UNIV 104: Pathways to Academic Success Seminar

Spring 2015
Seminar Section:

UNIV 104- 06

Instructor: Sherry Craft

Room: CUE 114

Meeting Time:

E-mail:
sherry.craft@email.wsu.
edu

Office Hour(s): WED 12pm

Office: CUE 403

Course Description

The Pathways to Academic Success Seminar focuses on teaching vital college

success skills to first-year students in a supportive learning environment. Critical to
students success at a research university is in understanding the process of
research writing. Students will be specifically oriented to the process of conducting
research through the campus library system and writing a scholarly research paper
in preparation for other courses requiring research writing skills. Various college
success topics will also be taught to assist students in developing skills in the
following areas: time management, note taking, study strategies, test taking,
critical thinking, and academic integrity. Students will also receive instruction on
preparing for academic advising through using online advising resources (what-if
reports/Zzusis).

Learning Goals
Students that participate in PASS and fully engage in course content demonstrate
that they are able to meet the following Learning Goals of PASS as derived from
WSUs established Learning Goals:
Engage in Critical and Creative Thinking. Develop the ability to define, analyze,
and solve problems; integrate and synthesize knowledge from multiple sources;
assess the accuracy and validity of findings and conclusions; understand how one
thinks, reasons, and makes value judgments; and understand diverse viewpoints,
including differing philosophical and cultural perspectives. These skills are
developed through Socratic Discussions, source analysis and review of literature
with emphasis on scholarly materials.
Develop Depth, Breadth, and Integration of Learning. Draw conclusions from
inquiry across the disciplines and by showing a depth of knowledge within a chosen
topic area of interest based on investigation and integration of learning of concepts,
ideas, unsolved problems, and how other scholars address such problems. These skills
are demonstrated through the scholarly research process and drawing ones own
conclusion based on scholarly evidence and support.
Acquire Information Literacy. Demonstrate knowledge of research and
information retrieval strategies in the library and on the Internet and be able to
effectively evaluate sources and data. This skill is developed through class
discussions and immersion in both scholarly literature and electronic media via the
Internet and determining what is valid and credible.
Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively. Show awareness of contexts,
audiences, styles, and conventions. This skill is demonstrated through group work,
in-class presentation, and communicating ones research to the academic
community via conference-style poster exhibition.

Understand and respect diverse cultures, values, and perspectives.

Develop an appreciation and understanding of how to most effectively interact with
others, who areand are notlike oneself. Demonstrated through active
participation in group activities and projects, research on local, national and global
issues while considering the impact of actions and decisions on ones self and
others.

Required Materials
A Pocket Guide to College Success (available at the Bookie)
A Short Guide to Writing About Psychology (available at the Bookie)
The A Game: Nine Steps to better Grades (available at the Bookie)
** If using a personal laptop you must have PowerPoint installed
Laptop use and cellphone statement: Laptops will be used in class when
instructed to do so. Cellphones are not permitted in class and will not be
tolerated. If you are found using your cellphone while class is in session you may
be asked to leave and marked absent. If you are on your laptop and/or using a
cellphone during class time and not instructed to do so it may hinder yours or
another students learning-you might miss important information.
SEMINAR & UNIVERSITY EXPECTATIONS
Attendance and participation
Most of the work you do in PASS is collaborative. It is your responsibility to
participate actively in all group and individual work for the course.
Active participation - Failure to attend any of the scheduled meetings of the seminar
and other scheduled seminar activities will negatively affect your grade. Students
who miss more than 2 classes in the first two weeks will be withdrawn. More than
4 unexcused absences could result in failing the course or reducing your
overall grade by a full letter grade.
As stated in the University Academic Regulations absences impede a student's
academic progress and should be avoided. There are two categories of excused
absences, university sponsored and other. A university-sponsored excuse includes
those students who are required to participate in off-campus, university-sponsored
activities such as field trips, musical performances, judging teams, intercollegiate
athletic events, etc. The student should obtain an official Class Absence Request
form from the faculty or staff member supervising the activity. Other excused
absences include illness, personal crises, mandated court appearances, parental
responsibilities, and the like. The student should provide a written explanation of
the absence in addition to any other documentation available. For more information
review the WSU Academic Regulations web site:
http://www.registrar.wsu.edu/Registrar/Apps/AcadRegs.ASPX .
Academic Integrity
You are expected to uphold the WSU standard of conduct for academic integrity
(http://conduct.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=338). You assume full responsibility for
the content and integrity of the academic work you submit. I encourage you to work
with classmates on assignments. However, each student must turn in original work.
No copying or use of another students work will be accepted. Students who violate
WSUs Standards of Conduct for Students will receive an F on that assignment or as
a final grade in this course and will be reported to the Office of Student Standards
and Accountability. Cheating is defined in the Standards for Student Conduct WAC
504-26-010 (3). It is strongly suggested that you read and understand these
definitions: http://conduct.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=338

Students with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented
disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate
in this class, please visit the Access Center (Washington Building 217) to schedule
an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations MUST be approved
through the Access Center.

TOTAL POINT BREAKDOWN

Learning Styles Results
25
Week-On-A-Page & SMART goals
25
Reflections (4 @ 25points each)
100
Lab Assignments (4 @ 50 points each)
200
Annotated Bibliography
50
Introduction & Research Outline
50
Peer Reviewed Draft
50
Final Paper
100
In-Class Presentation
50
Power Point
50
Exam (2 @ 100 points each)
200
Attendance
100
__________________________________________________________
TOTAL

Gra
de

Percent

94 100%

9351000

A-

90 - 93%

895-934

C-

B+

86 - 89%

856-894

D+

83 - 85%

825-855

BC+

79 - 82%
75 - 78%

785-824
745-784

Points

Grad
e

D
F

Percen
t
71 74%
69 70%
67 68%
65 66%
< 65%

1000

Points
705744
685704
665684
651664
< 650

Week

Date
1/14

1
1/16

Topics/Readings
Seminar goals & course expectations; Angel, paper
format, due dates, exchange info w/ classmates, etc.
Reflection #1

Assignments Due

College Success: Planning & Prioritizing Effectively

Read Cp 2 & A-Game Rules 1 & 2
Week-On-A-Page & SMART goals
Take Learning Styles Assessment

Reflection 1

No Class

1/21
2
1/23

College Success: Learning Style & Study Tips

Ch 3 & A-Game Rules 2 & 3

Week-On-A-Page &
SMART goals
Learning Style
Results

College Success: Effective Reading & Note Taking

1/28
3
1/30

Ch 5-6 & A-Game Rules 4-6

College Success: Studying & preparing for exams
Ch 7- 8 & A-Game Rules 7-9
Reflection #2
College Success: Academic Planning & meeting
w/your advisor (ASCC)

2/3
4

Ch 10
College Success: Well-being, Staying Healthy &
Managing Stress

2/6

Ch 11

Reflection #2

2/11

Ch 1-2

2/13
2/18
6
2/20

LAB 1: How to identify & read a journal article

(bring laptop)
Selecting a Research Topic
No Class
Conducting A literature review
Ch 3-7
Annotated Bibliography Assignment

2/25

Library Research @ Library

Must have 6 peer reviewed articles

2/27

LAB 2: How to write an annotated bibliography

(bring laptop)

Week

College Success Exam

Research process, selecting a topic, & timeline for
writing

Date
3/4

Topics/Readings
The research writing process
Ch 4
Introduction & Outline Assignment

3/6

LAB 3: Introduction & Outline

(bring laptop)

3/11
9
3/13

Peer Review: Introduction & Outline

Lab Report 1:
Identifying Journals

Assignments Due
Annotated
Bibliography
Lab Report 2:
Annotated Bib.

Lab Report 3
Intro & Outline

Writing APA style: Content & guidance

Ch 5

SPRING BREAK

10

3/25

LAB 4: Developing arguments

(bring laptop)

3/27

Proofreading & formatting your paper

Peer-reviewed
Introduction &
Outline
Lab Report 4:

4/1

Ch 9

Forming Arguments

Peer-review of draft

Draft of Paper

4/3

Presenting Research
*Ch 10
Peer-reviewed draft

4/8

Individual Sessions
Reflection #3
Individual Sessions
Reflection #3

Peer-reviewed draft

4/10

4/15

Exam II
In-class Presentations

11

12

13

4/17
14

4/22
4/24
4/29

15

5/1

In-class Presentations
In-class Presentations
In-class Presentations
In-class Presentations (If needed)
Reflection #4
Course Evaluations & post-assessment survey

Final Paper
Reflection #4

* The speed at which we move through the material, activities, and assignments may vary
depending on individual and/or class progress. As such, due dates are subject to change.