University Success Seminar: LAMAR 1101
Fall 2013 Section: __
Instructor:
Office:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Peer Assistant:
E-mail:
Phone:
Required Text and Materials :
Text – Downing, S. (2011). On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life. Boston,
MA: Wadsworth.
Common Reader – Alexie, Sherman (2007). Flight. New York, New York: Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Planner – A planner with monthly and weekly calendars (to be approved by the instructor) must be
brought to class every day.
Course Description:
University Success Seminar is an inter-disciplinary, interactive and reflective course that will address
issues of academic and social transitions to college. Readings, activities, and discussions will focus on
critical thinking and communication skills, quantitative literacy, social and ethical issues, campus
resources, and academic and career exploration. This is a one credit hour lecture course meeting two (2)
times per week.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The primary objective of this course is to prepare students to take on the increased personal
responsibilities that come with transitioning to college. At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Utilize critical and creative thinking.
2. Utilize effective written and oral communication.
3. Apply mathematical concepts and skills.
4. Collaborate effectively, consider different points of view, and work with others to support a
shared purpose or goal
5. Demonstrate both local and global intercultural knowledge.
6. Connect choices and actions to ethical decisions.
7. Develop professional behaviors, skills, and citizenship.
8. Take personal responsibility for making sound academic and life choices during college by
balancing academic, personal, work and community commitments.
9. Actively pursue learning success by being able to locate, access, and use information,
technology, and campus services and resources.
10. Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of academic skills (e.g., note taking, active reading,
time management, memorization techniques, organizing study materials, and test taking).
Course Expectations:
1. Completion of all assignments and course readings.
2. Participation in all class activities.
3. Class attendance.
4. Academic honesty.
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Attendance:
Attendance is REQUIRED! Unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the class attendance grade
(absences due to university-related activities, illness, death of immediate family, or extenuating
circumstances will be considered with proper documentation only). Students arriving to class 5 minutes
late, sleeping, or having cell phones ring or texting will be asked to leave, and will be counted as absent.
Students leaving class early will be counted absent. Student may “buy” back absences (please see
Grading Scales below for details).
Official Drop/Withdrawal Deadlines:
Students wishing to drop or withdraw for any reason must follow university procedures. You should see
your advisor for full instructions. All students under the ‘I Will’ contract must consult their advisor
before dropping any course. The following are a list of deadlines for dropping classes or withdrawing
from Lamar:
 Last day to drop or withdraw with no academic penalty (receive a Q or W), even if failing this
class = [Date]
 Last day to drop or withdraw with academic penalty (receive an F),or if currently passing the
class a Q = [Date]
 Note: Grades are provided by the instructor.
Grading Scale:
Requirements:
Attendance (each absence will deduct 10 points)*
Planner (randomly checked 4 times, 25 pts. each)
Labs (6 labs, 25 pts. each)
Journal Entries (12 grades, 25 pts. each)†
Resource Finder
Community Building (4 grades, 50 pts. each)†
Advising Sessions (2 sessions, 25 pts. each)†
Library Tutorials (4 tutorials, 25 pts. each)†
College Success Factors Index (Pre & Post, 150 pts. each)†
Critical Thinking Paper†
Oral Presentation
Portfolio (6 areas)
Total Possible Points
Points:
200
100
150
300
100
200
50
100
300
150
150
200
2000
Points Earned:
*Attendance- For this course you will be able to “buy” back up to two (2) absences. You may buy back an
absence by going to an approved, official Lamar University sporting or academic event. This offer must be
above and beyond what is required in the community building section of this syllabus. In order to receive
credit for your absence you must bring documentation of participation in the event. Every absence after will
result in a 10 point deduction.
†Portfolio-For the portfolio to be complete, these assignments must be included.
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Assignments:
Planner - Each student is required to obtain and utilize a planner with monthly and weekly calendars.
The planner must be approved by the instructor as being of a functional size and format for class use.
Each student must bring his or her planners to every class and produce the planner whenever the
instructor requests to see that it is up to date. (Student Learning Outcomes 7, 8, 10)
Textbook Readings - Each student is required to complete the assigned reading from the On Course
class textbook before class. The reading assignments are listed in the Course Agenda included with this
syllabus. (Student Learning Outcomes 7, 8, 10)
Common Reader- Each student is required to complete the assigned readings from Flight, the Common
Reader used for this class. The reading assignments are listed in the Course Agenda included with this
syllabus.
Journals on Blackboard - After reading the assigned essay for the week, each student is to write a
“journal entry” reflecting his or her own thoughts, agreements, criticisms, and ambivalences about the
personal philosophy of the essay’s author. Each journal entry must be at least 300 words in length and
must be submitted online in Blackboard by 5:00pm the day before on which the assignment is due.
Journals should be included in the Portfolio. (Student Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7)
Labs - “Labs” are assignments given by the instructor (in class or as homework) that require
implementing new knowledge and skills learned in class. Each lab must be completed by next week’s
class and turned in on Blackboard. (Student Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 6, 9, 10)
Advising Sessions - Each student is required to meet with a University Undergraduate Advising Center
(UAC) Advisor, in person, at least twice a semester to discuss academic and personal progress.
Verification of these visits should be included in the Portfolio.
College Success Factors Index (CSFI) - This is a college assessment that will be taken at the beginning
and end of the semester. The CSFI measures ten (10) areas: Responsibility/Control, Expectations,
Competition, Task Planning, Persistence, College Involvement, Family Involvement, Wellness, Time
Management, and Precision. The outcomes of the pre- and post- index should be included the Portfolio.
Library Tutorials - The tutorials will work in Blackboard and contain 10-15 review questions per
module. Four tutorials are required for course completion. Three topic tutorials are mandatory for each
student: Library Services, Plagiarism, and Evaluating a Website. The other required tutorial may be
chosen from the following: Finding Books or Scholarly Articles. The Library Services tutorial must
be completed by Week 3 of the course, Plagiarism and Evaluating a Website must be completed by
Week 6 of the course and the final tutorial must be completed by Week 12 of the course. Students will
complete the tutorials outside of the class time and include the certificate of completion in their
Portfolio. (Student Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 6, 9)
Resource Finder - Each student must participate in a campus-wide resource finder exercise. The class
will be divided into teams by the instructor, and each team will be given a list of campus resource
centers, buildings, and landmarks. Photographic evidence of the entire team’s presence at a location will
be required. The winning team will be the one with the most creative, humorous, and/or ingenious
photographic evidence of their quest. The student must also submit a journal entry about the event.
(Student Learning Outcomes 4, 7, 9)
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Community Building – A journal entry is required for each of the following events. (Student Learning
Outcomes 4, 7)
1.
Individual Social Event – Each student must attend a social event approved by the instructor and
bring proof of attendance to class (a reflection essay and a printed photograph of you at the event
should be used as proof and should be included in the Portfolio).
2.
Individual Cultural Event – Each student must attend a campus or local cultural event approved
by the instructor and bring proof of attendance to class. Examples of cultural events include
concerts, plays, ballets, art shows, and sporting events (a reflection essay and a printed
photograph of you at the event should be used as proof and should be included in the Portfolio).
3.
Group Social Event – As a class, students will decide on and attend one social event. Instructors
will notify students of the date, time & location (a reflection essay and a printed photograph of
you at the event should be used as proof and should be included in the Portfolio).
4.
Group Service Event – As a class, students will decide on and attend one community service
project in which each student must volunteer at least two hours of service. You will be notified
of the event by your instructor. Examples of group service events include raising money for
service organizations, participating in the LU Food Drive (sponsored by the Setzer Center) and
raising awareness about communicable diseases or social issues (a reflection essay and a printed
photograph of you at the event should be used as proof and should be included in the Portfolio).
Critical Thinking Paper – Each student will be asked to write a two-page typed essay relating his or
her own personal philosophy in the style of the common reader. The essay should include critical
comparison and reference to at least one of the reading assignments given during the semester.
Students should choose the section of the reading that most challenged their own thinking. The Critical
Thinking Paper is to be included in the Portfolio. (Student Learning Outcomes 1, 2)
Oral Presentation – Each student will be required to give a brief (1-3 minute) oral presentation about
their own personal philosophy as developed in his or her critical-thinking papers. (Student Learning
Outcomes 1, 2)
Portfolio – Each student will create a portfolio to be submitted for a grade at the end of the semester.
The portfolio is meant to be a record of each student’s intellectual progress through his or her first
semester in college as well as record of the academic and planning skills that have been learned. The
portfolio will include all Journal Entries, Community Building Activities, proof of Advising Sessions,
Library Tutorials Certificates, CSFI pre- and post-test information, and Critical Thinking Paper.
(Student Learning Outcomes 5, 7, 10)
Disability Statement:
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on a disability should contact the
instructor as well as the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (email SFSWD@lamar.edu,
phone 409-880-8347, Communication Building, Room 105).
Academic Honesty:
Lamar University students will not cheat, lie, plagiarize, or tolerate those who do. Academic dishonesty
will not be tolerated in course assignments. Should you be found responsible for a dishonest incident,
the course instructor will assign a reasonable penalty, which may include failure of the course. If you so
not consent to the findings and/or penalty, you must file an appeal with the department chairperson
within five days as specified in the student handbook (available at www.my.lamar.edu).
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Course Agenda
Week
In Class
Readings Due
Assignments Due
1
Syllabus
Blackboard Orientation
2
Drug/Alcohol Abuse/Rape Prevention
Understanding the Culture of Higher Education
High School vs. Univ. Expectations
Getting On Course-Active Learning
Pre-CFSI†
OC: Ch. 1
Lab 1: Drug/Alc/Rape Prevention
=
Flight: Ch. 1-2
OC: Ch. 1
Campus Resources-Resource Finder
Mastering Self-Management-Organizing Study
Materials
Reading
Plan Community Building
Flight: Ch. 3-4
OC: Ch. 2
Completed Planner
Journal Entry Posted
Library Services Tutorial Completed†
Journal Entry Posted†
Lab 2: Org. Study Materials OC: p. 169
Flight: Ch. 5-6
Journal Entry Posted†
Lab 3: Reading OC: p. 69
6
Accepting Personal Responsibility
Social Networking/Media
Flight: Ch. 9-10
OC: Ch. 3
7
All About Lamar
College Customs
Flight: Ch. 7-8
8
Employing Interdependence
Developing Emotional Intelligence
Flight: Ch. 13-14
OC: Ch. 4 &5
Journal Entry Posted†
Plagiarism and Evaluating a Website
Tutorial Completed†
Completed Planner
Journal Entry Posted†
Lab 4: College Customs OC. P. 34
Journal Entry Posted†
Community Building Due†
9
Writing
Writing Rubric
Flight: Ch. 11-12
10
Respecting Cultural Differences
Exploring Multiculturalism
OC: Ch. 1
Completed Planner
Journal Entry Posted†
Lab 5: Writing OC: p.310
Journal Entry Posted†
11
Career Exploration
Oral Presentation Rubric
Flight: Ch.15-16
Journal Entry Posted†
12
Discovering Self-Motivation
Gaining Self-Awareness
Flight: Ch.19-21
OC: Ch. 6 & 7
13
Adopting Lifelong Learning
Writing Rubric Feedback
Flight: Ch. 17-18
OC: Ch. 8
Completed Planner
Journal Entry Posted†
Library Tutorial-Student Choice
Completed†
Journal Entry Posted†
14
Managing Money
Financial Aid/THECB website
Journal Entry Posted†
Lab 6: Financial Plan OC: p. 358
15
Oral Presentations
Post-CFSI†
Completed Planner
Critical Thinking Paper†
16
Oral Presentations
Final Portfolio
Final Community Building Due†
3
4
5
Bring all class Syllabi and Planner
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