Academic Acculturation
Most students who do not succeed in college have the
academic smarts to do college work, but lack "academic acculturation." That is
the student--for whatever reason--does not have the general academic behaviors
and attitudes that professors expect in students. Thus, sometimes it appears
that the professor is glad to be rid of these annoying students and looks at
their departure as natural selection in action. This handout is an attempt to
save those students who have not been "academically acculturated" yet, by
listing expectations--in terms of academic acculturation--for this class. In
general students should:
- INVEST APPROPRIATE TIME IN THIS COURSE. Every 5-unit course at CSUB
is designed so that a student will spend 10 hours per week on the class beyond
scheduled class meetings and lab work. The class is planned to require this
much effort (if not more) and therefore deserves this commitment from you. You
should also realize that you may find the need for more than 10 hours per week
on this class, but this is no reflection on your abilities because all students
process information at different rates and have different backgrounds in terms
of the course material.
- GET ENGAGED IN THIS COURSE. You should listen rather than hear, look
rather than see, and literally become part of the course. Learning is
not a passive experience.
- WORK AT BEING A PROBLEM SOLVER. You will be exposed to ideas that
that you have not previously considered and perhaps do not understand. This is
not an accident. The professor will attempt to stretch the way you think so
that you can understand new ideas. This will require mental effort on your
part, because as already noted "LEARNING IS NOT A PASSIVE
EXPERIENCE." Learning is process where you become aware of new ways to
think and solve all problems!
- PREPARE FOR CLASS. You will get more out of class by having
anticipated the assignments. You should approach each reading assignment as an
intellectual workout. Get ready, assemble your resources, then apply them
effectively. Get intense!! You can become a better student by making
additional notes in your notebook as you review the notes and by making notes
in the margin of your text as you read the material. And remember, notes do not
always have to mean you understand a topic. In other words, make notes about
the items that you do not understand and get help later.
- BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT. You should come to class on time and return
from breaks at the announced time. You should return to class after a break and
you should make appointments or other commitments at times that do not conflict
with class. You pay to be in class, so why not get what you have purchased?
- BE MENTALLY PRESENT. You should talk with a friend before or after
class, not during the class lecture. You should respect the rights of others by
allowing others to ask questions without interruption. Remember, you do not
like to be ignored and neither do your colleagues. You should stay engaged with
class activities and be disturbed by those who prepare to leave early
disrupting the education you are purchasing.
- COME TO EACH CLASS MEETING TO LEARN. Listen to what is being said,
attempt to understand what is being said, take notes on what is being said, and
elaborate on your notes as needed after class. Leave each class meeting with
more knowledge. As the professor, I promise to contribute an appropriate share
of my intellectual resources to the course and I expect you to do the same.
- ATTEND TO DEMONSTRATIONS, FILMS, AND OTHER CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES. The
activities that are outside of lecture are not "filler" items. Each is included
for a reason, each is an important part of the learning experience, and you
should provide your full attention to the item if you are to learn.
"LEARNING IS NOT A PASSIVE EXPERIENCE."
- LEARN FROM FEEDBACK. You will be given extensive feedback on your
exams and other written assignments. Learn from your mistakes and get help if
you do not understand the feedback.
- FIND OUT WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED. If you must miss class or arrive
late, assume that you have missed items of importance. When possible, arrange
in advance to get notes and discuss what you missed. When not possible, contact
a colleague immediately to get "caught up."
- DO THE WORK ON TIME.You should know that taking an exam late or
turning in an assignment late is not good. Your grade will suffer from your
procrastination.
Finally remember! Academically acculturated students are not better
people, but they have a much easier time in college and they certainly get
better grades! "LEARNING
IS NOT A PASSIVE EXPERIENCE!"
I,_____________________
, have read the statement on Academic acculturation.
(please print your
name)
Signature_____________________ Date__________________
Furthermore, I have read the following definitions (from The New Shorter
Oxford English DIctionary) dealing with Plagiarism and understand
that any act of plagiarism on my part will result in an F for this course and a
formal letter of my indiscretion will be added to my academic file.
Plagiarize: take and use as one's own (the thoughts, writings,
interventions, etc., of another person); copy (literary work, ideas,
etc.) improperly or without acknowledgments; pass off the thoughts,
works, etc. of (another person) as one's own.
Plagiarism:
The action or fact of plagiarizing a work, idea, author, etc.;
literary theft; an act or instance of this.
Signature_____________________ Date__________________
PERMISSION TO POST GRADES
I,_____________________ , give my permission to post my scores/grades
in this class, during the __________ quarter, using the last four digits
of my runner number.
Signature_____________________
Date__________________
Runner # __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __