1. INSTRUCTOR: Jen Lund
EMAIL: jenlund@cwidaho.cc
FACEBOOK: coming soon
OFFICE PHONE: 208-794-9407 (call or text)
OFFICE LOCATION: Online
OFFICE HOURS: Online w/ appt.
Business, Education, and Exercise and Health Science (BEEHS)
College Study Methods
STUS 101 - 013W
Fall 2013
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 meets online through Blackboard and Pearson’s MyStudentSuccessLab (MySSL).
Weeks in Bb begin on Monday at 2 pm (see schedule on Blackboard for details) and end at 2 PM
on the following Monday (unless otherwise noted. See Course Schedule for details)
STUS 101 013W - 8-week (late) session beginning October 21 and ending at 1:59 PM on
Wednesday, December 18, 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: 978-1-256-69541-7
(it is the only study skills book/bundle that the CWI bookstore sells)
MyStudentSuccessLab (MySSL) Access Code
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
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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.
Coursework (Assessments, Assignments, Projects, Discussion Board Assignments)
All coursework will be listed on Blackboard, see the course schedule for details. Assessments will be
taken through Blackboard and/or MySSL. Students may use their notes and textbook, but not each
other, when completing a timed assessment. Most, if not all of your other coursework will be completed
and uploaded on Blackboard and/or MySSL. Details will be given for each assignment on Blackboard.
Late Work:
Late work will be not accepted or graded. Please do not ask for an extension as it is not fair to those
who get their work completed on time.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit may be given throughout the semester. Details will be provided when and if extra credit will
be given. Please do not ask for additional extra credit. If you complete all of your coursework and put
in the required time, you will do well in this course.
Grading Policy
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
0-59%
Instructor Availability
Office Hours are offered by appointment or at various times throughout the week (see hours
listed at the top of this document)
Email is my preferred communication tool: scottstraub@cwidaho.cc
Email will be returned within 24 hours during the week, but usually I will respond much sooner
(don’t expect a response on the weekend)
Questions or comments of a general nature that may helpful for other students as well can be
asked through the Ask the Instructor discussion board in Blackboard.
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 Course 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
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3. not dealt with in the same order as they were provided in the text book and supplemental materials are
required and provided on Blackboard.
Course Expectations
Attendance:
 The college recognizes punctual and regular attendance is the student’s responsibility. For
online courses this means that students log onto Blackboard, find out what coursework is due
(either on Blackboard or other programs such as MySSL) and complete the work before the
deadline time and date. Formal attendance will be taken during the first week of the semester
(if you are in a late-start class attendance will be taken during the first week of scheduled
coursework.)
 Students must successfully complete ALL of the work during the first week of the semester
(ending at the census date) to be considered "in attendance." Attendance will be taken up to
the census date (see CWI academic calendar for the current semester census date.) If a
student fails to complete any of the course work assigned during the first week, that
student will be dropped from the course. In other words, students must complete ALL
assigned work during the first week or they will be dropped from the course. Be sure to let your
instructor know if there is an issue completing work so an equitable solution can be reached. If
you do not communicate with your instructor well in advance regarding an issue you are having
and you don't complete all of your coursework during the first week, you will be dropped from
the course.
 As a two credit, eight week course, students should schedule between 12 and 14 hours per
week for this class.
 In the event a last date of attendance is required upon grading this course, I will use the due
date of the last graded work you submitted.
Assignments:
 All assignments are due at 1:59 PM on Monday following the week they were assigned unless
otherwise noted. More specific information is provided in the course calendar.
 Late work will not be accepted or graded. Please do not ask for an extension as it is not fair
to those who get their work in on time. Consideration may be given for unusual or extreme
circumstances and only if the absence has already been excused. This will be up to the
discretion of the instructor.
 Read your book and actively participate in 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, the college expects 100% of the students
enrolled in class to complete anonymous online evaluations for each course.
The evaluation process is open during weeks seven and eight.
Students will be expected to complete the course evaluation for this course, and five points of
extra credit will be awarded (added to your final exam) to all students who complete the
evaluation if 80% of the evaluations have been received.
Assessments:
 Assessments will be taken through Blackboard and MySSL. They will be open book, open note,
timed assessments.
 Students who cannot take an assessment when it is scheduled due to required participation in a
verified school activity must make arrangements at least one week prior to the assessment.
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.
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4. Behavioral Expectations:
Every student has the right to a respectful learning environment. This applies to both face-to-face and
online classrooms. 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 either in
person or online, as determined by the instructor, may be asked to leave. 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.
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 if you do the work.
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