1
Syllabus for University One—Introduction to Learning and the University
California State University, Fresno
Course Units:
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Email:
3
Time and Place:
Section
Small Class Session
Large Class Lecture
Date
Mondays and Wednesdays
Fridays
Location
Course Description: Assists students acquire attitudes and skills needed to be effective lifelong
learners. Individual and group activities focus on adaptation to change, study skills, goal setting,
time management, career planning, information competence, community engagement, health,
and wellness. Exposure to campus resources.
Course Goals: Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to:
 understand the culture of the University and the traditions of higher education;
 make a successful transition to higher education;
 enhance academic and personal skills for university success and lifelong learning
 acquire information literacy tools for academic and lifelong learning.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students enrolled in University One will:
 Demonstrate critical thinking skills through college- level writing and oral presentations;
 Access, acquire, evaluate and effectively use information;
 Improve online and internet searching skills and utilize information and library resources
effectively;
 Set and achieve goals for college and lifelong learning through the use of the e-portfolio.
 Implement methods learned to read college texts more effectively, improve memory,
manage time efficiently, take tests successfully, take effective notes, and listen with
comprehension;
 Establish personal goals and make effective decisions relative to financial management,
personal relationships, & health related practices;
 Participate in campus and community events and experiences that support academic
performance and facilitate personal growth and life-long, continued learning;
 Demonstrate academic integrity skills and ethical behavior including avoiding plagiarism
and cheating, and using proper paraphrasing and citation skills;
2



Explore major and career choices through the use of assessments, research, and personal
reflection;
Become acquainted with campus resources, such as Advising Services, Learning Center,
Madden Library, Career Services, the Health Center and more;
Develop leadership capabilities, team work skills and techniques for effective interaction
with peers and instructors.
Instructional Methodology: University One sections follow a “lecture-lab” format consisting of
two components: a Large Lecture session that students attend once weekly (on Friday, depending
on the section of enrollment), and a Small Class section meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Large group sessions feature presentations by campus experts. The small MW sections will
reinforce concepts taught in the large group meetings and students will benefit from smaller
group teaching and interaction. Because of the interactive nature of this course, instructional
methodologies will include lecture, group discussion, Blackboard, group activities, Web 2.0
presentations and assignments, and various experiential learning activities.
Attendance Requirement: Your success in college depends on your personal engagement
through class attendance.
Large Lectures: If you are absent from a lecture, you forfeit the opportunity to learn information
presented by expert presenters. Attendance will be taken and reported to your instructor. You
will also be tested and evaluated on the large lecture content through quiz and exam questions.
Each week you will be expected to write a 100 word reflection about each session.
Small Class Sessions and Large Lectures: It is important that you make every effort to attend
class every day. Roll will be taken daily. Consistent tardiness will also reduce your grade points.
If you are absent from class for any reason, it is your responsibility to check with a class member
about in class learning, announcements and assignments made while you were away.
Required Course Materials and Readings: Students must purchase:
 Textbook: Carter, Carol; Joyce Bishop and Sarah Lyman Kravits. Keys to Success. Upper
Saddle River, NJ. :Pearson Prentice Hall, 2012.
 iClicker- Bring iclicker to class Daily!
 Weekly Planner for Academic year 2011-2012; you may substitute use of an on-line
calendar, planner, or organizer such as Google Calendar, Remember the milk,
toodledo,etc.
Course Grading and Requirements: During the course of the semester students have the
opportunity to earn one thousand (1,000) points through a variety of assignments. Active
participation is expected and included in the grading where applicable. Assignments due in class
are expected to be turned in at the beginning of class. Assignments due through Blackboard will
be due at 11PM on the day of the assignment. Late work for written assignments may receive a
lowered grade or not be accepted. Each assignment has a due date.
3
Assignments
Large Lecture Reflections/Short Essays (various assignments)
Quizzes, Midterms, and Final
Values and Goal Setting (e-portfolio)
Fresno State Resource Project
Time Management Assignment
Library Exploration and Library Tutorials
Career Exploration (e-portfolio)
Academic Roadmap (e-portfolio)
Health and Fitness Project (e-portfolio)
Civic Engagement and Service Learning (e-portfolio)
Research Project
Total
Grading Scale:
Point Range
900-1000
800-899
700-799
600-699
<600
Total Points
140
330
50
50
60
40
60
30
20
60
160
1000
Grade
A
(90% to 100%)
B
(80% to 89%)
C
(70% to 79%)
D
(60% to 69%)
F
(less than 60%)
E-Portfolio Assignments. E-portfolio assignments are designed to promote ongoing reflection
and assessment on your part. They will help you demonstrate an understanding of how to take
control of your own learning and enhance your abilities to be a lifelong learner. Each e-portfolio
assignment will require preparation and submission of an artifact (paper, powerpoint
presentation, time management plan, academic roadmap, etc), a rubric against which the artifact
will be assessed, a reflection by you, and feedback from the instructor.
Examinations and Quizzes: Quizzes will be given randomly throughout the semester and may
include points and material from the large Friday lecture classes, readings, and classwork.. Total
points from quizzes are expected to be worth 50 points. Mid-terms are tentatively scheduled for
xxx and xxx and will be worth 75 points each. The Final will be worth 130 points. Midterms and
Final examinations will cover material covered in the text, readings, class presentations (both
teacher and student prepared) and large Friday lecture classes.
Final Examination Dates:
Major Assignments: Specific information about assignments and due dates will be available on
Blackboard. Students will be expected to check Blackboard frequently. Submissions are due in
Blackboard by 11 PM on the due date. (Plan ahead for complications!) Tentative due dates are in
parentheses.
 Blackboard Reflections/Short Essays give students experience writing and using valuable
critical thinking skills and an opportunity to practice writing skills taught in class. Topics
will include large lecture, personal experiences, reactions to class readings and
4










assignments. Occasionally assignments will be included in the e-portfolio. Specific
assignments will be posted on blackboard. (140 pts) (See course calendar for various due
dates)
Values and goal setting- Students post to their personal e-portfolio an introduction,
values, personal mission statement, and goals. Students set medium and short term goals
designed to help them achieve their long term goals. Students will record their progress
on their e-portfolio throughout the semester. (50 points) (Due xxx with various
incremental due dates)
Fresno State Resource Project- Students explore, as teams, a specific resource the
University has to offer, and then report their findings and work together to complete a
resource presentation. (50 pts) (Due xxx)
Time Management Activities help students assess their current use of time and then
practice using time management suggestions learned through class lecture and
assignments. (E-portfolio) (60 pts) (Due xxx)
Amazing Library Discovery Tour provides an opportunity for students working as teams
to creatively and enjoyably discover a wealth of resources found in the CSU Fresno
Henry Madden Library. (20 points) (Due xxx)
Library Tutorials. (20 pts) (Due xxx)
Civic Engagement and Service Learning gives credit for students’ involvement in
educational, volunteer and cultural activities both on and off campus. (E-portfolio) (60
pts) (Part I due xxx and Parts I and II due xxx)
Career Exploration- Students examine various careers related to their major or one in
which they have an interest. Students share their research with class members with an
oral and written presentation. A personal resume and career interests will be posted to an
e-portfolio page. (E-portfolio) (60 pts) (Written projects due xxx, oral presentations xxx)
Academic Roadmap- Students’ academic roadmap is based on their major or if
undeclared, on a major in which they may be interested. Students are required to meet
with an academic advisor (in their major, academic department, or in Academic Advising
Services (E-portfolio) (30 pts). (Due xxx)
Health and fitness assignment offers students an opportunity to track and improve health
and fitness related goals. (E-portfolio) (20 pts) (Due xxx)
College-Level Writing Research Project: Students will learn the skills necessary to write
college-level research papers. Students will use library, writing and information literacy
skills, to complete, step by step, a 4-5 page typed, double-spaced paper that includes at
least 5 appropriately cited, relevant and expert references. The project will include an oral
presentation to the class. (160 pts) (various incremental due dates with the final project
due xxx. Oral Presentations will be held xxx)
Late Work: Assignments are accepted until the last day of class (Wed. xxx, 5 PM), but late
work will receive half credit. Exams must be taken on the day of the test unless prior
arrangement has been made with the instructor.
Study Expectations:
 Students are expected to read all assigned material prior to class.
 Students are expected and will want to check Blackboard frequently, at least several
times weekly.
5



It is usually expected that students spend approximately 2 hours of study time outside of
class for every one hour in class. Since this is a 3-unit class, you should expect to study
and work on assignments an average of 6 hours outside of class each week. Some
students may need more outside study time and some less.
Students are responsible for their learning and must take an active role. You will be
expected to explore a number of the course resources on the web on your own. You will
probably have opportunities to do things you have never done before.
Study groups are encouraged.
Academic Integrity
Complete academic honesty is expected of all students. Violations will result in course sanctions.
Penalties for cheating and plagiarism range from a 0 or F on a particular assignment, through an
F for the course, to expulsion from the university.
 Plagiarize means “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use
(another's production) without crediting the source.” (http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/plagiarize?show=0&t=1311708316). Whenever you use someone
else’s words or ideas without giving them credit, you are plagiarizing. We will be
learning how to properly credit, paraphrase, summarize and share the works of others as
part of this course. If you have questions about avoiding plagiarism in this or in any other
course please contact me for assistance.
 Cheating and plagiarism will be reported according to campus policy; see:
http://www.csufresno.edu/aps/documents/apm/235.pdf . Any joint efforts, when allowed,
should be identified (e.g., “I worked with Jane Doe on this project”).
Large Lecture Course Calendar: Friday Sessions
Date
Topic
Succeeding in College; Introduction and
24-Aug
Overview.
31-Aug Study Skills: Memory
7-Sep Time Management
14-Sep Study Skills: Reading and Note taking
21-Sep Financial Management/Budgeting
28-Sep Nutrition
5-Oct Using the Library
12-Oct Cheating/Plagiarism
19-Oct Major Selection
26-Oct Degree Planning
2-Nov Human Sexuality
9-Nov Wellness
16-Nov Stress Management
23-Nov HOLIDAY – Thanksgiving Recess
30-Nov Diversity
Presenter
Dennis Nef
Dennis Nef
William Hardaway-Learning Center
Marie Provencio
Jeff Williams-EECU
Lisa Herzig
Ross LaBaugh
Judith Scott
Aleta Wolfe/Career Services
Kathy Dunbar/David Levyssohn
Vicki Krenz
Kathy Yarmo
Don Romsa
Francine Oputa
6
1-Dec Summary
Dennis Nef
Computers: At California State University, Fresno, computers and communications links to
remote resources are recognized as being integral to the education and research experience.
Every student is required to have his/her own computer or have other personal access to a
workstation (including a modem and a printer) with all the recommended software. In the
curriculum and class assignments, students are presumed to have 24-hour access to a computer
workstation and the necessary communication links to the University's information resources.
Subject to Change: This syllabus and schedule are subject to change. If you are absent from
class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent.
General information for Students
Plagiarism Detection. The campus subscribes to the SafeAssign.com plagiarism prevention
service through Blackboard, and you will need to submit written assignments to SafeAssign.com.
Your work will be used by SafeAssign.com for plagiarism detection and for no other purpose.
The student may indicate in writing to the instructor that he/she refuses to participate in the
SafeAssign.com process, in which case the instructor can use other electronic means to verify the
originality of their work. SafeAssign.com Originality Reports will be available for your viewing
to help you learn to avoid plagiarism.
Honor Code: “Members of the CSU Fresno academic community adhere to principles of
academic integrity and mutual respect while engaged in university work and related activities.”
You should:
 understand or seek clarification about expectations for academic integrity in this course
(including no cheating, plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration)
 neither give nor receive unauthorized aid on examinations or other course work that is
used by the instructor as the basis of grading.
 take responsibility to monitor academic dishonesty in any form and to report it to the
instructor or other appropriate official for action.
Instructors may require students to sign a statement at the end of all exams and assignments that
“I have done my own work and have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this
work.”
Cheating and Plagiarism: "Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or
deceptive acts for the purpose of improving one's grade or obtaining course credit; such acts also
include assisting another student to do so. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations.
However, it is the intent of this definition that the term 'cheating' not be limited to examination
situations only, but that it include any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an
unearned academic advantage by fraudulent or deceptive means. Plagiarism is a specific form of
cheating which consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by
misrepresenting the material (i.e., their intellectual property) so used as one's own work."
Penalties for cheating and plagiarism range from a 0 or F on a particular assignment, through an
F for the course, to expulsion from the university. For more information on the University's
7
policy regarding cheating and plagiarism, refer to the Class Schedule (Legal Notices on Cheating
and Plagiarism) or the University Catalog (Policies and Regulations).
Students with Disabilities: Upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the university,
students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. For
more information, contact Services to Students with Disabilities in Library 1202 (278-2811).
Read Carefully the Legal Notice Section of the current Schedule of Classes to be aware of
university policies regarding plagiarism, cheating, disruptive classroom behavior, drug-free
workplace, nondiscrimination, and policies regarding privacy with regard to student records.
These may also be accessed at
http://www.csufresno.edu/academics/policies_forms/instruction/RequiredSyllabusPolicyStateme
nts.htm