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2021 Schedule

Our weekly schedule for the semester is outlined in detail bellow.  Making note of a few important things now will ensure you have the most enjoyable and rewarding BGS experience possible.

  • This is not a traditional class!  That means we will do lots of different things and approach content from lots of different angles.  In the end, our goal is to better know ourselves and to be better able to share ourselves with the world.
  • Always be sure to view the Keynote materials and complete prep work before arriving at your Synthesis Seminar on Tuesday or Thursday.
  • Bring your laptop or tablet to your Synthesis Seminar so that during workshops, you can… work!
  • Look ahead in the schedule for upcoming deadlines, and look for email, OAKS, and website updates about your Synthesis Seminar meetings, Honors Engaged developments, and community happenings.

Week 1 (Aug. 23 - 27): Welcome and Introductions

Keynote: What is HONS 100?

  • What is BGS?
  • What is a Scholar-Citizen?
  • Introductions: The Honors FYE Team
  • Syllabus and Assignment Review
  • How we assess our Learning Outcomes

Preparatory Work:

  • View the Week 1 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.  If you’ve already attended your seminar meeting this week, it’s okay to go back to this now!

Synthesis Seminar:

  • Meeting Your BGS Peers
  • Preparing for the Semester

Resources:

Assignments Due:

  • Add your personal introduction to your BGS class flip grid by 8/29.

Individual Consultation 1: 

  • During weeks 1-2, you will meet individually with your PF; the goal of this informal meeting is simply for you to get to know your PF better and vice versa. Come prepared with any questions or concerns you might have about the class, or about your transition into college more generally.

Week 2 (Aug. 30 - Sept. 3): Living and Working with Integrity

Keynote: Academic, Professional, and Civic Integrity

  • Meeting the Dean of Students
  • College of Charleston’s Honor Code
  • Academic Honesty and Why It Matters
  • Self- and Community-Monitoring and the Social Contract

Preparatory Work:

  • View the Week 2 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.
  • Check out this Honor System Overview from former Peer Facilitator, Samantha Czwalina ’21: Honor-System
  • Review the Cougar Commitment shared by the Student Government Association:
  • Read this AAUP statement regarding academic freedom-and-responsibility.
  • Peruse the College of Charleston Honor Code found here: student-handbook-2021-2022
    • Pay particular attention to pages 8-18 and 41-44.
    • Remember: “At the core of the College of Charleston community are individuals from diverse backgrounds whose
      lives are intertwined in support of the uplifting of the human condition through comprehensive studies.
      As with all communities, there is a moral code of ethical behavior that binds participants together, and
      a body of official rules and regulations that defines personal freedoms and responsibilities. The latter is
      codified in the College of Charleston Honor Code and Code of Conduct – our Honor System.”

Synthesis Seminar: Campus Resources

  • Getting to Know What Resources are Available to You
  • Learning how to Access Your Resources

Resources:

  • Follow this link to a comprehensive list of resources available to College of Charleston students.
  • Center for Student Learning:
  • The Counseling Center:
  • Mindfulness
    • WATCH this video on the benefits of mindfulness and meditation.
  • Sexual Misconduct and Consent:
  • Sustainable Literacy
    • Check out this great introduction to the Center for Sustainable Development
    • You can read more here or follow the office on instagram.
  • Trouble with OAKS in your classes?

Assignments Due:

  • Complete the Clifton Strengths Assessment by 9/5
    • The assessment is found at this link: www.strengthsquest.com
      • Click “Purchase” and use your g.cofc.edu email to get the $19.99 price at checkout.
      • We consider this a required course text, which replaces a traditional textbook.
  • Enter your Top 5 Clifton Strengths in this survey by 9/5

Week 3 (Sept. 6 - 10): Justice and Democracy

Keynote: An Introduction to Social Justice, Service, and the Honors Engaged Project 

  • Defining Justice and Applying Democracy
  • Sustainable Development Goals for the United Nations
  • Spectrum of Civic Engagement
  • Sustainability Literacy
  • Direct Service and Deliberative Democracy via Honors Engaged

Preparatory Work:

Synthesis Seminar:

  • Social Justice in an Open World
  • Honors Engaged Exploration
  • Clifton Strengths and Civic Engagement

Resources:

 

Assignments Due:

  • Continue your exploration of our Honors Engaged Deliberative Democracy and Direct Service tracks by interacting with this flipgrid from our project partners and liaisons!
  • Complete your Honors Engaged Application by 9/12 at 11:59 PM.

Week 4 (Sept. 13 - 17): Diverse Communities in Shared Environments

Keynote: Engaging Diverse Communities with the Office of Institutional Diversity

Preparatory Work:

  • View the Week 4 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.
  • Review The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here before your Synthesis Seminar meets
  • Read this article on intersectionality: Crenshaw, Why Intersectionality Can’t Wait
    • Be sure to follow the links – especially “Intersectionality: A Primer”

Synthesis Seminar: The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here with The College Reads!

  • Group discussions of The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here
  • Understanding Intersectional Identity and Human Habits
  • Restorative Justice Practices for Serious Conversations
  • Finding Our Sustainability Base Line

Resources:

  • Peruse the reading guide for The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change and Where to Go from Here to prepare for discussion.
  • Visit the Office of Institutional Diversity’s website to explore their campus and community programs.

Assignments Due:

  • Complete the United Nations Sulitest – An Assessment Tool for Sustainable Literacy by 9/19
    • Instruction Sheet for UN Sustainability Test
    • Access Code provided in your PF’s weekly email
    • You must save your completion certificate/confirmation and submit it to the “SULI Test Completion Certificates” Dropbox in your HONS 100 OAKS course, so be sure to screenshot, save an image, etc. as soon as you finish the test!

Week 5 (Sept. 20 - 24): History. Made. Here. Whose History? Told by Whom?

Keynote: History. Made. Here. – Whose History?  Told by Whom?

Preparatory Work:

Synthesis Seminar:  

  • Exploring Historic Charleston
  • Reflecting on Place and Narrative

Resources:

Assignments Due:

  • Begin work on your map annotations.
  • Connect with your Honors Engaged Liaison.
  • Complete the Diversity EDU Modules accessed via their own “course” on your OAKS homepage.
    • Save your completion certificate at the end and submit to the “Diversity EDU Completion Certificates” Dropbox in your HONS 100 OAKS course by 9/26!

Week 6 (Sept. 27 - Oct. 1): Know Thy City, Know Thyself

Keynote: Know Thy City, Know Thyself

Preparatory Work:

  • View the Week 6 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.
  • Read these Charleston Syllabus selections: Know Thy City, Know Thyself

Synthesis Seminar: 

  • Connecting Primary Sources to On-Site Experiences

Resources:

  • Charleston Syllabus readings
  • Discovering Our Past App
  • Google Maps
  • Courageous Conversations and Brave Space Guidelines in OAKS Content: Resources
  • International African American Museum

Assignments Due:

  • Complete your Map Annotation assignment by 10/3.
  • Submit your completed Honors Engaged Waiver to the “Honors Engaged Waivers” Dropbox in your HONS 100 OAKS course by 10/3.

Week 7 (Oct. 4 - 8): Academic and Extracurricular Planning

Keynote: 4-Year Planning in Honors

  • Review of General Education Curriculum and Requirements
  • Review of Honors Curriculum and Requirements
  • Introduction to the PACE Navigator

Preparatory Work: 

  • View the Week 7 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.
  • Watch and Listen to Dr. Ganaway’s Advising Presentations:
    • One of these is already embedded in our main Week 7 VoiceThread.
    • To access these presentations, log into OAKS.
      • Once you are in OAKS, go to the “Honors Advising Class of 2025” course home.
      • Click on the “Content” tab and then the “Advising Presentations and Voice Threads” Module.
      • Review the “Freshman Advising Zoom” ppt.
      • View the PACE Navigator examples as well.
    • Watch and listen to all these presentations. Your PF and members of the Honors Team will be available to answer any questions you may have as you approach advising sessions.
  • Resource Exploration:
    • Check out the progam of study for your potential or current major.
    • Access Degree Works through the “Academic Services” tab on MyCharleston and explore the interface and tools available (e.g. the “what-if” audit and the planning tool).
    • Explore the Honors Curricular Requirements and Courses Offered on the Honors HUB.

Synthesis Seminar: PACE Navigating

  • PACE Navigator – Workshop
  • Bring a charged laptop to the workshop so that you may begin future planning and working on your PACE Navigator.

Resources:

Assignments Due:

  • Begin Working on the PACE Navigator
    • Before class, you should look over and begin your PACE Navigator.
    • Write down any questions that arise while completing your PACE Navigator. You will have time in class to direct these questions to your PF and/or an Honors advisor.
    • The PACE Navigator is a working document. It doesn’t have to be completed entirely this week. Don’t let it intimidate you! It is simply a tool to assist you in your planning for the future. There will be plenty of opportunities in class and in your upcoming consultations to address any anxieties or confusion you encounter.
      • By the end of this week, your PACE should include your majors/minors, transfer credits, current courses, and a scaffold of the main Honors requirements – basically what you already have!
  • Submit your completed Honors Engaged Proposal to the OAKS Advising Class of 2025 “Honors Engaged Proposal” dropbox by 10/10. 

Individual Consultation 2:

During Weeks 7-8, you will meet individually with your PF to discuss how your first semester is going; learn about resources specific to your needs, interests and personal transition to college; and begin mapping out some academic and professional goals for your time at the College.

Week 8 (Oct. 11 - 15): Professional Communication

Keynote: Professional Communication – The Art of Effective Self-Presentation and Management of Personal Goals

Preparatory Work:

  • View the Week 8 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.

Synthesis Seminar: Critical Communication Skills 

  • Professional Communication with Faculty
  • Professional Communication with Employers
  • Professional Communication in Civic Settings

Resources:

Assignments Due:

  • Continue Working on the PACE Navigator
    • Use your Consultation 2 with your Peer Facilitator to ask questions about your PACE Navigator.
    • Remember, the PACE Navigator is a working document. It doesn’t have to be completed entirely this week. Don’t let it intimidate you! It is simply a tool to assist you in your planning for the future. There will be plenty of opportunities in class and in your upcoming consultations to address any anxieties or confusion you encounter.
      • By the end of this week, your PACE should include your majors/minors, transfer credits, current courses, a scaffold of the main Honors requirements, and a scaffold of general education and major/minor requirements – basically what you have and what you need!

Week 9 (Oct. 18 - 22): Fall Break - No Classes

Resources:

Take some time this week to explore the following resources that may be of interest to you as you develop your PACE Navigator/4-year plan.  Although you may not be ready to apply for these opportunities this semester, it is helpful to start thinking about them now and even inserting some basics about them into your PACE early.

Later this semester and next, there will be additional events and opportunities to learn more about these excellent academic resources.

One more thing:

Did you love The Story of More?  Attend Hope Jahren’s public talk on Monday night @ 7:00pm.

 “An Evening with Hope Jahren: 10 Things That Everyone Should Know about Global Climate Change”

  • A livestreamed public talk at the Sottile Theater on Monday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A.  Free and open to the public.  Masks are required.
  • You  may also view the livestream remotely: https://iesproductions.wixsite.com/my-site
  • You can submit a question for Dr. Jahren prior to or during the event by emailing: thecollegereads@cofc.edu

Week 10 (Oct. 25 - 29): BGS Advising Week

Final Reminder:

Did you love The Story of More?  Attend Hope Jahren’s public talk on Monday night @ 7:00pm.

 “An Evening with Hope Jahren: 10 Things That Everyone Should Know about Global Climate Change”

  • A livestreamed public talk at the Sottile Theater on Monday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A.  Free and open to the public.  Masks are required.
  • You  may also view the livestream remotely: https://iesproductions.wixsite.com/my-site
  • You can submit a question for Dr. Jahren prior to or during the event by emailing: thecollegereads@cofc.edu

Synthesis Seminar: No Meetings this Week

  • Instead you will be expected to attend an advising appointment with your assigned Honors advisor in preparation for Spring 2022 registration, which begins next week.
  • Continue working on your PACE Navigator

Assignments Due:

  • You must complete the 2021-22-Honors-College-Advising-Form and email it to your Honors Advisor.  Check with your advisor about whether they prefer it emailed ahead of the meeting and any other specific procedures they use for advising.
  • Upload a complete draft of your PACE Navigator (at least the first 4 semesters outlined) to the OAKS Advising Class of 2025 “PACE Navigator” dropbox by 10/31.
    • Use your meeting with your Honors advisor to ask more questions about your PACE Navigator/4-year plan.  They will be able to access your PACE from the dropbox, and you should make adjustments and resubmit based on their recommendations.
      • By the end of this week, your PACE should include your majors/minors, transfer credits, current courses, a scaffold of the main Honors requirements, a scaffold of general education and major/minor requirements, and the classes you want to take in Spring 2022 – basically what you have and need + what you want!

Week 11 (Nov. 1 - 5): Professional Development and the Living Resume

Keynote: Presenting Your Professional Self with the College of Charleston Career Center

  • From academic major to professional career
  • Facts about the job market
  • Resumes
  • Cover Letters

Preparatory Work:

  • View the Week 11 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.
  • Prepare a draft resume as a shareable Google doc to workshop during Synthesis Seminar
  • Spend at least 10 minutes exploring the Career Center Website. Explore some of the available resources.
  • Explore the What Can I Do With This Major? resource. Think about what majors you may be interested in and what career fields they might lead you toward.

Synthesis Seminar: Being “Desktop Ready”

  • Resume building
  • LinkedIn profiles
  • Bring your charged laptop to the workshop so that you can access Google docs to participate in a peer review of resumes from your seminar as well as create/update your LinkedIn profile.

Resources:

Assignments Due:

  • Continue working on your resume
  • Connect with your PF on LinkedIn by 11/7
  • Complete this evaluation survey from the Career Center by 11/7

Week 12 (Nov. 8 - 12): Creating a Personal Narrative

Keynote: Creating Your Personal Narrative

  • What is a Personal Narrative?
  • Best Practices for Creating Your Personal Narrative

Preparatory Work:

  • View the Week 12 Keynote linked under “Content” in your HONS 100 OAKS course.
  • Return to your Clifton Strengths Insight Report and review the descriptions of your Top 5 Talent Themes.  Remember, each person’s report is unique, even if they share some or all of the same top 5.
    • How does your report measure up to the way you view yourself?
    • How can you use what you know about your talents/strengths to self-reflect and to meaningfully communicate with others about yourself?
    • Review your individual report, but you may also find this document handy: Clifton Strengths Quick Reference Card 
        • Talent Themes You Might Have
        • Clifton Strengths as a Tool for Self-Reflection
          • Please keep in mind, the Talent Themes revealed to you in your Clifton Strengths Assessment should not be interpreted as labels, which determine every aspect of your personality and potential.  Instead, you should consider them like a sneak peak, which invites you to further reflect on the ways you approach your goals and everyday interactions.  This is an important practice to begin now and applies to each of our three prongs in this class: Academic, Professional, Civic.

Synthesis Seminar: Narrative Writing Workshop

  • Pre-writing
    • Take some time to reflect on your life experiences. What makes your story unique? This can be personal, professional, or academic. Consider how these experiences shape your values and goals, and think about which of these you may want to emphasize in your personal statement.
  • Outlining assignment for self-reflection
    • Be sure to bring your charged laptop to class!

Resources:

  • Tips for Preparing an effective Personal Statement
  • As you craft your personal narrative, now is also a great time to start thinking about how the research you will do as an Honors student will enhance your story. We have two opportunities to help you begin thinking of yourself as a researcher:
    • Here is a Mixtape of videos from our faculty from across the disciplines who love conducting research with students.
    • If you are interested in research in science or math specifically, you should attend the annual School of Science Math Research Mixer on Tuesday, 11/9 from 4-6 PM.  More information can be found here.

Assignments Due:

  • Continue working on your Resume and Personal Narrative.  They are not due this week, but the best Resumes and Personal Narratives are those which develop over time, so don’t wait until the last minute to start writing your story!

Week 13 (Nov. 15 - 19): Open Workshops

Synthesis Seminar: Open Workshops for Portfolio Documents

  • Bring your charged laptop to your class meeting so that you can continue working on your Resume and Personal Narrative

Assignments Due:

  • Submit your Resume and Personal Narrative as word docs or pdfs to the appropriate OAKS Advising Class of 2025 Dropboxes by 11/21
  • Begin drafting your First-Semester Reflection for Honors Engaged

Resources for Wrapping Up the Semester

Week 14 (Nov. 22 - 26): No Classes - Thanksgiving Week

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