Southern New Hampshire University
Special Academic Programs First Year Seminar: Foundations of Critical Thinking SNHU 101 course description This course is designed to help freshmen students develop effective skills and strategies in order to meet the challenging academic expectations at Southern New Hampshire University. Students will develop and refine academic skills such as critical, creative and analytical thinking. They will also learn about tools and methods of research and how to effectively use information literacy in their research methods. Students will learn to recognize and value excellence in academic work.
SNHU 101 Details SNHU 101 serves as an introduction to college-level work. It is an academically rigorous course that helps prepare students for success at SNHU. Critical thinking is a significant competency and as such, is something that is woven throughout the course. Students are expected to read, understand and respond to complex textual material. This course provides a consistent message about the importance of written and verbal communication. All incoming first year students will be assigned a “summer reading book” and a common textbook from the Taking Sides series in critical thinking. While all sections of SNHU 101 have a common set of outcomes/competencies, the context for the delivery of these outcomes varies. Each section falls under specific schools/majors. Such as: • School of Business • School of Liberal Arts • School of Education • Justice Studies • Culinary Arts • Exploratory Studies Some hallmarks of SNHU 101 include problem-based discussions, group work/study and other forms of “active learning” promoted by each instructor along with the incorporation of appropriate educational technologies in support of teaching, learning and student research. Specific student deliverables would include, but are not limited to, essays, group case studies, exams and/or term papers. In addition, students will learn aspects of study skills through support of the SNHU learning center (e.g., note taking, reading for comprehension, time management, test taking). Social norms, involvement and stress management will be supported and presented by the Student Affairs division.
E-Portfolio
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SNHU 101 is expected to make a significant difference in the academic orientation and preparation of our freshmen for subsequent courses they will take at Southern New Hampshire University.
To ensure its success, students will be utilizing and formulating e-portfolios in SNHU 101. They will be able to develop a portfolio that demonstrates learning and active participation in the college environment. Faculty will be able to assess student’s progress in the e-portfolio with the utilization of rubrics. For more information contact Polly St. Hilaire, Director of SNHU 101 at p.sthilaire@snhu.edu.
The Honors Program The Southern New Hampshire University Honors Program is a student-centered program dedicated to creating a first-class educational environment for an exceptional group of students. Especially motivated students are offered an atmosphere where academic excellence is expected, where a challenging curriculum fosters independent thinking in the company of like-minded individuals, and where participants are encouraged to be actively involved in their own education. The Honors curriculum, which is a minimum of 25 percent of the student’s course work, consists of eleven courses and three kinds of experiences: honors sections taught in a seminar environment with approximately 15 students, honors labs and modules attached to regular university courses, and three Honors-specific program courses. These courses are Honors 201 and 202 (Interdisciplinary Studies) and Honors 401 (Honors Thesis). The Honors Program curriculum is adaptable to each student’s individual needs and interests and will work with almost any full-time undergraduate program offered at Southern New Hampshire University. Honors Students receive a $2,000 scholarship renewable each year they remain in the program. They are also offered opportunities for trips, conferences, meetings with visiting speakers, special programs, volunteerism, retreats and other enriching activities. The academic achievement of Honors Program members is facilitated by early registration and other academic privileges, and is documented on their transcripts and diploma. The program further encourages a dynamic peer learning environment by maintaining a comfortable honors lounge and holding regular honors social events. Applicants to the Southern New Hampshire University Honors Program should have a combined SAT score (critical reading and math) of at least 1000, high school GPAs of 3.2 or better, outstanding entrance essays and evidence of interest in learning, personal development and service. Students usually enter the program at the beginning of their freshman year, but transfer students may also be accepted if they have fewer than 60 transfer credits. Current Southern New Hampshire University freshmen and sophomores will similarly be considered for entrance into the next year’s Honors class on a space-available basis. Once accepted into the program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in every semester as well as grades of “B” or better in all Honors experiences. Students in the Honors Program are required to offer service to the program and to the university as a whole by participating in various Honors committees and campus organizations. Honors students are also