“If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress”.-President Barack Obama

JOHN Q. PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

LIFE SKILLS COURSE-UNIVERSITY 101

Dr. Todd E. Long, Ed.D.

Core Course: Life Skills LSKLS, 3 units, Fall 2016 Thursdays 1:00 PM-3:00 PM (Einstein School of Education)

Course Objectives:Holistic Learning

• Welcome to University 101 this semester I will cover a variety of topics weekly to include the following: Introduction to course, Campus Involvement & Leadership, Resume Building, Campus Resources, Career Services, Professional Etiquette, Community Standards, Library Tour and Learning Center, Time Management, Financial Literacy, and final project.

Topics have been carefully chosen by the University for learning outcomes to encourage student success, student learning development, and transitions to higher education at John Q. Public University.

Course Description This course is a mandatory course

for all John Q. Public University freshman, transfer, and international students.

The focus of this course is to introduce students to academic, personal, and leadership skills necessary for achievement in their discipline and at the university.

• The course will assist students’ adjustment and social integration into the University, develop students’ understanding of the learning process, and help students acquire essential college survival skills.

Course Expectations YOUR COMMITMENT TO ME AND YOUR

CLASSMATES: Because we operate in an academic

community which is committed to expanding our understanding of holistic learning theories and practices together, the following is expected of you:

You are expected to come to each class on time, ready to be engaged in the learning process, and fully prepared for class discussions and small group interactions. This means that you are expected to do the required reading on time, hand your assignments in on the due dates and no later, and fully involve yourself in the classroom exercises.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU:• As your professor I am committed to giving the very best of myself to you to and assist you in maximizing your learning potential. Your learning means everything to me and is my number one priority.• This means that I will come to class prepared to teach, keep up to date about the best of the best leadership theories and practices so that I can include them in our curriculum, and give timely and relevant feedback on your assignments so as to enrich your learning.

Learning Format

Writing, Writing will be assessed by short papers, in class essays, discussion postings on campus E-Companion portal and longer papers as assigned. Revisions of all written work will be allowed, but the final grade will be closely tied to the first submission (draft) grade.

Oral Communication, Oral communication will be assessed during class discussions, oral reports and by final project presentations. Although I strive for a classroom atmosphere that is lively and informal, students are expected to use standard English in class.

Critical Thinking, This courses uses sophisticated thought models and paradigms and is devoted to enhancing students’ critical thinking whether the target text be a literary text, a film, a lecture or personal reflections.

Learning Activities

Free Writing/Minute Paper/Question of the Day Exercise-Interactive classroom activity affords students an opportunity to compose a response to a general question which can be discussed at any time during a class. 

Ice Breakers- Ice Breakers are easy to set up and allow students to work together and talk to each other, and encourage classroom collegial relations.

Debate-Engaging in collaborative discourse and argumentation enhances student’s theoretical understandings and improves their cognitive abilities. Implement a discussion developing an open question on current events. Divide into teams allowing ample time to prepare, and then open floor up for debate with opposing teams arguing a counterpoint.

Interview/Role Play- students can explore or understand an issue and the development of skills, such as writing, leadership, organization, teamwork and research.

Learning OutcomesIntroduction to Life Skills 101 is designed to assist first-year students through a positive adjustment and assimilation into the University culture following learning outcomes:Foster Academic Success.Help Students To Connect with John Q. Public University.Prepare Students for Responsible Lives in a Diverse, Interconnected, and Changing World.Introduce students to leadership theory and prepare them for campus leaders.

Grading Rubric

Evaluation Methods- Written Assignments, Quizzes, Papers 70% Participation- 10% University Assessments- Pre and Post Test (Final Exam), 20% Total Points 100%

Required Texts Bain, Kenneth (2004) What the best

college teachers do. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.

Buckingham, M. (2007). Go put your strengths to work. New York: Free Press.

Your College Experience: Strategies for Success. Eds. Gardner, Jewler, and Barefoot. 10th annotated edition. Bedford/St. Martin’s: Boston 2012. (ISBN-13: 978-1-4576-0382- 2)