San Diego State University
Spring 2014 Bounce Back Retention Program Syllabus
GS 255 (Interdisciplinary Topics Course) S6
Facilitator:
Michael Juan, PhD
Peer Coach: Kaitlyn Holt
E-mail : mjuan@mail.sdsu.edu
ke-holt@att.net
Phone: 619-594-5220
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All facilitators are mental health professionals.
Peer coaches have been selected to participate in the Counseling and
Psychological Services Peer Education Program. Peer coaches offer informal
contacts and support to Bounce Back participants, and are considered teaching
assistants in the program.
Announcements from Facilitator and Peer Coach:
 Outside of class times, Blackboard, the online learning environment at San Diego
State University, is the main venue of communication between facilitators, peer
coaches and participants.
Bounce Back Seminar
 Time: Wednesdays, 12:00-12:50 PM
 Location: Calpulli Center, Fourth Floor, Conference Room 4
 1 unit of course credit is given for participation and successful completion of this
class.
 The Bounce Back program is not required, but strongly recommended for
students on Academic Probation (AP).
Course Requirements to Earn 1 Unit:
 Attendance is required. Only 2 absences permitted, with notice to instructor
prior to absence. Missing more than two classes, no matter what the reason,
means that no credit will be granted.
 Participants complete all tutorials and self-assessments, which are incorporated
into the course curriculum (Pre and Post Questionnaires, Academic Advising,
VARK, Procrastination Survey, etc.).
 Completion of a 500-word reflection paper will be required of all participants.
The topic of the paper is to be drawn from one of the modules presented in the
curriculum, with a focus on the impact of the material on the participant. Each
participant chooses the module he or she wishes to write about. The paper is
due the week before our final class.
 Cell phone use is not permitted during class (e.g., no texting during class).
Course Materials:
 All participants must purchase the Bounce Back Retention Program Student
Workbook. (Property of San Diego State University, Counseling and Psychological
Services, 2007. Do not reprint without permission). It is at the SDSU Bookstore
under the author name of Hanger.
Weekly Topics
Week 1
January 22: Welcome to Bounce Back
Week 2
January 29: Resilience and Associated Factors/ Academic Advising
 GPA Worksheet from Academic Advising Online Tutorial Due
Today: http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/advising/
Week 3
February 5: Meet Your Academic Advisor/ The Power of Persistence
 Academic Advising Proof of Attendance Due Today
Week 4
February 12: Learning Styles
 VARK Questionnaire Results Due Today:
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp
Week 5
February 19: Where Does the Time Go? Managing Our Most Precious
Commodity (Note: switch in order w/ wk 6)
Week 6
February 26: The Art of Studying: Take Notes, Read and Succeed
Week 7
March 5: Individual Meetings with Facilitator/ Peer Coach
Week 8
March 12: Don’t Delay: Overcoming Procrastination
Week 9
March 19: Gracious Gratitude: The Importance of Social Support
Week 10
March 26: Creating Calm in a High Stress World
Week 11
April 2: HOLIDAY- SPRING BREAK
Week 12
April 9: Who Am I? The Importance of Self-Understanding
Week 13
April 16: Feeling Groovy: Mastering Your Mood
 Bring a sample of a song that makes you feel good to class
Week 14
April 23: Finding Meaning in Life
 Reflection Papers Due Today
 Bring a personal memento to class: a small object or photo that
symbolizes a cherished relationship, experience, core value, or
achievement
Week 15
April 30: My Makeover: Before and After
Week 16
May 7: Wrap-up and Graduation