CSU 1022 - Daddona

Fall 2015- 1

Fall Semester 2015

CSU 1022: University Foundations (CRN: 80965)

Psychology Learning Community

COURSE SYLLABUS

Days/Time:Monday & WednesdayLocation:126 Natural & Behavioral Sciences

2:10-3:00 pm

Instructor:Dr.Mark F. Daddona, LPCTelephone: TBA

Associate Professor of Psychology

E-Mail:

Website:

Office:101 Natural & Behavioral Sciences

Office Hours:Monday/Wednesday: 10:00-11:30 am, 3:00-4:00 pm

Tuesday: 3:30-5:00 pm

Other times by appointment

Required Textbook:

Gardner, J.N. & Barefoot, B.O. (2013). Your College Experience (customized concise

10th Edition). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Publisher Web Site:

Course Description:

University Foundations helps new students make a successful transition to ClaytonStateUniversity and prepares them to meet the challenges of higher level learning and the demands of their chosen field. The course connects students and faculty who share a common interest by building a community of learners committed to achieving excellence. University Foundations refines academic goals, encourages a greater sense of personal responsibility, creates intentional learners, and provides the information and support that students need to earn a college degree. This discussion-based seminar helps students learn how to improve their basic skills in areas such as written communication, oral communication and critical thinking. (Institutional 2 credit hours only; counts in GPA)

Learner Outcomes:

The general learning outcomes of the course and learning community program include:

  • strengthening students’ abilities to read, write, and speak effectively
  • improving students’ abilities to analyze, interpret, and communicate information in a systematic way
  • developing students’ knowledge of their goals, abilities, and interests in conjunction with practices that contribute to success in college and in their chosen field
  • building connections between students with similar interests and between students, faculty and the university

Course Objectives:

The objectives of the course are that students will be able to:

  • develop greater proficiency in oral and written communication
  • demonstrate an improved ability to think critically
  • use basic communication and instructional technologies
  • develop learning-centered relationships with fellow students, advisors, and instructors
  • set priorities, establish short and long term goals, and effectively manage time
  • identify campus resources that serve various academic, psychological, and social needs
  • conduct basic research and find needed research materials online and at the library
  • apply knowledge of learning styles to educational tasks
  • use learning strategies (reading techniques, note-taking methods, memory strategies, and test-taking strategies) effectively
  • understand their majors and identify careers that suit their interests and abilities
  • develop habits and strategies that promote fiscal responsibility, healthy lifestyles, stress management, and effective interactions with diverse groups of people

Grading Criteria:

The actual grade earned in this course will be based on completion of the following:

PercentPoints

  1. Attendance, Participation, Class Assignments10%20
  2. College Student Inventory5%10
  3. Quick Quizzes (4 at 5 points each)10%20
  4. Writing Assignments (3 @ 20 points each)30%60
  5. Closer Look at CSU5%10
  6. Group Psychology Activities & Sharing10%20
  7. Midterm Exam15%30
  8. Final Examination15%30

Total100%200

Final Grade Distribution:

The final course grade will be determined as follows:

A = 90% - 100%(180 – 200 points)

B = 80% - 89%(160 – 179 points)

C = 70% - 79%(140 – 159 points)

D = 60% - 69%(120 – 139 points)

F = 59% or below(less than 120 points)

Course Requirements:

Desire2Learn (D2L): I will use D2L in this course for weekly announcements, class calendar dates, PowerPoint presentations, grades, and other information. Students are expected to log into D2L at least once a week, but preferably several times a week.

University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Attendance and Participation:This class requires student involvement and participation. In order to learn as much as possible in this class and to make one’s share of contributions, students are required to participate. Attendance will be taken during each class meeting. In the event that students are unable to attend class due to illness or other emergency, they should contact the instructor before the class meets. It is important that you read and understand the following attendance policy.

  • You are given three absences to use as needed in this class. After three, points will be deducted from the Attendance, Participation, & Class Assignmentscomponent of the course. In other words, use your days wisely.The instructor will not make a distinction between excused and unexcused absences.
  • For every two times you are late to class or leave class before it is over, it will be counted as an absence. Students arriving late or leaving early is disruptive to other students, the instructor, and interrupts class lectures and activities.
  • Thursday, August 20, 2015, is the last day to make a course schedule adjustment(drop/add). A schedule adjustment does not appear on your transcript.
  • Friday, October 9, 2015, is the last day you can withdraw and receive a “W” for full-term classes. If you withdraw after this date, you will receive a “WF” for the course.
  • Midterm grades will be posted before the deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty. They will be calculated by a formula for each student’s graded work at that time and will reflect approximately 33% of the entire course grade.

Textbook Readings & Class Assignments: Students are responsible for all assigned readings by the date indicated. In class assignments will be added throughout the semester. Some of these assignments will be completed in class, and students must be in attendance to receive credit for the assignments.

College Student Inventory: Students are required to complete the College Student Inventory, a 30 minute online assessment designed to help identify students’ special interests, strengths, and needs. The inventory must be completed, printed, and submitted on the due date in the class calendar. The inventory is available at

Quick Quizzes: There will be four Quick Quizzes during the semester. The quizzes will be given at the beginning of the class period. Students who arrive after the quiz is finished or who miss class will not be given a make-up quiz. Quizzes dates will be announced at least one class period in advance.

Writing Assignments: Three reflective writing assignments are required for this class (in addition to the Closer Look at CSU assignment). One of the assignments will require students to participate in a community engagement activity that is scheduled through the Office of Campus Life. Additional details for writing assignments will be distributed in class.

Closer Look at CSU Assignment: The purpose of this assignment is to provide students with the opportunity to take “a closer look” at Clayton State University and themselves. For this assignment, you are required to attend one campus event and complete a one-page typed reflection assignment based on the event. The event must be sponsored by CSU or a registered CSU student organization. The event must be approved by the instructor prior to attending. Whenever possible, submit documentation to verify your attendance at the event. The following questions should be answered in the written reflection:

  • List the event name, date, time, and location.
  • Why did you choose this event to attend?
  • What was your reaction to this event?
  • Would you attend this event or a similar event again? Why or why not?
  • Would you recommend this event to other students? Why or why not?

Group Psychology Activities & Sharing: Students will be assigned to small groups and will participate in psychology-related informal data collection and analysis activities on campus. Groups will also share their activities with the class. Additional detailed will be provided in class.

Examinations: There will be a midterm and finalexamination in this course. Exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions.Student will be notified at least one week in advance as to the specific topics for the exams.Students arriving late for exam will have points deducted from the exam grade. Make-up exams will only be given in extreme extenuating circumstances with appropriate documentation from the student and only when the instructor is notified prior to the exam.

Classroom Policies:

  • Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities: The following link is to the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities from Clayton State's online Academic Catalog: (page 78)
  • Please familiarize yourself with these responsibilities as part of your contractual relationship with Clayton State University.
  • Computer Policy: All students at ClaytonState are required to have ready access throughout the semester to a laptop computer and to use that computer actively in all courses for e-mail access and other uses.For more information on ClaytonState’s Official Notebook Policy, please go to .

Laptop computers should only be used during class for class assignments and note taking. It is rude and offensive to the instructor and other students when students surf the Internet, read email, and chat online during any university class.

  • Cheating: Academic integrity is vital for true teaching and learning to take place in a scholarly community. Any form of cheating is a serious violation and will be addressed in accordance with university policy.
  • Plagiarism: Using another person’s ideas without giving due credit is plagiarism. Quotation marks should be used to denote words that are directly copied, and the original source must be cited when other people’s exact language is used or their ideas are paraphrased. University policy will be followed in the event that plagiarism is detected.
  • Disruption of the Learning Environment: Behavior which disrupts the teaching-learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a WF grade.
  • Children in Class: Children are not allowed in class. It is difficult for children to sit still for the entire class period. It is also distracting to students, the parent/guardian, and the instructor.
  • Electronic Devices: Students are required to turn off all their electronic devices during class.
  • The instructor reserves the right to add and/or delete topics and adjust due dates throughout the semester. Students will be given sufficient notice, and all changes will be announced via D2L and in class.

Operation Study:

At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement. To foster a change in the perception of studying, improve study habits, and hence promote student success, several Operation Study activities and programs will be offered throughout the semester. Be on the lookout for study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and other opportunities to earn Study Buck Gift Cards (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items.

Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations must register with the DisabilityResourceCenter in order to obtain their accommodations. Students can contact the office by calling (678)466-5445 or by e-mailing . If a student is already registered with the Disability Resource Center and is seeking accommodations for this course, he or she may make an appointment with the Disability Resource Center to discuss his or her specific accommodation needs for the course and assure that the faculty member receives the accommodations letter.

CSU 1022 Fall2015 - CLASS CALENDAR

Class Dates

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Topics

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Assignments Due

Week 1

August 17 / Course Introduction
Review Syllabus
Small Group Activity
August 19 / Introduction to CSU
Where am I?
College Student Inventory Overview / Read CSU pages 5-21
Week 2
August 24 / Exploring Your Purpose for Attending College / Read Chapter 1
August 26 / Managing Your Time / Read Chapter 2
Week 3
August 31 / PACE Presentation-Guest Presentation Discussion of Community Engagement Assignment
September 2 / Understanding Emotional Intelligence / Read Chapter 3
Writing Assignment #1
Week 4
September 7 / Labor Day Holiday: No Class
September 9 / Discuss Result of College Student Inventory / College Student Inventory
Week 5
September 14 / Discovering How You Learn - MBTI / Read Chapter 4
September 16 / Discovering How You Learn – Multiple Intelligence
Week 6
September 21 / Discovering How You Learn -Learning Styles
September 23 / Profile Proficiency Test (Testing Center-Arbor Hall) Meet at CSU East Walking Path / Writing Assignment #2

Week 7

September 28 / Thinking Critically: The Basis of a College Education / Read Chapter 5
September 30 / Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-5)
Week 8
October 5 / Being Engaged in Learning: Listening, Taking Notes, & Participating in Class / Read Chapter 6
October 7 / Being Engaged in Learning: Listening, Taking Notes, & Participating in Class
October 9 / Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”
Week 9
October 12 / Fall Break: No Class

Class Dates

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Topics

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Assignments Due

October 14 / Reading to Learn: Learning to Remember / Read Chapter 7
Week 10
October 19 / Improving Your Performance on Exams & Tests / Read Chapter 8
October 21 / Managing Your Stress
Week 11
October 26 / EDGE Overview-Guest Presentation
October 28 / Career Exploration
Week 12
November 2 / Appreciating Diversity / Read Chapter 11
November 4 / Appreciating Diversity
Week 13
November 9 / How to Keep Your Financial Aid – Guest Presentation
November 11 / Managing Your Money / Read Chapter 12
Week 14
November 16 / Managing Your Money
November 18 / Group Psychology Activity & Sharing / Be Prepared to Share Your Activity
Writing Assignment #3

Week 15

November 23 / Group Psychology Activity & Sharing / Be Prepared to Share Your Activity
November 25 / Thanksgiving Holiday: No Class
Week 16
November 30 / Closer Look at CSU Assignment Sharing / Closer Look Assignment
December 2 / Why Be a Psychology Major
Week 17
December 7 / Course Wrap-Up
Review for Final
December 14
12:30 pm / Final Exam (Chapters 6, 7, 8,11, 12, some cumulative)