A former University 100 class with their service project, Feeding Hungry Children.
Photo Courtesy of concord.edu
This semester, Concord University has seen one of its largest incoming freshmen class in years, and each of those freshmen are required to take University 100. The course is a requirement for all students at Concord, and most recall it as being more of an introductory course to prepare students for the college experience, but most also recall this course as being boring or unnecessary. University 100 is entirely necessary, but the consistency in its execution has been questionable over the course of its existence.
Dr. Jim White, head of the political science department, was one of the first teachers of University 100 when it was introduced as a class. White explains that the course was designed as something to help students adapt to college.
“I taught the set curriculum, which… [taught you] how to register for your classes, how do you develop good study habits, how do you make sure your finances are in order, how do you keep yourself healthy.” White explains that there are different ways of adapting to college, and emphasizing such life skills that would be necessary to survive in college is necessary, but also feels that these courses need some academic material mixed in to be viable for academic credit. White gives the example of introducing his University 100 students to political policies when he had the time to add it into the curriculum.
Dr. David Chambers, who taught the class for Biology Majors in its four years of existence, also tried to teach things that were more academic in nature, which was especially important for biology students. “What we were trying to do is give students the skill we felt they were lacking,” Chambers explains, “We were trying to get them to begin to think like scientists. Was it effective? I don’t know.”
Sarah Turner, Director of Alumni and Communication Services and current University 100 professor for her second year, explains her class as “a nice introduction to college.” Turner says that the course allows students to become acquainted with the campus and offices and programs that they need in order to be successful, as well as information that might not have been introduced in high school such as sexual assault, alcohol abuse, Title IX policies, good study habits, thinking critically, etc.”
One requirement of all University 100 courses has always been a community service project. Naturally, freshmen are apprehensive about the project, but all of the professors interviewed believe that this is a necessary requirement. Dr. White says “It’s one thing to tell [students] about why it’s important to engage with the community, but it’s another thing to engage in the community with the students.” White goes into more detail about how it allows students to interact with each other and the community in an experiential learning experience. Sarah Turner agrees: “I think it’s something they wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise, and would get them thinking about someone besides themselves.”
Obviously, students would have grievances with some of the material that might be taught in University 100, right? According to Sarah Turner, none of her current students have come to her with any kinds of complaints. According to Dr. Chambers, “students complain about University 100 incessantly.” Dr. Chambers explains that University 100 students, especially those in biology, don’t feel that what they learned in the class was necessary because they were more focused towards graduating. Dr. White recalls students being upset with the inconsistency between professors teaching the course, where some may have been taking University 100 with one professor who was more strict than others, but doesn’t recall students complaining about actual course material.
So what are the good aspects of University 100? Namely, what it focuses on. According to all three professors interviewed, it’s especially important to focus on learning skills about study habits and keeping up with your physical and mental well-being which might have been glossed over in high school. Although there have been some subjects which each of these professors may disagree on as far as necessity, one common complaint about University 100 from each of the professors was the actual inconsistency between teachings of the class as mentioned above. Dr. Chambers describes the phenomenon by relating it to professors not feeling adequate enough to teach about some of the subjects that University 100 entails. As Dr. White stated, this was a commonly expressed grievance of students.
As a whole, students might not see the necessity of University 100. However, the skills that it teaches and the policies that it makes clear are, without a doubt, necessary for all students to know. Has it always been perfect? Not by a long shot. University 100 has been around since Dr. John David Smith was instated as Academic Dean in 1998 (back when “Concord University” was still “Concord College”). Arguably, not every course is perfect, and University 100 is no exception. In the end, however, its true value and necessity is determined by the students.
Do students think University 100 is a necessary class? Any students with questions can talk to the professors interviewed above. Sarah Turner’s office is located inside University Point; Dr. Chambers’ office can be found on the ground floor of the science building; Dr. White’s office can be found in A214, and all professors can be reached during their respective office hours.