Introduction to Arts and Sciences

Course Description:	This course, offered through the Office of Freshman Prorams, is designed to give first year students an academic orientation to the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Scieneces, to the University of Pittsburgh, its Oakland campus, and the surrounding urban communities. (See Freshmen Programs Website for lots of activities!)
Requirements Assignments Grading:	-Attend ALL classes, arriving on time (2% per class/24% total) -Participation and completing classroom activities (2% per class/24% total) -Pittsburgh Neighborhood Project (includes group neighborhood visit, photo project, readings from Freshman Reader: Pittsburgh: a New Portrait, and group presentation) (20%) -Library presentation and assignment - September 25 (15%) -Participate in one out-of-class activity sponsored by the Office of Freshman Programs (schedule & reservations) or PittArts. [Prof. Bianco recommends you make a point to attend an event early in the semester; however, she also highly recommends the Cory Archangel "Masters" exhibition opening at the Carnegie Museum of Art on November 3.] (15%) -Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (SAILS) (2%)
Topics:	Transition to College Academic Skills and Services Academic Integrity Importance of Liberal Arts Polite and Professional Communication Educational Goals
Texts:	Toker, Franklin. Pittsburgh: A New Portrait. Additional Materials available on CourseWeb: [Anthony will be the contact person for CourseWeb].
SPECIAL NOTE:	PROFESSOR BIANCO COMMUTES FROM BROOKLYN, NY, TO PITTSBURGH. Her in person office hours will be limited to Mondays and Tuesdays; however, she is available via Skype on other days. Also, if there is a major storm, her transportation may be affected. Notices regarding last minute changes affecting class will be posted here.

Schedule (subject to change)
Week 1 August 28:	Introduction: syllabus, courseweb, website, textbook, plan cultural/FP event TRANSITION TO COLLEGE
WEek 2 September 4:	Communicating with professors, PITT staff, colleagues, & friends. Code shifting & netiquette. Where to start? How to decode your professors' expectations. POLITE AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION	Bring syllabi from all courses in which you are enrolled to class. Bring sample email to professor requesting an appointment to meet.
WEEK 3 September 11:	Intellectual Property, Copyright, Plagiarism, Citation, Remix/Mashup and Academic Integrity ACADEMIC HONESTY	Have read Pitt Policy on Academic Integrity here and on CourseWeb Have watched "The Machine is Us/ing Us"
WEek 4 September 18:	What are the liberal arts and sciences? Why a liberal arts education? What is the relationship between the liberal arts and "the real world"? Organize the Pittsburgh Neighborhoods Project... the world around you here in Pittsburgh. THINKING ABOUT THE LIBERAL ARTS	Have read the Sunday, September 16th, New York Times Online
WEEK 5 September 25: Library visit!!	Hillman Library Visit: meet at the entrance of the Hilman LIbrary, NOT in Thaw	Library visit & assignment Have watched the "The Library of the Future" Library Guide
WEEK 6 October 2: Academic Resource center	One month in to college life... checking in... ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER ACADEMIC SKILLS AND SERVICES	Set up groups for Explore Pittsburgh Project Provide Prof. Bianco/Anthony with the information for your planned or already attended Out of Class Cultural Activity VISIT TO ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER - MEET IN OUR CLASSROOM AND THEN WALK TOGETHER TO THE ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER IN G1 GARDNER CENTER
October 9: Monday Classes meet!!!	No Class (Monday Classes Meet)
WEEK 7 October 16:	Study Habits & Fun Habits Midterms to Finals: real grades, time-management, workload, and the shape of a semester Preparing to make it from the start to the end EDUCATIONAL GOALS I	A discussion on life outside the classroom in relation to life inside the classroom Bring time-management schedule to class
WEEK 8 October 23:	Registration and planning coursework: thinking about the future EDUCATIONAL GOALS II	Bring registration materials to class
WEEK 9 october 30:	PRESENTATIONS! Collaborative work: how did the project get done? who did what?	Explore Pittsburgh Project Presentations Due
WEEK 10 November 6:	PRESENTATIONS Collaborative work: how did the project get done? who did what?	Explore Pittsburgh Project Presentations Due
WEEK 11 November 13:	Evaluations and Celebrations	Time to reflect upon the first semester and celebrate succeeding at your first college course!
WEEK 12 November 20:	End of class field trip TBD by student vote	Where shall we go?

Resources:
Academic Resource Center	(G-1 Gardner Steel Conference Center) 412.648.7920
Disability Resources & Services	(216 William Pitt Union) 412.648.7890
Counseling Center	(334 William Pitt Union) 412.648.7930
Sexual Assault Services	(334 WPU) 412.648.7856