Honors Seminar Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Course Information

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

HONR-1011-PSH Honors Seminar

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200; Enrollment limited to Honors Program students

Course Description

Examination of the practices and skills of leadership from reading and group projects.

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

Night, by Elie Weisel

 

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:

20% Class Attendance/Participation
20% Scholar Project
  -- Project Planning Sheet
  -- Project Execution/Accountability
20% Out-of-class Events
20% Research Project
--Research abstract
--Research paper
--Research presentation (if selected)
20% End-of-Semester Evaluation Worksheet
 

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.

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 - PROMOTIONS

• Facilitating promotions, giveaways, and Scholars sign-up sheets for shifts at community and college events, including AISD College Fairs, Westover Junior High presentations, Badgerama, Post-Travel Presentations to AC and the community, and to various high school classes that are interested in learning about Presidential Scholars.  

GROUP 2 - SERVICE LEARNING

• Designing and implementing engaging lesson plans for children of all ages at Wolflin Elementary, and also communicating plans to the Scholars. 

GROUP 3 - ARTS & CULTURE

• Create discussion questions for our semester’s book, Night, by Elie Wiesel, and lead discussions on designated days. 

• Compile a list of local arts and cultural activities that the Scholars could attend for enrichment.

• Facilitate the Scholars’ shifts to host “Arts Fest 2020” on April 18th, and spearhead the decorating and set-up for the event in the days preceding the event.  

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..

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.