NC 501 Navigating Your Pathway to Success

Spring 2014

Bernadette Stockwell Office: TBA Office Hours: TBA Email: Bernadette_stockwell@uml.edu Class information: Thursday: 3:30 7 Southwick 406

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Navitas 501 has the intended purpose of providing its international students new to the University with specific resources, support, and programming to allow for successful transitions and acclimation into the University of Massachusetts and surrounding areas communities. NAV 501 offers opportunities for students to explore and learn more about the different aspects, demands, and expectations of University life, from academic, cultural, and behavioral perspectives

RATIONALE
The transition from high school or college in ones native country to a research university in the United States can be challenging. Classes are filled with other talented students, and faculty have high standards and expectations. This can be both stimulating and overwhelming. Navitas, at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, takes a special interest in supporting students so their years on campus are academic and personal successes. Students are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards in their work, and to respect and value the work of others through a commitment to academic integrity.

AIMS
This course will assist students in developing and enhancing skills needed for academic success (reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking, inquiry, analysis, use of information technology, library skills, and time management), strengthen their connections to the University, engage students in meaningful academic and non-academic out-of-class activities, enhance their understanding of the accountability for their own education.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course objectives correspond with academic, behavioral, and cultural components. By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to: Academically: Understand and appreciate University of Massachusetts Lowells (UML) requirements for academic research Understand and demonstrate the standards required for college writing at UML (plagiarism, citations, and APA formatting) Demonstrate the ability to interpret and comprehend UML faculty requirements and presentations

2 Demonstrate sound verbal skills including the ability to make verbal presentations, and participate in class discussions Navigate the UML library and databases for research purposes. Demonstrate mastery with math capabilities at least equal to the requirement of a direct entry freshman student or as required by the selected major

Behaviorally: Identify and promote key factors for student success at UML Display an understanding of the key positive behavioral requirements for students at UML Display the ability to proactively solve problems (intercultural, communication, interpersonal, bureaucratic) Demonstrate confidence in the management of a range of personal interactions and transitions Develop the ability to determine appropriate strategies for communicating with a diverse faculty Culturally: Explain cultural values and how they impact cultural behavior Understand and demonstrate proven solutions to intercultural problem solving Participate in a self reflective process to determine how students own cultural background influences present participation at UML Identify potential barriers to intercultural communication and suggest alternative approaches Identify personal and cultural communication styles

ORGANIZATION AND TEACHING STRATEGIES

The main foci of the course are student engagement, and understanding academic requirements at UML. While taught by Navitas instructors, key UML personnel are integral in the delivery of this course. The course pedagogy includes lectures, presentations, small group work, field trips, class participation, and class activities.

REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to attend class regularly and actively. More than two unexcused absences will be cause for failure. You should come to class fully prepared to discuss any readings or assignments for that day, and should participate in all class discussions and activities, asking questions and making observations as appropriate. Should you need to miss a class, you are responsible for all work covered in the class session. Students should inform me in writing of days you must be absent, as early as possible. Students must speak with me prior to scheduled class for an excused absence. Any absences without my knowledge will be considered an unexcused absence.

REQUIRED READING
All required reading will be provided to you in class. There is no textbook.

RECOMMENDED READING
Andreatta, B. (2009). Navigating the Research University: A Guide for First-Year Students. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

USEFUL INTERNET RESOURCES

UML libraries: http://libweb.uml.edu/ Purdue Online Writing Lab (APA Guidelines): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Google Scholar: http://scholar.google.com/

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Students with documented special needs are responsible for making their needs known to the instructor by the end of the first week of class, or as documented. Students are responsible for seeking and arranging available assistance from the Office of Student Disability Services, One University Ave., Cumnock Hall C6, 978-934-4574, or by contacting Jody Goldstein via email at Jody_Goldstein@uml.edu.

COURSE POLICIES
What I Expect of You ~ Full participation in each class On-time completion of all assignments Cell phones off When using a laptop, maintain attention to class Sufficient outside time spent on the coursework to meet the course objectives Demonstrated effort toward excellence in class work Collaboration with classmates as appropriate Respect for and consideration of classmates and guests Enthusiasm toward professional growth, exploration, and change What You Can Expect of Me ~ Planned and organized class sessions Demonstration of good instructional practices Fair evaluation procedures (including constructive feedback) Creation of an environment in which ideas may be openly shared and discussed Availability for questions and support A sense of humor and understanding

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are expected to adhere to the Universitys policies for Academic Integrity. These can be accessed at http://www.uml.edu/catalog/undergraduate/policies/academic_dishonesty.htm. Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable and will not be condoned. Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment, and could result in a failing grade for the class, a permanent entry on your academic transcript, suspension or expulsion from the university.

COURSE ASSESSMENTS
Tutorial Participation/Attendance 20%

4 Reaction Papers (4) Oral Presentation Ongoing Journal Participation in 4 UML events/written review 20% (5% each) 20% 20% 20% (5% each)

Grading
Grades are given as Pass (P) or No Credit (NC) To achieve a Pass for the course, you must earn at least 80%.
MBA students must attain a score of 59 on the Pearson Test

Schedule
Complete all assigned readings prior to class. The schedule is subject to change, or adjustment. Students are responsible to learn about these changes if they miss any class. Week 1 - Welcome to UMass! Introductions Review of Syllabus Faculty, staff, administrators, and other students How the University and Navitas are organized The surrounding community Week 2 The Desire to Learn Time management Workload skills o Study skills Test types Preparing for and taking tests The value of guessing o Assignment management Assignment calendars Following directions o Staying on top of homework o Study Grids o Assertive Communication Note Taking Week 3 - Learning to Listen and to Speak Academic Communication for Graduate Students Foundations of Effective Communications (relational University faculty, staff) Week 4: - Speaking in public Prepared speeches about yourself Impromptu speech- reacting to a prompt Week 5 Using the Tools/Problem Solving Research methodologies

5 The research process Types of research Types of sources Citations/referencing

Week 6 Building Relationships and Getting Involved Members of the University Community Homesickness and Friendsickness o Blooms Model of Parental/Adolescent Separation o Creating New Relationships Managing Freedom and Independence Asking for Help! The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Non-Academic Connections Navitas Support and Programming Week 7 - Getting to Know the University and Surrounding Areas Week 8 Developing a Vocabulary and Presentation Skills Effective scholarly oral communication Effective presentations Infusing technology into presentations Week 9 - Books, Technology, Databases and the Library Learning to use the UML Libraries Learning to appropriately use electronic sources, with citations Definition of scholarly sources Exploring the UML electronic Databases Week 10 Written Work and MLA Basics Week 11 The Importance of Academic Integrity Ethical Considerations Plagiarism, Paraphrasing, and Finding your voice Week 12 - Assessments and Expectations Needs to be further developed Week 13 Presentation Share your knowledge of a specific topic Guidelines will be discussed and provided Week 14 Wrapping It All Up Presentations

ASSIGNMENTS
All work must be typed, use APA formatting, and be submitted on time. Lateness with assignments will count against your grade. Writing style, spelling, and grammar will affect grades of written

6 assignments. If you have a special need or problem regarding an assignment, please see me to discuss alternatives, at least two weeks prior to the due date of the assignment.

PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE:

Completion of all assignments is expected for active class participation. Participation includes regular attendance in class, coming to class prepared by having read the assigned readings, formulating questions for class discussion, and active participation in class activities, tutorials, and discussions. Leaving early/lateness to class will count against your grade.

REACTION PAPERS:
These are more informal papers, reflecting your personal reaction to something we experienced, something we saw, or something we read. These are 1-2 pages. Follow MLA Guidelines.

ORAL PRESENTATION:
The oral presentation should use PowerPoint slides. You are expected to prepare a presentation on one aspect of the class that impacted you. Presentations should be approximately 5-8 minutes. In your presentation you should discuss the following: The aspect of class that impacted you Why the aspect impacted you How this aspect has influenced your success/potential success at UML How you will/are incorporating this aspect into your routine at UML Your colleagues and I will assess your presentation, using the following assessment criteria.

ONGOING JOURNAL:
Maintain a journal of your experiences/emotions throughout the semester. This can be done by writing in a journal, by keeping an electronic version, or through videotaping. You must make an entry in your journal at least 3 times per week. While this is informal writing, make every attempt to use correct English, grammar, and spelling. Keep the journal up to date, as I will read them periodically throughout the semester.

SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITIES:
Participate in at least four activities or events offered at UML (not Navitas events) and hand in a 1-2 page reaction paper for each within 1 week of your participation in the activity. Potential activities will be announced throughout the semester.