Education 118 ► Winter Quarter 2011
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Course Description
Updated 01-05-2011
This course is for new students transferring from a non-UC institution. Education 118 is a 4.0 unit course that
introduces new transfer students to the mission of the research university, the role of higher education in society and
their role, as students, within a community of scholars. Topics cover academic, social, and personal issues that are
relevant to college students and specifically transfer students. ED 118 utilizes faculty and staff to create a unique and
positive learning environment. Students are encouraged to become active participants in making their experience what
they want it to be. Course goals include:
a. Exploration and critical thinking of the following areas: the structure and purpose of a research university, the
nature of peer interactions in a campus environment, and the process of individual, personal development in
terms of values and success skills;
b. an understanding of the roles of faculty, students, administrators, and the community in the formation of the
political, social and educational culture of the campus, and;
c. the opportunity to participate in a cooperative learning experience that involves group discussions and
projects that focus on the university experience with peers.
Course Locations & Time
Thursdays 3:30 to 6:15PM
Lecture 3:30-4:45pm in Girvetz 1004. Lectures and discussions start and end on time.
Discussion sections 5:00 to 6:15 (Various Rooms in Girvetz Hall).
Updates & Modifications
Dr. Lubach may change the syllabus as the quarter progresses due to events on campus, the opportunity for
special guests, or media that will benefit our learning outcomes. Updates will be posted on GauchoSpace.
Substantial changes will also be sent to all students via GauchoSpace. Be sure that your default Email for
GauchoSpace is one that you check often and please be on the lookout for ED 118-related messages.
Required Readings/Media
Andreatta, Britt (2010) Navigating the Research University, Third Edition. An eTextbook is also available online
through www.ichapters.com. You can purchase the full text or selected chapters at a time.
Individual articles, links, and rich media as assigned.
Skloot, Rebecca (2010) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Computer Lab Hours
In this course, you will have several writing assignments. If you do not own a computer or printer, space is
available for ED 118 students at the Instructional Computing Labs. Check for available times of the Open
Access Lab in Phelps 1513 (http://computerlabs.ic.ucsb.edu/location), any available open lab in the Phelps
1500s wing, or the open computer lab located in the Student Resource Building. Also, check in with
Instructional Resources and our Davidson Library about their new laptop loan programs.
Please note These Important Dates
• Course “Add” deadline: Fri, Jan. 14 (no fee); Mon, Jan. 24 (deadline, $3 fee)
• Course “Drop” deadline: Fri, Jan. 7 (no fee); Mon, Jan 31 (deadline, $3 fee)
• Course “Grading Option” (Letter or P/NP) deadline; Fri Jan 14 (no Fee) Mon Jan 24 (deadline, $3 fee)
• Holidays: Mon, Jan. 17 (Dr. Martin Luther King Day), Mon, Feb. 21 (Presidents’ Day)
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Winter 2011
Teaching Team
Instructor
Dr. Don Lubach, Acting Assistant Dean of Students, Office of First-Year, Graduate, & Instructional Programs
Office of Student Life (2260 Student Resource Building, 2nd Floor)
don.lubach@sa.ucsb.edu or 805-893-8290
Office Hours: Wednesdays 2-3pm or by appointment
Course Administrator
Queena Hoang, Christopher Stanton First-Year-Programs Intern/Course Administrator
queena.hoang@sa.ucsb.edu or 805-893-6094
Discussion Leaders (DLs) & Student Co-leaders (CLs):
A current roster of our Discussion Leader and Co-Leader teams can be found on GauchoSpace.
Week-By-Week
Week 1 (January 6) The First-Year Transfer Experience in Theory and in Practice. Overview of our Quarter
Dr. Lubach will discuss the research university and provide an overview of the course. You will meet your teaching
team and some additional guests.
Readings:
Due:
Andreatta Text: Chapter 2 (starts on p. 33)
Note, by next week, have both chapters 2 & 3 read and be ready to discuss
GauchoSpace Articles:
Clark (2009) Obama’s Lessons for Transfer Students
By today, please make sure you have secured the text or know how to get access to it at the
Davidson Library.
**Please upload a picture and add some bio information in GauchoSpace. This will help the
teaching team a lot.
Week 2 (January 13) Academic Skills and Integrity
Dr. Jeff Harlig, Learning Skills Counselor from Campus Learning Assistance Services, will provide an academic skills
workshop geared specifically for transfer students. Assistant Dean of Students, Stephan Franklin, from Judicial
Affairs, discusses the importance of academic integrity at a research university and UCSB policies.
Readings:
Due:
Andreatta Text: Chapters 2 & 3.
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Weekly Reading Discussion: Be prepared, in your section, to answer questions about the
reading. Expect to lead a reading discussion at least once during the quarter. During these
discussions, you will be earning participation points. Our goal for this quarter is for all of us
(including the teaching teams) to keep up with all assigned media.
Reading/Reflection #1: Due in GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday. Late
submissions will not be accepted.
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Winter 2011
Week 3 (January 20) Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing
This lecture will discuss critical thinking, analytical reading and writing skills at a research university. Our guest will be
Dr. Linda Adler-Kassner, Professor and Director of the UCSB Writing Program.
Readings:
Adreatta: Chapter 1
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Skloot: Be finished with Part One, “LIFE” (pp. 1-83)
Due:
Weekly Reading Discussion: Be prepared, in section, to discuss the readings
Reading/Reflection #2: Due in GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday.
Week 4 (January 27) Our Research University & Faculty Expectations
Dr. Lubach will discuss the research university, academic freedom, tenure, and California’s Master Plan for Education.
A panel of UCSB faculty will discuss their perspectives on academic excellence.
Readings:
Due:
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Weekly Reading Discussion: Be prepared, in section, to discuss the readings
Reading/Reflection #3: Due in GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday
Special Assignment Opportunity: Attend the Career Fair before class Thursday. Stay for
one hour and you can write this up as your required, experiential activity. Also, consider
wearing a suit and carrying in a critiqued resume for early admission. Find the fair site via
career.ucsb.edu or on social media at facebook.com/ucsbcareer.
Week 5 (Feb 3) Health & Wellness Among College Students
Dr. Turi Honneger (Counseling Services) will discuss how to keep yourself healthy and how to benefit from
Counseling Services. Joanna Hill (Student Health Services) will speak on campus services that can assist in
developing a plan for a well-balanced life.
Readings:
Andreatta: Chapter 6
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Reminder:
Complete Your Strong Interest Inventory on-line no later than Friday, February 4th.
Due:
Weekly Reading Discussion: Be prepared, in section, to discuss the readings
Reading/Reflection #4 Due in GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday
Week 6 (February 10) Career & Life Satisfaction. How to make the most of these important career-planning months
Dr. Lubach will introduce some professionals from Career Services who will discuss career planning, internships, and
resources that are transfer-student friendly. In addition, you will receive the results of your Strong Interest Inventory
Assessment and learn how you can use this powerful tool as you strive to make thoughtful career decisions.
Readings:
Due:
Andreatta: Chapter 5
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Skloot: Be Finished with Part Two, “Death” (pp. 89-170)
Weekly Reading Discussion: Be prepared, in section, to discuss the readings
Reading/Reflection #5 Due in GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday
Strong Interest Inventory will be completed by Friday, February 4th.
Week 7 (February 17) Educational Equity
Our guest, Professor Beth Schneider, will explore of issues related to diversity on college campuses and the impact
of educational equity in preparing future generations of global scholars, leaders, and citizens.
Readings:
Andreatta: Chapter 7
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Reminder:
Group presentations and handout due next week.
Due:
Readings to discuss: Be ready to discuss all readings
Reading/Reflection #6 Due in GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Winter 2011
Week 8 (February 24) I work at UCSB: It Takes a Village
Who runs our university from day-to-day? In lecture, this week, we will meet some of the people who keep the lights on, buy the
goods and services, and keep us safe.
Readings:
Due:
Andreatta: Chapter 8
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Reading/Reflection #7 Due in GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday
Group Project Presentations delivered during sections today
Week 9 (March 3) Preparing for Graduate School
We will meet Graduate Division recruiter Walter Boggan and some amazing graduate students who will share their
experiences while providing tips about how to prepare for the day when you may apply for a professional school or
graduate school.
Readings:
Due:
Andreatta: Review all chapters as you select what to share in your final paper
Skloot: Be Finished with Part Three, “Immortality” (pp. 179 - end)
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Readings: Be ready to discuss readings
Reading/Reflection #8: Due in GauchoSpace by 3:30 Thursday
Project Assessment: Turn in your personal assessment of the group project. Due in
GauchoSpace by start of class on Thursday
Week 10 (March 10) Making the Most of the College Experience
We will review the quarter and commit to some positive steps forward into the remaining quarters at UCSB.
Readings:
Andreatta: Chapter 9
GauchoSpace Articles & Media
Due:
No Reading/Reflection due
Reflection Paper due on or before Friday, March 11, 4:00 PM in GauchoSpace
Grading Information
Assignments
Students will earn their grade based on their performance on the following assignments:
25%
800 word Reading/Reflections demonstrating your reading effort & authentic reflection (8)
10%
Participation & attendance in lecture & section
5%
Reading Discussion with five questions
20%
Experiential Activities (3)
20%
Group Project (oral presentation & group writing)
20%
Final Reflection Paper
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty is an assault upon the basic integrity and meaning of a University. Cheating, plagiarism, and
collusion in dishonest activities are serious acts which erode the University’s educational and research roles and
cheapen the learning experience not only for perpetrators, but also for the entire community. It is my expectation that
students in ED 118 will understand and subscribe to the ideal of academic integrity and that they will be willing to
bear individual responsibility for their work. Materials (written or otherwise) submitted to fulfill academic
requirements must represent a student’s own efforts. Any act of academic dishonesty attempted by any UCSB student
is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Any student suspected of cheating or plagiarism will be sent to the Office of
Judicial Affairs to face disciplinary action. Our team takes this very seriously.
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Winter 2011
Adapted from The Academic Dishonesty Question: A Guide to an Answer through Education, Prevention, Adjudication, and
Obligation, published by the UCSB Office of Judicial Affairs.
Attendance & Participation
Each week represents 10% of the course material and a completely new topic. One excused absence is allowed. Absences
may only be excused for documented illnesses and emergencies—please submit documentation to your discussion
leader.
Reading Discussions
As part of your participation, you’ll be expected to engage in thoughtful discussion about the readings in your
sections. And for one week, you’ll sign up to lead the reading discussion. When you lead a section, you’ll be expected
to come prepared with five questions of your choosing that cover the reading material and other media assigned for
that week. You may collaborate with others who are signed up for your week, but you each need to arrive with your
own five questions. Also, you can do something creative, but check in with your discussion team.
Reading Reflections (8X800 words – whew! That’s a lot of words)
You will submit EIGHT, 800-word reading reflections on GauchoSpace that relates to your life as a transfer scholar.
These are due in GauchoSpace by the start of lecture each Thursday (3:30PM). Late submissions will not be accepted.
Confidentiality of your writing will be maintained by the teaching team so feel free to discuss issues of concern or
interest to you as long as they relate to your college experience & the prompts. See the grading rubric for details.
Reading reflection prompts will be issued weekly in GauchoSpace.
Experiential Activities
There are three required experiential activities that complement this course. You are required to write a 2-3 page
response (550 to 800 words) to the prompt provided for each of the activities listed below. Proper essay format is
required. These will be submitted through GauchoSpace on the appropriate dates listed in the syllabus. All due dates
and further instructions will be posted on GauchoSpace.
Personal or Community Development Activity – You are required to attend a one-hour activity sponsored
by a UCSB department that supports your success in college. Review the online instructions sheet for
information on appropriate activities.
Strong Interest Inventory – You are required to complete through Career Services the SII online
assessment. This needs to be completed by Friday, February 4. There is a $15 fee. Additional instructions
on how to register will be provided in class. If you have taken the SII within the last two years you can
either take the assessment again or show proof of your results to your discussion leader.
Faculty Interview– You will interview a faculty member and write a response on this experience.
Instructions of this assignment will be posted on GauchoSpace.
Group Project
The goal of this assignment is for 118 students to delve into campus services and issues. You will be assigned
in groups of five from your section. Each group will have a question/problem to address that relates to the
transfer experience.
Each group will be given (Week 3 in section) a specific topic to explore that has 5 components (1 per
student). After completing the components, your group will come together to discuss how the experiences
you had relate to the larger issue you are exploring.
Your group will present what you have learned in a 10-15 minute presentation to the entire section on
Thursday, February 24. The presentation will be assessed on accuracy, thoroughness and professionalism.
You will be timed so you will want to practice in advance to insure you can present within the allocated time.
Please plan to present the information most relevant to helping your transfer peers understand your topic.
In addition, each group will create a well-crafted entry into our UCSB Transfer Student WIKI of at least 500
words in length. Each person will also complete an online journal entry (in GauchoSpace) assessing members
of the group and the overall project experience. Further details will be distributed in section.
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Winter 2011
Final Reflection Paper
The goal of this assignment is to help you reflect upon and understand your academic, personal or social development
using material you learned in this class (see grading rubric for important information). Your paper should be at least 5
but not more than 7 pages in length (typed, 12 point Times Roman font, double spaced with one inch margins). It will
be very easy for you to go over the page limit – as a result, you will need to edit your paper to address the questions as
efficiently and succinctly as possible. In other words, a strong paper will probably require 2-3 drafts. Papers are due in
GauchoSpace by Friday, March 11th no later than 4:00pm —10 points will be deducted for each day (24-hours) the
paper is late beginning at 3:30pm.
When submitting your paper in GauchoSpace, use one of the following formats in the order that we prefer: RTF,
DOC, PDF, DOCX.
You are expected to use the material presented in ED 118 (from the book, lectures, reading, and discussion) as your
“library” for the papers. Be sure to utilize relevant material from all of these sources and to demonstrate a thorough
understanding of these sources in their totality.
Be cautious when using direct quotes. Paraphrase authors’ arguments in your own words and cite appropriately. Also,
do not plop a quote from another person into a sentence as if it’s your own thoughts. Use your own words since this
paper is about your assessment and interpretation.
You must cite all sources (lecture, readings, other) in the body of your paper with the APA citation method (We have
added links in GauchoSpace). Your paper must include a bibliography of all cited and referenced material in the same
style.
Your paper should be in standard and correct English. It should have correct spelling, grammar and punctuation, and
be neat, clean, and stapled. You are expected to proofread your paper, which should include one or more of the
following: reading it aloud, having another strong writer and/or English speaker read it, referring to a formal grammar
guide like the Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook, etc.
Include a title page with your name and your DL’s name — your name should appear on the title page only. File
folders or binders will not be accepted, nor will unstapled papers.
How to prepare for your reflection paper assignment:
Review all of your reading/reflections and assignments from the quarter and identify common themes or issues that
may stand out from your writing. Use this information to help you better understand any changes you have developed
or growth that you may have encountered since you started at UCSB. This information may or may not be applicable
to your paper depending on the topic you choose to write on (see below).
Instructions:
Choose one of the following topics to organize and focus your reflection paper—be sure to address all of the
questions of the prompt (see grading rubric for important information):
Study Skills & Academic Enrichment
The mission of a college or university guides the academic expectations of its faculty, students and course
curriculum. Discuss how well you feel your previous institution academically prepared you for the rigors of a
research university. How have your academic skills changed or improved since coming to the university?
What are some resources you have used to assist you in your academic success? What advice would you give
to new transfer students to UCSB about how to succeed academically? What strategies can two-year and fouryear institutions employ for improving the academic success of transfer students?
Your Major & Future Plans
Higher education is often referred to driving the economic engine of the country while the mission of the
research university is to create new knowledge. Discuss what the value of a research university holds for you.
What are your plans for post-graduation? How do you envision your degree from UCSB as contributing to
improving your life? How does your major choice fit with your personal or career goals? When you look back
at your undergraduate experience, what do you want to be able to say about your successes and/or failures?
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Winter 2011
Educational Equity & Citizenship
Universities are the microcosm of the world in which students are enriched not only in the classroom but also
through the everyday interactions of faculty, staff, students and its surroundings. Discuss the importance you
see of educational equity (diversity) in higher education. What are your impressions of the diversity found at
UCSB in comparison to where you grew up? What are some socio-economic barriers that you see students
facing while at the university? What advice would you offer to new transfer students in their adjustment to
the university? What resources or changes to current services are needed at the university in order to ensure
that students of all backgrounds and abilities are able to succeed?
Wellness & Community Standards
UCSB is an enriching 24/7 environment that affords students the ability to learn to be an independent
scholar and citizen. Discuss how the close proximity of Isla Vista may have enhanced or hindered your well
being. What were your expectations of living on your own in Santa Barbara and what may have changed since
moving here? How have you grown personally, socially, and/or emotionally? What are some challenges to
your personal values you may have had to overcome or questioned? Who is the person you want to be and
how do you know that you are on the right track?
What can we do to accommodate you?
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability may contact me privately
to discuss your specific needs. Please contact the Disabled Students Program at 805-893-2668 or visit their office in
the Student Resource Building to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
The Research University and the Transfer Student Experience
Winter 2011