Syllabus

FIQWS: US Experience | Fall 2023

Wednesdays: 3:30-6:15pm
Section: 41630
Room: Shepard Hall 276

Instructor Information

Professor Nidhi Gandhi (she/her/hers)
Contact Information: ngandhi@ccny.cuny.edu
Office Hours: 2:00pm-3:00pm on ZOOM only. Go onto our Blackboard to access the Zoom link.

This is a tentative syllabus. The instructor retains the right to revise, edit, and/or change the syllabus/class schedule dependent on the progress of the course.

Course Description

Welcome to Freshman Inquiry Writing Seminar (FIQWS): US Diversity! This FIQWS course is broken up into two equal parts: a topic seminar and a writing seminar. These two FIQWS seminars are closely linked. There will be significant interaction, both in class and online, between seminar instructors and students. You will receive individual grades for each section of the course, and they are worth three credits each (for a total of six credits.)

A description of the topic seminar will be included in a separate syllabus distributed by your topic section instructor, Professor Jessica Powell.

The writing seminar will introduce and hone skills that increase and ease the production of strong analytic writing. Structured classroom practices will work toward building a writing community that fosters the development of unique voices built around a set of shared values about writing and the work that writers do. Participation as a member of the writing community requires that your writing be public within the classroom. The purpose of sharing writing is to get a sense that academic writing is more than a matter of private student/instructor communication. Writing that has a real sense of audience, tends to have a real purpose, which in turn is the foundation for all effective writing.

The purpose of the writing seminar is to help invent, identify and/or develop a writing process that will sustain your work both in academic, professional, and personal settings. As such, the focus of every class period will be writing. There will be extensive in-class writing periods supplemented by assessment and peer review. The writing you produce will be the main texts for the class to use for review.

Required Texts (For Composition Only): There are NO required texts for the writing section. All course materials will be provided to you.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing a FIQWS composition course will demonstrate the ability to:

  • Explore and analyze your own and others’ writing in a variety of genres and rhetorical situations.
  • Develop and use strategies for reading, drafting, revising, and editing.
  • Practice systematic application of citation conventions (APA).
  • Recognize and practice key rhetorical terms and strategies when engaged in writing situations.
  • Develop and engage in the collaborative and social aspects of writing processes.
  • Understand and use print and digital technologies to address a range of audiences.
  • Locate research sources (including academic journal articles, magazine, and newspaper articles) in the library’s
    databases or archives and on the internet and evaluate them for credibility, accuracy, timeliness, and bias; and
  • Compose texts that integrate your stance and language with appropriate sources, using strategies such as summary,
    critical analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and argumentation.

My Expectations: Course Policies, Procedures, and Pertinent Information

  • Class starts promptly at 3:30pm. You are expected to arrive on time with any and all materials that you may need for class (pens/pencils, notebooks, highlighters, laptops/tablets etc). At 3:30, I will close the door. If you are late, you MUST knock on the door and WAIT  for me to let you in.
  • Since this is a 3-hour course, we will take a short 10 minute break halfway through the class (4:45pm-4:55pm). I expect you to be in class at 4:55pm.
  • Contacting Your Instructor: I want to get to know you, and I take seriously my role in supporting your learning. I strongly encourage you to contact me and visit during office hours (or make an appointment). And I expect you to keep me informed about your work, your progress, your questions, and your problems, BEFORE your grade is the central concern. Do not hesitate to email me to ask questions or send me important reminders. 
  • Professional Courtesy: It’s essential that we are all courteous and considerate of each other at all times. As a group, we will represent diverse cultural, racial, linguistic, and gendered identities and abilities. We must all commit to honoring, respecting, and accounting for our differences. As your instructor, I am committed to this.
  • Technology Expectations: I ask that you please turn off all electronic devices that are not to be used during class time. We will sometimes rely on our cell phones, laptops, or university desktop computers (located in library computer labs). However, if it becomes a problem where it hinders your level of concentration and participation in the course, You are tasked with accessing and submitting documents online, as well as creating a digital portfolio. Learning about and regularly accessing technology is thus a critical part of our course.
  • Participation: I care deeply about students being present and engaged in class, and I’ll do my best to make class meetings meaningful and useful. I ask that you come to class on time and prepared with all relevant readings or texts. I understand that everyone has different approaches to participation, so I welcome you to engage in class in a way that best fits you (by quietly but actively listening, writing in the chat, taking notes, asking questions, and/or offering comments). Everyone is required, however, to collaborate with peers during group work.
  • The Writing Center: The CCNY Writing Center provides a supportive learning environment where students can have one-on-one tutoring sessions with experienced writing consultants. The Writing Center is available for virtual meetings. Students can schedule an appointment through the online booking system This is a FREE RESOURCE  available to all students and recommended for all writing assigned in this and other classes. Visit their website for more info http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/writing/ and to book an appointment.

General CCNY Policies

Student Code of Conduct

All student members of the College community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates mutual respect for the rights and personal/academic well-being of others, preserves the integrity of the social and academic environment, and supports the mission of the College. The College has an inherent right to address behavior that impedes, obstructs, or threatens the maintenance of order and attainment of the aforementioned goals by violating the standards of conduct set forth in the University student conduct policies noted below as well as other policies that may established by the respective Schools, Global Sites, and administrative offices of the University.

The goals of the CCNY Community Standards are:

  1. To promote a campus environment that supports the overall educational mission of the University
  2. To protect the University community from disruption and harm
  3. To encourage appropriate standards of individual and group behavior
  4. To foster ethical values and civic virtues
  5. To foster personal learning and growth while at the same time holding individuals and groups accountable to the standards of expectations established by the Code of Conduct, Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

***Plagiarism is copying and using other people’s words without proper acknowledgment or citation as it is indicated in the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity. All writing submitted for this course is understood to be your original work written. Plagiarism is unacceptable and has serious consequences that can include a failing grade. In cases where I detect academic dishonesty (the fraudulent submission of another’s work, in whole or part, as your own), you may be subject to a failing grade for the project or the course, and in the worst case, to academic probation or expulsion. You are expected to read, understand, and adhere to CCNY’s Policy on Academic Integrity.

CCNY Student Resources

The Accessibility Center/Student Disability Services

The Accessibility Center/Student Disability Services ensures equal access and full participation to The City College of New York’s programs, services, and activities by coordinating and implementing appropriate accommodations. If you are a student with a disability who requires accommodations and services, please visit the office in NAC 1/218, or contact AAC/SDS via email (disabilityservices@ccny.cuny.edu), or phone (212-650-5913 or TTY/TTD 212-650-8441).

CCNY Writing Center

The CCNY Writing Center offers a supportive learning environment where students can have one-on-one tutoring sessions with writing consultants. It is a great resource for you to obtain extra help as you write and revise your papers. They DO NOT proofread your papers, but offer assistance on improving certain aspects of them. To set up an appointment visit their online booking system, or call 212-784-6065. I strongly advise you to contact them as soon as possible, even if you don’t have anything specific you need assistance with yet.

SEEK Peer Academic Learning Center

NAC 4/224 || Phone: 212-650-5786 || Email: seekpals@ccny.cuny.edu
Offers counseling and peer tutoring for students in need of academic and financial support who have registered for the SEEK Program.

Benny’s Food Pantry

As a student, you are welcome to visit Benny’s Pantry whenever you or someone you care for is in need. Benny’s serves as a resource to anyone who finds themselves in need throughout the year. In addition to providing food assistance, Benny’s Pantry is a gateway to connect students and their families, faculty, and staff to critical support services such as:

  • SNAP benefits
  • Emergency grants through referrals to the Colin Powell School (for CPS Majors), OIAC, or Student Affairs, depending on the type of need
  • Emergency housing referrals
  • Job preparation and training through referrals to our CPDI team
  • Health workshops and nutrition training, co-sponsored as part of our World Food Day Initiatives and food pantry demo days throughout the year

Service Desk

The CCNY Service Desk is IT’s point of contact for students who need help with services such as Blackboard, CUNYfirst, and Citymail. 

Laptop Loaner Program
The City College Office of Information Technology provides a laptop loaner program for current CCNY students. The program is funded by the CCNY Student Technology Fee. The laptops are internally equipped with WiFi for use where wireless access exists. Wireless networking is available throughout much of the campus. All laptops are loaded with MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, as well as other CCNY-approved software. This program is designed for experienced computer users who are able to use the installed applications. Please note: you must be logged into WiFi for some software to be fully operational.

Tutoring Services

CCNY offers tutoring services in a number of different disciplines for students who would like extra support studying for their coursework. The Science Division provides multiple avenues to facilitate students’ learning. Tutoring sessions can be scheduled directly with each department or through the Division of Science Office of Students Success.

International Student and Scholar Services
The Department of International Student & Scholar Services provides services and advocacy for the international students and scholars who are not permanent residents of the United States. Additionally, it provides pre-semester orientation programs and semester long workshops that assist with adapting to life in the United States while pursuing their education. Professional counseling assistance is available for students with immigration concerns, or academic and personal difficulties.

LGBTQ+ Student Center

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Student Center is a collaborative resource dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and supporting LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty at The City College of New York.

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides free and confidential services to all undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled at City College. Services provided include screening and assessment, crisis intervention, individual short-term counseling, group counseling, referral and case management, and workshops.

Gender Resources

The mission of Gender Resources is to provide education, outreach and resources to City College students on sexual violence prevention, gender identity and sexuality. Gender Resources provides direct confidential clinical services
and resources to all City College students while promoting gender equity.

Office of Diversity and Compliance

The Office of Diversity and Compliance offers resources for students regarding Title IX and discrimination. They offer confidential support services, along with workshops and campus events.

The Psychological Center

The Psychological Center is a community-based sliding fee scale mental health clinic located in the North Academic Center at the City College of New York. They are open to the college and the community at large, and provide children, adolescents and adults with psychological treatment in the following modalities: individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, family and couple psychotherapy. Additionally, they conduct psychological evaluations as well as psychological/neuropsychological assessments. At this time, The Psychological Center provides short- and long term empirically supported treatments which include: psychodynamic psychotherapy, Transference-Focused Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

Emergency Grants

The Emergency Grants Program provides assistance to students in good academic standing who are facing unforeseen events, resulting in a financial emergency that jeopardizes their ability to persist at City College. The goal of the fund is to help students remain in school without interruption so they successfully complete their degrees.

Housing Insecurity and Homelessness Resources

CUNY has compiled a list of resources to support students who are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness in New York City.

Reduced Cost Transportation

With the Fair Fares NYC discount, participating New York City residents can receive a 50% discount on either subway and eligible bus fares, or Access-A-Ride. Pay-Per-Ride, 7-Day (Weekly) and 30-Day (Monthly) Unlimited Ride options are all available for those using the Fair Fares MetroCard on subways and eligible buses.

Requirements:
Fair Fares NYC applications are open to eligible New Yorkers at or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

CARE Team

The CARE (Communication, Action, Response, Evaluation) team is a multidisciplinary group whose purpose is to meet regularly to promote student, faculty and staff success and campus safety by identifying individuals who demonstrate behaviors that may be early warning signs of possible disruptive or violent behavior, to intervene in a formalized and coordinated fashion at the earliest possible time, and to engage in coordinated follow-up reassessment. The focus of CCNY’s CARE Team is care and concern for students who may be in distress. Team members coordinate
resources and implement services and intervention strategies. The goal of the CARE Team is to provide assistance to the individual while mitigating risk in an effort to keep the CCNY community healthy and safe. After initial reports and evaluation are made, The CARE Team follows up on all cases. The CARE Team is also designed to provide members of CCNY’s community who have concerns regarding students’ behavior with an easily-accessible avenue to report these concerns.

City College Immigration Center

The City College Immigration Center is an office of the CUNY Citizenship Now initiative that offers free immigration services to all CCNY students and their families. All conversations are protected under attorney/client privilege.

Career and Professional Development Institute

The Career and Professional Development Institute supports students in their career and professional development needs. Students can make appointments for the following: Resume and cover letter critiques/writing, Job/Internship Search Strategies, Interview Prep, Deciding on a Major, Exploring Careers, Graduate School Application Reviews, and more. Employers seeking to hire CCNY students often reach out to CPDI who can connect them with qualified students for internships and work opportunities.

CCNY Child Development Center

The Child Development Center serves children ages 2-5 years old with enrollment priority given to:

  • CCNY Students
  • CCNY Faculty/Staff
  • Community families

Subsidized tuition is available for qualifying CCNY students.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services (SHS) is committed to delivering quality care. Clinical services provided by Registered
Nurses are free and confidential to all currently enrolled CCNY students. Limited medical services include:

  • Immunizations – MMR, Hepatitis B, Tdap (Tetanus), Influenza (Seasonal)
  • PPD/Tuberculin testing
  • Health Education
  • First Aid

Student Health Services also facilitates health promotion and disease prevention with:

  • Free on-site HIV Testing by community based organizations (Spring semester dates TBD)
  • Health Insurance Navigators Resources for health insurance enrollment
  • Continuity of care with referrals to community based organizations

Health and Wellness Services is committed to helping students with questions and concerns regarding health issues, health insurance enrollment, immunization requirements, counseling and gender resources, referrals, etc.