Course Description

Course Description

The CLA First-Year Experience (FYE) is a one-credit seminar course that introduces students to the rich diversity of opportunities and resources available to them both university-wide and within the College of Liberal Arts. The course is designed to assist students in making the often-difficult transition to college life and college-level coursework. It emphasizes resources available to help students take responsibility for their academic careers and better understand how to navigate the university system. The CLA FYE covers a wide array of topics, including time management, study skills, major/minor selection, internship opportunities, study abroad programs, faculty guidance and course planning/sequencing. It uses student-initiated goals as the context through which to view these topics and many other areas critical to success in the first year of college and beyond.

   

Course Learning Goals & Related Assessments

	Course Learning Goals	Corresponding Assessments to Measure Goal Achievement
1.	Identify their immediate, short-term and long-term goals and develop  plans for reaching them.	Reflections, Smart Goals, In-class work
2.	Discover opportunities in the College of Liberal Arts that will enhance their academic experience, e.g. curricula, special programs, internships, and majors’ associations.	In-class work, Discussion, Scavenger Hunt
3.	Understand the roles of different actors in the university setting, how they are different from their prior experience, and how to successfully manage this transition and meet the expectations of their faculty.	In-class work, Participation, Readings, Professional Emails
4.	Know how to develop a curricular plan that includes all requirements of their program, but also strategically selected electives to achieve personal goals, a second major, or prerequisite courses for professional programs.	Planning Assignments
5.	Identify their academic and personal needs (e.g. tutoring, counseling) and how university resources can help address them.	Reflections, Professional Emails. Participation
6.	Problem-solve, whether that means tracking down resources or overcoming setbacks, students will know that they have the skills to figure out what needs to be done.	Reflections, In-class work, End of Semester Debrief

 

Course Materials

Course Materials

• This course has no required course materials that must be purchased, as all readings are available to all students electronically at no cost via the course Canvas site and Temple University Libraries (https://library.temple.edu/). 
  • Cohen, H. (2017).  The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues you Might Run into in College.  
    • ProQuest Ebook Central - Book Details
  • McGuire, S.Y. (2018).  Teach Yourself How to Learn: Strategies You Can Use to Ace Any Course at     Any Level.  
    • Teach Yourself How to Learn: Strategies You Can Use to Ace Any Course at Any Level (temple.edu)

• • Bain, K. (2012).  What the Best College Students Do.
    • What the Best College Students Do (temple.edu)
  • Light, R.J. (2001).  Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds.   
  • Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds on JSTOR (temple.edu)

 

Instructional Methods

Class Meeting Details

This class meets for a brief 50 minutes twice a week for the first seven weeks of the fall semester – lightning fast!  What does this mean?  You need to be in class every day and ready to engage, whether in small groups, large groups, or in writing.  If participation is difficult, let’s talk about it!  This class is the ideal spot to take risks and to prepare yourself for expectations in other classes.  Participation can mean many things and we can work together to create a plan for you.  What it doesn’t mean is having your cell phone out or laptop open when not part of the lesson. Being present, truly present, is challenging and we will do it together

 

This class is unusual in that the work expected from you outside of our weekly class meeting be about 120 minutes of your time each week instead of the standard 3 hours per 1 hour of instructional time.  In other words, set aside 2 hours per week for this class for 7 weeks and plan on 9 – 12 hours a week for your other 3 and 4 credit classes.

  

Course Communications

To facilitate communication, the university requires you to have and use an e-mail account ending in @temple.edu.

My preferred method of communication is through email. During the semester, I will generally respond to emails within 24 hours of receiving them during the week and within 48 hours on weekends.

Students can generally expect assignments to be graded within 3 days of submission. 

Please read all Canvas announcements.  You should  have them sent to your email.

   

Course Technology Requirements

You will need the following to participate fully in the course:

• A computer and/or tablet with high-speed Internet access. A smartphone alone will not be sufficient.

  Recommended Internet Speed: 8mbps download & 5mbps upload. You can test your connection at https://www.speedtest.net. Please note: Hard-wired connections are more consistent than Wi-Fi for Zoom sessions.

• A web-enabled video camera and microphone.

• Access to Temple University’s Canvas site and email server.

• Microsoft Office. A free copy is available to you at https://its.temple.edu/office-365

This course requires the use of Canvas, including access to materials and assignment submission. Some videos posted via Canvas will require the use of speakers. The instructor may utilize web-conferencing tools to deliver synchronous material. In order to participate in synchronous sessions (should they exist), you should have a computer, a webcam, headphones, and a microphone.

This course requires the use of Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). To access these materials, please log in to TUportal and look for the Microsoft Download link under TUapplications within the My Portal tab.

Students should check their Temple email daily for course updates. 

All students are required to comply with  Temple University’s Computer and Network Security Policies.

 

Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wifi-access, should submit a Student Technology Assistance Application located in TUPortal and linked from the Dean of Students Support and Resources webpage. The university will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Wifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access. The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to purchase discounted internet services and devices for qualified individuals. 

 

On-campus computer labs are available for student use. Here is a list of all of these labs: https://its.temple.edu/computer-labs.

Note that technology resources are available for students, including laptop and battery share. Some software is available for free download on the ITS Academic Support page. Other specialty software may be available for remote access through ITS.

Statement on the Use of Generative AI in This Course

As of Day 1 of the course, the following is my policy on AI in the course, BUT we are going to talk about refining the policy for our course and keep this dialogue open all semester.

The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities:

• Checking grammar and style.

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:

• Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
• Impersonating you in classroom contexts, such as by using the tool to compose discussion board prompts assigned to you or content that you put into a Zoom chat.
• Completing group work that your group has assigned to you, unless it is mutually agreed upon that you may utilize the tool.
• Writing a draft of a writing assignment.
• Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments.

 

You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). Your use of AI tools must be properly documented and cited in order to stay within university policies on academic honesty.

 

 

Grading Scale

This is a credit/no credit course, so you will not earn a traditional letter grade, and the course will not impact on your undergraduate GPA.  To complete the course successfully, all students must attend at least  80% (11 of the 14) scheduled class meetings and complete at least 85% of the assignments in a satisfactory manner.  If your submitted work is not satisfactory, you will have one opportunity to resubmit incorporating the indicated feedback. Less than these two benchmarks will result in a grade of NC (no credit) and there will be no credit given.

Engagement and Participation

 As this is an attendance- and participation-based course, students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings and engage actively in classroom activities and discussions. Active participation and engagement in course discussions, activities, and reading summaries is required, whether the class is guided by me, the professor, or a guest speaker.

Tardiness

Class will begin on time. Tardiness or more than 5 minutes is equal to ½ absence.

Missing and Late Work

All assignments are due by the deadline . If you are unable to complete the assignment on time, you may request an extension prior to the deadline.  If you do not complete the assignment on time or fail to request an extension, you will not receive credit for completing the assignment.  We will negotiate the deadline for the extension, but it will be a final deadline.

Submissions: 

 Assignment submission procedures will be indicated in Canvas.  At times you may be brainstorming and at other times, you will be expected to submit a document in a more professional format

   

General Policies

All Temple University Academic Policies will be upheld.

   

Attendance and Your Health

Students must attend and participate in classes according to their instructors’ requirements to achieve course learning goals. If you feel unwell or are under quarantine or in isolation because you have tested positive for the coronavirus, you should not come to campus or attend in-person classes or activities.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructors to create a plan for participation and engagement in the course as soon as they can do so and to make a plan to complete all assignments in a timely fashion when illness delays their completion.

 

Incomplete

A student will be eligible for a grade of “Incomplete” only if the student: 1) has completed at least 51% of the work at a passing level, 2) is unable to complete the work for a serious reason beyond their control, and 3) files a signed agreement with the instructor outlining the work to be completed and the time frame in which that work will be completed. The student is responsible for initiating this process and all incomplete forms must be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs prior to the start of study days in that semester.  

Please refer to the following for further details: Temple University’s Incomplete Policy. (Policy #02.10.13). 

  

Withdrawal from the Course

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, it is the student’s responsibility to meet the deadline for the last day to withdraw from the current semester.

See Temple University's Academic Calendar for withdrawing deadlines and consult the University policy on Withdrawals (Policy # 02.10.14). 

  

Statement on Academic Rights & Responsibilities

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).

   

Academic Honesty

According to the University Student Code of Conduct, students must not commit, attempt to commit, aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the commission of academic dishonesty and impropriety including plagiarism, academic cheating, and selling lecture notes or other information provided by an instructor without the instructor’s authorization. Violations may result in failing the assignment and/or failing the course, and/or other sanctions as enumerated in the University Code of Conduct.

 

Netiquette and Class Conduct Expectations

It is important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse.

Treat your classmates and instructor with respect in all communication, class activities, and meetings. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea, but you are not to attack an individual. Please consider that sarcasm, humor, and slang can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Profanity should be avoided as should the use of all capital letters when composing responses in discussion threads, which can be construed as “shouting” online. Remember to be careful with your own and others' privacy. In general, have your behavior mirror how you would like to be treated by others.

For more information, please visit https://diversity.temple.edu/.

  

Disability Disclosure Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) located in the Howard Gittis Student Center South, 4th Floor at drs@temple.edu or 215-204-1280 to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you.

If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, please contact me as soon as possible. We will set up a time to discuss your accommodations and ensure that your needs are met and that you can successfully achieve the course learning goals.

 

Technical Support 

For a listing of technical support services available to Temple University students, see the Tech Support page.

Live Chat or Request Help:  tuhelp.temple.edu.

Phone: 215-204-8000

Email:  help@temple.edu

Website: its.temple.edu

Location: The TECH Center, Room 106

 

Academic and Support Services

Temple University provides a variety of services to support you throughout your studies. Please take a moment to view these by visiting the Academic Support Services page.

The following academic support services are available to students:

• Student Success Center
• University Libraries
• Undergraduate Research Support
• Career Center
• Tuttleman Counseling Services
• Disability Resources and Services

  
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs. 

      

Continuity of Instruction in the Event of Emergency

Students are to register for the TUAlert System to be made aware of University closures due to weather or other emergency situations and follow all additional university-wide emergency instructions. Students can register for this system on the Campus Safety Services website. Students registered for the class will be alerted to any alternate testing procedures and submission of assignment requirements from the instructor via email.

Please note that online classes are generally not affected by campus closures.  

  

Privacy Policy

Please see the links below to become familiar with the privacy policies for each of the following: 

• Temple University
• Canvas Instructure
• Zoom

    

Course Schedule

Important Dates 

• Tuesday, September 2: Last day to drop or add a 7-week (7A) course. 
• Monday, September 8: Last day to drop or add a full-term course. 
• Monday, October 6: Last day to withdraw from a 7-week 7A course. 
• Monday, October 13: Last day of 7-week (7A) classes. 
• Monday, October 27: Priority registration for spring 2026 begins. 
• Monday - Friday, November 24-28: Fall Break, no classes held that week. 
• Monday, December 8: Last Day of Classes; Last day to withdraw from classes. 
• Friday, December 19: Final grades must be submitted by the instructor by 11:59 p.m

  ---

  Course Calendar

• Date	Topic	In-class Guest or Activities	Assignments Due by 2:00
  Week 1: What's going on?
  August 26th	Welcome & Introductions Course overview	Letter to self
  August 28th	Using Canvas in your classes. Navigating your syllabi and managing your assignments. Professional correspondence with faculty and staff.		Select 2-3 sections of different course syllabi that strike you as particularly relevant, terrifying, encouraging, confusing or inspiring.
  Week 2: Academic Success
  September 2	Developing successful academic habits and study skills. Creating study groups, peer networks and relationships with faculty.	Skim ONE of the following three chapters in McGuire and respond to the Canvas prompt. Chapter 2: Metacognition: What it is & how it can turbocharge your learning Chapter 7: How your emotions affect your motivation and learning Chapter 9: Time Management, Test Taking, and Stress Reduction
  September 4		Weekly Schedule Mapping (see Canvas for detailed instructions)
  Week 3: The Campus: Life Beyond the Classroom!
  September 9	Getting involved on campus. Developing connections in the classroom and throughout the campus community.	CLA Community Engagement (tentative)	Skim ONE of the following & respond to prompt. Chapter 4: Finding Friends: Your Social or Antisocial College Life Chapter 5: Getting Involved on Campus Chapter 7: Life Inside the Classroom
  September 11		Scavenger Hunt
  Week 4: Thriving
  September 16	Mental Health and Wellness Campus resources Wellness Center & DRS	Wellness Resource Center   Tentatively confirmed	Reflection on stress and well-being .
  September 18	Learning beyond the classroom Experiential learning opportunities in CLA: internships, research, study abroad, and community-engaged learning courses.		Complete your "Making the Most of College SMART Goals"
  Week 5: Settling In: Finding your Niche and Paving Your Way
  September 23	Using Handshake and the Joyce K. Salzberg Center to enhance your professional growth and development.	Education Abroad  2:00 - 2:30	Create your Handshake account
  September 25	TBD		Write an email to a professor about your struggles in their course. Include resources on campus that you have already used and when you would like to meet with them
  Week 6: So much adulting! Decisions
  September 30	Financial literacy: creating and maintaining a budget, understanding student loans, using credit responsibly, making informed spending decisions, and accessing financial resources.		Listen to one of the financial podcasts listed. Write a reflection paper of what new information was learned and how this will impact your financial outlook.
  October 2	AI: It's here! Generative AI, homework, and assignments: What all Temple students should know.	Student Success Center confirmed	AI Reflection
  Week 7: The places you've been and the places you'll go. In 7 weeks!
  October 7	Academic planning: using DARS and Self-Service Banner to create your spring schedule plans.		Create three spring 2026 schedule plans that further your progress in satisfying your degree requirements and align with your personal and professional interests and goals.
  October 9	Pizza Party and Reflection!		End-of-Semester Reflection

   

  Peruse Education Abroad's website. Indicate in Canvas where you might like to study abroad. Prepare a question for a fellow student who studied there or

   

  Goal setting: Write a reflection on opportunities you would like to take advantage of each semester you are in college starting with this current fall semester.

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