CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Course: HHS 301 - TRANSITION TO CSULA for ALL HHS Majors
Instructor:
Telephone:
Class Time:
Office Location:
Office Hours:
E-Mail:
Course Description: This course is designed to assist you in making a successful
transition to the university. Included are the following: history and structure of CSLA and
the College of Health and Human Services; campus policies and procedures; faculty and
student expectations; campus resources; information competencies; learning skills, time
management and other skills essential for success.
Course Goals: This course is designed to aid students in being successful at the
university and in their personal and professional lives. To that end, four major areas will
be addressed:
1. Academic Skills - Empower students to become successful learners at the university
level.
2. Academic Advisement - Major and career planning, understanding academic policies
and procedures.
3. Family and Personal Issues - Identifying values, goals, sub-goals, time management
4. University Resources - enable students to locate and access relevant professional,
recreational, academic support, and personal support services on campus.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the role of the university in modern life: its purpose, values, and
expectations.
• CSLA Policies and Procedures
• Academic Integrity
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2. Utilize knowledge of academic policies and procedures to navigate successfully with
the academic system.
• Use GET for class schedule, add/drops, review holds, grades and unofficial
transcripts, review of biographic information, etc.
• Taking on-line quizzes through WebCT.
3. Develop a plan to connect the present academic experience to future personal and
career goals.
• Seek Academic advisement to review transfer credits, meet university and major
prerequisites, and develop a 3-quarter plan of classes
• Conduct Self-assessments of time management, learning style, information
competency, etc.
o Identify his/her learning style and develop strategies to maximize learning
o Articulate a plan for time management • Write a Resume and cover letter
4. Effectively use electronic communications and teaching systems on campus
• Access WebCT assignments, links, quizzes, bulletin boards/discussions
• Access ITS, NIS (Email), and campus computer labs
• Send and receive email including attachments
• Use basic word processing
• Utilize library databases and materials for research
• Explore and evaluate Internet resources
• Document appropriately sources cited in written papers and oral discussion
5. Feel a part of the campus community
• Select campus resources and attend workshops to meet needs discovered in selfassessments
• Meet the Faculty
Required Materials:
1. GET userid and password - You received the ID and password before you registered
for classes. If you did not or you lost them, go to ADM 146. Print a copy of your
current class schedule and include it in your portfolio to document your access.
Access to http://get.calstatela.edu
2. NIS userid and password -- to use on-campus computer labs, access the campus email
system, access certain library on-line databases, and log on to campus computers
from home. Apply at ITS Help Desk, Library South PW 1070. Send an email from
campus email account to instructor to document possession of account.
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3. WebCT userid and password - All readings and assignments will be included in the
course on WebCT or by link to Internet resources. There is no required text. WebCT
is accessed via the internet at this URL:
http://www.calstatela.edulwebct
4. A formatted floppy disk or flash drive - to save your work or take your work home to
continue. The printers in the lab are sometimes low in ink. When you do work in
class, you can then save it and take it home to print.
Suggested Texts and References:
Carter, C., Bishop, J., & Kravits, S.L. (2000). Keys to Success: How to Achieve Your
Goals, 3rd edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Feldman, R. (2005). POWER Learning: Strategies for Success in College and Life. San
Francisco, CA: McGraw Hill.
Gardner, J. & Jewler, A.J. (2006). Step by Step to College and Career Success. Boston,
MA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Santrock, J. & Halonen, J. (2006). Your Guide to College Success: Strategies for
Achieving Your Goals, 4th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Although these books are designed for first year college students, there are many
exercises and much information that any student could use to improve learning skills
and promote wellness.
De Lucia, R. (1999). Urban Learners: Serious About College Success, 2nd edition. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
This text is also aimed at the first year student, but specifically addresses the needs of
the commuter student who has multiple responsibilities in addition to school.
Siebert, A. & Gilpin, B. (2000). The Adult Student's Guide to Survival and Success, 4th
edition. Portland, OR: Practical Psychology Press.
In this concise volume, the authors address the personal and academic concerns of the
older student who is beginning or re-entering college.
Teaching Strategies:
Class sessions include seminars and training sessions on the use of university information
resources and in-class and on-line discussions. Many course requirements may be
completed independently, using web-based resources or by attending campus workshops.
The instructor will be available each week during class time and during office hours to
assist students and to answer questions. Check syllabus for locations (classroom, office
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hours, phone #, email address, etc.). Email and WebCT bulletin board discussion will be
used extensively. Attendance in class is the most expedient way to get clear instructions,
complete the course assignments, and communicate with your instructor.
You will be assisted at the first two class meetings to use your GET, apply for a NIS
account and set up your personal WebCT account, using User IDs and passwords that
you establish or change. If you miss this session there are detailed instructions linked to
the WebCT home page under <Student Resources> that may assist you. There may be
workshops scheduled that you may attend for more information about how to use
WebCT, GET or NIS services (to be announced; availability changes each quarter).
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Assignment
Possible
Points
25
Get Acquainted Survey
Due Week 2
Exploring Cal State on the Web; Policies and
Procedures
Due Week 2
Time management
Due Week 3
Proof of NIS account, Golden Eagle Territory
access, academic advisement appointment
Due Week 4
Quiz I--Self -assessments-analysis and plan for
activities to meet assessed needs. To be submitted
on-line, via Quiz module. (Copies of assessments to
be submitted in portfolio at end of term)
50
20
20
50
Due Week 4
Campus Resource Presentation. Find information
on the campus web site about a service or
organization and report your findings on the class
Bulletin Board
Due Week 5
Academic Integrity
Due Week 6
Copies of Assessments: Study skills, computer,
learning style, stress, & time management forms
(placed in portfolio)
Due Week 6
Library Assignment
Due Week 6
Part 1 - Search - 30 points; Part 2 - Evaluation of
Website -40 points; Part 3 - Reference List - 30
points
Quiz 11- On Line Quiz: Information Competency
Due in class Week 7
Interview a Professor in your discipline- Send as
email attachment.
Due Week 7
5
50
20
50
100
50
80
Earned
Participation in On Line Class Discussions (postings
must be completed by the 9th week for full credit)
20
Due Week 9
Read at least 30 postings on bulletin board from
other students
Email communications with Instructor: Contact
instructor at least twice re: progress in course. Print
and place in portfolio
Due Week 9
Documentation of Academic Advisement
(place in portfolio, Week 10)
20
20
Personal Plan
(place in portfolio)
100
Resume and cover letter
Due Week 10
(place in portfolio)
100
Due Week 10
Documentation of activities completed for self
development. Include proof of any workshop or web
tutorials completed).
(Place in portfolio Week 10)
Portfolio
Due Week 10
Include any assignments not previously submitted
Final Course Evaluation (to be completed in class)
Due Week 10
Total Points
possible
Grading: ABC NC
50
Minus 25
points if
submitted >
Week 10
25
850
A = 94-100%
80-83%
A- = 90-93%
B+ = 87-89%
B=84-86%
B- =
C+ = 77-79%
below 70%
C = 74-76%
C- = 70-73%
NC No credit =
Points earned on individual assignments will depend on timeliness of submission and
quality of work.
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COURSE CALENDAR
Dates
Weeks 1 & 2
Activities
Course Orientation
• Course Overview
• Orientation to GET for
schedule of courses,
ADDs/DROPs, grades,
unofficial transcripts and
transcript evaluation.
• Orientation to WebCT and use
of bulletin board and email
for communication
Week 3
Library
Orientation
(date subject to change)
Meet in Library
Classroom
Week 4
• Dealing with basic needs in
starting quarter-are you in the
classes you need? Add/drop
procedures
 Introduction to library
research and evaluation of
information resources
 Bring NIS userid and
password
 Select a CSLA resource
center to visit and explore. Save
a brochure or other handout for
your portfolio.
 Workshop Presentation in
Class (topic to be announced)
OR
 Schedule attendance at any
workshops you wish to attend to
meet needs indicated by your
self assessments, and/or utilize
on-line links for self
development.
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Assignments Due
(evidence placed in portfolio)
• Complete Get Acquainted
Survey
 Complete Exploration of
Cal State on the Web and
WebCT quiz
• Complete time management
assignment
• Contribute to on-line
discussion of time
management.
• Make an advisement
appointment if you haven't
done so (earlier best)
• Apply for NIS account (allow
1 wk); need by Library
Orientation
 Complete library
assignment submit no later
than Week 6
 Review content for
information competency quiz.
 Complete SelfAssessments
 Submit analysis of self
assessments and plans for self
development via course quiz
module if you have not done
so.
 Using campus email
system, email professor re:
progress, reflections of selfassessments. This is proof of
NIS account.
Week 5
• Continue to work on
assignments
• Workshop Presentation in
Class (topic to be
announced)
OR
• Schedule attendance at
any workshops to meet self
assessment needs and/or
utilize on-line links for self
development
 Do reading and
complete academic
integrity assignment
 Post resource center
report when completed
 Make advisement
appointment if you have
not done so
Week 6
• Discussion of academic
integrity and avoidance of
plagiarism
• In class completion of
information competency
quiz (II).
Week 7
• Academic Advisement
Issues-open Forum
Week 8
• Writing a Resume Cover
Letter; spelling, grammar,
organization, presentation
Week 9
• The Personal Plan
Week 10
• Instructor evaluation
• Course evaluation
• Student discuss Personal
Plan with Instructor
 Submit library, time
management, academic
integrity assignments, and
other completed work for
grading, if not done so
already
 Contribute to on-line
discussion of academic
integrity
 Schedule professor
interview if you have not
done so
 Quiz II due Info
Competency
Professor Interview Duesend as email attachment in
essay format. Put name is
on essay!
 Work on personal plan,
resume and cover letter.
 Email instructor re:
progress
Portfolio Due
Turn in all assignments
today if you want to receive
full credit.
Last day to turn in any
late assignments.
Week 11
FINAL EXAM WEEK
Your graded portfolios will
be available during office
hours. Please pick up by
first week of next quarter.
ATTENDANCE
REQUIRED
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