Honors Seminar Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

HONR-1012-001 Honors Seminar

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisites: EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200; Enrollment limited to Honors Program students</p>

Course Description

A continuation of HONR 1011 with practice in leadership and team building.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(0 sem hrs; 1 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

There is no required text for this class. 

 

Supplies

Students will need a USB drive for storing electronic files and should always bring note-taking materials to class.

Student Performance

After completing this course, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the instructor:

1. identify personal learning strengths and weaknesses
2. analyze various leadership contexts
3. apply leadership and team building principles and theory in practical projects
4. participate in class and group processes
5. demonstrate courtesy and respect for classmates

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

• Students are expected to behave in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors that are not supportive include, but are not limited to: tardiness/leaving early; electronic device noises; talking during lectures; abusive, offensive or disrespectful behavior/language. 
• Emails sent to your instructor must be addressed and signed. Emails, like all academic work, should be proofread, should not include slang or abbreviations, and should not resemble text messages. 
• Turn off cell phones or put them on silent during class.
• Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.  According to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct, plagiarism is the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another's work and the acknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one's own written work.

Grading Criteria

Your course grade will be determined by the following percentages:

15% Class Attendance/Participation
20% Scholar Project
  -- Project Planning Sheet
  -- Project Execution
  -- Project Report
10% Out-of-class Events
30% Research Project
--Research abstract
--Research paper
--Research presentation or poster  
10% End-of-Semester Evaluation Worksheet
15% Honors Update Newsletter Article
 

All Scholars will be graded on a pass/fail basis and must earn a minimum of grade of 70%.

ASSIGNMENTS

Class Attendance/Participation 
Because your success in this class depends on your ability to collaborate during class time, regular attendance is essential for satisfactory achievement. Your participation will directly affect your grade. Daily attendance will be recorded. Points will be deducted from your participation/attendance grade for more than two absences -- regardless of the reason for the absence. Leaving class prior to dismissal time or arriving late will be counted as an absence. Should you need to miss class due to illness or other conflict, please notify your project team.

Scholar Project 
Each student will be assigned a Project Group and will work with team members to fulfill group responsibilities.  The entire Scholars Seminar class will provide the ‘manpower’ for events and activities; however, each Project Group will coordinate planning and execution for that group’s particular responsibilities.

Project Groups will prepare a final report on the group’s work.

Grades will be based on the overall success of the project including planning, organization, teamwork, leadership and creativity and the individual contribution to the group as documented in the Project Planning Sheet, Project Report  and the Project Personal Evaluation Worksheet.

Group 1	Group 2	Group 3
Organize and lead an on-campus travel presentation about  tripHigh School Recruiting (visits to provide high school students with tips for college success along with background on AC Honors and Presidential Scholars) Community Presentations: (coordination of and visits to community groups to present about AC Honors, Presidential Scholars and Honors travel) Planning and execution of one fun event for Scholars	Community Service (a service project designed and carried out by the Project Group with participation from the entire class) Plan and carry out Scholars end-of-year-banquet Planning and execution of one fun event for Scholars	Spring into Honors/DR Day(on campus Honors recruiting event when registration for fall begins) Badgerama booth:  Plan booth and coordinate activities for Badgerama Planning and execution of one fun event for Scholars

 

Each group will  be responsible for planning and carrying out one "fun" event and/or lunch for the Scholars. The only requirement is that the events do not require the program to cover the cost of events/food/activities.

Out-of-Class Events 
Numerous activities outside of seminar class time will be offered, some of which will be optional and others will be mandatory.  Scholars are expected to participate in a minimum of three out-of-class events.  Events that take place during normal seminar class time will not count toward this total.  Attendance and participation will be documented.

Research Project 
Scholars will carry out research based on the proposals submitted during Fall semester.  Students will complete abstracts, research papers and presentations/posters following the guidelines for the West Texas A&M University Student Research Conference.  Guidelines and grading rubrics can be found at http://www.wtamu.edu/academics/student-research-conference.aspx

Educational Planning 
Be sure to schedule meetings with your AC advisor and and advisor from your university transfer program as early as possible. Remember to complete the Scholars program,  you must successfully complete four sections designated as Honors. If you need to create Honors contracts for certain courses, it is your responsibility to discuss this with your instructor the first week of class.

Final Evaluation
Students must complete a final evaluation worksheet that responds to questions regarding the Presidential Scholars Program.  Students will be given the evaluation prompt  approximately one week prior to the due date.

Honors Update Newsletter Article
Students will write a 400-600 word article for the Program’s digital newsletter, The Honors Update.  Due dates will vary according to which project group the student is in.  Scholars may choose from the following topics:

• A personal reflection on and description of his/her experiences in AC’s Presidential Scholars program or recent Scholars overseas travel.
• A profile of a current Presidential Scholar or a Presidential Scholar graduate (faculty can provide contact information if needed)
• A profile of an Honors or Presidential Scholars instructor
• A glimpse inside an Honors or Presidential Scholars class
• Reflections on the research project experience
• A summary of experiences at AC in light of upcoming graduation
• Another topic related to Honors or Presidential Scholars pending instructor approval

Article submission does not guarantee publication.  Scholars are encouraged to seek assistance from The Writer’s Corner prior to handing in this assignment.

Attendance

Class Attendance/Participation

Because your success in this class depends on your ability to collaborate during class time, regular attendance is essential for satisfactory achievement. Your participation will directly affect your grade. Daily attendance will be recorded. Points will be deducted from your participation/attendance grade for more than two absences -- regardless of the reason for the absence. Leaving class prior to dismissal time or arriving late will be counted as an absence. Should you need to miss class due to illness or other conflict, please notify your project team. If you have a class conflict, please work closely with your instructors and group members to insure work is completed.

Former Scholars are always welcome in class.

Calendar

Additional Information

Grades will be available through Blackboard.