FY 100 First Year Experience Sections Descriptions | Fall 2010

Every first-year student is required to enroll in a section of this 1-credit-hour course in their first semester at Baker. Below are descriptions of the sections available to you in the fall 2010 semester. Each section of the course focuses on an academic seminar topic as well as facilitating the development of academic and personal skills. At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the rigor and importance of academics at Baker.
2. Apply various course concepts to the world around them.
3. Reflect upon and evaluate the course topics.
4. Express the course concepts orally and in writing.
5. Understand the advising process and academic requirements.
6. Identify the functions of various university offices and departments.
7. Recognize enhanced connections with students and faculty.

Students entering the Promising Scholars Program are not required to complete FY 100. Instead, you will need to enroll in a section of HN 101 Scholar’s Salon.

Section A – Stuff: What Does It Really Cost and Is It Worth It?

Professor: Cynthia Appl | 9:30-10:20 a.m. Tues./Thurs.

Have you ever felt like you have too much stuff? Or do you find yourself constantly wanting more new stuff? Together we'll explore questions such as: Does stuff make us happy? What does stuff really cost when one factors in the environmental impact of manufacturing, transporting and disposing of stuff? We will investigate the costs and benefits of the things we acquire and the complex relationships between stuff, the environment and our happiness.

Section B – StrengthsQuest: Developing Campus and Personal Leadership

Professor: Cassy Bailey | 2-2:50 p.m. Tues./Thurs.

Are you looking to build on or expand your leadership skills? This course is designed to give you insight into your strengths as a leader, student and community member as well as understanding and appreciating strengths of others. This seminar topic will focus on StrengthQuest, positive psychology, team building and leadership introspection.

Section C – The Art of Life

Professor: Inge Balch | 9:30-10:20 a.m. Tues./Thurs.

Once is an instance. Twice may be an accident. But three or more makes a pattern. --Diane Ackerman

In this class we will compare patterns in nature with patterns in our daily lives. We all crave pattern! It is found all around us and in ourselves . . . our societies, buildings, gardens and music all declare patterns. Spiral and helixes: The curves of life. . . . Meanders and ripples: Patterns of flow. Do you always walk the same way to work or do you allow yourself to meander? Packing and cracking: The shortest path . . . Do you accomplish the most with the least like nature does? You do not have to be an artist, scientist or psychologist to participate in this class. Enjoy the fun assignments and be open to change.

Section D – Pants on the Ground: Exploring Behavioral Appropriateness

Professor: Dave Bostwick | 9:30-10:20 a.m. Tues./Thurs.

This class is totally (pick one): appropriate/Inappropriate.

The class will explore the concept of appropriateness as it applies to our own behavior and our reactions to the behavior of others, both in person and via digital media. Students will consider situations in which inappropriateness may actually be appropriate strategy and discuss possible differences between political correctness and appropriateness.

Section E – Leadership Development: Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Professor: Brett Bruner | 12:30-1:20 p.m. Mon./Wed.

This course will explore the leadership concepts with an emphasis on team building and group dynamics. Students will analyze the importance of teams, roles team members play to achieve success, common pitfalls and ways to lead high-performing teams. Students will apply these leadership concepts to practical applications.

Section G – Learning to Love Math: History and Applications

Professor: Eric Hays | 9:30-10:20 a.m. Mon./Wed.

Did you know that it is possible to measure the circumference of the earth using just a stake in the ground? Do you find it surprising that an understanding of the five Platonic solids led to the discovery that planets move in elliptical-shaped orbits around the sun?

This course will examine the history of mathematics and applications of mathematics throughout history. Starting with Egyptian mathematics and progressing through Greek, Arabic, and Renaissance mathematics, students will learn how mathematics developed.

This course is for anyone who would like to understand the importance of and practical uses for math. Note that you do not need to be a math or science major to enroll, and only high school algebra and geometry are needed for this course. We will keep the math at a fairly basic level. The focus will be on the reasons why cultures developed mathematics and how they applied math to solve problems. By learning about the foundations of mathematics, students will develop a greater appreciation and understanding of mathematics today.

Section H – Digital Natives: Technology Working for YOU

Professor: Ray James | 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Mon./Wed.

To live, learn and work successfully in an increasingly complex and information-rich society, students must use technology effectively. This course focuses on building technology skills and strategies to equip students with the tools they need to promote a technology-enhanced learning environment.

Students will have a “fantastic” time sharing their expertise as well as exploring new technologies and incorporating new strategies designed to transform the traditional learning environment into an interactive, student-centered learning environment.

Section I – Great Artists—Exposed!!!

Professor: Brett Knappe | 2:30-3:20 p.m. Mon./Wed.

Adultery, insanity, alcoholism, murder. Surprisingly all of these tabloid-ready topics are part of the history of art. Perhaps it is scandal that helps to make an artist great. If not, why are certain artists considered masters, whereas others are forgotten? Through the course of the semester, we will discuss the most famous artists of Europe and the United States, learn about their individual scandals and hopefully answer the big question – why are these men and women so famous today? Each class focus on the work of a single artist. After lecturing about the social and cultural climate of the period as well as the artist’s work, we will discuss possible reasons for the artist’s fame and vote whether or not that fame is deserved.

Section K – Your Baker Brand: Creating an Image of Success

Professor: Susan Wade | 11:30 a.m. -12:20 p.m. Mon./Wed.

What is your personal "Baker Brand"?

From the day you’re born, you’re branding yourself as something or other. Until the day you die, you’ll advertise your character, your integrity, your passion, your faith, your background – all on the back of every choice you’ll ever make. --Daymond John, Founder/CEO of FUBU and TV Reality star of “Shark Tank.”

This class will focus on exploring and gaining a clear understanding of each student’s interests, strengths and skills. Emphasis will be placed on choosing a major and career by using personality and career assessments and a wide variety of career exploration resources. Class discussions will address developing a personal brand on
campus via campus activities, leadership positions and experiential learning opportunities. Creating a personal brand through social media will also be explored.

Section L – Etiquette in the Real World

Professor: Matt Windle | 12:30-1:20 p.m. Tues./Thurs.

How much should I tip this awful waitress? Can a handshake really determine whether or not I get this job? Should I text my girlfriend to break up with her?

In this course students will examine nuggets of overlooked wisdom that will help you to “pay it forward” throughout your lifetime. We will tackle a variety character-driven behaviors that just may save you some embarrassment or put you one step ahead of the next person.

HN 101 Scholar's Salon

Students entering the Promising Scholars Program are not required to complete FY 100. Instead, you will need to enroll in a section of HN 101 Scholar’s Salon, which is designed to foster an atmosphere of community among the Baker Scholars, to promote self-responsibility for lifelong learning, to guide participants into making connections among the various disciplines they are studying and to integrating various knowledge that they are acquiring. Finally, the course will guide students in the development of the Scholars Portfolio, which is a primary component of participation the program. Please consult with your academic advisor to determine whether this experience is right for you!

HN 101 A – Scholar’s Salon| THEME – Everyone Else Is Doing It: The Power of Social Influence

Professor: Sara Crump | 2:30-3:20 p.m. Wed.

Ever wondered why you feel compelled to buy something after you’ve received a free sample? Have you ever felt obliged to say "yes" to telemarketers, or feel like you’ve been taken for a ride by a car salesperson? In this course, students will learn about the tactics used to influence and persuade others. Taken from a psychological perspective, we will learn about a number of weapons of influence, such as the power of reciprocity (i.e., you do something nice for me, I do something nice for you), obedience to authority, why friendly and physically attractive people have the power to influence us, and so much more. By the end of this class, you will be more attuned to the tactics that people use to persuade you, and how to resist those pressures.

HN 101 B – Scholar’s Salon | THEME – Cold Mountain: Life Lessons from the Smoky Mountains

Professor: Robin Liston | 2-2:50 p.m. Tues.

Reading is a fundamental tool for reaching many goals. Throughout the semester, we will read the novel Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. Through class discussions, group-discovery projects, and personal journaling, we will explore themes such as authority, perseverance, problem-solving, family, morality and spirituality, as illustrated in the text and in modern life.