STUS 101 Syllabus

1. Revision date: 8/24/14 1
INSTRUCTOR: Jen Lund
EMAIL: jenlund@cwidaho.cc
PHONE: 208-794-9407 (call or text)
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
Business, Education, and Exercise and Health Science (BEEHS)
STUS 101: College Study Methods
~ Fall 2014 ~
Students and Instructors are accountable for all information on the Course Syllabus, as well as
the Institutional Syllabus Addendum, which is located on the students’ Blackboard Site for this
course. For further information regarding Library resources, academic honesty,
accommodations, and more, please refer to the addendum on Bb.
Course Description
This course is designed to develop the study methods of college students. Emphasis is placed on
learning organized study techniques, examination skills, note-taking procedures, and comprehension of
reading material. Also, students will learn basic research and computer skills. This is a two credit
course.
Course Schedule
This course is an on campus course with instruction provided through lecture, Blackboard and
Pearson’s MyStudentSuccessLab.
 Section 003-Class meets Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 - 5:50 pm at the Nampa Academic
Building in room 218
 Section 012W Meets online
 Weeks in Bb begin on Sunday at midnight and end at 11:59 PM on the next Sunday
 Regular 16-week session beginning August 25 and ending at 11:59 PM on Friday, December 20,
2013
Course Focus
This course is designed to help you become a better student. Weekly work is assigned to help you
develop habits rather than just expose you to good study ideas you never have to put into practice. If
you take this course seriously, you will not only earn an A, but you will also have much stronger skills in
Blackboard, priority management, and learning strategies that fit your style.
Textbooks and Required Materials
Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff
3rd
Edition, Steve Piscitelli
ISBN: 978-0-13-286459-6
Or
ISBN: 978-1-256-69541-7
(it is the only study skills book/bundle that the CWIbookstore sells)
MyStudentSuccessLab (MySSL) Access Code

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Course Objectives and Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
 Examine, assess and reflect on one’s own learning style(s)
 Analyze use of time and space, and identify ways to create balance between school and outside
responsibilities
 Explain how to use levels of reading, reading goals, and essential reading strategies
 Identify important parts of an essay. Use a detailed outline and construct a 5 paragraph essay
 Identify study skills strategies that strengthen working memory.
 Identify and explain effective strategies for performing well on tests and quizzes.
 Examine Cornell Note-taking system
 Identify effective listening strategies
 Explain and use strategies to make learning an active process
Outcomes Assessment
This course will utilize exams, assignments, MySSL, in-class activities, reflective writing, and projects to
determine student success in achieving the outcomes of the course.
Exams
There will be two exams in this course, a mid-term and a final exam. Exams will be taken through
Blackboard and MySSL. Students may use their notes and textbook, but not each other, when
completing the timed exam. Students will be given 90 seconds per question on each exam. One
opportunity will be allowed per exam.
Exams are available as detailed in the course calendar. As such, there are very few excuses that
would justify missing an exam. In extreme circumstances with proper documentation, exceptions may
be considered (see Late Work Policy below). Make-up exams will be coordinated through the CWI
testing centers on campus if approved by the instructor.
MySSL Learning Path Module Post-tests
There will be 15 MySSL Learning Path Modules completed during the semester. 10 points are
available in each one which will be calculated based on the percentage score of each post-test, i.e. a
score of 85% will be awarded 8.5 of 10 points. To complete the post-test, students must first complete
the pre-test, the overview, and the practice activities in each module. The post-test may be taken up to
three times with the highest score counting toward the final grade. Students who wish to improve their
post-test scores are invited to do the additional work of each module. This work will not be graded by
the instructor unless you specifically request a review. Verify due dates on the supplemental course
calendar.
Assignments/Discussion Boards
Throughout the semester there will be assignments and discussion boards given related to the course
objectives. Assignments are worth ten or 20 points. All assignments will be submitted through
Blackboard. Verify due dates on the supplemental course calendar.
Reflective Journals
Students will complete a self-reflection journal entries. The entries will be submitted via Blackboard.
Participation
This course requires active, regular, consistent class participation. Roll is taken at every class meeting
and participation points are awarded. Drink coffee, come to class. 
Final Project
There will be one. Students may create a multimedia presentation highlighting a study skill. We’ll
discuss it.

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Extra Credit:
Extra credit is available in this course. You can earn 5 points for attending a college-sponsored
workshop – usually offered through the Tutoring Center or Student Enrichment. You may attend up to
two workshops for credit (10 total points). Finally, 5 points may be available for completing the course
evaluation as noted later in the syllabus.
Student Contributions
Course Work:
All assignments are due on the date assigned. Late work is not accepted. After the first week of the
semester, if the student does not attend class, submit assignments/communicate with the
instructor, I will withdraw the student for lack of attendance.
Participation Verification for Financial Aid
All CWIInstructorsare requiredtoreportattendance andcourse participationduringthe firsttwoweekstoOne
StopStudentServicesforfinancial aidpurposes.Attendanceisdefinedbelow.If youdonot meetattendance
standards,youcan be droppedfromthe course.
Week1: Attendance atTuesand/or Thursclasses,dependinguponyourregistrationdate forthe course.If you
registerforthe course aftera classmeeting,loggingintoourBbwill meetthe attendance requirement
for the firstweek.
Week2: Attendclassmeetingsandcomplete assignmentsdue insecondweekof course.See Course Calendar.
Duringthe rest of the semester: Attendclassregularly,participateandcomplete assignments
You are expected to arrive in class having read the current material (see course schedule). Not
every aspect of each chapter will be covered in lecture. If you have specific questions about the
reading, it is your responsibility to courteously ask them in class.
Assignments are completed using information from the textbook, lectures, linked resources, handouts &
group assignments. To see assignment due dates, check your course calendar or ‘My Grades’ on Bb.
All assignments will be submitted via Bb. If you do not see the assignment link in Bb, the
assignment is late and cannot be submitted. I will not accept late assignments or those that are
emailed.
Please do not ask me to open links of past assignments to submit late work.
Once a link is closed, I will not reopen it to accept late work.
As a two-credit, 16 week course, students should schedule 4-6 hours per week of studying outside of
class time.
Late Work/Make-Up Work Policy:
Graded work in this class cannot be made up. If you miss an assignment, activity, a lecture, an exam,
or the paper (anything that will carry a grade), it will not be accepted late for any reason unless you
follow the steps below.
The good news is that we will have a lot of assignments and assessments this semester so should
something come up and you do miss something, it won’t kill your GPA as long as you have been
keeping up with your other assignments and assessments. In other words, most assignments and
assessments are weighted equally so missing one or two assignments or assessments won’t cause
you to fail this course.

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Have An Exceptional Reason For Missing Work?
Should there be an exceptional reason for missing graded work; students are welcome to follow the
steps listed below. Please note that exceptions are extremely rare and will only be considered after the
following criteria are met:
Step 1. Student has an exceptional reason (Exceptional in the opinion of the instructor) for missing an
assignment and/or assessment.
Step 2. The student can provide DETAILED and COMPREHENSIVE support documentation
supporting their reason. This documentation should be SCANNED, ATTACHED THEN EMAILED to the
instructor with the initial emailed request. If you have not included this detailed and comprehensive
supporting documentation with your request, it will not be considered.
Step 3. Student must schedule a live meeting with the instructor after the instructor has confirmed by
email that the valid reason for missing class and/or work is accepted. Please note - this
meeting/conversation will only be scheduled by the instructor after you have completed steps 1 and 2
above.
The bottom line here is that if you are taking this class, you are an adult – and more importantly, a
future teacher. Act accordingly by budgeting your time and being proactive as a student.
Grading Policy (800 total points)
A 90-100% 720 to 800 points
B 80-89% 640 to 719 points
C 70-79% 560 to 639 points
D 60-69% 480 to 559 points
F 0-59% Less than 480 points
Instructor Availability
My office is located in the Aspen Classroom Building, room 122
 Office Hours are listed at the top of this syllabus and in Bb
 Email is my preferred communication tool: jenbsu@cwidaho.cc
 Email will be returned within 24-48 hours during the week
 Questions or comments of a general nature that may helpful for other students should be
brought to class when possible.
 I do not respond to email or Blackboard discussion boards on Sundays
Feedback:
Students will receive grades and feedback via Blackboard. Students can see their grades by clicking on
Course Tools and then My Grades. Clicking on the grade for a specific assignment will allow students
to see feedback. Unless provided in writing otherwise, students can expect feedback from the
instructor within one week of the due date. Students should check their grades in the course often to
keep track of progress in the course. Grades not disputed within two weeks of the posting of the grade
will be considered final.
Course Calendar
The course calendar is a separate document. Please refer to the STUS 101 Calendar provided in
Blackboard. The calendar outlines when assignments and other assessments will be made available
as well as when those same assignments and assessments are due. Please note that the chapters are
not dealt with in the same order as they were provided in the text book and supplemental materials are
required and provided on Blackboard.

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Course Expectations
Attendance:
 The college recognizes punctual and regular attendance is the student’s responsibility.
 You do not need to email me if you’re going to miss class.
 As a two credit, sixteen week course, students should schedule between 4-6 hours per week for
this class.
 In the event a last date of attendance is required upon grading this course, I will use the date
you last logged into Blackboard
 Students who do not meet the participation requirements for the first two weeks of the semester
will be dropped for nonattendance.
It’s good practice to always check your CWI email account before heading off to campus
Assignments:
 All assignments are due at 11:59 PM on the Sunday following the week they were assigned
unless otherwise noted. More specific information is provided in the course calendar.
 Late work will not be accepted. See Late Policy above for extenuating circumstances.
 Read your book and actively participate in all aspects of the course (class, Bb & MySSL).
 It is the student’s responsibility to follow the course calendar and to meet the deadlines for all
assignments.
 Students who are unable to meet a deadline due to required participation in a verified school
activity must make arrangements with the instructor for acceptable times to turn in assignments.
End of Course Electronic Evaluation:
To help instructors continually improve courses, students will complete anonymous online evaluations
for each course.
 Instructorsdo notsee the evals until afterfinal gradeshavebeen submitted to CWI.
 The administratorswho supervisefaculty review theseevaluations. Evaluationsareyourstrongestvoice
directly to peoplewho determine who teaches.Useit wisely!
 If 80 percentof the class completes the evaluation,everyonein theclass gets extra credit. (Ican see the
numberswho’vecompleted it,justnotthe data orcomments.)
Assessments
 Exams will be taken through Blackboard and MySSL. They will be open book, open note, timed
assessments.
 Students who cannot take an exam when the exam is scheduled due to required participation in
a verified school activity must make arrangements at least one week prior to the exam. Should
an emergency occur, the student should contact the instructor immediately, and it will be at the
discretion of the instructor as to what actions need to be taken.
Behavioral Expectations:
Every student has the right to a respectful learning environment. In order to provide this right to all
students, students must take individual responsibility to conduct themselves in a mature and
appropriate manner and will be held accountable for their behavior. Students who disrupt the class or
behave inappropriately or disrespectfully, as determined by the instructor, may be asked to leave the
classroom. Instructors or Student Services has the right to create a written behavioral contract with
students; if a student violates a behavioral contract, they may be released from the course.

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Academic Dishonesty:
All work submitted by a student must represent his/her own ideas, concepts, and current
understanding. All material found during research must be correctly documented to avoid plagiarism.
Cheating or plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and violations may result in disciplinary action
ranging from failure of the assignment to failure of the course. Repeated acts of academic dishonesty
may have more severe institutional ramifications.
Emergency Procedures
In the event classes are canceled for any reason, a notice will be posted to Blackboard. Emergency
situations will also be announced through the college text and email alert system.
Suggestions for Success
You are responsible for your education. Please be encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification
when needed. Be mindful of the course calendar and make sure you know when assignments are due.
You can earn an A in this class!