Introduction

Student Development courses are designed to provide students with applied skills in a variety of areas. Courses are offered in career exploration, community service, diversity awareness, leadership, personal finance, and the sophomore experience. Courses are offered for one credit on a graded or Pass/No Credit basis. Credit is counted toward the total required for graduation, but is not counted toward fulfillment of core curriculum requirements.

Course Descriptions

STDV 10100:   HIRAM 101:SUCCESS IN COLLEGE:  1 Hour(s)  

HIRAM 101: HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN COLLEGE ~ Starting college can be like moving to a foreign country without knowing the language or the customs. This course introduces elements that first-year students need to adjust to the college setting and become successful managers of their own education and lives. Topics covered include identifying short- and long-term goals, finding your way around campus, learning and using the language of the Hiram College environment, reading a syllabus and assignments, creating a study plan and managing your time, reaching out to professors, knowing who to go to when you need help (academic, financial, personal), becoming an active learner, and managing stress and anxiety. Students will be required to attend all classes, participate in discussions and activities, complete assignments, and write a short essay concerning their experience at Hiram College.

STDV 10200:  MAKING CONNECTIONS:TRNSF:  1 Hour(s)  

MAKING CONNECTIONS:TRANSFER STUDENTS ~ This course is specifically designed to provide transfer students an ongoing orientation to college life at Hiram.

STDV 10300:  MAKING CONNECTIONS:INT'L:  1 Hour(s)  

MAKING CONNECTIONS:INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ~ This course will build upon the discussions begun during International Student Orientation on topics relevant to navigating Hiram College and life in the U.S. In addition to short readings, class discussions, and reflection essays, students will be encouraged to actively engage in campus activities and off-campus excursions.

STDV 10600:  CONNECTING TO/THRU HIRAM:  1 Hour(s)  

CONNECTING TO AND THROUGH HIRAM COLLEGE ~ Attaining a college degree is a major accomplishment. Whether you are completing a bachelor’s degree following your associate degree at a community college, coming back to school after many years, or embarking on your college journey for the first time, this course is designed to help you make that transition successfully. Not only will this course include topics like time management skills and navigating the challenges that go along with being an adult learner, balancing school with work and life responsibilities, but it will also explore the roots of a liberal arts education. What does that mean? Why is it important to know? What are the benefits? Finally, this course will begin your journey through Hiram Connect, a program of experiential learning and reflection that focuses on fundamental questions like where do you want to go in this life and who do you want to be?

STDV 10800:  EXPERIMENTS IN EFFECTV LRNG:  1 Hour(s)  

EXPERIMENTS IN EFFECTIVE LEARNING ~ This course will emphasize basic learning theories and their practical application as they relate to the mastery of content material in a student's current courses. Students will study a hierarchical model of learning and knowledge mastery. Students will refine their abilities to develop study strategies and time management plans, which they will analyze and execute in their current courses. The course will also focus on the process of active versus passive knowledge mastery, as well as collaborative, student-centered models of learning. Pass/No Credit ONLY.

STDV 11000:  EVERYDAY ETIQUETTE:  1 Hour(s)  

EVERYDAY ETIQUETTE ~ Have you wondered which fork to use at a fancy restaurant? Have you been unsure of how to email a supervisor or potential employer? Do you wish you had a better idea of how to deal with others who are rude to you? In this course we will use examples from some of our favorite literary characters to analyze how we treat one another, how we treat ourselves, and how we are accountable for our actions. Students will leave this course with a better understanding of civility and etiquette.

STDV 11100:  EXPLORING MAJORS & CAREERS:  1 Hour(s)  

EXPLORING MAJORS AND CAREERS ~ This course will present an overview of the issues involved in career planning. Students will participate in self-assessment activities to identify their interests, abilities and values. They will also learn research techniques which will help them explore career options. Pass/No Credit Only.

STDV 12200:  LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE:  1 Hour(s)  

LEADERSHIP IN PRACTICE ~ This course is designed for students who are current leaders or who have had significant leadership experience on campus. The course provides a forum for those students to apply leadership theory to their own experiences in leadership positions. Students will read case studies, participate in field experiences and complete extensive writings on leadership and theory.

STDV 13000:  HONEST CONVERSATIONS:  1 Hour(s)  

HONEST CONVERSATIONS ~ This course will provide an opportunity for students to examine the concept and history of dialogue as a change agent. In addition, they will be participating in an active study circle group. One topic will be addressed in each section including: Racism and Race Relations, Violence in Our Communities, Civil Rights for Gays and Lesbians, and Education in our Communities. This class may not be repeated for credit. Pass/No Credit Only.

STDV 15000:  STUDENT SUCCESS:  1 Hour(s)  

STUDENT SUCCESS ~ This course will equip students with the tools, knowledge and resources to improve their academic performance. Students will have an opportunity to meet and hear from several representatives of on-campus student support services and explore topics common to students

STDV 18000:  WKSP::  1 Hour(s)  

WORKSHOP ~ This workshop will provide the opportunity for students to examine a special topic in Student Development. Through readings, discussions and written assignments there will be opportunities to evaluate the topic at issue. Workshops may be taken Pass/No Credit only. Students may take no more than nine workshops for credit toward graduation. Workshops can be used as elective credit only.

STDV 19300:  MONEY: FINANCIAL SURVIVAL:  1 Hour(s)  

MONEY MONEY MONEY FINANCIAL SURVIVAL SKILLS ~ This course will address many critical personal financial management topics in order to help students learn prudent habits both while in school and for their lifetimes. Some of the topics that will be explored include: basic cash management, credit (including credit scores and reports), savings, investing, compound interest and the impact of interest rates. The course is activity-based with emphasis on the student's life as the basis for their work. (Please note: this course was based upon and modified from a 3-credit course developed by the University of Wisconsin in conjunction with Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation with approval.) This course is Pass/No Credit only.

STDV 19500:  EFFECTIVE/REFLECTIVE LEARNING:  2 Hour(s)  

EFFECTIVE LEARNING, REFLECTIVE LEARNING ~ This course trains students both to be more engaged and effective learners even as they work to be consciously and regularly self-reflective to understand how their college education integrates with other aspects of their life. * Effective Learning: Students will gain an understanding of basic learning theories and their practical application as they relate to the mastery of content material in a student's current courses. Students will refine their abilities to develop study strategies and time management plans, which they will analyze and execute in their current courses. The course will also focus on the process of active versus passive knowledge mastery, as well as collaborative, student-centered models of learning. * Reflective Learning: Students will look beyond daily work in the classroom to see how class content connects to other aspects of their lives, including their place in the community and their future calling and career. Students will be required to attend all classes, participate in discussions and activities, complete written work and other assignments, keep an online reflective journal of their academic and collegiate experience, and to write a final essay concerning their experience in at Hiram College.

STDV 21100:  PUTTING YOUR MAJOR TO WORK:  1 Hour(s)  

PUTTING YOUR MAJOR TO WORK ~ Experts predict most adults will have between five and seven careers in their adult lives. This course teaches basic lifelong job search skills including skills identification, targeting employers, resume writing, correspondence in the job search, networking, and interviewing. Pass/No Credit Only.

STDV 21200:  EXPLORING HUMANITIES CAREERS:  1 Hour(s)  

EXPLORING HUMANITIES CAREERS ~ This course offers students the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers that a major in the humanities prepares them for. Most class meetings will include a professional who majored in a field in the humanities and who uses the skills from their undergraduate major extensively in their career. Students will learn about speakers’ educational and professional paths and the skills that they honed in their major and use regularly on the job. Assignments will include reflections on the speakers and the students’ own career goals as well as student development of their own job search materials, including a résumé and cover letter.

STDV 28000:  SEM::  4 Hour(s)  

SEMINAR ~

STDV 28100:  INDEPENDENT STUDY:  1-4 Hour(s)  

INDEPENDENT STUDY ~

STDV 29800:  FIELD EXPERIENCE:  1-4 Hour(s)  

FIELD EXPERIENCE ~

STDV 31200:  STEPS TO GRAD SCHOOL:  1 Hour(s)  

STEPS TO GRADUATE SCHOOL ~ This new one credit Student Development course is recommended for juniors and seniors who will be graduating within the next year. We will examine the important decision about attending graduate and professional school from several angles. First – is graduate or professional school the right step to take? What are the intellectual, career and personal advantages of gaining another degree? How will additional education enhance and/or focus your strong liberal arts background? Further, what are the challenges and downsides – the time, the added loans, the challenging curriculum, the job market in your field? Second – the course will clearly identify the steps to take to research and apply to grad school including topics such as exploring the wide variety of grad school programs, working closely with faculty advisers, preparing for the dreaded testing, the application process, funding options, and the final decision. Students will come out of the course with a clear set of steps to take to move their educational plans forward. Pass/No credit Only. This class is recommended for juniors and seniors.

STDV 38000:  SEM::  1-4 Hour(s)  

SEMINAR ~

STDV 38100:  SPC TPC::  1-4 Hour(s)  

SPECIAL TOPIC ~

STDV 48100:  INDEPENDENT RESEARCH:  1-4 Hour(s)  

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ~

STDV 49800:  INTERNSHIP:  4 Hour(s)  

INTERNSHIP ~