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The Honors First-year sequence is a sequence of four three-credit courses over two semesters, in which students explore a significant topic while making connections between ideas, disciplines, world views, and ways of engaging. The sequence as a whole emphasizes inquiry, integrity, inclusion, interdisciplinarity, innovation, and internationalization. All sections, regardless of topic, have the same Student Learning Objectives:
After successful completion of the course the students will be able to...
- Identify information relevant to the focus and content of the course.
- Express orally and in writing the key themes and ideas reflected in the course content.
- Demonstrate some understanding of how different types of inequalities and power structures, both at local and global scales, occur and are reflected in or revealed by the content of the course.
- Discuss contributions, histories, and narratives made by members of marginalized communities in relation to the focus and content of the course.
- Demonstrate the skills needed to function in a diverse global community (including inquiry, integrity, inclusion, Interdisciplinarity, innovation, internationalization, and critical thinking).
- Write effectively for multiple purposes and audiences.
- Use a mix of basic and advanced strategies to cultivate information literacy, analytic, and synthesis skills.
This section, “East Asia in the World,” explores the circulation of peoples, culture, and ideas throughout East Asia, from ancient connections between the regions of China, Korea, and Japan to contemporary interactions in a globalized world. The classes adopt a truly interdisciplinary approach, including both the “high culture” of history, literature, philosophy, and art; as well as the “lived culture” of food, family, school, and work. Rather than taking a chronological approach, the course explores common themes through which we can see the culture of the past informing the worldviews of the present. All sections feature readings in primary and secondary sources, full-class discussion, individual and group projects, student presentations, and written essays. Classes will also include group excursions to museums, restaurants, and marketplaces, exploring the many ways in which “East Asian culture” circulates in our own midwestern American communities.
In the fall sections of the sequence we will be reenacting key moments in East Asian history using the Reacting to the Past (RTTP) pedagogy. This involves dividing students into factions and role-playing as historical figures within critical intellectual debates. Each student will be assigned a role and adopt the viewpoint and agendas of that role as they approach the central questions being dealt with. In order to do well you will need to not only understand the general historical context but also your character's specific role within that context, and you will need to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to move forward your own individual goals. It is not necessary for your faction to win in order to do well in the class, but you will be expected to do everything your character and your faction would in order to win.
Course Materials & Technology Requirements
There are no required texts for this course; all materials will be made available on Blackboard or other online formats. We will use Blackboard as our primary class environment and you should check the schedule there regularly to keep up on coursework. If you need technical assistance with Blackboard, you can get help online: https://www.gvsu.edu/elearn/help/student-help-for-blackboard-2.htm By phone to to the GVSU helpdesk: (616)331‐2101 Or by email to Blackboard Administration : bbadmin@gvsu.edu
Course Delivery
This course will be taught in-person on Allendale campus.
Course Workload
For a face-to-face course, Grand Valley expects that students will need to spend approximately two hours outside of class for every hour spent in it. Both HNR 151 and 152 are 3-credit classes, which means that you can expect to do about 12 hours of total preparation and other work outside of class per week. This includes all time spent reading and preparing for class, completing assignments, writing essays, etc. If you find that you are spending considerably more time than this but don't feel that you are making progress, please let the instuctors know as soon as possible so we can help you get back on track.
Rules of Thumb for Classroom Success
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Regularly check your email and/or our Blackboard course website for announcements that we post. These announcements include reminders on due dates as well as other important information.
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Avoid completing your homework at the last minute. The objective of any assigned homework is to acquaint you with class materials and to prompt you to begin thinking critically about them. Rushing this process by working up against a quickly approaching deadline will detract from your learning and your ability to participate actively in class.
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Stay informed. Read instructions and rubrics for all assignments and watch any instructional videos posted.
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When in doubt—Ask! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you have about the class. It will help all of us if these are informed questions—for example, have you read the instructions for the assignment? Have you looked at the rubric? Often, these resources are a good starting point.
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Manage your time well. To best position yourself for success, buy a planner or an agenda at the start of the semester. Pencil in all important events and due dates related to the class. Carve out time in your schedule to dedicate to class assignments, and include these work sessions in your planner as well.
Course Assignments & Activities
The expectations for all assignments will be made clear on the course Blackboard site and, while these will not be "graded" in the conventional sense, active engagement with materials and completion of assignments is critical to your success in this course
Attendance & Participation
Regular attendance and active particiaption are vital for your success in any class, but in an RTTP game your presence has a direct impact on your classmates' success as well. You will be spending a great deal of time outside of class, both preparing on your own and collaborating with classmates in your same faction, but the game cannot progress unless someone is there to do your part. If you must miss class it is your obligation to make sure your fellow students have what they need to continue in your absence. Illness is unavoidable and you SHOULD NOT come to class sick, but if circumstances force you to miss a significant amount of class, speak with the instructor as soon as possible.
Completing your work on time not only affects you, but can also affect your classmates. If you do not do your work on time and are not prepared for class, neither you nor your classmates will be able to participate fully in class. If you do find that you are struggling to get all the things done and need more time, please talk with the instructor as soon as possible.
Assessment
The vast majority of this class will be self-assessed. This means that you are ultimately responsible for deciding what grade your efforts deserve. While this idea may seem unfamiliar at first, it is actually true that it is your own actions that determine the grade you earn in all your courses; in this class we simply make it more explicit that the control lies in your own hands and trust you to assess yourself honestly. In general this will involve self-reflection and assessment of your performance at regular intervals and after specific assignments or activities. Rubrics specific to certain toipcs will be made available on Blackboard prior to the assignment, but if you are ever unclear about how you should focus your energy, please ask!
Academic Integrity
You will be held to the policies of academic honesty as explained in the GVSU Catalog and Student Code, Appendix A (www.gvsu.edu/studentcode). At a minimum, this means that you will do original work and will not take or receive the efforts of another person on any test or assignment. If you are at all uncertain about how to use sources to support your thinking, do not hesitate to ask us.
Supplemental Writing Skills
Completion of this course counts as the equivalent of WRT 150, helping fulfill the university SWS requirement which involves writing at least 2000 words. In this class, the majority of this writing will be either written from the point of view of your role or reflecting on your experience. in both cases, you will be given explicit direction about the content of your writing, in some cases following an explicit rubric. Regardless of what you choose to do with your life after college, effective writing may be the single most important skill you take with you.
Cmpus Resources
Undergraduate Research: For more information on undergraduate research and the prestigious GVSU Undergraduate Research Scholars Designation, see the Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS)
The Writing Center (https://www.gvsu.edu/wc/undergraduate-student-support-65.htm): The Writing Center allows you to make an appointment to discuss any stage of the writing process (brainstorming, outline, drafts, etc.).
The Knowledge Market (https://www.gvsu.edu/library/km/): The library offers a variety of services to help you with research, writing, speech preparation and presentation for any of your classes.
Disability Support Resources
If you need special assistance due to a learning, physical or other disability, please contact Disability Support Resources (DSR/DSS) at 616-331-2490. We are also available to discuss any accommodation needed in the classroom.
Fire and Emergency Statement
Please immediately proceed to the nearest exit during a fire alarm. Do not use elevators.
Impediments to your success
If any issue prevents you from fulfilling your scholarly potential, get support! Anxiety? Talk to the pros at the GVSU Counseling Center (STU 204, 331-3215). If you have a disability for which special arrangements may be needed, these must be organized under the aegis of Disabilities Support Resources (STU 200, 331-3880) during the first week of the semester. Please do not hesitate to communicate with your instructors regarding these issues.
This course is subject to the GVSU policies listed at http://www.gvsu.edu/coursepolicies/ |