“We Are Historic!” Skills For College and Career Success
Semester: Fall 2015
Class Meeting Time and Location: Tuesdays 12:30-1:50 at the Lown Center for Judaic Studies Room 201
Office Hours: TBA
Location of Office Hours: SSSP Computer Lab
Learning Community Instructor: Patrick S. Harhai
Email:
Office Hours- Wednesday 12-1 and Monday 12:30-
3:30
Learning Community Liaison:
Katherine Julian, SSSP Program Advisor
Email:
Office: (781) 736-3462
Learning Community Supervisor:
Jennifer Morazes, SSSP Director
Email:
Office: 781-736-3488
Course Description
“We Are Historic! Skills for College and Career Success” is the experiential 2-credit learning community course for the Student Support Services Program (SSSP) at Brandeis University. This course is designed to support incoming students in this program in achieving their college and career goals. You will participate in weekly lectures and complete activities which develop skills necessary for success. Examples of topics covered include study skills, time management, coping with stress, leadership development, and library research. We will also, in order to come to a more complete picture of our goals, think about who we are as young scholars. We will interrogate the identities we hold dear to our lives and existences. We will seek to understand how our experiences as humans with a race, class, gender, sexual orientation, (dis)ability effects and affects our goals and dreams. We will not, however, think that because of a particular social location that our goals are less important or less urgent. On the contrary, we will discuss how to continually nurture and assert our value as individuals. In doing so, we take ownership of our lives and become agents of change in the world. Over the course of the semester, you will complete a portfolio of action plans intended to engage you in self-reflection, skill acquisition and goal formation. You will also develop networks of support among peers within the learning community as well as with campus staff and faculty.
Course Learning Goals
1. Students in this course will learn about and acquire academic and life skills necessary for college and career success
2. Students will develop, participate and engage in a peer intellectual and leadership community
3. Students will reflect on their personal, academic and professional development and develop action steps and goals in all these areas
4. Students will engage with and make connections to relevant campus and community resources to develop a support network for success
How you will be evaluated
This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. In order to earn credit for the class, you will need to show exemplary performance in the following areas.
Attendance—Attendance in every class for its full duration is mandatory. The Learning Community is experiential and depends on everyone’s participation. If you must miss class for any reason, let me know no later than the night before the class you are to miss (on Monday night). If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up what you missed. While attendance at every class is required, if extenuating circumstances arise, I will respond accordingly on a case-by-case basis. In order to earn credit and pass the Learning Community all absences must be excused (i.e. approved by the instructor). Attendance is a matter of basic respect for both yourself and your peers. By attending class you are saying, there is something I may benefit from today, and if I miss, who knows what the possibilities may have been. Also, as much of our work requires participation among peers, it would be disrespectful to not show up to hear what your colleagues say. Think ahead about every decision you make. If you stay up too late studying on Monday night, and are too tired to make it to our class, perhaps you should consider adjusting your schedule ahead of time to study earlier so as to not need to sleep through class. I believe in you.
Class participation— This class will draw heavily on class participation. This is the most key aspect of forming a learning community amongst yourselves, and a very important part of your grading criteria. I will never ask you to share anything you are uncomfortable with, but I will ask you to share. It is expected that you will listen and consider the ideas of others with respect, remain present during the class period, and approach each activity with a willingness to learn and grow. Let me know if you have a reason why you cannot participate so we can come up with a plan to supplement your grade. This class will be a safe space for all to share any perspective. We will learn and expect everyone to listen calmly and lodge any contrary arguments or criticism with poise and respect. Being able to effectively lodge criticism without disturbing the flow of a conversation or argument is a key life skill. Situations in which one should completely shut down the other/conversation are extremely rare in life, and most definitely rare in this class. We will be able to talk out our differences with calmness and respect.
Pre and Post Self-Evaluation—You will be asked to complete a pre-evaluation on the first day of class and a post-evaluation on the last day of class to assess your skill level and progress in a variety of areas. These evaluations also serve as an opportunity to provide feedback for the instructor and SSSP staff on your experience with the course. Please answer honestly and thoroughly, your feedback will be kept internal to the program staff.
Journaling—Journaling free-writes will be assigned at the beginning of class around the readings and weekly theme. It is expected that you will participate fully and use these prompts as a launching point for discussion. Typically, these prompts will be given out in advance of class so that you may brainstorm prior to our in-class writing session. Sometimes we will share these journal entries in their entirety or you will offer a summary.
Weekly In-Class Activities—Weekly over the semester I will ask you to complete in class activities as a way to engage with the skills covered in the course. These may include: group discussion, group presentation, online assessments, skills worksheets, etc. See class participation above***
Completion of all out of class assignments-In order to earn credit and pass the course, you must complete all assignments by the assigned due date. If extenuating circumstances arise, please be in touch and I will respond on a case-by-case basis. Failure to complete all assignments will result in earning a “no credit” grade for the course, which will place you on advising alert
List of Writing Assignments
● “This I Believe” Narrative—(1-2 pages double spaced, max 500 words) This assignment asks you to write about a personal experience that has impacted your orientation to your values and beliefs about the world. Please review the assignment instructions on LATTE. Due Tuesday September 8
● Personal Portfolio—Your efforts this semester will culminate in the completion of a personal portfolio. Your portfolio will contain the four action plans you create throughout the semester. Guidelines for each assignment will be posted on LATTE.
o Academic Development Plan (1-2 pages) – Due Tuesday October 20th
o Professional Development Plan (1-2 pages) – Due Tuesday November 10th
o Personal Development Plan (1-2 pages) – Due Tuesday November 24th
o Support Network Plan (1-2 pages) – Due Tuesday December 8
o Development activity reflection (1-2 pages)-Due with one of your 4 action plans *For one of the four assignments, you are required to participate in an experiential learning activity and write a one page reflection on this experience. Examples of such activities include attending a meditation session, interviewing a faculty member or other professional, attending a career panel or watching a cultural performance. Please let me know what you plan to do by October 6th in a short paragraph proposal. You should include what activity you will take part in, when the activity will take place, and what domain it will address: Academic, Personal, Professional, or Support Network. Or you could also tell me how it might relate to all of these areas. If so, tell me how they are intertwined using some of the concepts we are learning in this class.
o Other Assignments as Assigned
Course Expectations
This syllabus as a contract for what you can expect from the course as well as what the course is expecting from you. This is standard, and what you should expect from all of your courses in college and beyond. All due dates and times are included in this syllabus. We recommend putting your assignments from all of your courses into a Google Calendar, which can be done with either your Brandeis email or your personal Google mail account. When inputting the assignments into your Google calendar remember to set a reminder for yourself to get the assignment done before the due date. Other learners might prefer to keep a paper based planner, but the same reminder system can be set up by benchmarking progress dates leading up to the due date.
Expectations of Learning Community Scholars
● Attend every class on-time
● Do ALL required reading, supplemental reading for your consideration and leisure is listed
● Complete every assignment by the due date and time
● Prepare for every class—this includes having completed the readings/videos, and/or completed assignments
● Contact the instructor if concerns or questions arise at any time during the semester
● Respect for others in the class—this includes their ideas, their beliefs, their opinions, and their various orientations to particular topics
● Keep cell phones on silent and out of plain sight
● Keeping laptops closed and put away (unless otherwise asked to use them in class)
● Please submit all course assignments via LATTE unless otherwise noted. Assignment prompts will be posted on LATTE.
● Be an engaged member of the SSSP community—this means attending SSSP events and activities when you can, and meeting with your advisor, peer mentor and/or peer tutor regularly
● If you need to email me, please simply add SSSP to the subject line and nothing else. I get many emails in a day, and this will help me see those emails which are most important.
Expectations for the Instructor
● Sincere respect for students and their thoughts
● Response to correspondences within 24-36 hours
● Constructive feedback on your work
● Opportunities to meet about the course and strategies for success
● A safe and welcoming learning environment
● Specific strategies to promote personal, academic and career success
Academic Honesty
Learning Community participants are expected to be familiar with, and to follow, the University’s policies on academic integrity. Please consult Brandeis University Rights and Responsibilities for all policies and procedures. All policies related to academic integrity apply to in-class and take home projects, assignments, exams, and quizzes. Students may only collaborate on assignments with permission from the instructor. Allegations of alleged academic dishonesty will be forwarded to the Director of Academic Integrity. Sanctions for academic dishonesty can include failing grades and/or suspension from the university.
Academic Accommodation Policy
If you are a student who has academic accommodations because of a documented disability, please contact me and give me a copy of your letter of accommodation within the first 2 weeks of the semester. If you have any questions about documenting a disability please contact Beth Rodgers-Kay at (781) 736-3470 or at . Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively and thus it is important to submit the appropriate documentation.
Course Assignments & Schedule
Week and Topic / Date ofClass Meeting / Reading for next class / Assignment and Date It Is Due
Week 1:
Course Introduction and Overview
Pre-Evaluation In Class / Tuesday
September
1, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
September 8, 2015
➢ Read entire syllabus
➢ Navigating the Research University pgs. 24-28; 71-75
➢ Hooks, Engaged Pedagogy
➢ Wittig, The Straight Mind
➢ Supplement-- “Bosses seek critical thinking, but what is that?” Wall Street Journal / Due Date of Assignment: September 8, 2015
➢ “This I Believe” Narrative-refer to LATTE guidelines
Week 2:
Critical Thinking Skills and Developing an Argument / Tuesday
September
8, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
September 22, 2015
➢ Navigating the Research University pgs. 51-66
➢ Thriving in College and Beyond pgs. 2-8; 320-326 / Due Date of Assignment: September 22, 2015
NOTE: Week 3: No Class, Rosh Hashanah / Tuesday September 15, 2015
Week 4: Time Management and Study Skills / Tuesday
September 22, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
October 6, 2015
➢ Brandeis Library “How To” Guides: Search Basics; Citing Sources; Evaluating Sources http://brandeis.libguides.com/friendly.php?action=82&s=how
➢ Review Brandeis Academic Integrity web site http://www.brandeis.edu/svpse/academicintegrity/
➢ Thriving in College and Beyond pgs. 216-223 / Due Date of Assignment: October 6, 2015
You are strongly encouraged to attend the SSSP Leadership Retreat on Saturday 10/3 as we will have a discussion at the beginning of next class.
Week 5: No Class (Brandeis Monday Schedule) / Tuesday September 29, 2015 / Due Date of Assignment: October 6, 2015
Due 1 paragraph proposal of activity for one of your four plans-refer to LATTE guidelines
Week 6: Research Skills and Academic Integrity / Tuesday
October 6, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
October 13, 2015
➢ SMART GOALS
➢ “I too am Harvard—Black students show they belong” Washington Post
➢ Brandeis University mission and diversity statements http://www.brandeis.edu/about/mission.html / Due Date of Assignment: October 13, 2015
Write yourself a motivational paragraph, an affirmation, or a mantra—bring to class—this is a great chance to get creative!
Week 7: Goal Setting, Motivation and Action Planning / Tuesday
October 13, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
October 20, 2015
➢ McIntosh, Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
➢ “A professor crowdsources a syllabus on the Charleston shootings.” Chronicle of Higher Education
➢ Brandeis University mission and diversity statements http://www.brandeis.edu/about/mission.html
➢ / Due Date of Assignment: October 20, 2015
➢ Academic Development Plan Plan-refer to LATTE guidelines
Week 8: Campus Climate, Inclusion / Tuesday October 20, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
October 27, 2015
➢ NACE report: The skills employers want in new/college graduate hires
➢ Thriving in college and beyond pgs. 286-302
➢ A Foot In The Door pgs. 10-15 / Due Date of Assignment: October 27, 2015
Take Type Focus Test—Link in Email
You are strongly encouraged to attend the 10/21 SSSP keynote, as we will have a discussion on what you learned next class.
Week 9:
Career Exploration / Tuesday
October 27, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
November 3, 2015
➢ http://chronicle.com/article/Sexual-Paranoia-Strikes/190351/ / Due Date of Assignment: November 3, 2015
➢ Look up each of your professors in the Brandeis faculty guide and write down one interesting/surprising fact about each to share.
http://www.brandeis.edu/facultyguide/index.html
Week 10:
Getting to Know Faculty and Academic Departments / Tuesday
November 3, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
November 10, 2015
➢ “Are you too busy? How to find your limits” Wall Street Journal
➢ “The impostor syndrome” Caltech Counseling Center
➢ Thriving in College and Beyond pgs. 428-434 / Due Date of Assignment: November 10, 2015
➢ Professional Development Plan-refer to LATTE guidelines
Week 11:
Coping With Stress and High Expectations / Tuesday
November 10, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
November 17, 2015
➢ “How to motivate students to work harder” The Atlantic
➢ “What is Resilience?” PBS This Emotional Life
➢ Thriving in College and Beyond pgs. 438-443 / Due Date of Assignment: November 17, 2015
➢ Engage in one stress-reducing activity or lifestyle change outside of your normal routine and be prepared to discuss in class
Week 12:
Resilience and Growth Mindset / Tuesday
November 17, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
November 24, 2015
➢ Rosenberg, Non-Violent Communication
➢ “Great leadership isn’t about you” Harvard Business Review / Due Date of Assignment: November 24, 2015
➢ Personal Development Plan-refer to LATTE guidelines
Week 13:
Leadership Development and Conflict Management / Tuesday
November 24, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
Readings: December 1, 2015
➢ Thriving in College and Beyond pgs. 332-348
➢ “Financial literacy, can it be taught?” Chronicle of Higher Education
➢ Review Brandeis Student Financial Services Savvy Student Blog http://savvy-student.blogspot.com/ / Due Date of Assignment: December 1, 2015
Week 14:
Financial Literacy / Tuesday December 1, 2015 / Reading for Next Class:
December 8, 2015 / Due Date of Assignment: December 8, 2015
➢ Support Network Plan and final revised Portfolio-refer to LATTE guidelines
Week 15: Class Wrap Up ):
Post-Evaluation In Class / Tuesday
December 8