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Instructors' Frequently Asked Questions

When is the course offered?

The course is offered fall and spring semester in a variety of formats designed to meet the needs of first-year students.

How is the course structured?

Fall semester - 2 credit course - Meets Wed-Sat during the week before fall semester begins. Three one-hour meetings are held the first three weeks of the semester. 1 credit course - Meets twice weekly during the first 8 weeks of the semester.

Spring semester - 1 credit course - Meets twice weekly during the first 8 weeks of the semester.

There are specific sections for athletes and honors students, as well as sections for selected departmental or college majors.

The course is specifically designed to provide a lively interactive environment with the emphasis on active learning. Each section will enroll approximately 28 students. Each instructor is required to follow a core curriculum and responsibilities. A Connections student mentor is assigned to provide peer support to the students in the course and to assist the instructor in facilitating learning experiences, both in and out of the classroom.

What is the curriculum?

Connections seeks to prepare the "complete student," acknowledging the importance not only of intellectual growth, but also of personal & physical growth. The curriculum includes common required components from each area but also leeway for instructors to include their own expertise and background in the course.

Connections 2009 Syllabus

What is the FYE Common Literature Experience?

This experience is designed to bring all Connections students immediately into an intellectual experience similar to future academic discussions at Utah State University. By participating in the Literature Experience, students establish a common experience with other new students that will help develop a sense of community with their new environment and introduce them to the intellectual aspects of the academic life they are beginning at Utah State University. Additional classroom discussions will provide opportunities to discuss ideas intelligently, confront issues that may affect one personally, and look for ways to find solutions to problems.

Instructors who teach the 2 credit fall semester course are required to incorporate the common literature experience into their curriculum.

Who should be a Connections instructor?

Faculty who are committed to student-centered learning and who wish to help facilitate the transition of first-year students to Utah State University. A specific background discipline or special training in advance is not required. Although instructors are compensated for teaching the class, previous instructors agree that the stronger motivation is in having the opportunity to connect and support new students to our institution. See Instructor Comments

What kind of instructor training is required?

For the 2-credit fall course, new instructors attend two 3 hour training sessions during the spring semester to learn about the course and to share ideas with other instructors. This is followed by a required August meeting to finalize the plans for the course.

Are faculty compensated?

Yes, a $1200.00 honorarium is provided for instructors who complete the spring training session and teach the 2-credit course Fall Semester.

What is the application process?

Prospective instructors are required to submit a Connections application. (Click here to print an application.) Then prospective instructor are interviewed by the director of the Office of Retention and Student Success. Confirmation of appointment is made by early March.

What kind of support is available to the instructor?

Each Connections instructor receives an instructor manual that outlines the course objectives, has a sample syllabus, and a copy of all the assignments with background information on teaching the assignments.
The Connections curriculum is already designed in Blackboard/Vista. An instructor needs to personalize the site with their own due dates and other information they would like to add.
A peer mentor is assigned to every two instructors. This highly trained student can assist in classroom presentations, take students on campus tours, help plan social activities, and do some of the course grading and inputting grades into Blackboard.
All workshops are built into the curriculum. The instructor does not need to plan or arrange these for the students.
Instructors are provided a ream of paper.
There is $150.00 provided for classroom activities.
A grader is provided for assignments. (Instructors are asked to grade the literature assignment.)
The Connections website providesa myriad of teaching ideas for every area of the curriculum.
Each instructor receives a copy of the common literature selection, training & resources and information on how to integrate the book into the curriculum.