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IDH 1931 Introduction to Honors

Honors College Florida International University

Instructors

Lourdes Acevedo: MW 12:00 – 12:50 PM, PC 447 Office hours: By appointment, PC 249 acevedol@fiu.edu, 305-348-6106 John Paul Currea: MW 12:00 – 12:50 PM, DM 193 Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 jcurr001@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100 Juan Carlos Espinosa: WF 9:00 – 9:50 AM, ECS 132 Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 espinosj@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100 Eric Feldman: Th 9:30 – 10:45 AM, PC 443 Office hours: By appointment, GL 461 efeldman@fiu.edu, 305-348-4145 Adam Gorelick: Th 9:30 – 10:45 AM, PC 445 Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 agorelic@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100 Evan Northup: Th 9:30 – 10:45 AM, ECS 145 Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 enorthup@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100 Joaquin Pedroso: MW 12:00 – 12:50 PM, CP 117 Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 jpedroso@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100

Monique Purnell: M 10:00 – 11:15 AM, GC279A Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 mpurnell@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100 Umer Rahman: W 10:00 – 11:15 AM, GC279A Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 urahman@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100 Anthony Rionda: F 12:00 – 1:15 PM, ECS 136 Office hours: By appointment, PC 249 arionda@fiu.edu, 305-348-2892 Jose Rodriguez: MW 12:00 – 12:50 PM, ECS 138 T 9:30 – 10:45 AM, PC 443 WF 9:00 – 9:50 AM, DM 193 Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 rodrigej@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100 Allen Varela: MW 12:00 – 12:50 PM, USCBA 117 Office hours: By appointment, DM 233 alvarel@fiu.edu, 305-348-4100

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Course Description: The purpose of this year-long course is to introduce students to basic essentials needed for successful at FIU and in the Honors College. The course focuses on four main areas:

• Writing (rhetorical writing, grammar and syntax, logical argumentation critical analysis), • Research (using the library, selecting resources, information gathering, writing a proposal) • First-Year Essentials (graduation success, academic misconduct, Honors requirements, financial

management, etc.) • Leadership (StrengthsQuest, community engagement, leadership qualities).

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students will

• know where to access key campus and College services • understand and utilize the basic principles of leadership • understand and utilize principles of rhetorical writing • understand and utilize basic principles of logical argumentation • work in small groups • be prepared for effective career consideration • be able to undertake advanced, data-driven research

Format This course is designed to maximize your classroom time so that it can focus on discussion of important issues and on improving writing and critical thinking skills.

• All the “data” you need for the course will be posted online in Blackboard. This includes Powerpoint presentations, some text lessons, information on how to complete the two written assignments, and some supplementary materials. You are responsible for everything posted online, and for completing your review of the material before coming to class. You can bring questions you have about it to class, of course, or post your questions on the discussion board to ask other students how they are handling them.

• The class sessions will be primarily devoted to discussion and to writing workshops in which you will work in a small group. Blackboard will be set up to allow you to work with your group online as well.

• If you are having technical problems accessing course material in Blackboard, contact Juan Lopez in the Honors College at 305-348-4100.

Texts Eagleman, D. Sum: Forty tales from the afterlives. Vintage Publishing, 2009. ISBN#: 978-0-307-38993-0. Lewis Vaughn, Writing Philosophy: A Student's Guide to Writing Philosophy Essays. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0195179569. Lessons—explanatory information—are posted in Blackboard for various modules of the syllabus. You are responsible for the content of these lessons.

Exercises

Several exercises are required on various lessons (10 questions each). In order to move to the next exercise, you must get all the question right. If your score is below 100%, you will be given additional questions until your score reaches that level. The point is to practice with these exercises until you are comfortable with the material. You are responsible for incorporating the material covered in the exercises in your assignments and will graded accordingly.

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Written Assignments

ALL assignments will appear on the class Blackboard site.

All written assignments MUST be typed and must conform to the instructions of the professor.

Sum Chapter Paragraphs: Select Pick 2 or 3 Sum chapters you like, write one paragraph about why you like them and another paragraph about why you think we assigned this book? Post to class discussion board at least two days before next class.

Book Review: Write a one-page review of the book Sum. In the paper, you will need to detail the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s message. The review should be evaluative, not merely a summary or whether you liked it. Detailed information on how to write a critical book report is posted in Blackboard.

Argument Essay: Write a one-page argumentative essay on a topic that will be assigned in your IDH 1001 Honors Seminar. Detailed information on how to write a good argument is posted on Blackboard. The final due date for this essay corresponds to its due date in IDH 1001. This is the same assignment for both classes. In this course, you will focus on the writing and revision process, rather than the content.

Discussion Board Requirements

Every student is expected to participate in discussion board conversations. All students must post a minimum of two replies to every other student. Replies must be thoughtful and not just one-sentence responses. Students will be graded on the quantity and quality of discussion board posts.

Assessments

There will be several self-paced assessments of grammar and expression that will be required. In order to pass the assessment, students must obtain a certain number of correct responses. Students will not be allowed to advance to the next level of assessment without passing the previous level.

Grading/Evaluation

Assignment Weighted Percent

Participation 20

Critical Book Review 20

Argument Essay 30

Discussion Board Postings (including Sum paragraphs) 15

Exercise completion 15

Scale + 93 A 79-77 C+

92-90 A- 76-73 C 89-87 B+ 72-70 C- 86-83 B 69-67 D

82-80 B- 66> F There is NO reason not to get an “A” in this course. Come to class, participate, complete all the assignments…you’ll get an A.

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Syllabus Calendar

1 = first class of the week for all sections

2 = second class of the week for twice-a-week classes (if no “2” is listed, class meets only once that week)

In some weeks, classes will not be held at all. This is noted in the “in class” column.

TEXTS:

• Sum, David Eagleman • Writing Philosophy, Lewis Vaughan

Week Lesson Assignments (to be done for next class or posted due date)

In class Seminar

Fall 1 1/2. Introduction

Assn:

(a) Read Sum (b) Review PP on Intro to

Honors (c) Watch FIU Virtual Campus

Tour (d) Watch Surviving Your

First Year (e) Review PP on Ethics (f) Read Everybody Does It

and Turnitin FAQs

Introductions and course description

2 1/2. Ethics/academic misconduct

Assn: (a) Pick 2 or 3 Sum chapters

you like, write one paragraph about why you like them and another paragraph about why you think we assigned this book? Post to class discussion board at least two days before next class.

Discuss academic misconduct

3 1/2. Sum

Assn: (a) Read lesson on how to

write book reviews (b) Review PP on rhetorical

triangle

Discuss Sum

4 1/2. Rhetorical triangle

Assn: (a) Read lesson on the

audience questionnaire (b) Read lesson on the writing

workshop. (c) Post book review to group-

specific discussion board at least two days before next

Discuss rhetorical triangle

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class, and read teammates’ writings

(d) Review PP on the writing process

5 1/2. The writing process

Assn: (a) Review PP on rhetorical

appeals (b) Read Ch. 4 in Vaughan --the thesis statement and --revising your essay

Sum writing workshop

6 1/2. Rhetorical appeals

Assn: (a) Review PP on writing

logically (b) Complete Exercise on

rhetorical appeals

Discuss rhetorical appeals

Analytical Essay BB in class (exam week 6)

7 1/2. Writing logically Assn: (a) Read lesson on how to

write an argumentative essay

(b) Read Ch. 5 in Vaughan

Discuss logical fallacies and cogent, coherent writing

Choose topic for argumentative essay

8 1/2. Writing the argumentative essay

Assn: (a) Read Chs. 2 and 4 in

Vaughan (b) Post essay to group-specific

discussion board at least two days in advance and read teammates’ work

Discuss the essay assignment

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1/2. Argumentative essay

Assn: (a) Read Ch.6 in Vaughan (b) Review PP on research

Workshop on essay

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1. Introduction to research (half of sections go on tour/other half discuss research. Flip following week)

Assn: (a) Read lesson on Preparing a

Bibliography (b) Complete exercise on

research sources

Library tour/discuss research

Argumentative Essay Due week 10! Select and discuss research project topics with professors

12 1/2.Preparing a bibliography

Assn: a) Prepare bibliography and

post to group-specific discussion board at least two days before class and review teammates’ work

Preparing a bibliography

Fictional narrative due week 12

13 1/2. Bibliography Assn: Read lessons on (a) Basic Stylistic Strategies (b) Revising Your Essay

Workshop on bibliographies

14 1. Writing a research paper

Assn: Complete exercise on punctuation

Discussion of writing research papers

15 1. Strengths Quest

Assn: Take Strengths Quest survey No classroom session this week

Research project due week 15

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Spring 1 1/2. Leadership

Discussion of

strengths

2 1. Excellence lecture Assn: (a) attend Excellence Lecture (b) write 1-page report on the

lecture. What did you learn from it?

(c) Read lesson on Evidentiary Claims

No classroom session this week

3 1/2. Proving and disproving claims

Assn: (a) Proposal. Read

material/get information on proposal from seminar instructor

(b) Post proposal to group-specific discussion board at least two days before class and review teammates’ work.

Claims Discuss proposal technique and requirements

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1/2. Proposal for research paper

Assn: Read articles on group work* Proposal workshop Short paper on Proof due week 4

6 1. Excellence lecture Discuss excellence lecture

7 1/2. Creative Collaboration

Assn: Complete exercise on word choice

Teamwork

8 1/2. Engagement and service

Games and exercises*

9 1/2. Oral presentations

Assn: readings on oral presentations*

Presenting skills Science-Art Collaborative project due

10 SPRING BREAK 11 1. Attend ARCH

Conference, Mar 19/20

Assn: Choose your two favorite research presentations. Write no more than one page on why they impressed you and why you liked them.

No classroom session this week

12 Attend A&V Feb 12-Mar 9

Assn: Choose your two favorite artworks in the exhibition. Write no more than one page on why they impressed you and what you liked about them.

Discuss ARCH

13 1. Art awareness Assn: Complete exercise on sentence structure

Discuss A&V Polymath Project due Presentations begin

14 Undergraduate research

Discuss class and ARCH presentations

Presentations

15 1. Feedback survey Presentations

Syllabus is subject to change

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Class Policies and Procedures

Attendance/Classroom Etiquette

Attendance is required and will be reflected in the final grade. You are expected to be on time for class and to remain in class for the duration of the lecture. Material will be covered in class that is not covered in the readings, thus each absence will negatively affect your ability to do well on assignments. Students will be allowed 2 absences. All other absences will adversely affect your grade. Please see the chart below for more information.

Number of Unexcused Absences

Estimated Grade

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

2 A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

3 B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F F F F

4+ F F F F F F F F F F F F

Attendance in the large group session will be taken by iClicker. All students must have one by the end of the second week.

Please note that the use of laptops, cellular phones, iPhones, or any other devices for voice or text communication during the large class session is prohibited unless otherwise instructed.

Students will behave in a courteous manner at all times. Talking in class is disruptive and shows a lack of respect for the lecturer, your fellow students and others present in the room.

Student Portfolios

The Honors College will be using a portfolio method to assess students’ learning outcomes. The portfolio allows for maximum flexibility in gauging student learning. Students decide (with instructor consultation) what “artifacts” or assignments to include for consideration in their portfolios to demonstrate successful achievement of each of five key student learning outcomes over the 4-year Honors experience. Portfolios provide a rich context for students to show what they have learned and to explain their learning process. The purpose of the portfolio is to assess how successfully our curriculum fulfills its goals, and is not graded. Because the Honors curriculum is meant to be thought-provoking and reflective, student self- assessment through portfolios will facilitate learning and provide in-depth assessment. Each course will include at least one assignment that could potentially fit portfolio requirements. For more information on the student learning outcomes and constructing a portfolio for your senior year, see www.honors.fiu.edu/portfolios.

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Honors Citizenship Requirements

All members of the Honors College are expected to be active citizens of the College, the University, and the community at large. To be a committed Honors College student is to take advantage of enhanced learning opportunities and to assume a leadership role in the world. Attendance will be taken at events where appropriate and practical. All College members are expected to participate in the community-building activities listed below:

1. Attend one Honors Excellence Lecture per academic year and one Honors Colloquium per semester (fall and spring).

2. Participate in the Honors College Convocation each fall. 3. Attend at least two Honors Hour sessions per semester or enrichment events specified by the Honors

College as satisfying this requirement. 4. Perform at least twenty hours of community service per academic year (summer excluded) either

through the Honors College service partnerships (Sweetwater, Overtown Youth Center, etc.) or through other community service projects and/or events. If you want to apply this service to your graduation portfolio, be sure to document your hours. Please contact an Honors College Academic Advisor if you have any questions.

5. For more information on Honors citizenship requirements, see the Honors College Student Handbook.

Honors Education in the ARTS (HEARTS)

“The Arts are essential to Florida International University’s life of the mind. They inform the way we think, create, discern, solve problems, and adapt to a rapidly changing world. The creative and academic activities

of FIU’s faculty, curatorial staff, and students in our colleges, schools, and museums support our quest for excellence and are an important strategic asset.”

— Worlds Ahead, Strategic Plan 2010-2015

The HEARTS program is designed to give Honors College students opportunities to “explore and appreciate different artistic and cultural traditions and modes of artistic expression, recognize the interplay of culture and artistic expression, and celebrate diversity.” All Honors College students will be exposed to the arts in their courses, as well as through extra-curricular activities. HEARTS will also serve as a clearinghouse (and curatorial framework) for our students to experience the arts on campus and in the community-at-large by providing them with information about cultural activities and access to performances with free or discounted tickets. Participation in the HEARTS program is not a requirement of the Honors College, unless that participation is a component of a class assignment or activity or if it is part of an Honors Hour.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism FIU Academic Misconduct Statement

Procedures An Honors faculty member may bring charges of Academic Misconduct against an Honors student. If the faculty member suspects plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, within one week of the discovery of the suspected act the faculty member will hold an informal meeting with the student in order to inform him/her of the allegation(s), provide any evidence available, and allow the student to respond. The faculty member will decide whether to pursue informal resolution, file formal resolution charges, or

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take no further action, and will follow the procedures outlined in the Academic Misconduct Procedures, available at http://www.fiu.edu/~oabp/misconductweb/1acmisconductproc.htm.

The student will have the right to appeal the outcome of the meeting with the instructor within one week of the faculty member’s decision, when the decision is to pursue informal resolution or file formal resolution charges. The appeal will take the form of a letter to the Dean outlining the circumstances of the case and the reason for the objection to the professor’s recommendation. The Dean or his designee will examine the case and make a final determination about the pursuit of Informal Resolution or the filing of formal resolution charges.

Penalties An Honors College student found responsible for plagiarism or other academic misconduct by informal resolution or formal resolution will receive an F in the relevant Honors course, and will be dismissed from the Honors College by the Dean, effective from the end of the semester in which the infraction occurs. Dismissal will be in writing and will entail the loss of all privileges and benefits of being in The Honors College, and the student will not be readmitted to The Honors College. The decision of the Dean will be final. This decision relates solely to the student’s status in The Honors College and does not affect the student’s right to appeal the original faculty decision. The penalty of dismissal from The Honors College may apply to academic misconduct in any course within Florida International University and not only to courses offered by The Honors College. In the case of courses outside The Honors College, the Dean of The Honors College will rely on the Office of the Provost for notification about the infraction(s). More stringent penalties, such as dismissal from the university, may be pursued through the university’s established academic misconduct process.

In The Honors College, the term “honor” refers both to academic accomplishment and character. Students in Honors should therefore adhere to and be held to the highest standards of personal academic accountability. Academic dishonesty in any form, including plagiarism, is antithetical to the very definition of being an Honors student at FIU. Consequently, an Honors College student found responsible for academic misconduct will be dismissed from the College. Academic misconduct is a violation of the University Code of Standards, the Code of Academic Integrity, the ethical relationship between the student and the academic community, and especially between the student and the instructor. It is the responsibility and prerogative of the instructor to make an initial determination about the extent and severity of an instance of academic misconduct; the instructor may opt to make a referral for further adjudication in appropriate cases.

Plagiarism This Policy views plagiarism as one form of academic misconduct, and adopts the definition of the university’s Code of Academic Integrity, according to which plagiarism is the deliberate use and appropriation of another’s works without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the student’s own. Any student, who fails to give credit for the ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including Internet sources, is guilty of plagiarism. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

1. Term papers acquired online or from other sources; 2. Copying of original material without attribution; 3. Use of other students’ work; 4. Copying and pasting, verbatim, information from Internet sources, without quotation marks and

correct citation.

This Policy follows the University Academic Misconduct Procedures of the Code of Academic Integrity, with modification to provide for appeal within The Honors College.

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Registration in this course implies an acceptance of and compliance with the Honors College policies for students and the FIU Code of Academic Integrity. Please refer to the following documents for additional information:

FIU Code of Academic Integrity – http://www.fiu.edu/~dwyere/academicintegrity.html.

FIU Honors College Student Handbook – http://honors.fiu.edu/handbook0910.html

FIU Honors College Plagiarism Policy – http://honors.fiu.edu/current_policy_plagiarism.html

Religious Observances Every effort will be made, where feasible and practical, to accommodate students whose religious practices coincide with class requirements or scheduling. Please make sure to notify your instructor at the beginning of the semester of which dates you will be absent or any anticipated problems with completing course work.

Physical, Mental and Sensory Challenges Every effort will be made, where feasible and practical, to accommodate students who are so challenged. Should you require accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Center, if you have not done so already.