Introduction to Organismal Biology Seminar

Objectives and Curriculum Plan

Fall 2009

Facilitator: Millie Gonzalez Email:

vgonzalez@framingham.edu
Office Location: Henry Whittemore Library, room 117 Phone: 508-626-
4655
Office Hours: Mon. 10:30am – 11:30am, Thurs. 10:30am – 11:30am, by
appt.

Peer Mentor- Mackenzie Cleary

mcleary@student.framingham.edu

Meeting Time and place: Friday 2:30-3:20pm, WLUM01

Meeting dates: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/3, 11/20, 12/1

Seminar Objectives
Framingham State College recognizes that the transition from high school to college
is a unique one that can prove challenging for many students. The FSC Foundations
Seminar will work to promote first-year students’ understanding of the expectations
and culture of the College and help students become more invested in their own
education. At the conclusion of the FSC Foundations Seminar, students will:

1. Have an understanding of the value of a college education. Specifically,

students will
a. Be able to identify the purposes of general education, a major and
electives.
b. Begin to identify varying modes of inquiry across disciplines.
2. Have an understanding of the cultural expectations of college, inside and outside
of the classroom. Specifically, students will:
a. Act and communicate with civility, in a manner respectful of the teaching
and learning environment.
b. Demonstrate understanding of academic standards for assignments and
coursework.
3. Incorporate study skills and techniques into their academic lives. Specifically,
students will become familiar with:
a. Organizational planning, time management.
b. Note-taking, study techniques, test-preparation and test-taking.
c. Writing as a process.
d. Responding to feedback on assignments.
4. Learn techniques that help them to become active and engaged learners.
Specifically, students will:
a. Participate in class discussions and group activities.
b. Define and practice self-reflection as a mode of personal and academic
growth.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of campus resources, policies and procedures.
6. Have an understanding of and express an awareness of the value of multiple
perspectives, cultures and lifestyles.

Rules of Engagement
(Adapted from Freedom Writers Foundation’s Student Contract and from the
syllabi of Dr.Prehar and Dr. Holloway)
 1. Always strive to be honest and demonstrate integrity.
2. Be a tolerant and open-minded individual. Be respectful of differing
opinions.
3. Treat all members of the seminar class with dignity and respect.
4. Do not embellish or sensationalize an autobiographical incident when
writing your reflective journals.
5. Do not share information that could implicate you or others in a law
enforcement type situation.
6. Address any concerns privately with me.

Grading: 100 points

Participation - 35% or 35pts.
Reflections- 30% or 30 pts.
Campus Passport-20% or 20pts.
Document FSC life-15% or 15pts.

Description of Assignments

1. Reflective journals
Students will take part in journal writing that will allow them to reflect on
topics discussed in and out of class as it pertains to their personal lives.
These exercises are not intended to be short essay type papers, but more of
a way to write down their reaction to a topic that was discussed in 2 pages
or less. These journals will require students to think critically about how a
variety of topics affect their academic, social and developmental growth.
Three reflective journals on assigned topics will count as 30% of seminar
grade.

2. Campus Passport
This assignment is a creative way for students to document their
participation in campus activities. As they attend events such as SUAB and
SILDsponsored activities, and academic lectures, students will save their
tickets or any evidence of their attendance and compile a “passport” that
shows where they have been. Students will write a reflection on their
experience attending the various events listed in Campus Passport.
Submitting a completed Campus Passport will count as 20% of the seminar
grade. The Campus Passport reflective journal grade will count as part of the
reflective journal assignments.

3. Participation and class attendance

The seminar portion of Introduction to Introduction to Organismal Biology is
10% of the course’s grade. The seminar will primarily consist of weekly
discussions on assigned topics. It is imperative that you attend each
seminar class and participate in the discussion. Class attendance and
participation will count as 35% of the seminar grade.

4. Document FSC Life

Students will reflect and share aspects of their first semester at FSC through
a blog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI. The two blogging
platforms I recommend are Posterous http://posterous.com/ or Tumblr
http://www.tumblr.com/. If you prefer another blogging platform, please
check with me first. You have the option of keeping your blog private and
invite only me to view your blog or you can opt to have it open for anyone to
see it. You can post pictures, stories, videos, songs, etc. Documenting your
freshman experience will count as 15% of your seminar grade.

Curriculum Plan
Please note that the facilitator reserves the right to make minor changes to
the plan as shown.

Week 1: Expectations of Students and Campus Resources

September 11 Welcome to the First year Foundations Program
Seminar. What campus resources are available and how
do you get involved? Discussion of syllabus.

Week 2: Searching and Studying

September 25 Learn how to search the biological literature available in
the library databases, and how to form search queries to
locate peer reviewed journals. Study skills tips and
techniques.

Week 3: Academic Honesty, Technology Etiquette & Time

Management
October 9 What are your ethical responsibilities as a student?
Discussion on how to present yourself in the classroom,
through the Blackboard discussion forums, in
interactions with faculty and on social networking
sites. Learn effective time management and study
skills.
Week 4: Policies and Procedures: RAM handbook
October 23 How does a community tell its members what is
expected of them? How does a community
theoretically help its members understand what is
important?

Week 5: Advising
November 6 Discussion on advising process and selection of
courses. What does it mean to be well-rounded? Why
is it important? Why are you required to learn about
areas “outside” of your chosen field of interest?
Week 6: Giving Effective Presentations
 November 20 Explore effective techniques for giving good
presentations.

Week 7: Wrap-up of Semester

December 4 The first semester revisited. Reflections on lessons
learned.