COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

LIBA 111: First-Year Seminar

Friday 1:00 1:50 pm
(JENS 2W)
Instructor: Dr. Brittany Cottrill
Email: bcottrill@grandview.edu
Office: 101 Jensen
Office Phone: 263-2906
Office Hours: T/H 11-1:30 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.

About LIBA 111

The spring component of Core Seminar 1 is designed to give you the support, encouragement, and information you need to
achieve your goals. Youll begin to define success, evaluate your performance, and work toward measurable goals that you
design for yourself. Youll also be doing some serious reflection on what it means to learn deeply and to discover your
passion. Lastly, this course offers you some practical, hands-on opportunities to explore the university experience. Well do
things like course planning, creating plans of study for the next four years, and preparing for future success.

You will.
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Activities demonstrating learning

Generate a body of work that engages critical inquiry, information

literacy, and written communication in an academically rigorous manner.
Evaluate and synthesize information to create and critique how
knowledge is made and valued.
Discover your strengths, interests, and passions through participating in
class and campus activities.
Develop the skills and understanding to support critical, self-directed
learning and to utilize campus resources for academic and personal
success.
Examine who you are as a whole person and how that impacts your
potential as a leaner and responsible citizen.

Journals, class discussion, readings

Journals, class discussion, readings

Goals paper, plan of study, final reflection

Journals, class discussion, readings

Goals paper, journals, class discussion,

readings

How the course will be taught

LIBA 110 and LIBA 111 are both seminar classes. Youll remember that a seminar is a type of class where learners come
together and discuss a topic in a small group. This course is focused on you, and I will continue to act as a facilitator,
resource, and co-learner along with you. Unlike last semester, LIBA 111s focus is on taking ownership and responsibility for
your own learning. Well do this through writing, class discussion, activities, guest speakers, and more.
Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

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| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Grade Distribution

Assignments Details
Goal Setting Paper (100 points) a brief paper where you
will reflect on your overall goals and aspirations and set
some specific short-term goals for the semester.
Additional information will be distributed in class.

24%

Plan of Study (100 points) One requirement is that

students leave LIBA 111 with a 4-year plan of study. We
will work on this together. After you have completed the
assignment you will write a 1-2 page reflection. Additional
information will be distributed in class.
Grade Scale

369-410 = A
328-368 = B
287-327 = C
246-286 = D
0-245 = F

Journals
26%

Additional materials
posted on Blackboard or
handed out in class. You
must print documents
on Blackboard and bring
them to class.

Plan of Study

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY

Bain, Ken. What the Best

College Students Do.
Cambridge: Belknap P,
2012. Print (ISBN 9780674066649)

24%

A (outstanding): meets and exceeds the criteria of

the assignment, maintains a sophisticated focus
throughout, and demonstrates mastery of major
principles.
B (above average): clearly meets all criteria of the
assignment; has a focused purpose throughout and
demonstrates solid command of major principles.
C (average): meets all the criteria of the
assignment and maintains a controlling purpose,
though at times the focus my drift. 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): meets some of the criteria but
not others. The purpose may be weak or unclear.
Perspectives presented may not be original or truly
argumentative.
F (not acceptable): A paper that receives an F (059%) fails to meet more criteria of the assignment
than it meets

REQUIRED TEXT

Goal Paper
Evaluation Paper

Self-Evaluation Paper (100 points) At the end of the

semester, you will complete a paper reflecting on your
first year as well as the goals you set out in your first
paper. Additional information will be distributed in class.
Journal (110 points) Each week you will be given a small
task to perform or a chapter/reading to respond to. Your
responses will be completed on Blackboard before our
schedule weekly meeting. Your responses will be
approximately 1-page typed (250-300 words) and should
include details, readings, and appropriate MLA citations
when appropriate.

24%

A digital calendar (you may use the program

installed on your personal computer, your GV
email calendar, Google Calendar, or another
system that works for your life)
Sign up for Remind by texting sending the
message @happiness to the number 81010
Regular access to a computer with reliable
internet, as well as a GV email and Blackboard
account (both of which you check at least
daily).

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

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| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Course Details
Resources
Attendance
Attendance in this class is mandatory. We only meet once a
week, so I expect you to be in class. For every class you miss your
final grade will be reduced by 5 pts. Missing more than 3 classes
may result in failure of this 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 (not journals). 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.

I am committed to the principle of universal learning. This means

that our classroom, virtual spaces, practices, and interactions will
be as inclusive as possible. Mutual respect, civility, and the ability
to listen and observe others carefully are crucial to universal
learning.
If you are a student with a documented disability and would like
to discuss special accommodations, you must 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 2632955, and at the Counseling Center at 263-2986. 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.

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. Papers submitted after the due date will be penalized 10%
for each additional day. Journals will not receive late credit.

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.

A final word . . . I genuinely want each and every one of you to

succeed this semester and every semester from here on out.
This class is designed to help you be more successful. Give it a
chance and I will do my best to make this class useful and
maybe even fun for you. Let me know how I can help
throughout the semester. 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. Heres to a
GREAT spring semester!

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). *Note: No emails will be replied to
between 4:00 pm on Friday and 9:00 am on Monday.
Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

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| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Institutional Undergraduate Syllabus Statement

Revised: 7/10/2014
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).
IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction
Grand View University is interested in knowing how learners
experience the classroom environment. To that end, all students
will be asked to participate in the IDEA survey of student ratings
of instruction system at the end of each fall and spring term.
IDEA is also administered in some summer classes. Students are
asked to provide honest and thoughtful feedback to their
instructor through the IDEA process. All student responses are
confidential and are not provided to the instructor until after
grades are submitted.
Academic Responsibility/Academic Honesty
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 among students, 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. 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.
The following list describes various ways in which the principles
of academic honesty/integrity can be violated. This list is not
exhaustive; see the Student Handbook for a complete list.

Plagiarism: The use of anothers ideas, words, or results and

presenting them as ones own. To avoid plagiarism, students
are expected to use proper methods of documentation and
acknowledgement according to the accepted format for the
particular discipline or as required by the faculty in a course.
Cheating: The use or attempted use of unauthorized
materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices in
any academic exercise. Cheating also includes submitting
papers, research results and reports, analyses, etc. as ones
own work when they were, in fact, prepared by others.

Fabrication and Falsification: The invention or falsification of

sources, citations, data, or results, and recording or reporting
them in any academic exercise.
Facilitation of Dishonesty: Facilitation of dishonesty is
knowingly or negligently allowing ones work to be used by
another student without prior approval of the instructor or
otherwise aiding another in committing violations of
academic integrity. A student who facilitates a violation of
academic honesty/integrity can be considered as responsible
as the student who receives the impermissible assistance,
even if the facilitator does not benefit personally from the
violations.
Academic Interference: Academic interference is
deliberately impeding the academic progress of another
student.

Procedure for an Incident of Academic Dishonesty

Any incident of academic dishonesty requires action by both the
student and the instructor directly involved, and the submission
of an Academic Dishonesty Report to the Office of the College
Deans. If the instructor is unsure how to proceed, she/he may
consult with the Student Academic Life Committee at any point in
the process.
The faculty member must also provide the student with a
copy of the Academic Dishonesty Report. The report form
should identify the following series of consequences:
If it is the students first incident of academic dishonesty:
o The instructor can impose a range of sanctions from
the following, depending upon the nature of and
degree of seriousness of the incident:
A warning with opportunity to rectify the
violation
A failing grade for the academic exercise
with no opportunity to rectify the violation
A failing grade for the course
o The student will receive a letter from the Provost
and Vice President for Academic Affairs about the
incident, the Universitys expectations regarding
academic honesty/integrity, and future possible
consequences should the student commit another
act of academic dishonesty during their enrollment
at Grand View. Copies of the letter will be sent to
the students academic advisor, the instructor, and
the registrar.
Following a second incident of academic dishonesty, the
student minimally will fail the course and be placed on
academic dishonesty probation. Upon receiving notification
from the instructor of a violation, and determining that it is a
second violation, the Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs must notify the student about the incident.
This letter will inform the student of her/his failing grade and
placement on probation. Copies of the letter will be sent to

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

the students academic advisor, the instructor, and the

registrar.
When a student is reported for a third incident of academic
dishonesty, the student will fail the course and will be
suspended from the University, and the suspension for
academic dishonesty will be noted on the students
transcript. Upon receiving notification from the instructor of
a violation, and determining that it is a third violation, the
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs must notify
the student about the incident. This letter will inform the
student of her/his failing grade and suspension. Copies of the
When a student has returned to Grand View after being
suspended for a third violation and is subsequently reported
for a fourth incident of academic dishonesty, the student will
fail the course and will be suspended immediately from the
University, and the suspension for academic dishonesty will
be noted on the students transcript. The suspension will
remain in force during the appeal process; if the suspension
is upheld, the student will be expelled from the University.
Netiquette (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.
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

letter will be sent to the students academic advisor, the

instructor, and the registrar. Should the student appeal the
decision, he/she will be allowed to complete the term during
which the appeal is heard; if upheld, the suspension will
occur during the regular term following the appeal.
Students suspended for Academic Dishonesty must follow
the same procedures for readmission as those listed for
students who have been academically suspendedwith the
exception that they will not be required to enroll elsewhere
during their suspension.

professor may ask the student to leave the classroom and that
student will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
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-toface class time and outside learning activities to fulfill credits
awarded.

The Unicorn Code

1. Unicorns never cheat.
2. Unicorns always lend a helping hand.
3. Unicorns dont talk to strangers.
4. Unicorns respect the Earth.
5. Unicorns are never late.
6. Unicorns arent conceited.
7. Unicorns dont judge people.
Subject to change. All changes will be announced in
and on always
Blackboard.
Students
are responsible for all changes.
8.class
Unicorns
give
100%.
9. Unicorns graze on peace and love.
10. Unicorns dont do drugs. From:
http://www.mcphee.com/blog/2010/02/15/creation-of-the-unicorn-code/

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| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Course Calendar
* Subject to Revision

Week
Week 1
1/9

Class discussion
Introduction to the course, policies, expectations;
SMART semester goal paper assigned

Homework due for following week

Bring copies of all of your course syllabi to the
next class

Week 2
1/16

Goal Setting paper due; Mapping Your Semester

Read chapter one in What the Best College

Student Do; Complete journal #1

Week 3
1/23

The Roots of Success

Week 4
1/30

Meet in KRUMM Centrum

Plan of Study; major requirements

See Journal #2: Locate and print/save the

checklist for your major and core requirements;
Locate the course rotation on myView; bring all
of these to class
Read chapter two in What the Best College
Students Do; Complete journal #3

Week 5
2/6
Week 6
2/13
Week 7
2/20
Week 8
2/27
Week 9
3/6

What Makes an Expert?

Week 10
3/13
Week 11
3/20
Week 12
3/27
Week 13
4/3
Week 14
4/10
Week 15
4/17

Complete journal #4 about the value of getting

involved
The value of getting involved
Read chapter three in What the Best College
Students Do; Complete journal #5
Managing Yourself
Complete the reflection task on course planning;
Complete journal #6
Meet in KRUMM 26
Read chapter four in What the Best College
Course Planning
Students Do Complete journal #7
Plan of Study Reflection due; Learning to
Reading TBA; Make sure to read the journal
Embrace Failure
prompt (#8) because it is a week-long journal;
Complete journal #8
Making smart choices
Read chapters five and six in What the Best
College Students Do; Complete journal #9
Spring Break No Class Make sure to complete your reading and journal
Solving Problems and Finding Encouragement
Curiosity in Learning
Making Hard Choices

Read chapter seven in What the Best College

Students Do Complete journal #10
Read chapter eight in What the Best College
Students Do Complete journal #11
Work on self-evaluation paper; Be prepared to
present this in class next week

Wrapping Up; course evaluation; Self-Evaluation

Paper Due (on Blackboard)

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.