1. “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

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Learning Outcomes
Introduction 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.

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

10. 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)