VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

PORT 121 PORTFOLIO SEMINAR: SELF AND CIRCUMSTANCE

Fall 2006

Professors:	Office/Phone	E-mail
Ms. Ginger Ferris	Blocker 223 / 455-3236	gferris@vwc.edu
Dr. Diana Risk	Blocker 228 / 455-3228	drisk@vwc.edu
Ms. Robin Takacs	Clarke 109 / 455-2112	rtakacs@vwc.edu

Course Description: PORT 121 introduces you to the Portfolio Program, a four year sequence of course work in which your liberal arts education at VWC will be carefully coordinated with experiential learning both on and off campus. In the main portion of this course, we will focus on YOU, who you are at this moment in your life. Through reading and discussion and through both informal and formal assessments, you will explore and learn to methodically reflect upon your interests, your beliefs, your strengths, and your aspirations for the future. Then, you will shift your focus from "self" to "circumstance", the context in which you have chosen to spend your college years. The reference here is not just to Virginia Wesleyan College but to the Hampton Roads Area, the commonwealth of Virginia, and beyond to the larger world. At the close of the semester, you and your classmates along with faculty from the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences will come to understand how self and circumstance come together to define individual lives.

In the Tuesday (First Year Seminar) portion of this class, we will meet in small groups to help your adjustment to college life – both academically and socially. A separate syllabus will be provided for this segment of the course and it will have an academic component to that course. The multiple sections of FYS might vary slightly in content but each one will make connections to this Self and Circumstance course. However, you have an advantage over other VWC students because your FYS classmates will all be members of the PORTfolio Program. This will assist in your transition from high school to college. The First Year Seminar Advisors will also be upper level PORTfolio students to provide additional insight into your development throughout the fall semester.

As the course progresses, you will learn to document your development and insights about that development in an electronic portfolio. This portfolio begun now will serve as a comprehensive tool for examining the interplay between liberal and experiential learning as you progress from your freshman to your senior year. In this course, we will start this four year process by helping you acquire the basic computer skills you will need to accomplish this task.

There are a number of ways in which this PORT 121 course is distinctive or unique:

--It is worth 4 credits because it coordinates your First Year Seminar with the Portfolio experience.

--Its teaching staff is large as the course is co-taught with three instructors to guide you through this course. In addition, Virginia Wesleyan College Faculty, Staff and Peer Advisors will assist in teaching and advising you throughout the semester.

-- It explores connections between academic and experiential learning. -- It IS interdisciplinary.

Textbooks:

Sternberg, Robert. (1997). Successful Intelligence: How Practical and Creative Intelligence Determine Success in Life. New York: Plume. Chapters 4-7 contained IN COURSE PACK available in the VWC bookstore.

Duany, A., Plater_Zyberk, E., Speck, J., (2000) Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. New York: North Point Press.

Evaluation for PORT 121:

Class attendance (including co-curricular events and field trip), Participation in Class Discussions, Class Preparation - being prepared for class discussions.	10%
Grades on five Blackboard quizzes based on reading assignments.	10%
Submission of a Community Service “blog” (or web log) to record service hours completed each month as well as a written paragraph to reflect on your experience each month. The blog for the 3 months (Sept, Oct and Nov) will be submitted to instructors for grading via your webpage. The reflection paragraph will be graded based on content and is somewhat subjective, however the volunteer hours are objective and will be graded according to the following scale (12 hrs=A, 10 hrs=B, 8 hrs=C, 6 hrs=D, 4 hrs or less =F)	10%
Three written assignments: 1. Sternberg Paper-15%, 2. Town Plan Project-10%, Self and Circumstance Reflection Paper and an autobiographical map or collage – 15% Note: Keep electronic copies of all written assignments to incorporate them into your web page.	40%
Web Page/Electronic Portfolio (Your web site will contain at least five web pages – the Introduction/Index Page, your Personal Page, your Portfolio Page which will have a link to a published essay that you wrote for this class – corrected for grammar and spelling errors and posted to the web, and a Community Service blog page) Remember: Your website is due by Wednesday, December 6^th, the last class meeting. All work must be completed by noon on that date.	30%
Total	100%

Grading Scale

A 93-100	A- 90-92	B+ 88-89	B 83-87	B- 80-82	C+ 78-79
C 73-77	C- 70-72	D+ 68-69	D 63-67	D- 60-62	F 0-59

POLICIES:

Attendance: Opportunities to participate in class activities, to ask questions of relevance to you, and to have concepts clarified and reviewed are an important part of your experience in this course. Therefore, regular attendance is a course requirement.

Participation: is closely tied to attendance. To obtain the total percentage possible for attendance and participation (10%) in the final evaluation, the criteria used will consider your effort, as evident in your progress and contribution to the class. This means coming to class prepared by doing the assignments and covering the readings before every session. Your efficacy in the activities done during class is determined by the quality and amount of preparation outside of class. Participation should reflect your effort to learn by consistently taking an active part in class activities, positively contributing to all group activities, following the instructions, being always ready to work, and showing a genuine effort to maintain a good learning atmosphere. During field trips or other college events, PORTfolio students are expected to follow instructions and behave appropriately.

Being late for class affects others when working in groups and minimizes opportunities for informed and intelligent participation, therefore, evaluation on your performance in class, as well as your attendance record, will suffer due to frequent tardiness.

* Computers are to be used strictly during sessions devoted to the development of the web page and only when Mrs. Takacs or an authorized person -Faculty or staff- is present. Ignoring this policy will result in a lower participation grade. Please do not use classroom computers for Instant Message or E-mail purposes during class time – especially during a faculty lecture.

Academic Honesty: Honesty is one of the most valuable assets that a member of an academic community possesses. In recognition of this fact, Virginia Wesleyan has enacted an honor code. We adhere to this code explicitly and follow its recommended procedures.

Make-up Work: All work is to be turned in on the indicated dates. If your work is late you must notify your instructors to receive an extension. However, a grade penalty will be attached to all late work.

Accommodations for students with special needs: Virginia Wesleyan recognizes, and is sensitive to, the needs of learning-disabled students, as well as students with educationally handicapping conditions. In keeping with Title 5, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the College will respond to requests for accommodations when the requests are based upon recent medical and other acceptable professional documentation of disabilities. A student's decision to use academic support services and to seek accommodation is voluntary. The student has the responsibility for contacting the appropriate person, the Assistant to the Dean of the College or the Director of Counseling, in order to request accommodation for a handicapping condition or a learning disability.

M – W 1:30-2:45 PM or M – W 3:00-4:15 PM	Meeting Schedule for PORT 121
Aug. 28 (Mon.)	Introduction to Portfolio What is the PORTfolio Program? Explanation of grading and use of Blackboard - Robin Takacs Introduction to the course (Self and Circumstance PORT 121) and the syllabus - Ginger Ferris. Hands-on Exercise in class (Make name plate).
Aug. 30 (Wed.)	Guest Lecture: Diane Hotaling - Community Service component Creating a Web Page - Lesson 1 & 2: Robin Takacs
Sept. 4 (Mon.)	LABOR DAY HOLIDAY - No Class meeting today
Sept. 6 (Wed.)	Overview of Self-Definition and Self-evaluation Lecture: Ginger Ferris - Understanding the adolescent mind Reading Assignment: Chapter 4 of Successful Intelligence Blackboard Quiz in class on the PORT121 Syllabus
Sept. 11 (Mon.)	Focusing on Intellectual Competence: The Three Keys to Successful Intelligence Introduction to Sternberg’s Theories Lecture: Ginger Ferris Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 of Successful Intelligence
Sept.13 (Wed.)	Community Service Learning Hours – no class meeting
Sept.15 (Fri.)	PORTfolio PICNIC – starting at 2 PM
Sept. 18 (Mon.)	Analytical Intelligence What is it? How do we measure it? Finding Good Problems with Creative Intelligence, Making Solutions with Practical Intelligence (Common Sense) Lecture: Ginger Ferris Hands-on Exercise in class – Torn Paper Exercise (learning that we are all creative) Blackboard Quiz in class on Sternberg, Chapters 4 & 5  Reading Assignment: Chapters 6 & 7 of Successful Intelligence
Sept. 20 (Wed.)	Creating a Web Page - Lesson 3 & 4: Robin Takacs
Sept. 25 (Mon.)	Creative Intelligence Chapter 6 What is creative intelligence and is everyone creative? (INCA Video – in class) Lecturer: Diana Risk, Cultural Differences and Creativity
Sept. 25 (Mon.)	Homework assignment: Bring a tape or CD to Monday's class set to a track that you really like. Make sure no one knows your selection prior to class.  Also label your tape or CD so that it can be returned after class.
Sept. 27 (Wed.)	Community Service Learning Hours – no class meeting
Oct. 2 (Mon.)	Copy of September Service blog due Oct. 2^nd. Using music to demonstrate one aspect of practical intelligence - in class exercise Who selected which type of music and why did they select it? (Practical Intelligence) Blackboard Quiz in class on Sternberg, Chapters 6 & 7 Writing Assignment #1: Write a two to three page reflective essay reviewing your experience in our last several classes and relating those experiences to Sternberg's ideas about successful intelligence. First summarize all three areas – Analytical, Practical and Creative intelligence and what the book means by Successful Intelligence. Then discuss what you have learned about yourself from the in-class exercises about your own Successful Intelligence. This is your first writing assignment and is due October 9^th at the beginning of class. The grading rubric for this assignment is as follows: Introduction – 10 points, Conclusion – 10 points, Length of Paper – 5 points (-5 for paper that is too short), Cite Sources – 5 points, Grammar and Spelling – 15 points (-1 for each error), General flow of the Paper – 15 points. Cover each aspect of intelligence with reference to your “self” and what you learned about yourself from the readings in Sternberg and from the faculty speakers, videos, or participation in classroom hands on activities. Analytical Intelligence – 10 points, Practical Intelligence – 10 points Creative Intelligence – 10 points, Successful Intelligence – 10 points Total Points (out of 100) Note: -10 points for each week of late submissions after the due date. Reference at least two concepts from each Chapter with proper endnotes to cite and reference your sources
Oct. 4 (Wed.)	Creating a Web Page - Lesson 5 & 6: Robin Takacs
Oct. 9 (Mon.)	Sternberg Paper – 1^st writing assignment due Oct. 9^th – today! Looking at Circumstances – how have your surroundings shaped you as a person? Suburban Nation, Chapters 1 & 2  Lecturer: Diana Risk Reading Assignment: Suburban Nation, Chapters 1 & 2
Oct. 10 (Tuesday)	Tuesday 10/10: Dr. Larry Hultgren, Director of PORTfolio (all PORT/FYS 120 groups) In Clarke 118 Overview of PORTfolio and a presentation regarding Winter Session: Expectations and Process
Oct. 11 (Wed.)	Community Service Learning Hours – no class meeting
Fall Break Holiday	No Classes meet – Fall Break Oct. 12 and 13
Oct. 16 (Mon.)	Last day to submit the Sternberg Paper – 1^st writing assignment. Blackboard Quiz in class Suburban Nation, Chapters 1 & 2  Lecturer: Diana Risk Reading Assignment: Suburban Nation, Chapters 3 & 7
Oct. 18 (Wed.)	Creating a Web Page - Lesson 7 & 8: Robin Takacs
Oct. 23 (Mon.)	Blackboard Quiz in class Suburban Nation, Chapters 3 & 7  Lecturer: Diana Risk, Cultural Differences in Mexico City – a walking city.
Oct. 24 (Tuesday)	Guest Lecturer: Dr. Bob Albertson Tuesday 10/24: Dr. Bob Albertson, Associate Dean of the College (all PORT/FYS 120 groups) In Clarke 118 Overview of Portsmouth and the impact of Vietnam
Oct. 25 (Wed.)	Community Service Learning Hours – no class meeting
Oct. 27 (Fri.) Field Trip	Field Trip: Exploring the suburban areas in Hampton Roads and the Ghost Walk in Old Towne Portsmouth. Meet in the Shafer Room at 5 PM for dinner. Bus leaves behind Shafer at 6 PM and will return to campus at approximately 10 PM.
Oct. 30 (Mon.)	Reflections about the field trip. Be prepared to discuss and share the highlights of the field trip. What did you learn about Old Towne Portsmouth and Town Center of Virginia Beach – how to they compare and contrast? Assignment #2: Town Planning Group Project Start this project in class.
Nov. 1 (Wed.)	Copy of October Service blog due Nov. 1^st Creating a Web Page - Lesson 9 & 10: Robin Takacs
Nov. 6 (Mon.)	Present your Town Plan to the class – connecting Self and Circumstance. Lecturer: Diana Risk Assignment #2 DUE today.
Nov. 8 (Wed.)	Community Service Learning Hours – no class meeting
Nov. 13 (Mon.)	Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Understanding Your Test Results Lecturer: Robin Takacs MBTI taken online during class.
Nov. 15 (Wed.)	Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Understanding Your Test Results Lecturer: Robin Takacs
Nov. 20 (Mon.)	Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Understanding Your Test Results Lecturer: Robin Takacs Linking MBTI Career Type to your results. Career field research using the OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook) and other online resources.
Nov. 22 (Wed.)	Thanksgiving Holiday No Class meeting today
Nov. 24 (Fri.)	Thanksgiving Holiday No Class meeting today
Nov. 27 (Mon.)	Creating a Web Page – Robin Takacs, final touches to the web page – Electronic Portfolio Assignment # 3 – Reflection Paper with Autobiographical Map or Collage – What have you learned about yourself in this class? What is your successful intelligence and how has that shaped your preferences? What was your MBTI type and what are your future plans? Describe your circumstances – urban, suburban, rural – and how did that shape who you are today? Share your observations and conclusions about “yourself and your circumstances” in class on December 4^th. Submit a written paper (due Dec.4^th) and share your collage or autobiographical map with the class using the presenter.
Nov. 29 (Wed.)	Community Service Learning Hours – no class meeting
Dec. 4 (Mon.)	Copy of November Service blog due Dec. 4^th Written Assignment #3 due – Present your autobiographical map or autobiographical collage to the class.
Dec. 6 (Wed.)	Completed Web Page due today Your final webpage must be completed and posted on the WWW by noon on Wednesday, December 6th! Course Evaluation will be placed online using Blackboard
Dec. 11 (Mon.)	Reading Day – No Classes Meet today
Final Exams December 12-15	MW 1:30 Exam – Thursday, Dec. 14^th 3-5:30 PM MW 3:00 Exam – Friday, Dec. 15^th 3-5:30 PM Come to the exam session for an individual conference.