Academic Resources

Apply for a Writing Mentor

by

Have you ever wanted a personal editor? Someone who would meet with you privately to help you with your writing?

Your Writing Mentor will work with you on your particular writing concerns, whether you need help generating ideas, structuring your essay, improving sentence clarity and grammar, or managing your time.  As mentors and mentees meet on a weekly basis, this program is designed for students who enjoy regular collaboration.  If you participate, you will have a sophomore, junior, or senior assigned to meet with you throughout the semester.

We work with students of all writing abilities and in all disciplines.  All services are free.

To apply for a writing mentor for the Spring 2017 semester, please fill out the online application here by Friday, February 10th at 11:59PM; we will let you know by  Wednesday, February 15th, if we’ve been able to pair you with a mentor. Please contact Ford Fellow Gabe Borelli at writingworks@wesleyan.edu or 860-685-2440 if you have any questions or concerns.

We look forward to working with you.

College of Social Studies Information Session 2/2

by

The current CSS Tutors and Students invite you to a CSS Info Session on Thursday, February 2nd, from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m., in the CSS Lounge, PAC 406.

Several of the CSS Tutors and the CSS Students will speak.

This Info Session will offer you an opportunity to ask questions about the CSS.

Refreshments will be served.

Please note:

  • Applications for the CSS will be available online beginning February 2, 2017.
  • Interviews with CSS Tutors and Students will be held before Spring Break.
  • Check here for more information about the CSS: http://wesleyan.edu/css.

 

New Teaching Evaluations Update

by

Wesleyan is implementing a new teaching evaluation form this fall.  The majority of classes will use the new teaching evaluation form, with new questions.  However, a small number of classes will continue to use the old form for a few more terms, so some students will complete a different form for certain classes.  There will be one landing page for all student course evaluations, with a link to the correct form for each course.

Overview for Prospective Major in Psychology 10/3

by

On Monday,  October 3,  12:20-1:10pm in Judd 116, Matt Kurtz (Department Chair) will provide an overview of the major to prospective majors. The psychology major requirements have changed starting with the class of 2019. The chair will be available before and after the meeting to sign forms (e.g., study abroad, transfer credits).  Pizza will be provided.  Helpful handout: Psychology Majors Manual, Class of 2019 and beyond.

Apply for a Writing Mentor

by

Mentor program poster fall 2016Writing Mentors will work with you one-on-one on all aspects of writing, from structure to grammar to time management.  Your mentor will meet with on on a weekly basis throughout the semester.  Open to students of all writing abilities in all disciplines.  All services are free.

Deadline to apply: Monday September 19 at 8:00am.

http://www.wesleyan.edu/writing/workshop/applymentor.html

For information, contact the Writing Programs: writingworks@wesleyan.edu

Library Tour for New Students 9/2

by

New students are invited on a tour of Wesleyan’s library facilities on Friday afternoon, 9/2, at either 1:00 or 4:00.

After meeting in the front lobby of Olin, the tour will take you through the resource-filled mazes in Olin Library and Science Library, pointing out the variety of study spaces, computer and printing resources, unique collections, and much more. But since so much of what we offer is available online, we also invite you to take a quick video tour of our online resources at http://bcove.me/9f5eoe1h, and of our primary search tool (Library OneSearch) at http://bcove.me/v5vuiddc. (You can find those videos and more on the library web site http://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/ from the “How-to guides and videos” link in the “Find” box.)

For more information, please contact

Kendall Hobbs
Olin Library
Research Services Department
khobbs@wesleyan.edu
(860)685-3962          

   

The New Jim Crow

by

njcOrientation is fast approaching, and there are many things to do during these upcoming weeks. One of those tasks is to read The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander, which was just made available to you via email.

While it may seem daunting to be required to finish a book before orientation, it is very important that you do so.  The common reading and the activities surrounding it will be a large part of the orientation experience, and full participation is key for a fulfilling and exciting introduction to Wesleyan. Be prepared for a day of performances, discussions, and lectures based around this common read on Friday, September 1.

All incoming students should have received a link to an Amazon Whispercast copy of the book. To access the book, you’ll need an Amazon account (which you should be able to create for free) and to download a Kindle app onto any device of your choosing (also for free).

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact orientation@wesleyan.edu or the Peer Advisors!

Thinking about Majoring in CSS, COL, or CEAS?

by

With over 1000 courses in 45 majors, 14 minors, 12 certificates, and a unique open curriculum choosing classes during pre-registration may seem like a stressful and daunting task. Many students come into Wesleyan without any idea of what they want to study – and that’s totally fine! For most students, major declaration does not happen until the second semester of sophomore year. However, Wesleyan has three majors that require declaration during the spring semester of freshman year. These programs are the College of Social Studies, the College of Letters, and the College of East Asian Studies. While we like to advise students to explore a wide range of classes in their first year of college and hone their interests, if you are thinking about one of these programs, it may affect the decisions that you make during pre-registration. This blog post will provide a description of each of these programs and some suggestions for those who are thinking about choosing one of these majors.

College of Social Studies.  The College of Social Studies is a rigorous, multidisciplinary major focusing on History, Government, Political and Social Theory, and Economics. CSS is reading and writing intensive, encouraging intellectual independence with weekly essays, small group tutorials, and a vibrant intellectual environment.

College of Letters.  The College of Letters is a interdisciplinary major for the study of European literature, history, and philosophy, from antiquity to the present. During these three years, students participate as a cohort in a series of colloquia in which they read and discuss works together (in English), learn to think critically about texts in relation to their contexts and influences—both European and non-European—and in relation to the disciplines that shape and are shaped by those texts. Majors also become proficient in a foreign language and study abroad in order to deepen their knowledge of another culture.

College of East Asian Studies.  The College of East Asian Studies challenges students to understand China, Japan, and Korea through the rigors of language study and the analytical tools of various academic disciplines. This process demands both broad exposure to different subjects and a focused perspective on a particular feature of the East Asian landscape.

For those considering one of these three majors, here are some helpful tips as you select your classes and enter your first semester of college:

Deadlines.  CSS, COL, and CEAS require major declaration in the spring of your freshman year. The deadline for CSS and COL is generally in March, and CEAS is in April. The application forms and the exact dates can be found on the department page of each major. If you are thinking about one of these majors, I would recommend talking to people who are in one of these majors or reaching out to any of the faculty members in the major as soon as possible.

Admission Requirements.  All CSS majors must complete the economics prerequisite either by taking ECON101 and achieving a grade of CR or a letter grade of at least C- or by taking ECON110 and achieving a grade of CR or a letter grade of at least C-. Some students who have not completed the economics prerequisite are admitted each year on the condition that they must complete the prerequisite in the fall term of the sophomore year. Even if you are possibly thinking about majoring in CSS, I would consider enrolling in an economics course in the first or second semester of your freshmen year.

Language Requirements.  COL and CEAS both have language requirements. COL majors must become proficient in a foreign language and study abroad in a country where the selected foreign language is spoken. CEAS majors are expected to take at least four semesters of East Asian language courses and reach a minimum of advanced-level (third-year) competency in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. Majors who are native speakers of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean are expected to study another East Asian language. Those who have already studied a foreign language relevant to one of these majors do not necessarily have to enroll in a foreign language in the first semester. However, for those who need to start at a beginning level, it is highly recommended that you enroll in a language course as early as possible.

General Education Expectations.  Only CSS requires completion of Stage II general education requirements (three course credits in HA, SBS, and NSM, all from different departments or programs). However, CSS majors have until the end of junior year to complete Stage I general education requirements (two course credits in each area, all from different departments or programs). While COL and CEAS do not have general education requirements, it is highly recommended that ALL students complete Stage II general education requirements. A student who does not meet these expectations by the time of graduation will not be eligible for University honors, Phi Beta Kappa, honors in general scholarship, or for honors in certain departments and may not declare more than a combined total of two majors, certificates, and minors.

If you have any further questions about any of these three programs, we encourage you to reach out to a peer advisor or to a faculty member in the specific department.

Complete a Free Course This Summer on Responsible Conduct of Research

by

As an incoming Wesleyan student, you should consider completing an online training session on responsible conduct of research at some point this summer.  Completion of this course is required of every student who participates in any kind of research on campus. Students who think they may participate in research should complete the free online training session now so that you won’t need to worry about it once you’ve started classes. The course will likely take between 45 – 90 minutes to complete.  Completion of this course satisfies the requirement for your four years at Wesleyan, and the course is free. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Sacks at lsacks@wesleyan.edu.

Here are the instructions to complete the course on Responsible Conduct of Research:

  1. Go to:  https://www.citiprogram.org/
  2. Create your own account and select Wesleyan University as the member institution.
  3. Check the box for: Yes, I need/want to take the course on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
  4. Select the subject matter that is closest to the kind research you are most likely to participate in (biomedical, social and behavioral, or physical science).

First Year Seminars

by

First-year seminars are writing intensive courses that introduce students to a variety of topics ranging from Greek myth to neuroscience. Some treat a specific thinker (e.g., Kafka); others provide a sweeping introduction into an interdisciplinary area of study that may be new to first-year students (e.g., animal studies). All of these seminars, however, emphasize the importance of writing at the university level. Students in first-year seminars become familiar with the methods used to collect, interpret, analyze, and present evidence as part of a scholarly argument. Faculty teaching these classes also highlight the type of writing associated with their respective disciplines, and help students develop, compose, organize, and revise their writing. All first-year seminars have assignments totaling at least 20 pages, and feature oral or written feedback on student writing; many also employ peer-mentoring and writing tutors. First-year seminars are limited to 15 students.  Click here for a complete list.

Placement Exam Information

by

All new students who are interested in taking math or language courses should take the appropriate placement exams by June 30.  To access the exams, login to your student portfolio and click on “Placement Exams” in the “Orientation News & Checklist” bucket.  You will then be redirected to Moodle, where you can then choose the exams you wish to take.  

Rubye Peyser, an Academic Peer Advisor, offers some helpful advice on the placement exam process:

Meet the Academic Peer Advisors

by

Academic Peer Advisors provide students with information about the curriculum and course registration and also serve as a source for academic resource referrals. During New Student Orientation, Peer Advisors will be available in residence halls and at different sites throughout campus to help new students prepare for individual meetings with faculty advisors. Peer Advisors maintain a regular presence in the residence halls during the academic year and can be contacted via email to schedule individual advising appointments.

Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 12.49.09 PMMy name is Jenne Johnson 2018 and my goal as a peer advisor is to enlighten students in important skills such as metacognitive learning strategies, time management, public speaking and studying and exam preparation strategies. In developing these skills, I hope to solidify the success of Wesleyan students in their years to come.  I am a Psychology major and potential neuroscience double-major on the pre-med track and a part of Wes-Mass, and the Mc.Nair Scholars Program.  In my free time I dance on two dance teams on campus; KALALU and X-tacy and enjoy both drawing and singing.  I look forward to meeting each and every one of you and learning about your unique journeys at Wes!  You can send me an email at jjohnson03@wesleyan.edu.

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 9.24.03 AMMy name is Genna Mastellone 2017 and I am a senior Government major concentrating in American politics. I am also getting a certificate in environmental studies. I’m involved with fossil fuel divestment, I am a research assistant in the Sociology Department, and I’ve worked on a Second Stage production. I also studied abroad the fall of my junior year studying climate change in Vietnam, Morocco, and Bolivia. I’m very excited to meet you all. Please get in touch with me if you have any questions about your academic plans at Wesleyan at gmastellone@wesleyan.edu. See you in the fall!

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 9.28.02 AMMy name is Steven Chen 2018 and I’m from Rancho Bernardo, CA (slightly north of San Diego). I’m currently triple majoring in History, Government, and American Studies, but my major(s?) change on a daily basis. I’m a member of the Men’s Tennis Team, so if you have any questions about being a student athlete or athletics in general, feel free to direct them my way! When I’m not in bed watching Netflix, you can catch me cooking for my friends or exploring the wilderness of the Northeast (there’s not a lot of green in California). I’ve never met a dessert that I didn’t like, I love puppies, and I’m the biggest fan of figure skating you will ever meet. I’m excited and honored to be a Peer Advisor, and I encourage you to reach out to any of the peer advisors with any questions you may have about Wesleyan, or if you just want to chat! Feel free to email me at slchen@wesleyan.edu.

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 9.30.32 AMMy name is Michael Ortiz 2017 and I’m from Central New Jersey (right outside Princeton to be exact.) I’m a senior and am a Math, American Studies, and English triple major, so as you can see it’s very easy at Wesleyan to major in completely different things!  As well as being a peer advisor this year, I do a lot of different things on campus; I work with the Sustainability office and have helped run Waste Not! For the past two years. I also work as a Teaching Assistant in the math department (maybe I’ll see some of you in one of my classes!) I’m a member of the Wesleyan Green Fund, which helps fund sustainability-related projects on campus, and am a member of Wesleyan’s Latinx organization, Ajua Campos. This summer, I’ll be working in the city while also beginning work on my thesis!  If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out at mortiz01@wesleyan.edu; I’m always down to answer a question or two. Excited to see y’all in the fall and welcome to Wesleyan!

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 9.36.12 AMMy name is Rubye Peyser 2018 and I am a junior from Boston, MA. I applied early decision to Wes and have honestly never made a better choice. I am a Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MB&B) and Spanish double major. As my majors show, I have pretty diverse/random interests. Thankfully, Wes lets me explore a ton of different options. Aside from taking classes (both in and VERY FAR out of my majors), I am involved in a number of activities. I am an Academic Peer Advisor, intern in the office of Student Academic resource, intro biology TA, student researcher in a biology lab, and a sometimes-actress. This coming year I hope to study abroad in Spain.  If you have any questions, please reach out to me any time at rpeyser@wesleyan.edu.

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 9.38.47 AMMy name is Rachel Earnhardt 2017 and I am a senior pursuing an Environmental Studies and History linked major. I was born and raised in Raleigh, NC and would be jazzed to talk with anyone anxious about adjusting to New England winters. Here at Wesleyan, I have strengthened my passion for environmental justice, history and writing as well as my enthusiasm for liberal arts education.  On campus, when not in the library, I can be found working at the Writing Workshop; volunteering with WesAGE, the senior center alliance program (a wonderful excuse to play Scrabble with wiser souls); or more likely, power napping. In Spring 2016, I studied away (50 minutes down the road…) at the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program and returned with a renewed passion for protecting the world’s oceans. This fall, I am looking forward to being a student fellow with the Center for Humanities. This year, I am writing a thesis and will seize any opportunity to prattle on about my topic! After Wesleyan, I intend to spend a little more time in the warm womb of academia pursuing a graduate degree, hopefully focusing on environmental justice issues in the United States, before striking out to work in education. Also, I am a major fan of puns, Dansko clogs (functional & fashionable!), Rachel Carson and reading.  If you have any questions about academics at Wesleyan or finding the perfect length of power nap, or just want to talk about shared interests or a mutual love of puns, please do send me some electronic mail: rearnhardt@wesleyan.edu.  Looking forward to meeting you!

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 9.42.06 AMMy name is Selena Gonzalez 2017 and I am a Latina born and raised in New York City! I decided to attend Wesleyan University because of the passion I witnessed from the students who go here. I was and still am in awe of the many ways students on campus get involved in what they feel excited about, whether its social justice or participation in various distinguished dance troupes. Students at Wesleyan are part of an environment that promotes creativity and individuality. When I came to Wesleyan, I had no idea how exactly I would fit into the picture. I had no idea what I wanted to major in, what my career path was going to be or even what all my interests were. Due to the fact that I wanted to experience a wholesome liberal arts education at Wesleyan, I spent my freshman year taking a variety of science and math courses alongside English and AFAM classes such as Intro to Latina/o Literature and Intro to Modern African American History. Soon enough, I found myself on the pre-med academic track and I am currently pursuing a double major in Psychology and Neuroscience & Behavior. On campus, I also conduct research in the underlying mechanisms of temporal lobe epilepsy in Professor Naegele’s lab as a scholar of the Ronald E. McNair program, which provides underrepresented students with research opportunities, academic support and guidance for graduate studies. I am also a Senior Interviewer at the Office of Admission, a senior board member of the Student Judicial Board and a student advocate on the Student Health Advisory Committee. I can’t wait to meet you all and please feel free to email me at smgonzalez@wesleyan.edu.

Screen Shot 2016-05-27 at 9.44.55 AMI’m Aidan Winn 2018, a rising junior and an Academic Peer Advisor. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with many of you this coming year, and would love to help with anything from scheduling to time management, or simply just to chat. I can help answer almost any question you might have!  I’m from Northampton, Massachusetts, only about an hour away from Wesleyan. I have an older brother who just graduated from Wes, and a younger sister in high school (Wes is her top choice!). I have chosen to major in Science and Society, a program unique to Wesleyan, and one I have fallen in love with over the last two years. I am student athlete and member of the Wesleyan Swimming and Diving team, an active participant in the theater community here at Wes, and an avid musician. Needless to say, I am pretty busy at Wesleyan, but I have found tons of ways to have fun and connect with other students, and cannot wait to get back to Wes in the fall! If you have any questions, please reach out to me any time at awinn@wesleyan.edu.