Sample Syllabus
Introduction to the Arts and Sciences (FP 0001) Class Number XXXXX Day / Time XXXXX/XXXXX XXX Thackeray Hall
Instructor: XXXXX UTA: XXXXX Phone: XXXXX E-mail: XXXXX Office: XXXXX E-mail: XXXXX
This course is designed to give first-year students an academic orientation to the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, to the University of Pittsburgh, its Oakland campus, and the surrounding urban communities.
This course is graded S/NC, Satisfactory/No Credit.
All course materials are available on CourseWeb (http://courseweb.pitt.edu).
Required Essay: XXXXXX (Instructor & UTA: choose one of four essays for class to read and discuss.)
Introduction to the Arts and Sciences Topics to Be Covered: • The Campus and the City • Academic Skills and Services • Academic Honesty • Academic Communication • Academic Goals
IAS Course Objectives • Learn about the diversity of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and communities surrounding the University’s campus • Learn how to effectively evaluate information sources, utilize Hillman Library, and utilize information systems for academic inquiry • Learn about the many academic resources on campus that will help ensure academic success • Learn the purpose and value of Academic Honesty • Learn to communicate effectively through in-person and email interactions with members of the University community • Understand academic standard policies such as probation, midterm grade progress reports, and grade options
Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. If you are not in class when attendance is taken, you will be counted as absent for that day.
Course Calendar
Week 1 Introductions, Syllabus, and CourseWeb XXXXX Academic Communication - Discuss Appropriate Email Etiquette and Letters of Week 2 Recommendation XXXXX Academic Skills and Services - Academic Resources on Campus The City and the Campus - Organize the Exploring Pittsburgh Activity & Presentations Week 3 (Problem of the Week) XXXXX For Next Week – Prepare for Hillman Library visit by watching tutorials on the pitt.libguides section of CourseWeb Week 4 Academic Skills and Services - Visit to Hillman Library XXXXX Meet on the ground floor of Hillman Library Week 5 Lunch at Red Oak Café (Pamela’s, Ali Baba, The Porch) – First Year Programs XXXXX Pays! Week 6 Discussion of Academic Honesty XXXXX (Problem of the Week) The City and the Campus - Exploring Pittsburgh Group Presentations Week 7 (3 groups) XXXXX All groups must submit their presentation (digital or paper) today The City and the Campus - Exploring Pittsburgh Group Presentations Week 8 (2 groups) XXXXX Complete Checklist of IAS Topics Academic Goals - Discuss registration issues, preparing for the spring term, and mid- term grades, grade issues, and academic probation and talk about checklist Week 9 feedback XXXXX For Next Week - Print the essay (Essay you selected for your class) from CourseWeb, read it, and bring it to class Week 10 Academic Goals - Discussion of (Essay you selected for your class) XXXXX Week 11 The City and the Campus Visit or Tour (Heinz Chapel, Nationality Rooms, or other) XXXXX Final Class Meeting Week 12 Jeopardy or Trivi-Opoly Course Review XXXXX Student Opinion Surveys & Assessment
Special Assistance If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS), 140 William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890, [email protected], 412-228-5347 for P3 ASL users, as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Plagiarism and Cheating Take time to read the information on “Academic Integrity” and be sure that you understand your responsibilities under the guidelines set out for The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, which are spelled out in full at http://www.as.pitt.edu/fac/policies/academic-integrity. We will also look at this in class during the term.