First-Year Seminar for Undeclared Students

INTU100: CONNECTIONS AND DECISIONS, a first-year seminar course for undeclared first-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences

Description and Goals

This is a one credit class that meets once a week for twelve weeks during a student's first semester in the College. The course is an integral part of the learning communities for undeclared students and provides an introduction to programs of study in the liberal arts as well as in the other colleges at Northeastern. One purpose of the course is to help students decide on a major by the end of their freshman year. In addition, it is designed to assist first-year students in the transition from high school to college and serve as a “homeroom” to foster connections with two key people: an instructor and an undergraduate teaching assistant, as well as with other first-year students.

The class consists of weekly discussions, in-class exercises, and some homework assignments that will help first-year students to

connect to, and learn how to navigate, a large, urban university
assist in their adjustment to college, both academically and socially
provide information needed as they decide on a major
foster independence and self-reliance as they learn to manage their academic careers

The course provides the support that first-year students need to accomplish these goals by giving them the necessary information to navigate their first year at Northeastern and introducing them to concepts and university resources they can use as they decide on a major.

Here's what students have to say about their experiences in INTU100:

"It was helpful to have somewhere to ask questions and somewhere to think about what to major in. I feel less like I am just a small fish in a big pond. . . ."

"This course gave me the tools and direction to go out and explore the different majors offered by NU."

"This course . . .helped to show me my options and educate me about the steps I needed to get there"

"I really appreciated that I could come to class each week and have a chance to focus on my decision and learn about different majors at the same time"

Sample Syllabus

INTU100: Connections and Decisions: a first-year seminar for Undeclared freshmen in the College of Arts and Sciences

Required Readings

Northeastern University 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog online at: http://www.registrar.neu.edu/catsugd.html; and as assigned.

Goals of the Course

To assist your transition from high school senior to college freshman by:

connecting you to the university and to the college
assisting your adjustment to college, both academically and socially
providing information needed as you decide on a major
fostering your independence and self-reliance as you manage your academic career

Schedule

Week One: Introduction to the course and programs of study in Arts and Sciences
Week Two: Programs of study at the university
Week Three: Decision-making: how to decide on a major
Week Four: Who do you think you are? Personality type and choice of major/career
Week Five: Career Services presentation
Week Six: It's academic: understanding academic progression
Week Seven: Adjusting to campus with grace and respect for others
Week Eight: Learning while living: experiential/cooperative education
Week Nine: Academic advising for Spring 2008 and beyond
Week Ten: Decision-making: managing your university business
Week Eleven: Whole Health
Week Twelve: Summing Up: the last class

Required Assignments

Assignment: Final Paper Due in last class
Attendance at "Meet the Majors Fair"
Written reaction "Majors Fair"
Attendance at two "What's In a Major Wednesday" Programs
Visit Academic Department of interest
Written comparison of career websites
Degree Audit print-out
Out-of-cultural experience
Final Paper Due last class

Optional Assignments (Extra Credit)

Take Jung Type Test at www.humanmetrics.com
Questions for Career Services presentation
Student Activities Assignment