Honors Seminar Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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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Administrative Drop Policy

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-1011-1100 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

There is no required text for this class. A copy of Night, by Elie Weisel, will be provided.  

A passport is required to be eligible for the international trip.  A picture of your passport, or the receipt for your passport must be shown to Mrs. Ingham by Nov. 2021 in order for you to be eligible for the international trip.  

Supplies

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

Student Performance

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

Grading Criteria

Course grade will be determined by the following percentages:

25% Out-of-class Enrichment activities (volunteer work, arts performances, etc.)

25% Presentations

30% Group Project
  -- Project Planning Sheet
  -- Project Execution, Evaluation, Accountability

20% Research Conference Proposal

ASSIGNMENTS

Group 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.

Group 1	Group 2	Group 3
Cultural/Historical Awareness	Events/AC Promotions	Service Learning

Group 1: This group will assist with events and activities surrounding cultural and historical awareness

Responsibilities will include:

• Creating and delivering an interactive presentation for the class on the importance developing an appreciation of arts, culture, and history as part of a college education.

• Creating a list of arts and cultural events this semester in Amarillo and Canyon.

• Finding a minimum of two cultural events for the Scholars to attend as a group (musical and theatre performances, art shows, museum visits, etc.) Coordinate the event attendance and a preview discussion/debriefing during class time before and after the event. 

• Facilitating book discussions over the book Night for the class.  

• Preparing and presenting an informative speech on the Dallas Arts Excursion, including an overview of the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Dallas Symphony performance that we will attend. (Not applicable for the 2021-2022 year, due to Covid)

• Other duties as assigned or as determined necessary by the group

Group 2: This group will coordinate promotions of the AC Honors Program at the Fallfest table, high school college days in March, and an informative presentation at local high schools, if applicable.

Responsibilities will include:

• Creating and delivering an interactive presentation for the class on the importance of mastering teamwork skills as part of a college education.

• Devising a fun activity for AC's Fallfest.  Coordinates set up, clean up and staffing of booth.

• Arrange promotional items and a schedule of students to staff our table at AISD’s College Days in March, as well as coordinating visits to high schools to promote Presidential Scholars

• Spearhead travel presentations in the spring, after the trip to Poland.

• Other duties as assigned or as determined necessary by the group

Group 3: This group will create and execute a community service project (ongoing or a one-time event)

Responsibilities will include:

• Creating and delivering an interactive presentation for the class on the importance of serving others as part of a college education.

• Designing a community service project that can be carried out during Fall semester

• Coordinating arrangements with community organization

• Creating a schedule for Scholars to participate in the service project and coordinating sign-ups

• Other duties as assigned or as determined necessary by the group

Out-of-Class Events
Numerous enrichment 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 must be documented. Taking photos to document attendance at events is highly encouraged.

High School/Community Presentations 
As a class, we will contact high school teachers, counselors and community groups to arrange opportunities to share information regarding Scholars and Honors. Students may be required to give brief presentations. 

Research Conference Proposal

Students will write an approximately 300 word proposal for a presentation or poster session to be submitted for consideration at the 2022 WTAMU Student Research Conference.  Research topics should be relevant to the student’s career goals and areas of study but accessible to a broad audience.  The proposal will consist of an introduction to the topic, an explanation of the approach and the importance of this research; and a clear statement of where the project is heading and what results or conclusions the researcher expects to draw from it.  Along with the proposal, students will submit an annotated bibliography of three possible sources.  Additional information will be distributed in class.

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 final course 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 and Mrs. Ingham.

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