St.

Josephs College Fall 2016

SJC 100 Freshman Seminar
Section SAS 11: Adam, Eve, and That Snake: Our Coming-of-Age Story
Class Meets: Tuesday & Thursday 2:00-315 p.m., O'Connor Room N309
Professor: Cristina R. OKeefe; E-mail Address: cokeefe@sjcny.edu
REQUIRED TEXTS available at St. Joseph's College Bookstore:
1. New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE).
2. The Diaries of Adam and Eve, Translated by Mark Twain. Twain, Mark. ed. Don
Roberts. Fair Oaks Press: San Francisco CA, 2001. ISBN 978-0-9658811-5-9
3. Big History: From The Big Bang to The Present. Brown, Cynthia Stokes. The New
Press: New York NY, 2012. ISBN 978-1-59558-848-7
REQUIRED READING:
Assigned reading from the above three texts
Assigned reading from E-Reserves: our Library access code for E-Res. is S2310
Assigned supplemental handouts (these are in addition to regular Class Handouts
posted on Canvas)
SJC 100 THE FRESHMAN SEMINAR
The Freshman Seminary is a course for all first year students which will introduce them
to the academic world of college and, along with the required First Year Experience
Program (FYE), will serve to engage students in the college experience here at St.
Joseph's. Each course section will focus on a unique and engaging topic related to the
discipline or avocation of the instructor and may also incorporate interdisciplinary
themes. This course will offer a laboratory experience of careful and critical reading,
writing to learn, research skills, and cooperative classroom activities.
2.5 hours a week, 1 semester, 3 credits
SECTION DESCRIPTION:
In the very beginning of the bible, the second creation account finds the first man, Adam,
and first woman, Eve, in the Garden. They are enjoying their idyllic life until sin enters
the world and everything falls apart. The Adam and Eve story has shaped Western
Civilization's understanding on everything from sexuality to sin to death and everything
in-between; it has given insight into the created world and the role humanity has in
caring for it. This is a story that has often been misread and misunderstood many
have taken it to mean men should subjugate the earth and everything in it; women have
been blamed for the ills of humanity. Does this story have value for us today? As we
investigate humanity's beautiful coming-of-age story, we will be confronted with life's
perennial questions: what can we know about ourselves and our beginnings? about
God? about this world? why do things seem to go so terribly awry? We will develop our
responses as we delve into the riches the Adam and Eve story have for us.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Acquire and/or continue to develop intellectual curiosity and the learning skills needed to
promote and satisfy that curiosity. While each section will have a unique topic, all SJC
100 sections will focus on pivotal learning skills necessary for all students regardless of
their major, particularly reading, writing, discussion and critical thinking.

2. Introduce students to the missions and goals of the college (integrity, intellectual and
spiritual values, social responsibility, service and global awareness) as operationalized in
our academic programs through the specific course topic of the section.

3. Form an active community of inquiry with and through a shared focus on a disciplinary
or interdisciplinary problem or topic, thereby engaging the students in a community
experience which supports rigorous and accessible active learning.
4. Facilitate the transition from the dependency in the high school learning experience to
the relatively independent college learning experience.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1.
Class Participation
Due to the nature of this course, active and constructive participation by all is
necessary. Participation should stem from a critical reading of the assigned
material along with personal insights and questions. Reading the assigned
material before class is a necessity. Certain classes have focus questions for
discussion that are noted in the course calendar. Students are responsible for all
assigned reading regardless of whether the material is directly covered in class.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend class regularly, arrive on time, and remain for
the entire scheduled time. Class attendance is necessary as lectures include
material not found in the readings. If you are late for class and attendance has
already been taken, it is your responsibility to see that you are marked present.
Students absent from class are still responsible for all material covered. As a
courtesy, please inform me via e-mail of the reason for your absence.
Discussions, Book Reviews, Interactions
There will be informal class discussions.
There are 4 scheduled class discussions. Students will be required to reflect on,
and respond to, the question presented to them in advance of class
discussion, based on their reading for that class.
There are 2 class discussions of the two books assigned for the class.
There are 2 class discussions of the two articles assigned for the class (E-Res.)
There are 2 Class Interactions (group work assignments).
2.

Quizzes and Exams

Two quizzes will be given.
A mid-term and final exam will be given. No make-ups will be given.

3.

Papers
Two 1- to 2-page research and reflection papers which should reflect insights
gained through class lecture and discussion, required reading, and personal
experience. The papers are to be one-to-two pages each, typed, 12-point font,
double-spaced, 1" margins. Late papers will receive a markdown of one letter
grade per day late. Further guidelines will be posted on Canvas.

4.

Core Assignment
Students will offer a final short paper and oral presentation that is reflective of
their developing appreciation of the Judaeo-Christian origin accounts, while
showing how these accounts enter into and illuminate the human story, and
integrating what they have learned through this course into their present

understanding of origins.
The written component of the Core Assignment is due on 12/1/16, and Student
Presentations will be on 12/1/16 and 12/616. Guidelines will be posted on
Canvas.
GRADING is based on the above criteria for evaluation. Percentages are assigned as follows:
20% Class Participation (inclusive of preparedness and active participation, both
informally and through assigned class discussions and interactions)
10% 2 Quizzes (5% each)
10% 2 Papers (5% each)
20% Core Assignment
20% Mid-term Exam
20% Final Examination
100%
SAFETY: Please note that security personnel are available to escort students from the building
to their cars. This accommodation is easily arranged by contacting the security
desk or second floor receptionist at the necessary time.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT: St. Joseph's College, in accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act, provides assistance and resources for students with
disabilities. If you have a documented disability: physical, psychological, medical or
learning, which may impact your academic learning, contact Student Accessibility
Services, located in O'Connor Hall, Room E301 phone number: (631) 687-1248. This
office will assist you in getting all necessary accommodations at the College and in the
classroom. All information will be kept confidential and private. Students should also
work with their instructor to make arrangements if they require accommodations for test
taking, carrying out assignments, or other academic needs.
PLAGIARISM AND OTHER FORMS OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY STATEMENT: The College
expects students to observe academic integrity in all aspects of their academic life,
including the conduct of examinations, assignments, and research. All members of the
College community share the responsibility for creating a climate of academic integrity,
based on the fairness to others and respect for oneself. Violations of academic integrity
are treated very seriously. Plagiarism (the act of copying, stealing or representing the
words of another as one's own without giving credit to the source), cheating on
examinations, and all forms of academic dishonesty are forbidden. Students found guilty
of such behavior are subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include a
reduction in grade, a failure in the course, or expulsion. Instructors at St. Joseph's
College routinely use plagiarism detection devices such as Turnitin.com, Safe Assign,
and Google to uncover acts of plagiarism.