GEL 101:

Spring
General Education, Lifelong Learning
2009
& Information Literacy:
The Student, The University, The Community

CONTACT INFORMATION
Instructor: Ryan McRae
Office: University Village Business Office Email: rmcrae@csusm.edu
Office Phone: 750-3711 Office Hours: By Appointment

WELCOME TO GEL 101

You are about to start the adventure of a lifetime! This class is designed to help you chart
the course and handle the challenging currents of receiving a college education here at Cal
State San Marcos! We will cover how to utilize the library and the career centers—vital ar-
eas here at CSUSM—to help you achieve your academic goals.

This class will help you assess your: time management, study skills, learning styles, team-
work skills, test-taking strategies and personal wellness. The library faculty will introduce
you to college level research skills and the technology available on our campus to access,
evaluate and communicate information and ideas. Career advisors will help you clarify your
long term career goals and you will learn the elements of effective résumé writing and how
to research careers. This course will also expose you to opportunities and resources for be-
coming an active member of our campus community outside the classroom.

This class is designed to equip students with the basic skills, concepts, and knowledge nec-
essary to become a lifelong learner. Examination of current theory and research regarding
the information age, health and wellness, career development, and psychological assess-
ment. practical application of the theory and research. Includes information literacy and
technology skills, group and teamwork, and learning styles. It is my goal that at the end of
this class, hopefully sooner, you realize how much there is to learn and that you are excited
about it. This is the adventure of a lifetime.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of GEL 101 you will be able to:

Academic Success Skills

• Design and implement an effective time management plan that meets your personal
schedule and the demands of your coursework.
• Assess your personal learning style, study skills and test taking strategies and de-
velop a plan to improve in these areas.

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Spring 2008 GEL 101

Information Literacy & College Level Research

• Formulate a research topic and write a relevant thesis
• Use electronic databases to locate and retrieve information related to a thesis
• Critique scholarly vs. popular press literature
• Write a college level research report (in APA or MLA style) and reproduce a related
oral presentation

Academic & Career Planning

• Research different academic majors (or confirm your choice of major)
• Develop a personal academic plan that includes university requirements, general
education courses and courses for a major
• Research various career options
• Understand the career development process and explore key factors (skills, inter-
ests, values, personality and abilities) affecting career/major choice
• Write a detailed and effective professional resume
• Identify and make contact with an academic advisor, a career advisor and a faculty
advisor

Wellness
• Assess personal wellness along a number of dimensions including physical, psycho-
logical, social and fiscal
• Acquire and analyze information on wellness from Student Health Services and
other campus resources

Institutional Awareness and Resource Utilization

• List the campus resources available to students
• Identify common student needs and the appropriate campus resources to address
those needs
• Identify the variety of ways students can become active participants in the campus
community outside the classroom

Moral & Ethical Decision Making

• Locate and analyze the Cal State San Marcos policies on Academic Honesty, Drug-
Free Campus & Smoking, Nondiscrimination, Sexual Assault, and Student Disci-
pline
• Clarify your own values while understanding the values and ethical practices of our
university community

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Spring 2008 GEL 101

Expectations of the Classroom Environment

• Students will be on time for class; punctuality is expected.
• Cell phones will be turned off during class; if a student’s phone rings during class,
that student will lose 5 points per ring since it disrupts the class. You are not per-
mitted to use a cell phone while in class regardless if you are working independ-
ently. I have a short fuse about cell phones. There is a time and place for cell
phones. My classroom is neither.
• Students will respect one another during discussions.
• Students will uphold the Code of Conduct for CSUSM. Course Requirements for
GEL 101.
• All assignments that are not to be completed in class must be typed, using Micro-
soft Word or Pages.
• Assignments that do not have a name on them will be introduced to Mr. Shredder.
They will be utterly consumed. Utterly.
• Any plagiarized assignment is grounds for an immediate failure of the class and a
not-so-fun referral to the Dean .
• Extra credit is given sparsely. It is offered, not given. No extra credit can be applied
to the library or career module. Zero.
• Class behavior (foul language, lack of respect, etc.) can cause a loss of points in the
class.

Point Scale for Determining Final Grade:

90% A
80% B
70% C
60% D
59%-0% F

Description of each graded item:

Class Discussions & Reflection Papers

The class discussions will occur in class on a variety of topics such as:, ethics, study skills,
first year experiences. Reflection papers will be assigned and handle topics such as: the
textbook, films we’ve seen ethics, study skills and personal reflection. This is not an exhaus-
tive list of topics, merely examples.

Please note: All papers must be in Times New Roman and 12 pt. Font. If spacing, margins, or
just general sloppy work, I will hand the paper back. Name, date and class belong in the

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Spring 2008 GEL 101

upper right hand corner, single spaced. Tile is centered, and the body of the paper is double
spaced. I will just shred
In-class exercises, quizzes & homework from the Feldman text1
The in-class exercises and quizzes will happen in class and will not be made up for any rea-
son. These will deal with the reading due that day and any reading previously due. Home-
work will be from assigned reading and reflection.

Research Project
The information for the research project will be forthcoming.

Library and Career Module

This will be outlined in the appropriate syllabus. If you fail either of these sessions, you may
fail this class.

Communication with the Instructor

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need help. My email is rmcrae@csusm.edu and
my phone is 760-750-3711. You can also set up an appointment to see me in my office. My
general course policy does not allow for make up exams or acceptance of late work. How-
ever, if you have a serious illness or other issue, it is your responsibility to contact me as
soon as possible.

Although I live in University Village, please refrain from coming to my home. Please respect
my privacy—I am available through office hours.

Attendance Policy
You have two excused absences when it comes to my class. After that, you will lose 5% of
your total grade for every absence. If you are absent, it is your entire responsibility to make
up the work, to contact me, come by and find out what you missed; I will not chase you
down. Any absence over two days will require a doctor’s note. Please be aware—if you miss
7 or more classes, you will fail the class (regardless of your grade); there will be no extra
credit, life vest or anything like that.

Communication with the Instructor

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need help. My email is rmcrae@csusm.edu and
my phone is 760-750-3711. You can also set up an appointment to see me in my office. My
general course policy does not allow for make up exams or acceptance of late work. How-

1 Pop quizzes are fair game on whatever reading is due. See schedule below. They can’t be made up.

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Spring 2008 GEL 101

ever, if you have a serious illness or other issue, it is your responsibility to contact me as
soon as possible.

Academic Honesty Policy Statement

Students will be expected to adhere to standards of academic honesty and integrity, as out-
lined in the Student Academic Policy. All written work and oral presentation assignments
must be original work. All ideas/material that are borrowed from other sources must have
appropriate references to the original sources. Any quoted material should give credit to the
source and be punctuated with quotation marks.

Students are responsible for honest completion of their work including examinations.
There will be no tolerance for infractions. If you believe there has been an infraction by
someone in the class, please bring it to the instructor’s attention. The instructor reserves the
right to discipline any student for academic dishonesty, in accordance with the general rules
and regulations of the university. Disciplinary action may include the lowering of grades
and/or the assignment of a failing grade for an example, assignment or the class as a whole.
If you cheat blatantly, I will fail you blatantly.

Incidents of Academic Dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students. Sanctions at

the University level may include suspension or expulsion from the University. I have no dis-
cretion if I find cheating has occurred; you will be referred to the Dean of Students.

ADA Statement

Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations must be approved for
services by providing appropriate and recent documentation to the Office of Disabled Stu-
dent Services (DSS). This office is located in Craven Hall 5205, and can be contacted by
phone at (760) 750-4905, or TTY (760) 750-4909. Students authorized by DSS to receive rea-
sonable accommodations should meet with me during my office hours in order to ensure
confidentiality.

Texts Needed to be Purchased

The Student, The University, The Community

Texts We Will Read But Are Free

Urban, Hal, (2003 or newer). Life’s Greatest Lessons: 20 Things that Matter.
Newport, Cal (2007). How to Become a Straight A Student.
Pausch, Randy (2008). The Last Lecture.

GEL 101: The Student, The University, The Community 5

Spring 2008 RESEARCH PROJECT FOR GEL

The Values of CSUSM and Their Impact on You, the CSUSM Student
GEL 101: Lifelong Learning
Ryan McRae, M.Div.

This semester we will discuss the power of choices and decisions we make based on our
values. These values will be key to your success not only academically, but also life in gen-
eral. CSUSM lists these as its values:

VALUES

California State University San Marcos is an academic community dedicated to the values
of:

Intellectual Engagement: learning, teaching, discovery, and application of knowledge

Community: shared commitments to service, teamwork, and partnership

Integrity: respect, honesty, trust, fairness, academic freedom, and responsibility

Innovation: creativity, openness to change, flexibility, responsiveness, and future focus

Inclusiveness: individual and cultural diversity, and multiple perspectives

Your research project is a 10 minute presentation and a 12 page paper concerning the val-
ues of CSUSM, why they are important components to the health of the University, how the
failure of these values impacts our society and how you reflect on these values in your life.

It is highly recommended that you focus on one of the 5 tenets and its individual aspects.

Instructions on Completing the Paper

The paper, must be 12 complete pages, with one inch margins all around, 12 pt typeface us-
ing Times New Roman. A cover page (which does not count towards word count, c’mon) and
annotated bibliography with at least seven (7) scholarly sources. This must be in APA style,
which you will learn in the library

This paper is due at the beginning of class on: May 5th, 2009

Instructions on Completing the Presentation

The presentation must be between 8-10 minutes about the CSUSM value tenet and may be
completed in a group of no more than three. Powerpoint or Keynote should be used to

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Spring 2008 Research Project

augment the presentation. Creativity is key. Boredom is not key. Your grade will be based on
the following criteria:

 “A” presentations demonstrate the following:

1. Fully prepared presentation with complete knowledge of material and ability to an-
swer impromptu questions;
2. Uses visual aids effectively (focus on audience, not visual aids);
3. Exudes confidence when presenting;
4. Appropriately dressed for the type of presentation;
5. Maintains eye contact with everyone in the audience;
6. Speaking is clearly understood;
7. Maintains an appropriate tone and pace;
8. Smooth transitions from point to point and to the next speaker if applicable
9. Maintains an appropriate relationship with the audience

“B” presentations realize 1 through 9 well, but some areas can be strengthened to make the
presentation more effective overall.

“C” presentations realize 1 through 9 adequately—and demonstrates overall compe-

tence—but contains a few, relatively minor problems or flaws. 

“D” presentations fail to realize some elements of 1 through 9 adequately—and contains

several, relatively serious problems or flaws, or many minor ones. 

“F” presentations fail to realize several elements of 1 through 9 adequately—and contains

many serious problems or flaws, and usually many minor ones, as well. 

A print out of the slides must be handed in the day of your presentation. We will discuss
this project more in class. It must have 3 academic sources, and application for your fellow
students. The following question must be answered: So what should we do about it? For exam-
ple, if you are Innovation the audience must know how to incorporate innovation into their
collegiate lives and how it benefits them.

This presentation is due: May 5th and 7th]

GEL 101: The Student, The University, The Community 7

Spring 2008 Schedule

Jan 20, 2009 Week 1 Where did you go wrong?/Intro to college

Jan 22, 2009 Syllabus Planning/ Explanation of Major Projects
Jan 27, 2009 Week 2 Poster Presentation
Jan 29, 2009 Poster Presentation
Feb 3, 2009 Week 3 Newport Lecture
Feb 5, 2009 Time Management
Feb 10, 2009 Week 4 Math, Writing and Language Lab
This is a rough
Feb 12, 2009 How to Work on a Team (Assigning groups)
estimate of
Feb 17, 2009 Week 5 Lecture on Hal Urban
what is due; I
Feb 19, 2009 Lecture on Hal Urban
will keep you
Feb 24, 2009 Week 6 Born into Brothels
up to date
Feb 26, 2009 Born into Brothels
through the
Mar 3, 2009 Week 7 Strengthsquest
class.
Mar 5, 2009 Strengthsquest
Mar 10, 2009 Week 8 Setting our priorities in life.
Mar 12, 2009 How to Analyze Pretty Much Anything
Mar 17, 2009 Week 9 Library Module
Mar 19, 2009 Library Module
Mar 24, 2009 Week 10 Library Module
Mar 26, 2009 Library Module
Mar 31, 2009 Week 11 Library Module
Apr 2, 2009 Library Module
Apr 7, 2009 Week 12 Public Speaking
Apr 9, 2009 Public Speaking
Apr 14, 2009 Week 13 Spring Break
Apr 16, 2009 Spring Break
Apr 21, 2009 Week 14 Career Module
Apr 23, 2009 Career Module
Apr 28, 2009 Week 15 Career Module
Apr 30, 2009 Career Module
May 5, 2009 Week 16 The Most Important Lecture I’ll ever give.
May 7, 2009 The Most Important Lecture I’ll ever give.
May 12, 2009 Week 17 Presentations/Finals.
May 14, 2009 Presentations/Finals.