Strategies for Academic Success-Psychology 1730

Spring 2012 Wednesday, 2:30-5 pm

Instructor: Email: Phone: Origination Classroom: Office : Office Hours: Texts: Jill Rasmussen [email protected] (435)-919-1246 166 Milton P. Miller Building, Brigham City 170B Milton P. Miller Building Utah State University Brigham City Regional Campus Monday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm by appointment (easier for you to find me this way!) Emails and telephone calls are preferred. Becoming A Master Student, 13th Edition, Dave Ellis Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009. ISBN 13:978-1-4390-8174-7 Required-Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, Vintage Publishing 2010, ISBN-13: 978-0307387943 Optional-The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, Hyperion Publishers 2008 ISBN: 978-1-4013-2325-7 Students must have access to a computer for Canvas assignments. Syllabus subject to change-most recent syllabus will be posted on Canvas. Catalog Course Description: This course orients students to the systems, tools, and resources unique to higher education that are needed to maximize academic success (e.g., library, computer lab use, etc.). Also helps students develop critical thinking, study, and learning strategies necessary for college success. Statement of Purpose: This course has been designed with the student in mind. It has been used all over the US, Canada and Europe, and is especially relevant for students beginning a college career. This textbook has been designed as a self-discovery guide and as you put forth the effort necessary, you will gain skills that will benefit you not only

in this course and throughout college, but throughout your life. The textbook is a workbook and its value will be shown by the effort you put into using it. Please purchase one, write in it and use it! Student Outcomes: As a result of hard work and study in this course, students will: 1. Be able to identify learning styles and study skills that work best for the student. 2. Demonstrate competency by doing well on quizzes, assignments, and papers. 3. Value study skills, health, diversity, and the purpose of higher education. Late policy for coursework: Any late assignment will only be worth half the amount listed if turned in late and the value is reduced another half for each day it is late. ie: Assignment is due Wednesday and is worth 20 points. By Thursday it is worth 10 pts. By Friday it is worth 5 points and Saturday it is worth 2 points Maximum. Most assignments are turned in through Canvas, so if you cannot attend class and have an assignment due you may submit it on blackboard/canvas in advance. All items are date stamped. Quizzes and Exams: Quizzes will be nearly weekly over canvas or in class. There is no make up for a missed quiz. There will be a midterm exam, held on March 7th. Please attend and take the midterm. A make-up midterm will be available, but will have twice as many questions for the same amount of points. There will be a 3 day period to take the final exam at a proctored testing center. You must make an appointment in advance at your testing center to take the final exam during Finals week. Our final exam is scheduled on May 2nd, but you may take it over canvas at your proctored testing center from April 30th at 8 am until May 2nd at 11 pm. There is no make up for the final.

University Policies: Please review http://www.usu.edu/policies/ for Academic policies, http://www.usu.edu/studentconduct/ for the student code of conduct. Especially review policies on Academic Integrity- the Honor System, Classroom incivility, Plagiarism, and the Grievance Process Academic Honesty The University expects that students and faculty alike maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. Student Accommodation: Students with ADA-documented physical, sensory, emotional or medical impairments may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. Veterans may also be eligible for services. All accommodations are coordinated through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in room 101 of the University Inn, (435) 797-2444 voice, (435) 797-0740 TTY, (435) 797-2444 VP, or toll free at 1-800-259-2966. Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format materials (Braille, large print or digital) are available with advanced notice. Grievance Process: Students who feel they have been unfairly treated...may file a grievance through the channels and procedures described in the Student Code: http://www.usu.edu/studentservices/pdf/StudentCode.pdf#page=3 (Article VII. Grievances, pages 27-36). Honor Code Policy As stated in The Student Code, Each student has the right and duty to pursue his or her academic experience free of dishonesty. The Honor System is designed to reinforce the higher level of conduct expected and required of all Utah State University students. Upon admission to the university, you agreed to abide by this Honor Code by signing the Honor Pledge, which reads: I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity. Complete academic honesty is expected in this course. Cheating on exams or plagiarism on written assignments will result in a failing grade and may result in further action according to University policy.

Communications via email Email is an official form of communication at USU. Any communication to you about this course will be to the email address you have listed in ACCESS as your preferred address. You are responsible for any information conveyed to you at that email address. To make sure that the university is using the email account you prefer, do the following: At the USU website, click on the link "MyUSU" at the top right of the page Under "Access" click on the link "Login to Access (Banner)" Log in using your A number and Password Click on "Personal Information" Click on "Update E-mail Addresses" Follow the short instructions to update your preferred email address It is your responsibility to check your email account regularly. Diversity Statement Regardless of intent, careless or ill-informed remarks can be offensive and hurtful to others and detract from the learning climate. If you feel uncomfortable in a classroom due to offensive language or actions by an instructor or student(s) regarding ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, contact one of the following: at USU Brigham City, contact Jill Rasmussen, Room 170B, (435) 919-1246; at other RCDE sites, contact your advisor, or; Michelle Bogdan, Director of Access and Diversity Center [email protected]; James Morales, Vice President of Student Services (435) 797-1712 [email protected]; Ann Austin, Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity, [email protected]; Maure Smith, GLBTA Services, [email protected]; Steven Russell, Student Advocate (435) 797-1720 [email protected]. You can learn about your student rights by visiting: www.usu.edu/studentservices/studentcode Assignments: 1. Make sure you have your correct email address in Access/Banner/Canvas. 2. 12 Weekly Quizzes or Exercises worth 20 points each. (a total of 240 points). These will be completed in class or entered through canvas each

week. Bring your workbooks to class. We will do some of the exercises together. Some will be graded by your participation in class that day. 3. Mid Term Exam 70 questions over 7 Chapters-(70 points) This will be an in-class exam on March 7th. 4. Final Exam over all 12 chapters-5 questions per chapter, worth 2 points each (120 points)- You must schedule time in your local testing center to take this exam. Available from April 30th at 8:00 am until May 2nd at 11 pm. Over the blackboard/canvas system. Do not wait to schedule at the last minute. If you do not take it due to lack of preparation, there is no makeup exam. 5. A Diversity Literature Review worth up to 150 points on the book Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. Complete the literature review questions on Canvas and turn in as a completed paper. Please review it with a writing center tutor where possible. Paper will be due on March 19th. Group discussion of this book will take place in class on March 21st. You must participate in the discussion to secure points. This book may be available at your local library and is available at a USU Bookstore. 6. Zeitoun on canvas discussion for up to 20 points. Details will follow. Due on March 7th. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Extra credit projects worth up to 40 points: +View or read the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and answer questions provided by April 18th. A two paragraph written assignment and oral report will be given April 18th and will be worth up to 20 points. Points will be added in to boost your grade. (due April 18th). +Critical Thinking Assignment #12 will be given for those who complete them. (20 points due April 18th). Points will be added in to boost your grade.

Total possible: 600 points (40 extra credit) University Grading Scale by points earned. A 558-600 C+ 462-479

AB+ B B-

540-557 522-539 498-521 480-497

C CD F

438-461 420-437 360-419 <354

January 11th 7January 18th

1st Class- Introductions-Syllabus review- MakingTransitions. Scavenger hunt in class. 2nd ClassChapter 1- First Steps. Read chapter prior to class. Assignment #1- Discovery Wheel/Learning Styles in class.-20 points. I will teach from Logan. 4 pm-Guest lecturer-Susan Williams on Scholarships, grants and finding money for college. Susan will be in Brigham City. 3rd ClassChapter 2-Time- Read chapter prior to class.

January 25th

Assignment #2-Complete pg. 65 and 66 of exercise 7, and pages 88 & 89-monthly calendars. 20 points. February 1st 4th ClassChapter 3- Memory- Read chapter prior to class.

Quiz #1 over chapter 1-3 for 20 points. February 8th 5th ClassChapter 4-Reading- Read chapter prior to class.

Quiz #2 over chapter 4 for 20 points. February 15th 6th ClassChapter 5-Notes- Read chapter prior to class. Assignment #3 Exercise # 17 due in canvas-20 points. February 22nd 7th ClassChapter 6-Tests- Read chapter prior to class. Quiz #3 over chapter 5 & 6 for 20 points. February 29th 8th ClassChapter 7-Thinking- Read chapter prior to class. Assignment#4 due in canvas. Page 229-Find a bigger Problem. This is a one page paper telling of anything you have done to help with a bigger problem in your home, community, or world.- 20 points. Today, Make copies of Exercise 28 on page 296-300 today and begin the month long assignment (due on March 28th). Review for Midterm in class (7 chapters).

March 7th

9th ClassChapter 8-Communicating- Read chapter prior to class. Mid Term Exam in Class over 7 chapters-70 points. Assignment #5-Exercise #26 will be completed in class for 20 points. Zeitoun reading should be completed today. Discussion on Canvas due today for 20 points.

March 14th March 19th

No ClassSpring break Zeitoun Assignment Due by Midnight. Put your paper into canvas by tonight at midnight. -150 points (see rubric in canvas). 10th ClassChapter 9-Diversity- Read chapter prior to class. Quiz #4 over chapters 8 & 9-20 points. In class discussion of Zeitoun and diversity.

March 21st

March 28th

11th ClassChapter 10-Money- Read chapter prior to class. Guest Lecturer on Money Management. Submit Assignment #6- Exercise 28 and bring a copy for discussion. 20 points. 12th ClassChapter 11-Health- Read chapter prior to class. Guest Lecturer on health. Quiz#5 over chapters 10 & 11-20 points. 13th ClassChapter 12-Whats Next Assignment #7-Bring your workbook and Discovery Wheel from Chapter 1 to class today. 20 points. Guest Lecturer from Career Services

April 4th

April 11th

April 18th

14th ClassLast Lecture oral reports-( 10 points for written report, 10 points for oral report).

Extra Credit- Critical Thinking #12 on page 373-turn in canvas-20 points. April 25th May 2nd 15th Class- Final Exam review- No Test Week.

to

No class meeting-take final from April 30-May 2nd at your testing center. (Schedule your time in advance.) Have a nice, relaxing break!