What you need to know so you can do well as a PHIL Major

Welcome to the PHIL Major program

1. How do I register for my courses? 2. How can I keep my GPA up? 3. What pitfalls should I make sure to avoid?

1. How to add/drop course go to your Portal to do this

1. The DNE [did not enter] deadline is Sept 15th2014 you can drop a course and not be charged, and no trace remains on your transcript

2. DISC deadline is Oct 26th 2014.

• You are charged for the course • The DISC notation remains on your transcript • Your GPA is not affected.

2. How to keep your GPA above 2.00

• You can DROP any course within the first 2 weeks without charge, and without notation on your transcript [this is called DNE did not enter] so check the deadline.

• If you are not sure you can handle the course TALK to your professor, or the Departmental Advisor, Dr Sheila Mason.

• You can still drop after one month. This is called a DISC, as in discontinue. Check the DISC date. You still pay for the course, and the ‘DISC’ notation remains on your transcript, but your GPA is not affected. • if you get sick, or are in a crisis during the term, TALK to your Professor, or to the Department Advisor, Dr Sheila Mason.

3. How to avoid the main pitfalls

1. Working too many hours at your job?

Think about cutting back

3. How to avoid the main pitfalls

• 2. Find the course reading and the assignments really difficult?

Get support on study skills. Go to Counselling, http://artsandscience.concordia.ca/studyinginartsandscience/current-students/other-

concordia-services/ check out Peer Tutoring with SoPhia Students of PhilosoPhy Association

3. How to avoid the main pitfalls

3a. Feeling sick? • Health Services is an on-campus

health care clinic. They have nurses, physicians, health promotion specialists and mental health professionals.

• concordia.ca/health

SGW campus GM-200

Loyola campus AD-131

3b. Struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse or other mental health issues? Mental health professionals are available at Health Services and Counseling and Development. http://cdev.concordia.ca/

Top Things You Can do For Better Health • Don’t use tobacco • Eat healthfully • Be physically active • Get sufficient, quality sleep • Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all • Practice safer sex

IT’S A FACT Healthier

students do better!

3. How to avoid the main pitfalls

• 4. Not meeting new people? Contact SoPhia Students of PhilosoPhy Association

http://sophiaconcordia.wordpress.com/

3. How to avoid the main pitfalls

• 5. Looking for a spiritual place on campus? Contact the Multi-faith chaplaincy

Important URLs

Department of PHIL http://artsandscience1.concordia.ca/philosophy Undergraduate Calendar: degree requirements & all courses descriptions http://www.concordia.ca/academics/undergraduate/calendar/current.html Or: 1. Concordia Home Page, 2. Quick Links, 3. Undergraduate Calendar Important term dates: http://www.concordia.ca/events/academic-dates.html Or: 1. Concordia Home Page, 2. Quick Links, 3. Important Academic Dates Advising email addresses Philosophy.Fas@concordia.ca.

Important Rules • General Education Requirement: you must take 6 credits in a Social Science or a Science course [or

one course in each ]

• 24 Credit rule: you must take 24 credits out of your concentration [i.e. out of PHIL]. This includes the 6 Gen Ed credits

• Be sure to Drop a course that seems wrong at this time before the DNE deadline [Sept 15th2014] • Be sure to DISC a course before the DISC deadline [October 26th2014 • If you are SICK get a doctor to sign the Medical Form that you can download from your Portal. This

is the only form of doctor’s note that the University accepts

• If you need an extension after the term ends, i.e., an INC you must speak to your professor as soon as you know you have an insurmountable problem and provide a medical note, or other evidence the problem

• To request permission to Transfer Credits from another university use the Student Request Form from your Portal.

•

General Education courses outside Humanities you must complete a total of 6 credits from either or both sets

Social Sciences: Applied Human Sciences Economics Education Geography Planning and Environment Political Science Religion School of Community and Public Affairs Sociology and Anthropology Simone de Beauvoir Institute

Sciences: Biology Chemistry/Biochemistry Exercise Science Mathematics & Statistics Physics Psychology Science College

Courses in the Humanities these courses cannot be used for the Gen Ed component of

the 24 credits you must take out of PHIL

• Classics • Modern Languages and Linguistics • Communication Studies • English • Etudes Françaises • History • Journalism • Liberal Arts College • Loyola International College • School of Canadian and Irish Studies • Theological Studies

PHILOSOPHY FACULTY