True Maroon
Calling all new Bulldogs! Be part of an exciting new course about all things maroon. We will explore MSU’s interesting past, including its history, heritage and traditions. By the end of this course, you will know more about Mississippi State than almost any of its graduates know. We will bring you to a much fuller understanding of its exciting present and future. We will talk about our beloved campus and the many available resources to help you get started in university life. We will make certain you know the best ways to become a successful student as you start down the road to your future. In fact, last year’s course had a dramatic impact on the success of our True Maroon students. The faculty for this course will include winners of MSU’s highest teaching awards. These professors will be the perfect guides to give you a rich and enjoyable introduction to Mississippi State University. Welcome to the Bulldog Nation!
Important note on True Maroon sections: All first-year students may take our exciting True Maroon course. However, some sections are only for students with Undeclared majors. Other sections are open to students in any major. And a couple of sections are part of Learning Communities that are described on Page 22 of this brochure. For all True Maroon students, it is essential that you register for a section of True Maroon that is intended for students in your major status or Learning Community. The complete list of True Maroon sections appears on the following page.
True Maroon Sections
True Maroon Sections Open Only for Undeclared Majors
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F03, M – 12:00-12:50, Kim Walters
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F05, T – 12:30-1:20, Hank Flick
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F07, R – 3:30-4:20, Michael Seymour
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F11, W – 11:00-11:50, Jim Dunne
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F13, M - 1:00-1:50, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F17, R – 12:30-1:20, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F19, T – 3:30-4:20, Jerry Gilbert & Julia Hodges
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F21, R – 2:00-2:50, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F23, M – 12:00-12:50, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F25, W – 12:00-12:50, Instructor TBA
True Maroon Sections Open to all First-Year Students
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F04, M – 12:00-12:50, Kim Walters
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F06, T – 12:30-1:20, Hank Flick
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F08, R – 3:30-4:20, Michael Seymour
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F10, T – 2:00-2:50, Diane Daniels
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F12, W – 11:00-11:50, Jim Dunne
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F14, M - 1:00-1:50, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F16, W – 2:00-2:50, Tom Carskadon
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F18, R – 12:30-1:20, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F20, T – 3:30-4:20, Jerry Gilbert & Julia Hodges
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F22, R – 2:00-2:50, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F24, M – 12:00-12:50, Instructor TBA
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F26, W – 12:00-12:50, Instructor TBA
True Maroon Sections that are Part of Learning Communities
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F09, T – 2:00-2:50, Diane Daniels
Note: This section is open only to members of the Day One Learning Community.
FYE 1001 True Maroon Section F15, W – 2:00-2:50, Tom Carskadon
Note: This section is open only to students taking PSY 1013 Section 15 with Dr. Carskadon.
First-Year Learning Communities
Mississippi State University is proud to present 10 special First-Year Learning Communities that are available to entering freshmen. In most Learning Communities, small groups of students take courses together that will apply to University Core Curriculum requirements—in other words, regular courses that you would have to take anyway, but with outstanding teachers specially selected for this program, and a small group of fellow students who quickly become friends and study together. Connections between the subject areas of the different Learning Community courses are made, and teachers of these courses work together to bring you an especially enjoyable experience.
Most First-Year Learning Communities are open to any interested freshman. Some are specially designed for students in such majors as Communication, Psychology and Forest Resources, while others are for students with specific interests in Student Leadership and Community Engagement.
Please check with the academic advisor from your major department at Orientation to be sure that the courses in your desired Learning Community may be used in your major. Usually, this is no problem.
For most Learning Communities, you enroll simply by registering for the courses—first come, first served. For some, however, you must apply ahead of time and get permission to register.
It is possible to participate in both a Learning Community described here and also take one or more of the First-Year Seminars described earlier in this brochure if you would like —no problem. In fact, that would be a great idea!
When registering for a Learning Community, it is essential that you register for the exact course sections indicated in the descriptions. If not, you will not be in the Learning Community. Be very careful about this.
The PSY-CO Psychology-Communication Learning Community #1
Courses and teachers (must take both):
CO 1013 Section 06, Introduction to Communication, MWF 9:00-9:50, Cheryl Chambers;
PSY 1013, Section 07, General Psychology, MWF 10:00-10:50, Tom Carskadon
Open to: All freshmen
How to enroll: Register for the courses – first come, first served.
Introduction to Communication is a small, enjoyable course that teaches highly useful skills. Special topics and assignments will link this course to your Psychology course.
Contact for questions: Tom Carskadon, tomcarskadon@psychology.msstate.edu, 662-325-7655
The PSY-CO Psychology-Communication Learning Community #2
Courses and teachers (must take both):
CO 1013 Section 13, Introduction to Communication, MW 12:30-1:45, Amy Knight
PSY 1013, Section 08, General Psychology, MWF 10:00-10:50, Tom Carskadon
Open to: All freshmen
How to enroll: Register for the courses – first come, first served.
Introduction to Communication is a small, enjoyable course that teaches highly useful skills. Special topics and assignments will link this course to your Psychology course.
Contact for questions: Tom Carskadon, tomcarskadon@psychology.msstate.edu, 662-325-7655
The PSY-CO Learning Community for Communication Majors
Courses and teachers (must take both):
CO 1003 Section 03, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, TR 9:30-10:45, Khristi Edmonds
PSY 1013, Section 09, General Psychology, MWF 10:00-10:50, Tom Carskadon
Open to: Freshman Communication majors
How to enroll: Register for the courses – first come, first served.
Communication majors will get to know each other in their own section of Public Speaking and be introduced to special resources, issues and career paths relevant to their major. Links to the Psychology course also will be emphasized.
Contact for questions: Khristi Edmonds, kedmonds@comm.msstate.edu, 662-325-3320
College of Forest Resources Living-Learning Community
Course:
WFA 1001, Section F02, Real World Conservation, W 9:00-9:50 am
Learning Community Teaching Team: Leslie Burger, Lanna Miller, Ian Munn
Open to: Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Forestry, or Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture majors
How to enroll: When applying for housing at MSU, go to the section “Interested in Living-Learning Communities” and check College of Forest Resources Living-Learning Community.
This Living-Learning community is for natural resource majors and is housed primarily in Cresswell Hall. Students may attend the same classes, establish study groups and network and live with like-minded students. The College of Forest Resources is a small college with career paths that provide students continuous interaction with classmates from the first day of college throughout their careers. Students in the Living-Learning Community will find a valuable opportunity to ease the transition to college life and to build relationships within the natural resource field.
Residence: Cresswell Hall strongly recommended and Griffis Hall for Honors students, but others possible.
To learn more: Prospective students not on campus, contact Cory Bailey 662-325-7873 cbailey@cfr.msstate.edu or Allison North 662-325-0855 anorth@cals.msstate.edu. Once arrived on campus, contact Lanna Miller, Office of Student Services, 662-325-9376, or Ian Munn, 662-325-1379.
The PSYCH-E Learning Community for Psychology Majors
Courses and teachers (must take both):
EN 1103 Section 20, English Composition I, MWF 11:00-11:50, Jessica Thompson
PSY 1013 Section 10, General Psychology, MWF 10:00-10:50, Tom Carskadon
Open to: Freshman Psychology majors
How to enroll: Register for the courses – first come, first served.
A group of twenty-four Psychology majors in Dr. Carkadon’s General Psychology class also will take English Composition together with an instructor with interests in the links between English and psychology, a field requiring excellent writing skills.
Contact for questions: Tom Carskadon, tomcarskadon@psychology.msstate.edu; 662-325-7655
The Griffis Learning Community
Courses and Teachers (must take both):
CO 1003 Section H03, (Honors) Fundamentals of Public Speaking, TR 11:00-12:15, Khristi Edmonds
PSY 1013 Section H01, (Honors) General Psychology, MWF 11:00-11:50, Tom Carskadon
Open to: Freshman Honors students who will commit to living in Griffis Hall
How to Enroll: Contact Dr. Carskadon very soon because this Learning Community fills early and space is strictly limited; you must have special permission to enroll.
This is one of the oldest and most popular learning communities. Approximately 20 participants live in Griffis Hall and take Honors General Psychology together on MWF and Honors Public Speaking together on TR, thus interacting with each other on a daily basis. The instructors coordinate assignments in the courses to enhance learning and help introduce students to the diverse resources of the university.
Residence: Griffis Hall
Contact for Availability: Tom Carskadon, tomcarskadon@psychology.msstate.edu; 662-325-7655
The Day One Leadership Community
Course and Teacher: SLCE 1002, Section 01, Day One Leadership Community, Marshall Cade Smith
Open to: All first-year students accepted into the Day One program
How to Enroll: Apply to the Day One program at www.dayone.msstate.edu
At Mississippi State University, leadership begins with Day One. The Day One Leadership Community is a fall semester Learning Community focused on leadership development, service-learning, and student success. Students apply knowledge and skills learned in a two-credit-hour leadership class to improve their community and create value for a designated community partner. Significant time is spent both in class and in community service. Focusing on character and leadership development, Day One challenges students to go beyond what they think they can do, and accomplish what they truly are capable of doing. Important note: You must apply for admission to the Day One program and be accepted before registering for the Day One course.
Contact for questions: Stephen Williams, dayone@saffairs.msstate.edu; 662-325-0244
The DO-PSYCH Learning Community
Courses and teachers (must take both):
SLCE 1002 Section 01, Day One Leadership Community, MWF 1:00-1:50, Marshall Cade Smith PSY 1013 Section 14, General Psychology, MWF 10:00-10:50, Tom Carskadon
Open to: All first-year students who have been accepted into the Day One program
How to enroll: Apply to the Day One Program at www.dayone.msstate.edu; once accepted, register for the courses—first come, first served.
A small group of students in the Day One Leadership Community will also take General Psychology together. Social psychology has many useful connections to leadership and community service, and your place will be assured in MSU’s most popular freshman course.
Contact for questions: Stephen Williams, dayone@saffairs.msstate.edu, 662-325-0244 (Day One); Tom Carskadon, tomcarskadon@psychology.msstate.edu, 662-325-7655 (Psychology)
The DO-TRUE Learning Community
Courses and teachers (must take both):
SLCE 1002 Section 03, Day One Leadership Community, MWF 1:00-1:50, Marshall Cade Smith FYE 1001 Section F09, True Maroon, T 2:00-2:50, Diane Daniels
Open to: Students with undeclared majors who have been accepted into the Day One program
How to enroll: Apply to the Day One program at www.dayone.msstate.edu; once accepted, register for the courses—first come, first served.
A small group of students with undeclared majors in the Day One Leadership Community also will take the True Maroon first-year seminar in their own special section. The one-credit-hour True Maroon seminar will round out the two-credit-hour Day One course to give you the equivalent of a three-credit-hour course in your schedule. True Maroon will start you on the path to success at Mississippi State University, and Day One will start you on a path to lifetime leadership and community service.
Contact for questions:
Stephen Williams, dayone@saffairs.msstate.edu; 662-325-0244 (Day One)
Wesley Ammon, waa2@msstate.edu; 662-325-4052 (Undeclared advising)
Tom Carskadon, tomcarskadon@psychology.msstate.edu; 662-325-7655 (True Maroon)
The TRUE-PSYCH Learning Community
Courses and teachers (must take both):
FYE Section F15, True Maroon, W - 2:00-2:50, Tom Carskadon
PSY 1013 Section 15, General Psychology, MWF 10:00-10:50, Tom Carskadon
Open to: All students with undeclared majors
How to enroll: Register for the courses—first come, first served.
Take two courses from the author of The Insider’s Guide to Mississippi State University. Students in Dr. Carskadon’s section of the True Maroon first-year seminar will also take his General Psychology course together; this course twice was voted “Best Course To Take Freshman Year” by students and was included in the MSU Student Association’s “bucket list” of Top 50 Things to Do before You Graduate from MSU. Double your learning and double your fun by enrolling in this Learning Community.
Contact for questions: Tom Carskadon, tomcarskadon@psychology.msstate.edu; 662-325-7655