IDS 101- Freshman Seminar

Fall Semester 2009

 

Lincoln’s Lessons on Leadership

 

 “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.”

~ Abraham Lincoln ~

 

Instructor: Junius P. Rodriguez

Office: 201-C Burgess Hall

Phone: (309) 467-6416; home (309) 467-6966

Email: jrodrig@eureka.edu

 

 

Class Meets: Tuesday, 11:00-11:50 a.m.

Location: 101 Burgess

Office Hours: 12:00 - 2:00 MWF; or by appt.

Peer Leader: Carissa Alig and Richie Gregory

 

 

Description of Interdisciplinary Studies 101 from The Eureka College Catalog:

IDS 101 Freshman Seminar 1 hour

Introduction to the history, values, and expectations of Eureka College. Provides continuing orientation concerning the various learning resources provided by the College. Course is designed to assist student in making a successful transition to college and laying the foundation for academic achievement. It is required of all freshmen during the first semester of their enrollment, and successful completion is necessary before enrollment for the second year.

 

Textbooks:

  • Lincoln on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times by Donald T. Phillips
  • How to Get Good Grades in College by Linda O’Brien

Other Readings: Copies of the following brochures will be provided to students:

  • • Eureka College: A Walking Tour
  • • The Architecture of Eureka College

Grading:

ESSAYS (3 @ 20% each)..............................60 %

JOURNAL.....................................................20 %

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION..............10 %

EVALUATION BY PEERS..........................10 %

 

 

Important Dates:

Oct. 13 – Essay on Cronon article

Dec 8 - essay on Lincoln on Leadership

By Dec 15 - Final Exam Essay (submit two copies)

 

Grading: You will receive a letter grade for this course, and all grades will be determined on the basis of the following scale: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; and F = 59 or less.

Goals of Freshman Seminar, as passed by the faculty:

  • To provide an orientation to Eureka College, its values, and its history.
  • To provide an introduction to resources on campus and how to use those resources
  • To provide help in acquiring study skills for college success at key times in the first semester.
  • To promote understanding of the meaning and usefulness of a liberal arts education.
  • To assist students in setting goals for college and beyond.

Writing Assignments: Writing is an integral part of the learning process in this course. Students will write three essays for this course. All out-of-class writing assignments must be typed or word-processed (or submitted via e-mail). Students will also keep a journal throughout the fall semester. You are expected to write a minimum of two journal entries per week during the semester. Occasionally I will assign particular "journal prompts" to which you must respond. Your journal entries should reflect your responses to the readings, discussion, and the service-learning project that the group completes. Additionally, the entries should reflect your attitudes and feelings about the new experiences that you will encounter during your first semester of college life. I will be collecting and evaluating your journals at two points in the course: at mid-semester and at the time of finals.

The Learning Center: The Learning Center, located on the first floor of Alumni Hall, provides academic services to all Eureka College students.  Consultations are available in the areas of math and writing.  Study groups, individual academic counseling and course-specific tutoring are also available by contacting Jason Zimmerman at  x6520 or jzimmerman@eureka.edu. 

Special Needs: Any Eureka College student with a disability or other special circumstances requiring accommodations or other consideration in order to successfully complete the requirements of this course is requested to identify himself/herself to the instructor and discuss the matter privately.  This disclosure should be made within the first week of the course so proper accommodations can be made.

Service-Learning Project

The National and Community Service Act of 1990 describes service-learning in this way, "a method:

  • under which students learn and develop through active participation. in . . . thoughtfully organized service experiences
  • that meet actual community needs; that is integrated into the students’ academic curriculum or provides structured time for a student to think, talk, or write about what the student did and saw during the service activity;
  • that provides students with opportunities to use newly acquired skills and knowledge in real-life situations in their own communities; and
  • that enhances what is taught in school by extending student learning beyond the classroom and into the community and helps to foster the development of a sense of caring for others."

Policies: See the policy on plagiarism in the Eureka College Student Handbook. All information given there is in effect for this course.

Attendance: Attendance will be recorded on a daily basis. Regular class attendance is expected. Good attendance can possibly bump a borderline grade to a higher level when final grades are determined.

Make-Up Exams: Written work should be completed on the assigned dates unless you have a valid excuse (written documentation will be required.) Make-up assignments should be scheduled within a week of the missed class.

Adjusting to College Life: As you will soon realize, there are many stresses that are associated with being a college freshman, but it is important to remember that there are many individuals and many services that are available to you during this time of coping with change. I believe that our Freshman Seminar section can be a place where we can talk about the transition that you are experiencing and find ways collectively to make the adjustment go smoothly.

I hope that you will consider me a resource person who is available to assist you whenever there might be any problems/concerns during your adjustment to college life. Also, the student peer leaders who are working with the section also can be viewed as resource persons who stand ready to help you make the transition to life at Eureka College.

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