COM 101 Syllabus Fall 2013
Collegiate Communication 101 Syllabus
Fall 2013
Course Information
Section: 40101
Thursday 3-4:20 pm
401 Hamlin
Instructor Information
Julie Proctor
Health and Wellness Coordinator
Graham Health Center
Contact Information
Graham Health Center
(248) 370-2758
jkprocto@oakland.edu
Office hours by appt.
Course Purpose:
This course is designed to help you become successful in college and in life.
Course Objectives: In this course, you will …
 Learn about campus resources and how to use them
 Build positive relationships with peers, faculty, and staff
 Explore personal strengths, abilities and interests and how they contribute to your college experience
 Learn how to set measurable goals
Student Responsibilities
 Show up! Choose to attend every scheduled class period in its entirety.
 Do the work! Choose to do your best work in preparing all of your assignments and hand them in on
time.
 Participate actively! Choose to stay mentally alert in every class, offering your best comments,
questions, and answers when appropriate.
 You are responsible for your own learning.
 You are responsible for doing your best thinking and most professional work for each class.
 Please put your cell phone on vibrate and there is no TEXTING allowed during class time. At certain
points a laptop will be allowed. Please check with the instructor.
 Other expectations – keep syllabus handy, check Moodle/email regularly, maintain a safe classroom
environment
Academic Integrity:
The highest level of academic integrity is expected. Students are expected to submit their own work.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. A complete listing of Academic Conduct Regulations is
available in the OU Student Handbook (http://www.oakland.edu/?id=24228&sid=482).
Special Accommodations:
If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact the instructor to
arrange an appointment as soon as possible, preferably within the first 10 class days. Students with a
disability must also register documentation with Disability Support Services (121 North Foundation Hall,
248-370-3266). All discussions and documentations will remain confidential.
Required Text and Materials:

Downing, Skip. On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life – Study Skills
Plus Edition, 2nd Edition. The textbook can be purchased or rented at Barnes & Noble at OU.

One pack of 3x5 index card. Color and design of your choice.
COM 101 Syllabus Fall 2013
Course Requirements:
Grading:
95 points
40 points
Attendance & In-Class Participation (PP)
On Course Self Assessments
(Pre- and Post-) + goal tracking
60 points
Group Project
70 points
Writing Assignment
75 points
Personal Interaction
60 points
Campus Involvement (Do Something)
400 Points Total
COM 101 Grading Scale:
4.0
391-400 points
3.0-3.9
318-390 points
2.0-2.9
278-317 points
1.0-1.9
238-277 points
0.0
Below 237 points
Attendance & In-Class Participation (PP): (up to 8 points per week - 95 points total)
Eight points are given for each class session in which the student attended and actively participated. Active
participation means that students come to class prepared (read the assigned materials, completed
homework and/or project assignments, brought appropriate materials to class, and turned in a thought card)
and participated in class discussion and activities. Note abbreviation PP that indicates specific areas for
participation points. Partial credit or no credit may be given for each tardy and/or absence unless approved
by the instructor in advance. A student who misses more than two class sessions will automatically fail this
course.
Please reference the chart below:
0 Points
 Missed Class OR
 Unprepared
 Inattentive or disruptive
 Did not participate in any
class activities
 Forgot all necessary
materials
 No thought card handed
in
4 Points
 Mostly Prepared
 Mostly attentive
 Participated in most
class activities
 Arrive late/leave early
 Forgot some materials
 Thought card handed in
8 Points
 Well prepared
 Fully attentive
 Participated in all
class activities
 Brought necessary
materials to class
 Thought card
handed in
** Thought Card—Your ‘ticket’ to each class is a 3x5 card with your name, the date, and
your thought for the day. The first thought card is due starting week two (Sept 12) and every week
thereafter. **
On Course Self-Assessment: (40 points) Due Week Two & Twelve: Sept 12 & Nov 21
Objective: Explore personal strengths, abilities, and interests and how they contribute to your college
experience
At the beginning and end of the course, students will complete the Self-Assessment available in the text
book or online at:
http://college.cengage.com/collegesuccess/0495897434_downing/assets/tools/assessment/downing_6e_course_assessment.html.
Students will take a self-assessment in the first week of class (pre-assessment) and the last week of class
(post-assessment) and submit the results to the instructor via email.
This assignment is worth 40 points (20 for the pre-assessment and 20 for the post-assessment)
The pre-assessment is due on: Sept. 12, 2012 and the post-assessment is due on: Nov. 21, 2012.
COM 101 Syllabus Fall 2013
Four Major Assignments
1. Group Project: OU’s Best Kept Secret (60 points) Due: Sept 26
Objective: Learn about campus resources, how to use them & build positive relationships with students.
Each group of 3-4 students will investigate a campus resource, the services they provide, and how they
assist OU students. Presentations should be 8-10 minutes long and each group member should have a
clearly defined role. Each individual will submit a confidential self-assessment and group evaluation after the
presentations are concluded. See Grading Rubric on Moodle.
Groups and campus resource topic will be determined in class during week 1, giving students three weeks
to prepare for their presentations.
Visual aids and handouts (enough for 22 people) should be included as supplements to your presentation. If
you would like to give a power point presentation or show a portion of a video, please inform the instructor.
The appropriate office should be contacted ahead of time. All group members must meet with the full time
employees or peer mentors working in that office environment. Group meetings outside of class are
necessary in order to complete this project.
The following questions should be answered in your presentation, but feel free to use your creativity and
develop additional questions:
1. What is the purpose of the office? Tell us about the history of the office (i.e. how long has it been in
existence at OU, are there any new developments, etc.) What services does this office provide?
Do they charge fees for any of the services?
2. What population does this office service? (i.e. Students: commuter, residence hall, non-traditional,
etc.; faculty, staff, and/or community members?)
3. How is the office staffed? Who works there? What are the hours of operation?
4. Where is the office located? Describe the environment.
5. How do you think this office can help new students meet their academic and personal goals?
6. Would you recommend the services to other students?
COM 101 Syllabus Fall 2013
Four Major Assignments, con’t.
2. Writing Assignment: Online Career Exploration (70 points) Due: Oct 17
Objective: Learn skills for successfully navigating the college environment & explore personal strengths
To better understand your chosen field you will be exploring nursing careers. You will conduct research
using the resources suggested by the First Year Advising Center (FYAC).
Go to http://www.oakland.edu/firstyearadvising  Major Exploration/Career Counseling (left
navigational bar)  Step 2: Researching Options  Online Career Exploration (right hand side).
Explore the websites listed but feel free to find others. Create a short brochure for high school students and
college freshman describing the career. Rather than researching a general nursing career look at
specializations within the field of nursing. Include the following in the brochure:









A description of the job responsibilities
A typical day
Educational background needed
Salary range
Career ladder (how does a person get from a starting position to a higher level job)
What characteristics/qualifications are needed for a person in this career?
Advantages/disadvantages of the job
Employment outlook and trends
Other information that interests you regarding this career
3. Personal Interaction: Interview with faculty or professional (75 points) Due: Oct 31
Objective: Build positive relationships with faculty/professionals & learn skills for successfully navigating
college
Students will be responsible for interviewing a professional or faculty member in any field. After
the interview each student will give a 5-minute presentation on his or her experience with the
class. See assignment description and questions on Moodle.
4. Campus Involvement: The “Do Something” Challenge (74 points) Due: Nov 14
Objective: Explore personal strengths, abilities and interests and how they contribute to your college
experience and Learn about campus resources, how to use them & build positive relationships with
students.
The “Do Something” challenge will be conducted throughout the course of the semester as a way for you to
get involved on campus. The minimum requirement for involvement is 20 activities. You may not count
similar activities more than once, i.e., don’t go to 5 basketball games and count it 5 times.
One of the activities should be to join a student organization and attend at least one of the meetings (This
counts as one activity). Please join the student org within the first three weeks of the semester and
register with that student org on GrizzOrgs. (see the Center for Student Activities web site  Student
Organizations).
Students will print from Moodle the Do Something Reaction List and the Wellness Passport to fill out
throughout the semester. Students will turn in both lists + a written response.
Most weeks I will ask students to share what they have done for the “Do Something” challenge. Bring the
lists to class every week for a cursory check by me.
COM 101 Syllabus Fall 2013
Course Calendar:
Week One: Sept 5, 2012
Lesson: Course overview and teambuilding
In Class:
 Welcome to COM 101!
 Review syllabus, projects and class expectations.
 Break into small groups for presentation
At Home:
 Complete self-assessment at home at http://TinyUrl.com/OC6Assessment and email results to
me.
 Send your results as an attachment with a properly formatted email from your OU email
account. Save the document with this format: pre_assess_first initial, last name. Example:
pre_assess_jproctor
Week Two: Sept 12, 2012
Lesson: Self-Motivation + Synergy
Due:
 Read Discovering Self-Motivation, Designing a Life Plan, chapter 3: pp 100-105
 Email self-assessment results to me at jkprocto@oakland.edu. See above.
 Do Journal #10 page 105. Make 2 copies.
 First thought card due. Buy a pack of 3x5 cards. (PP)
In class:
 Hand in one copy of Journal #10. Bring your copy every week to class. (PP)
 Scavenger Hunt: campus resources
 Discuss group presentation. Choose campus resource.
Week Three: Sept 19, 2012
Lesson: Emotional Intelligence (EI)
Due:
 Read Developing Emotional Intelligence, chapter 8: pp 331-335
 Join a student organization
 Thought card. Due every week. (PP)
In Class:
 What student org did you join? Be prepared to share.
 Discuss goals and life plan from Journal #10 (Sept 12) (PP)
 iPause workshop
Week Four: September 26, 2012
Group Presentations
Due:
 Group Project Presentations
In Class:
 Take notes during presentation and ask questions of presenters. (PP)
 Group assessments
COM 101 Syllabus Fall 2013
Week Five: October 3
Lesson: Study Skills + Organization
Meet at The Tutoring Center 103 NFH.
Due:
 Read Discovering Self-Motivation, Inner Motivation, chapter 3: pp. 91-96
 Do the Case Study: Popson’s Dilemma
 Watch TED video: The Puzzle of Motivation by Daniel Pink (18 min) at home.
LINK: http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html
 Write a reflective paper (2-3 paragraphs, typed) about motivation. Combine information from
the reading, Popson’s Dilemma, the TED video, and your own life.
In Class:
 Meet at Tutoring Center
 Visit Writing Center in Kresge Library
 Hand in reflective paragraph (PP)
Week Six: Oct 10
Lesson: Gaining Self-awareness
Meet at Graham Health Center (South of Human Health Bldg.)
Due:
 Read Gaining Self-Awareness, chapter 6: pp 237-245
 Do Journal entry #21 and bring to class (PP)
In Class:
 Meet at Graham Health Center
Week Seven: Oct 17
Lesson: Exploring personal strengths, abilities, and interests
Due:
 Career Research project due
 Complete MBTI at home and bring to class (PP)
 Do Study Skill Checklist on Moodle. Bring to class!! (PP)
In Class:
 Roundtable: Study Skills
 Discuss MBTI
Week Eight: Oct 24
Lesson: Quadrant Thinking
Due:
 Read Mastering Self-Management, chapter 4: pp. 141-144
 Read Developing EI, chapter 8: pp. 347-349
In Class:
 First things first/Quadrant thinking
 Time Management skills
 Creating Flow
 Goal review
COM 101 Syllabus Fall 2013
Week Nine: Oct 31
Lesson: Communication & Listening
Due:
 Informational Interview with faculty or professional due
 Read Employing Interdependence, chapter 5: pp. 201-203, 205-210
In Class:
 Guest Speaker: Peer Mentor from Career Services
 Roundtable: faculty interview (PP)
Week Ten: Nov 7
Lesson: Learning Preferences
Due:
 Bring results of the Preferred Learning Style Inventory, chapter 5, pp. 290-2 to class (PP)
 Read Adopting Lifelong Learning, chapter 7: pp. 294-295. Read section on your learning style.
In Class:
 Discuss Learning Styles
 Journal 26 (PP)
 Goal Review (PP)
Week Eleven: Nov 14
Lesson: Write Your Own Rules
Due:
 “Do Something” Reaction List and Wellness Passport + written response
 Read Gaining Self-Awareness, chapter 6: pp. 255-257
In Class:
 Human Machine
 1 minute paper: Human Machine (PP)
 On-line evaluation
Week Twelve: Nov 21
Lesson: Semester Reflection
Due:
 Complete self-assessment online and bring a copy of your results to class or email:
http://college.cengage.com/collegesuccess/0495897434_downing/assets/tools/assessment/downing_6e_course_assessment.html.
In Class:
 Reflection paper.
 Goal review for entire semester (journal #10). Develop new goals for next semester.