The document is a syllabus for a Critical & Academic Thinking for Success course at East Georgia State College. It provides information on the instructor, course description and learning outcomes, required textbook, evaluation criteria, policies, schedule, and additional requirements. The course aims to help students develop skills to be successful in their academic programs and transition to college through assignments, reflections, and class discussions on topics like developing a scholarly mindset, connecting to campus resources, maintaining wellness, and developing organizational skills.

1. EAST GEORGIA STATE COLLEGE
131 College Circle, Swainsboro, Georgia 30401-2699
Syllabus for
CATS 1101 Critical & Academic Thinking for Success
CRN SECTION TIME DAYS ROOM
80794 SD 5:30-6:20 M H195
I. INSTRUCTOR: Professor _Michael P. Moran___
II. OFFICE INFORMATION
Office Location: _H167F_
Campus Map: http://www.ega.edu/map
Building Floor Plan Map: http://www.ega.edu/room_locations
Office Phone: 912-623-2455 Fax: ____-____-____
Office Hours: 8:00 am- 5:00 pm__
The professormay be available at times other than office hours if requested in advance.
Professor's Web Page: http://faculty.ega.edu/_
Email: The college email address for the professoris mmoran@ega.edu.
When you use email to contact the professor, you must adhere to the following guidelines. Mail messages that do
not follow these guidelines will not be read or answered; instead they will be deleted and points may be
subtracted from your grade.
Guidelines for Email
1. Always include yourfull name as part of the message.
2. Always include information to identify about which class you are writing. Put this information in the “Subject” field
of your email. Specify the name of the class (e.g. CATS 1101), and the section (e.g. Section SD) or class meeting
particulars (e.g. meeting Monday at 5:30 pm).
3. Always include yourcontact information (such as your email address and/orphone number) so that the professor
may respond to yourmessage if necessary.
4. Always use complete sentences and correct grammar.
III. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Critical & Academic Thinking for Success (CATS 1101) course is the freshman seminar course at East Georgia State
College. It is part of the college (first year) experience program (called FIRST CLASS). The course serves as a guide and
support for students as they transition into college and develop their identity as student scholars.Methods ofinstruction
include both discussion ofkey topics in class (thinking) and completion of assignments outside of class (doing). The require d
readings and class presentations guide students in their growth as scholars who pose problems, discoversolutions,resolve
controversies,evaluate knowledge, and use effective communication skills.
The course is designed to help students complete their program of study,and to graduate or to transfer and then graduate.
IV. PREREQUISITES
There are no prerequisites for this course.
V. TEXTBOOK
Strickland, D., Strickland, C. (2016). College Success: A Concise Practical Guide, 7th edition (with supplemental EGSC
appendix). BVT Textbook Publishers: Redding CA. ISBN 978-1-5178-0119-9.
BINDERS: You will need two binders (3-ring); one for the textbook (it is a loose leaf format).
VI. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following.
1. Define the role of student scholaras one who maintains a focus on learning and seeks learning opportunities in the
classroomand throughout the campus community (as evidenced by performance on quizzes and assessments).

2. 2. Model student scholarship by engaging in learning opportunities throughout the campus community (as evidenced
by participation in selected learning activity assignments and lab activity assignments).
*3. Demonstrate the ability to (a) gather, (b) analyze, and (c) evaluate information to make effective decisions (as
evidenced by completion of course assignments and the portfolio).
4. Design personal learning strategies consistent with learning theories and learning styles relevant to success in higher
education (as evidenced by successfulcompletion of the learning styles written assignment).
*5. Demonstrate the ability to (a) read, (b) write, (c) speak, and (d) listen with the competence necessary to succeed in
higher education (as evidenced by completion of course assignments and the portfolio).
6. Demonstrate scholarly and professional level communication when interacting with peers, faculty, staff, advisors,
and visitors on campus (as evidenced by completion of selected learning activity assignments).
7. Access,manage, and present information available through traditional and electronic media (as evidenced by
completion of selected course assignments requiring the use of campus webmail, Banner, GALILEO, video, social
media, library resources,Internet sources,and Desire 2 Learn).
8. Identify and use resources on campus that will assist the student to think critically and become effective learners in
college (as evidenced by appropriate use of library resources,counseling resources,advising resources,tutoring
resources,and student organizations).
* Core courses at East Georgia State College collectively address six general education competencies. Two of the course
objectives (#3 & #5) comprise the GEO communication competencies and critical thinking competencies verbatim.
VII. EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated based on the successfulcompletion of (1) quizzes, (2) assignments ,(3) reflections, and (4)
attendance.
A. Quizzes
There will be twelve timed online quizzes delivered through Brightspace by D2L, each one will correspond to a specific
chapter in the textbook. Each quiz will have 10 questions and will be timed at 60 minutes. Up to 10 points may be earned for
each quiz. Total potential earned points for the quizzes is 120 points.
B. Assignments
Descriptions for various assignments related to the content of the chapter are presented following each chapter in the
textbook. Your instructor has determined which assignments will be required for this course section.Students must complete
the required assignments. Each reflection is worth ten points adding up to a potential total earned of 140 points. Please ask
the professorto explain any of the assignments where the instructions are not perfectly clear to you.
Many of the assignments have a specific deadline. Any assignment not submitted by the deadline due to absence,will receive
a grade of zero unless arrangements are made with the professorto make up the assignment.Some assignments,s uch as
completing the early warning grade follow up, cannot be made up after the deadline because the assignment becomes void
of academic value unless it is completed at the prescribed time.
All of the assignments,along with a mandatory/elective designation and the deadlines, are listed in the TABLE OF
ASSIGNMENTS which appears following the COURSE SCHEDULE at the end of this syllabus.
C. Reflections
Descriptions for various reflections related to the content of the chapterare presented following each chapter in the textbook.
Your instructorhas determined which reflections will be required for this course section.Students must complete the required
reflections assigned.Each reflection is worth ten points adding up to a potential total earned of 90 points.
C. Attendance
Attendance is absolutely essential for this course. You must attend every class session.Each attendance in class is worth 10
points.If you miss more than 3 classes then the result will be in an automatic FAIL. If an absence is unavoidable, then the
student must seek permission and instructions from the professorfor an absence make-up assignment.
VIII. GRADING
The semester grade will be determined by the student’s performance on online graded quizzes, assignments, reflections, and
attendance.Students will earn points for each quiz or assignment and points will be subtracted for each class absence.Up to

3. 120 points may be earned for quizzes. Students will be expected to earn an additional 120 points for assignments and 120
points for reflections such that a perfect score for the semester would be at least 500 points.Each unexcused absence will
result in a penalty of 10 points.
The letter grade assigned for the course will correspond with the numeric semester grade as follows:
450 -500 = A
400 – 449 points = B
350 – 399 points = C
Score < 350 = F
A letter grade of C or higher is required to matriculate out of this course.Students who earn a semester score lower than 350
points will earn a letter grade of F and will be required to take a remedial version of the course (CATS 1100) during the next
subsequent semester.The CATS course is an area B requirement for graduation.
IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance in this course is required. Come to every class. If you must be absent for reasons beyond reasonable control,
consult with your professorabout whether the absence may be excused and what make up assignment is required to
compensate for the absence.
X. MAKE-UP POLICY
You should make a great effort to avoid absence and make-up assignments.If a make-up is indicated, then the details of the
make-up assignment must be arranged and approved by the professorat that time. Due to the nature of the assignments,some
assignments cannot be made up after the deadline.
XI. PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
The EGSC Student Handbook states that "It is the duty of the student to practice and preserve academic honesty” and “If the
student has any doubt about a situation,he or she should consult with his or her instructor (p. 7)." Plagiarism
(misrepresenting another's work or ideas as your own) and academic dishonesty (including cheating, academic theft,
collusion, and misrepresentation of credentials) are subject to severe sanctions (including withdrawal from the course with a
grade of WF, entry of the violation in the academic dishonesty file, and expulsion from EGSC.) Please read the Student
Handbook (available on the EGSC website) for descriptions of plagiarism, academic dishonesty,and the procedures followed
when a violation occurs.
XII. ADA STATEMENT
If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning disabilities or otherkinds of disabilities, he or
she should discuss this problem with a college counselor (478-289- 2039). Please notify the professorearly in the semester
and well in advance of any quizzes or other assignments that may require accommodation. The instructor will be pleased to
accommodate the student in accordance with institutional policies. Having a learning disability is not a sign of lower
intellectual ability. On the contrary, researchers have found that many learning disabled students are often of higher than
average intellectual ability. The learning disability may affect the method by which the student acquires and learns
information or demonstrates that learning but having a learning disability does not impact raw intelligence. Please consult t he
official ADA statement for EGSC online.
XIII. COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY STATEMENT
Students may not withdraw from CATS 1101 (except when withdrawing completely from school – all classes).Students are
responsible for their own academic progress.Decisions regarding withdrawal from courses should only be made after
consultation with an academic advisor. Before withdrawing from a course, students must meet with a Financial Aid
representative to discuss their personalfinancial aid situation.For more information regarding withdrawal consult the EGSC
catalog.

4. XIV. CAMPUS EMERGENCY POLICY
A. In the event the fire alarm is sounded,everyone must evacuate the building at once and in a calm and orderly
fashion, using the nearest exit. In the event of a severe weather warning everyone must proceed immediately to the
nearest designated shelterarea which are marked by a small tornado symbol. All severe weather shelter locations are
posted on the EGSC website. Each student should,on the first day of class,determine the location of the nearest exit
and the nearest designated shelter area for each of his or her classrooms. If you have difficulties locating either ask
your instructorto assist you.
B. The Connect-ED systemis a communication service that enables East Georgia State College administrators and
security personnelto quickly contact all East Georgia State College students,faculty and staff with personalized
voice and text messages that contain emergency-related campus information (e.g., campus closing, campus threat,
health scare, etc.) With Connect-ED, East Georgia State College students can be reached and provided with vital
instructions anywhere, anytime, through their cell phones,home phones,e-mail, TTY/TDD receiving devices, or
other text-receiving devices. (http://www.ega.edu/student_life/connected)
XV. ADDITIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Each student must keep a record of his/herprogress.The portfolio and passport will help you with this record keeping.
Students will also participate in non-graded surveys given at the beginning, middle, and end of the semester which will be
used for assessment of the course (not of the student).The survey is simply used to improve the course.The college will als o
ask students to complete a course evaluation survey at the end of the semester. The college (not the professor) will send the
students an email notice with instructions about how to log onto the online course evaluation survey. The course evaluation
survey is anonymous.
XVI. DAILY COURSE SCHEDULE
The information which normally appears under XVI has been placed in two tables at the end of this document.
XVII. OPTIONAL POLICIES
A. Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
Cell phones should be placed on silent mode, vibrate mode, or turned off during class and placed OUT OF SIGHT
unless yourprofessorspecifically instructs you otherwise. Students who like to audio or videotape a class or a
portion of it must receive permission from the instructor. All classes are subject to being videotaped for institutional
purposes.
B. Classroom Behavior
It is important that you conduct yourselfin a mature manner in order for you and other students in the class to
benefit from this course. Therefore, please do speak up and fully participate in the class discussion led by the
professorbut do not carry on private conversations that may result in less learning for yourself or others in the class.
Students who refuse to participate or who do engage in distracting or disruptive behavior may be asked to exit the
classroom. If this happens,the disruptive student will not receive attendance credit for the class session (or
auditorium event session)and will not be allowed to make-up the lost points.Too many of these sanctions (greater
than 3) will result in the student earning a failing grade for the course.

5. COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1- August 15
Class Topic: Discuss Syllabus and Course Content
Homework:
 Read Syllabi for each course
 Record important dates on calendar for each course
 Acquire Textbook
 Complete Critical Thinking Activity 7.1 on Page 258
 Read Introduction and Chapter 1
 Video Reflection: What is Success in College?
Week 2- August 22
Class Topic: Adjusting to College (Chapter 1)
Class Activity: Watch YouTube Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-W9-pHU6b8&feature=youtu.be
Homework:
 Read Chapter 3
 Chapter 1 Quiz and Chapter 3 Quiz
 Video Reflection: Reflect on your personal goals and how will college help you complete those personal goals?
Ask yourself “Why are you really in college?”
Week 3- August 29
Class Topic: Developing a Scholarly Mindset (Chapter3)
Class Activity: Watch YouTube Video:
Homework:
 Read Chapter 12
 Chapter 12 Quiz
 Complete Critical Thinking Activity 12.1 on pg. 422
 Video Reflection: Research and discuss your academic curriculum. What must you complete in order to graduate?
Week 4
NO CLASS
LABOR DAY- SEPTEMBER 5
Homework:
Week 5- September 12
Class Topic: Graduation Pathway (Chapter 12)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Read Chapter 2
 Chapter 2 Quiz
 Complete EGSC Scavenger Hunt
 Video Reflection: Discuss the importance of using different resources available on your campus, and discuss each
resource’s purpose on the Scavenger Hunt Assignment.

6. Week 6-September 19
Class Topic: ACADEMIC ADVISINGPRESENTATION/ Connecting to Resources (Chapter 2)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Read Chapters 9 and 10
 Chapter 9 and 10 Quizzes
 Complete Assignment 9.1 on pg. 345 and Assignment 10.1 on pg. 377
 Video Reflection: Reflect on the importance of psychological and physiological wellness and how it is correlated
to being successfulin college.
 Sign up an appointment with your advisor to be advised! AND…make an appoint to be registered the week of
October 17 for Spring 2017 courses.
Week 7-September 26
Class Topic: Psychological Balance & Physiological Balance (Chapter 9 and 10)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Read Pages 23-26
 Complete a Mid-term Grade Follow up Activity for each Course (use forms in book starting on pg. 27-36).
 Video Reflection: Discuss your mid-term grades. Are they what you expect? How do you improve them? What
methods are you going to use? What solution options did you discuss with your instructor to improve your grade?
 Read Chapter 4
 Chapter 4 Quiz
 Complete Critical Thinking Activity 4.1 on page pg. 177-179
Week 8- October 3
Class Topic: Metacognition, Learning Styles & Applications (Chapter 4)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Read Chapter 5
 Chapter 5 Quiz
 Complete Assignment 5.2 on pg. 215
 Video Reflection: Discuss the rewards gained with using organizational skills in college specifically to learning,
studying, and assignments.
Week 9- October 10
Class Topic: Organization and Self-Reflection (Chapter 5)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Read Chapter 6
 Chapter 6 Quiz
 Using the Cornell Method, take notes in another class. Directions pg. 255
Week 10- October 17
Class Topic: The Cycle of Learning and Practicing Scholarly Collaboration (Chapter 6)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Read Chapter 7
 Chapter 7 Quiz
 Complete Assignment 7.1 on pg. 287.
 Video Reflection: Reflect on the different strategies that can be used when reading a textbook for a class to best
understand the information being presented to the reader.

7. Week 11- October 24
Class Topic: Apply Research to Reading & Studying (Chapter 7)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Read Chapter 8
 Chapter 8 Quiz
 Activity: Using a scholarly research database. Find a version of a MLA written scholarly paper, and an APA
scholarly written paper.
 Video Reflection: Reflect on the different styles of scholarly written papers that you found during your activity.
 Henderson Library Search
Week 12- October 31
Class Topic: Research & Writing (Chapter 8)
Class Activity:
Homework:
 Turn in a copy of your Spring 2017 course schedule! (EXTRA CREDIT)
 Find a scholarly article on Alcohol and College. Read this article; write a 2-page (double-spaced) analysis of the
article.
 Video Reflection: What are your thoughts on alcohol in college? BE REAL!
Week 13- November 7
Class Topic: College Alcohol and Abuse
Class Activity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BFm56SQWrA
Homework:
 Find a scholarly article on Sexual Assault and Harassment on the College Campus. Read this article; write a 2-
page (double spaced) analysis of this article.
 Video Reflection: What are your thoughts on sexual assault and harassment in college? BE REAL!
Week 14- November 14
Class Topic: Sexual Assault and Harassment in College
Class Activity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd44NOhzgb8
Homework:
 Video Reflection describing all the content learned throughout the course, how you applied it to the current
semester,and how it will be beneficial in achieving the academic and personal goals set at the beginning of the
semester.
 Complete Alcohol and Sexual Harassment Quiz
 Develop a FINAL EXAMS study plan
Week 15- November 21
Class Topic: NO CLASS-THANKSGIVINGHOLIDAY
Class Activity:
Homework:
Week 16- November 28
Class Topic: CHECK IN FOR YOUR FINAL ATTENDENCE,and STUDY FOR EXAMS
GRADING:
12 Quizzes x 10 points total available points with dropped quiz- 120
12 Assignments x 10 points: total available points- 120
12 Reflections x 10 points: total available points- 120
14 Classes x 10 points: total available points- 140 (miss more than 3 classes= automatic FAIL)
Total Points Available: 500
How to calculate grade: Add up total points earned and divide it by total points available at point in time.