LIBA 111 M: First-Year Seminar: The Pursuit of Happiness

Tuesday 1:00 1:50 pm (JENS 1W)

Spring 2014
Instructor: Dr. Brittany Cottrill
Email: bcottrill@grandview.edu

Office: 101 Jensen

Office Phone: 263-2906
Office Hours: MWF 10-11:30; T 2:30-3:30
and by appointment
Writing Center: Rasmussen Room 205
Writing Center Phone: 263-2855

Course Description and Prerequisites

This 1 credit class builds on the interdisciplinary approach to a course-specific theme while
allowing students to explore personal development, intellectual growth, and what it means to
have a liberal arts education. The 1-credit element of the course is designed to build on the
previous 3-credit course, and to encourage students to plan and reflect on their education and
plan of study.
You will.
1. Discover your strengths, interests, and
passions through participating in class and
campus activities.
2. Develop the skills and understanding to
support critical, self-directed learning and to
utilize campus resources for academic and
personal success.
3. Examine who you are as a whole person and
how that impacts your potential as a leaner
and responsible citizen.
What you will learn
Critical Inquiry
This course will provide students with multiple opportunities
to practice applying discipline specific approaches to
investigate, research, assess, and generate knowledge.
Students will practice critical inquiry in relation to course
readings and issues related to course themes.
Information Literacy
This course will offer students multiple opportunities to
analyze questions and problems, collect and evaluate
information from an assortment of sources, and produce
significant, evidence-based responses and projects using a
variety of academic resources.
Written Communication
This course is designed to allow students to have the
opportunity to practice the writing process, form their ideas
for specific audiences and purpose, and develop effective
written communication skills.

Activities demonstrating learning

Journal Responses
Major Exploration Project
Liberal Arts Project
Academic Planning
Journal Responses
Major Exploration Project
Course Readings and Discussion
Academic Planning
Journal Responses
Academic Planning
Liberal Arts Project
Activities demonstrating learning
Journal Responses
Major Exploration Project
Liberal Arts Project
Academic Planning
Course Readings and Discussions
Major Exploration Project
Liberal Arts Project

Journal Responses
Major Exploration Project
Liberal Arts Project

LIBA 111 Syllabus

Spring 2014

p. 2

How the Course will be Taught

LIBA 110 and LIBA 111 are both seminar classes. This may be different from what you are used to in
school. A seminar is a type of class where learners come together and discuss a topic in a small group.
This course is student centered, and your instructor will act as a facilitator, resource, and co-learner
along with you. The focus of a seminar is to explore and inquire into a topic, but that inquiry may not
necessarily be to a specified end (such as learning the facts for a test or mastering an experiment).
Instead, this class will ask you to think, analyze, synthesize, and engage with issues, ideas, and questions
as a way to improve your thinking and understanding. The conversations will build on previous classes,
so you will be expected to make connections. The goal of a seminar is for students to take ownership for
their learning and to create an environment build on trust, respect, and investigation.

Resources Necessary for Learning

Texts/Resources
Materials posted on Blackboard or handed out in class. You must print documents on Blackboard and
bring them to class.

Technology Necessary
A journal on Blackboard

Access to a computer with Microsoft Word, Internet access, s GV email account, and a GV
Blackboard account.
Sign up for Remind101 notifications for this class.

Supplies
A data storage device (e.g., flash drive, CDs, Google Docs account, etc.) to back up files. Please
dont just rely on your hard drive computers fail.

Student Responsibilities
Course Requirements
Journal Responses (180 points) You will be expected to write a journal post each week where
you reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, success, and struggles in your second semester.
Prompts will be provided each week on Blackboard under Journals.
Participation (70) Participation in class includes being prepared and present, as well as actively
engaged. Participation points cannot be made up. This includes additional small homework
(activities, reading quizzes, etc.).
Major Exploration Project (125) You will be responsible for exploring your future major (or a
possible major). This project will include an interview with a faculty member in your proposed
major and research on the major/degree/job requirements. You will compile this information
into a brochure.
Liberal Arts Group Project (125)In groups you will complete a project about the liberal arts
where you will explore what it means to get a liberal arts education, why the liberal arts are
important, and how the liberal arts will help you. In groups you may create a game (Liberal Arts
Life, for example), write and illustrate a childrens book (the ABCs of a Liberal Arts education),
create a website that explains the value of the liberal arts, or something else. Projects must be
approved by me.

* Subject to Revision

LIBA 111 Syllabus

Spring 2014

p. 3

Earning your Grade

All assignment sheets will include specific criteria that projects will be graded on. Generally, all essays
will be graded for audience, purpose, organization, development, research (if applicable), and
correctness. The course uses a traditional grade standard:
A 90-100% | B 80-89% | C 70-79% | D 60-69% | F 0-59 %
*** Note*** Students who fail LIBA 111 will be required to retake the 1-credit course in the following
semester.

Grading Standards: The specific grading criteria for each major assignment will be provided with the
assignment sheet. Generally speaking, however, the grading standards for this class are as follows:
A (outstanding): An assignment that receives an A (90-100%) meets and exceeds the criteria of the assignment,
maintains a sophisticated focus throughout the work, and demonstrates mastery of major principles of audience,
purpose, thesis, organization, development, etc. The project captivates readers with sophisticated style from start to
finish, makes clear and smooth connections between ideas, and approaches the subject in a unique way so the reader
enjoys and learns from the project.
B (above average): A project that receives a B (80-89%) clearly meets all criteria of the assignment. The project has a
focused purpose throughout and demonstrates solid command of major rhetorical principles. The subject matter is
presented in an original and interesting way, though it is not as sophisticated as the A paper. The project makes clear
and smooth connections between ideas and is thoroughly developed, and it is free of all but a few minor sentencelevel errors.
C (average): A project that receives a C (70-79%) meets all the criteria of the assignment and maintains a controlling
purpose, though at times the projects focus my drift. The project demonstrates adequate control of major rhetorical
principles and adequate command of the subject matter. The argument/perspective may not be original and/or as
completing as the A or B level work. It may contain sentence-level errors, but not sever enough to interfere with
communications.
**Note: many students are surprised to receive a C when they have done everything listed on the
assignment sheet. Simply meeting the minimum requirements constitutes a basic passing grade; to get a
B or an A, you must exceed those minimum requirements through more sophisticated execution.
D (below average): A project that receives a D (60-69%) meets some of the criteria but not others. The purpose may
be weak or unclear. Perspectives presented may not be original or truly argumentative or on topic. Connections
between ideas may be rough or confusing. The project may contain patterns of sentence-level errors that are severe
enough to interfere with communication.
F (not acceptable): A project that receives an F (0-59%) fails to meet more criteria of the assignment than it meets.

Tips to be Successful
The most successful student will:
Believe in her/himself and her/his ability to be successful. You are here because youve worked
hard and deserve it.
Meet with her/his instructors and advisor early and often. We are here to help you, but you
have to take the first step.
Not wait too long to ask for help. Visit the Writing Center or Math Lab, go to your instructors
office hours, ask your classmates, or visit study tables.
Be prepared to talk and work in every class, every day.

* Subject to Revision

LIBA 111 Syllabus

Spring 2014

p. 4

Write all due dates in her/his planner for all classes. If you dont use a planner, put them in your
phone, write them on sticky notes on your wall, or anything else that will work for you. Put them
down somewhere so you know how to plan your time.

Course Policies
Attendance
Attendance in this class is mandatory. Your preparation, participation, and performance are
critical to your success in this class. Absenteeism and tardiness compromises your ability to
succeed because you will miss opportunities to participate in-class activities/assignments that
contribute to your development. I realize, however, that sickness or emergencies can occur;
should you need to miss class, please be sure to contact me, preferably beforehand, to discuss
what might be done to assist you with getting back on track. Similarly, if you must miss class for
a University-sponsored event, it is your responsibility to inform me before hand. Missing class
(or being absent by being unprepared to participate) will result in a loss of 5 points from your
participation score regardless of the reason for your absence. Missing more than two classes
may result in failing the course.
Revision Policy (optional but encouraged)
Because writing is a process, and most writers find that a work must go through multiple
revisions, you may choose to revise your graded essays and projects. Your revised projects may
earn up to a full letter grade from the original graded draft (for example, if your essay earned a
75% then you may revise the essay to no higher than an 85%). It is not possible to get a worse
grade on a revision; however, the extent to which the grade increases depends entirely on the
success of the revision. If you choose to revise, you must first schedule an appointment with me
to discuss your revision strategy within one week of the original paper being returned. Revisions
will not be accepted from students who have not met with me.
Late Work
All assignments are due at the start of class unless otherwise stated. If you know you will be
missing a class when an assignment or paper is due you must turn the assignment in early. Work
submitted after the due date will be penalized 10% for each additional day. If you feel that you
need extra time for an assignment please come to me before the day it is due. If you do not talk
to me until the due date I will not be able to discuss a possible extension. Extensions will be
considered on a case-by-case basis considering effort towards meeting the deadline and are not
guaranteed.
Courtesy and Integrity
Courtesy and integrity must be shown to everyone in the class. Please be respectful of others
thoughts, opinions, and views. If you bring your cell phone to class make sure it is turned off.
Please do not answer your cell phone in class or text message. Food and drink are acceptable in
class as long as they are not distracting and you do not leave a mess. Laptops are also fine to
bring to class as long as all sound options are turned off, you stay on task, and you close your
laptop when asked or when appropriate.

* Subject to Revision

LIBA 111 Syllabus

Spring 2014

p. 5

Academic Honesty
In addition to following University sanctioned policy, academic dishonesty in this course will not
be tolerated and will lead to a failing grade on the assignment and may lead to failing the
course.
Contacting Me Online
Email is a wonderful communications tool and I welcome the chance of using it to help you with
questions about your writing or about assignments. Please note, however, that email can be
unreliable. As a result, I cannot be responsible for any email messages that are lost or
addressed incorrectly (and this is not an excuse for late work). If you email me something, I will
email you back, ordinarily within 24 hours, to tell you that I have received your message.
However, if you dont receive my email reply, this means that I did not receive your message
and that you should discuss the content of your email with me personally. Similarly, if you email
me right before class, I probably will not be able to read your message until after class.
Resources
If you are a student with a documented disability and would like to discuss special
accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact me during office hours or by email at the
beginning of the semester. If you think you might have a learning disability, it is your
responsibility to contact the Director of Academic Enrichment and Disability Coordinator and
apply for any requested accommodation. The director is Ms. Joy Brandt and she can be reached
at 263-2971. Additional support can be found at the Career Center at 263-2955, and at the
Counseling Center at 263-2986. More importantly, academic support can be found at the
Tutoring Center (for all concerns outside of writing and math), the Math Lab, and the Writing
Center. The Tutoring Center is located on the second floor of the library. The Math Lab is located
in Elings, and the Writing Center is located at 205 Rasmussen.

A Final Word
I am really excited to continue working with each of you this semester. It is my hope that Ill
continue to be a resource, and that you feel more comfortable transitioning from your first-year
at GV to your second year. I encourage you to take advantage of the resources around you and
to keep in touch with me as we go through the semester. If you have any questions about the
classroom policies or other class matters, as well as issues that arise across campus, please feel
free to talk to me.
Institutional Undergraduate Syllabus Statements

Revised: 7/12/2013

Academic Responsibility/Honesty/Code of Integrity

In accordance with its mission statement, Grand View University is dedicated to the development of the whole person, and
committed to truth, excellence, and ethical values. The University strives to promote appreciation of the dignity and worth of
each individual and open interaction between student, faculty and staff. Personal integrity and academic honesty are essential
to building a campus of trust. Thus, honesty in all aspects of the college experience is the responsibility of each student, faculty,
and staff member.
Nettiquette (from Internet etiquette)
"Netiquette" refers to the standards for appropriate interaction in an online environment. Students are expected to
display proper netiquette in their communications with their teacher and with other students. This includes using
proper written English, being polite by disagreeing agreeably when necessary, including your name and other
necessary identifiers on any communication. If an email or discussion post ever concerns you, please notify the
instructor right away in a private manner.

* Subject to Revision

LIBA 111 Syllabus

Spring 2014

p. 6

This is reflected in the Grand View University Code of Integrity which states: As a member of the Grand View University
community, and in accordance with the mission of the university and its Lutheran identity, I agree to appreciate and respect the
dignity and worth of each individual. I will honor and promote a community of open interaction, personal integrity, active and
intellectual engagement, and academic honesty with students, faculty and staff.
Accommodation
Grand View University prohibits unlawful discrimination and encourages full participation by all students within the university
community. When a student requires any instructional or other accommodation to optimize participation and/or performance
in this course, it is the responsibility of the student to contact both the instructor and the Associate Director of Student Success:
Academic Support and Disability Services and apply for any requested accommodation. The associate director is Ms. Joy Brandt
and she can be reached at 515/263-2971.
Class Attendance
Students are responsible for adhering to the attendance policies as expressed by the instructor/department. Furthermore, the
Federal Government requires that students receiving financial aid attend classes. Students, who are identified by the instructor
as not attending classes, will be reported. Students who fail to return to classes may lose all or a portion of their financial aid.
Classroom Conduct
Students should conduct themselves as responsible members of the University community respecting the rights of others. Any
student behavior interfering with the professors ability to teach and/or the students ability to learn constitutes a violation of
the Code of Student Conduct found in the Grand View Catalog. The professor may ask the student to leave the classroom and
that student will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
University E-Mail Account
It is essential that all students check their Grand View University e-mail account or set their account to forward to a preferred
email address. Students may set-up an e-mail auto forward from the myView web site (myView > Campus Life > Technology
Resources > myView Mail > myView Mail Forwarding).
Appeal of Final Course Grade or Faculty Members Final Academic Disciplinary Action
Students who wish to appeal a final course grade or other academic disciplinary action of an instructor must complete at least
section I.A. of the Academic Appeal Form on-line within fourteen calendar days after the published due date for the final grade
submission of the academic term in which the issue of disagreement occurred. Visit site below to complete first part of the
form. https://secure/grandview.edu/gradeappealform.html This form must be submitted electronically to the Office of the
Provost. Nursing Students appealing a grade in a nursing course must follow the Nursing Division procedures.
Use of Blackboard and MyGrades
The MyGrades tool of Blackboard is intended to be a communication tool and to facilitate information sharing between
instructors and students. The grades and feedback posted on MyGrades are not to be interpreted as the final grade submitted
by the instructor. Discrepancies and mistakes can be made in using and interpreting the technology by both student and
instructor. Refer to the grade policy in the syllabus for a full understanding of how your grade is calculated. Students will find
their final grade on myView > myTools > Academic Profile > Grades by Term.
Assignment of Credit Hours
With successful completion of this course, Grand View University will award you a specified number of credit hours on your
transcript. Our accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, as well as the US Department of Education have standards in
the definition of what counts as a credit hour (see GV Catalog for a full definition) so that students receive the full educational
experience we claim. This course will involve face-to-face class time and outside learning activities to fulfill credits awarded.

Course Calendar*
Week 1
Jan. 7

Week 2
Jan. 14
Week 3
Jan. 21

* Subject to change. Students are responsible for all modifications.

Welcome Back and Introductions
Homework for Next Week:
Journal Response #1
Read Cohens How to Get an A. and How to Just Pass distributed
in class
Introduction to Film; How to Get an A and How to Just Pass activity
Homework for Next Week:
Journal Response #2
Film Day 1
Homework for Next Week:
Journal Response #3

* Subject to Revision

LIBA 111 Syllabus

Week 4
Jan. 28

Week 5
Feb. 4

Week 6
Feb. 11

Week 7
Feb. 18

Week 8
Feb. 25

Week 9
March 4

Week 10
March 11

Week 11
March 17-21
Week 12
March 25

Spring 2014

p. 7

Film Day 2
Homework for Next Week:
Journal Response #4
Read Cohens The Major Issue distributed in class
Introduction to Major Exploration Project
Homework for Next Week:
Journal Response #5
Read Harrisons You Need to Know Choosing a Major distributed in
class
Choosing a Major; Interviewing : Getting Started and How to Do it
Homework for Next Week:
Set up and conduct your Interview for next week
Journal Response #6
Read Harrisons You Need to Know how to Choose Classes
distributed in class
Due: Interview Due by the end of the week
Guest Speaker: Researching Your Career
Homework for Next Week:
Continue to work on collecting your research
Journal Response #7
Guest Speaker: Academic Advising Plan of Study
Homework for Next Week:
Complete your plan of study
Remember to make and attend your registration appointment next
week
Journal Response #8 ** Due before your conference with me! **
Mandatory Advising Conferences
Homework for Next Week:
You must take your major exploration project to the Writing Center
this week for at least one 30-minute session
Complete your Major Exploration Project and submit it on Blackboard
Read UMDs The Purpose of a Liberal Arts Education provided in
class
Journal Response #9
Freshman / Sophomore Registration
Due: Major Exploration Project
What are the Liberal Arts? Introduction to Liberal Arts Group Project
Homework for Next Week:
Reading TBA (infographics)
Journal Response #10
No Classes Spring Break
Introduction to Info graphics
Homework:
Read Michael Roths Whats a Liberal Arts Education Good For?

* Subject to Revision

LIBA 111 Syllabus

Week 13
April 1

Week 14
April 8
Week 15
April 15

Spring 2014
provided in class
Journal Response #11
Liberal Arts Group Project Workday
Homework for Next Week:
Read Harrisons You Need to Know What it Takes to Graduate
distributed in class
Journal Response #12
Liberal Arts Group Project Workday
Homework for Next Week:
TBA
Presenting your Liberal Arts Group Projects
Preparing for Next Fall

Finals Week: TBA

* Subject to Revision

p. 8