Courses
- UCOL-U 110 First-Year Seminar (1-2 cr.) This course addresses issues of transition to the university environment. This first-year seminar is offered in a variety of formats, including a freestanding 1 credit course, a similar course linked to a general education requirement with the transition learning objectives embedded in a departmental introductory course, and an integrative course linked to two or more discipline-based courses to form a themed learning community. First-year seminars are designed to assist entering students as they form connections with the IUPUI community, including other students, faculty, and advisors in a prospective major. Seminars are structured around the fundamental and powerful concepts of belonging, transitioning, and planning that represent the conditions necessary for student success in college and beyond. Different first-year seminars are sponsored by the various academic units.
- UCOL-U 112 Critical Inquiry (1 cr.) This course facilitates the acquisition of collegiate academic skills for first-year students by identifying and applying strategies such as critical thinking, independent learning, reading, writing, and information management in relation to a specific academic discipline. Requirements and formats vary according to the introductory discipline course to which it is linked.
- UCOL-U 201 Introduction to Mentoring Techniques (1 cr.) P: Must complete the application and selection process; must have acquired a mentoring assignment within an authorized University College program. This is an introductory course for students who will be serving in their first semester (year) as a student mentor. This course is designed to provide a foundation of mentoring knowledge such as the history of, nature of, and skills associated with mentoring. This will be accomplished through readings, discussions, and activities. Mentors will also be introduced to information about the university structure, active learning exercises to define and develop their own mentoring styles and skills, and the diverse needs of undergraduate students. Attendance, class participation, purposeful integration of information, and self-reflective writings are essential for success in this course.
- UCOL-U 202 Mentoring: Appreciative Mentoring for Student Learning (1 cr.) P: UCOL-U 201; must have acquired a mentoring assignment within an authorized University College program. This course is designed to help mentors learn more about mentoring using an appreciative mentoring process that applies to both group and one-on-one mentoring. This course will expand the mentor’s knowledge and skills by developing a deeper understanding of how students learn, collaborative learning techniques, and how to utilize collaborative learning to meet learning objectives in mentoring. Readings, discussions, and activities will be assigned in an effort to help mentors become acquainted with learning theory, techniques for engaging mentees in active learning, and refining their mentoring relationships.
- UCOL-U 203 Mentoring: Leadership and Transition (1 cr.) P: UCOL-U 201 and UCOL-U 202; must have acquired a mentoring assignment within an authorized University College program. This course is designed to provide seasoned mentors the opportunity to explore and apply leadership theory and principles as they transition from their current mentoring role to the leadership of their individual mentoring program or other leadership opportunities on campus or in the community. Mentors will also be asked to develop plans for how their mentoring experiences can be applied to enrich their academic pursuits and career development.
- UCOL-U 204 Mentoring: Capstone Experience (1 cr.) P: UCOL-U 201, UCOL-U 202, and UCOL-U 203; must have been awarded the University College Leadership Scholarship and acquired a mentoring assignment within an authorized University College mentoring program. This course is designed to provide seasoned mentors the opportunity to apply mentoring literature, knowledge, and experiences toward understanding their role in a holistic and personally reflective way.
- UCOL-U 210 Career Connections (1 cr.)
This course is designed to assist students in the major/career exploration and selection process. Especially targeted are students who are beyond the first semester of their freshman year with over 12 credit hours but with less than 60 credit hours and who want or need to change majors or to declare a major. The course is designed to help students develop and execute a personalized plan of major and career exploration based on self-knowledge and targeted information gathering. Students will be researching and making connections with people, activities, and resources that will facilitate a more informed and realistic approach to major/career decision-making.
- UCOL-U 200 Foundations for Student Leaders (1 cr.)
This course introduces students to the knowledge, attitudes, and inner resources needed to be an effective leader. Participants will be involved with activities that require various degrees of teamwork, fun, trust, cooperation, and communication. Also, analogies will be made to real orientation, first-year seminars, and life situations to demonstrate connections between learning and practice. Students will utilize their firsthand experiences to obtain the techniques needed to improve their leadership skills.
