count as class) |
| March 4: |
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS |
|
| March 11: |
Meeting with advisors |
Mid-term Progress Review/Pre-reg. Prep. |
|
(This does count toward class attendance) |
| March 18: |
Seminar class |
Using Textbooks |
| March 25: |
Assembly in Camak |
Leadership |
| April 1: |
Seminar class |
Critical Thinking |
| April 8: |
Assembly in Camak |
History of SMC |
| April 15: |
Seminar class |
Ethics and Moral Development |
|
(Note: Completed workbooks due, unless seminar leader instructs otherwise.) |
| April 22: |
Seminar class |
Instructor’s Choice |
How to Earn Points:
Discovering SMC 102 Workbook: (25 points maximum):
- You will be responsible for making entries in your Discovering SMC 102 Notebook on a regular basis. Your seminar leader will give you instructions about the expected nature and extent of your entries, for which you may earn up to 25 points toward your grade for SMC 102. Your seminar leader may also assign you an alternative or additional project.
Self-discovery activities (15 points maximum):
- Each of the following activities are worth 5 points
- Please Understand Me (computerized personality inventory); to receive credit, provide seminar leader with printout
- SIGI Plus (computerized interest inventory); to receive credit, provide seminar leader with printout
- Club Meeting (Clear with seminar leader in advance, and turn in completed form from back of workbook)
SMC 102 Syllabus
Page 3
Attendance Events (60 points maximum):
Five points credit will be given for any of the following types of events. You are expected to attend a variety of programs, although this semester there is no limitation by category.
- Cultural/Campus Wide Events: Examples include concerts, plays, recitals, and other cultural events. A preliminary list of qualifying events is provided in your workbook. Your seminar leader will provide you with updates.
- Chapel Worship Services and Counseling Center Seminars: For credit, only traditional Wednesday Chapel services count. Your workbook contains a preliminary schedule of Counseling Center Seminars; updates will be distributed by your seminar leader
| Grading Plan: |
Grading Scale
|
| Your SMC 101 grade will be calculated as follows: |
90-100 points A
|
| Workbook |
25 points |
80-89 points B
|
| Self-discovery activities |
15 points |
70-79 points C
|
| Attendance events |
60 points |
60-69 points D
|
|
|
0-59 points F
|
| 100 points total |
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|
|
100 points total |
|
Your Discovering SMC 102 workbook contains a worksheet to help you keep track of points earned.
