PSU 003 - Freshman Seminar: Penn State, Career Management & Broadening Your Horizons

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* Course Description * Course Outline * Grading *

INSTRUCTOR:
	Charlotte Eudy McConn, M.S., CDP
		145 LRC, Penn State Altoona
		Phone: 949-5292, 	


COURSE DESCRIPTION:

	My view of the course:  Above all else the freshman seminar course welcomes
you to Penn State.  It also provides you with the opportunity to discuss issues of 
importance to YOU with an experienced Penn State Professor and allow that professor
to provide guidance to you in navigating the Penn State system and making the most 
of you education.
	Individual sections of the course may have a different focus depending on 
the interests and expertise of the instructor.  The focus of our section is:
	 "Career Management and Broadening Your Horizons". 

	The official view: The First-Year Seminar is a university-wide one-credit 
course required for all first-year Penn State students. The course's broad purpose, 
according to the official description, is to "facilitate students' adjustment to the 
high expectations, demanding workload, increased academic liberties and other aspects
of the transition to college life."  
	
	
Learning Objectives:




TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

Week 7 - Feb. 24:  	Alchohol Awarness
Week 8 - Mar 3: 	PSU Syllabus, Schedule, Grading, PSU History
SPRING BREAK - Mar. 10  YEAH !
Week 9 - Mar.17:  	Majors / Career Planning / Internships
Week 10 - Mar. 24: 	NY Times / "What's in the News?"
Week 11 - Mar. 31: 	Resume Workshop / Career Services
Week 12 - Apr. 7:   	Job Search Strategies / Interviewing 
Week 13 - Apr. 14:   	Grades & GPA spreadsheet,  Getting into Major
			Study Skills, What works - What doesn't?
Week 14 - Apr. 21: 	NY Times / "What's in the News?" 
Week 15 - Apr. 28: 	Surprise lesson / Something fun!
Exams Week begins - May 5



GRADING:
60 points - Attendance and Participation - 
   You are expected to attend each class.  The nature of this course calls for good 
attendance.  Most of the learning in this course takes place during class time
and one of the course objectives is for you to get to know this group of students
and your professor very well. You can't do that if you are not here to participate.
   You will receive 4 points for each class you attend. 

10 points - You will receive up to 10 additional points for the 
overall quality and level of your in-class participation. The last class each month 
is current issues in the news.  Bring the NY Times to class and be prepared to 
discuss an article that you have read prior to class.

10 points - Attendance at College Events -
   Choose a College or community (non-sports) event to attend. This is part of the 
broadening your horizons focus.  Examples include:  distinguished speaker series, plays, 
musical or dance events, Health and Wellness Center educational programs or workshops, 
special readings or colloquia, diversity programs, art exhibits.  Attend the event and 
write a short summary your experience of the event.  The written summary paragraph should 
include what you learned from the event, how this event augmented your educational 
experience, or broadened your horizons.  Turn in the paragraph at the next PSU 003 
class.
   Be prepared to discuss the event with your peers during class.
   Paragraphs are evaluated based on quality of writing, spelling and grammar, quality
of summary, the degree to which you address the components delineated above, and your 
documentation of your attendance at the event.  
	
10 points - Resume assignment  More information to come.

10 points - Week 1-6 assignments

Class Policies and Grading
Latest Update: 1/2002