LIBA 110: First-Year Seminar

Fall 2013
Dates Time (Room)

Instructor:
Email:
Office:
Office Phone:
Office Hours:

Course Librarian:
Email:
Location:
Phone:
Writing Center: Rasmussen Room 205
Writing Center Phone: 263-2855

Course Description and Prerequisites

This 3 credit class takes an 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 First-Year Seminar is designed to
introduce students to the standards of academic rigor while providing them with the
knowledge to make informed decisions in their transition to college. Students will
compose a variety of projects that demonstrate critical inquiry and information
literacy skills.
[Add Course Theme Description]
You will.

1. Generate a body of work that

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

Activities demonstrating learning

Self-Reflection Assignment
Exploration Papers
Synthesis Project

Library instruction
Exploration Papers
Synthesis Project
Informal homework and writing
Self-Reflection
Final Reflection
LIBA 111 (Spring)
Self-Reflection assignment
Use of resources, speakers, and
events on campus
LIBA 111 (Spring)

Self-Reflection assignment
Final Reflection
LIBA 111 (Spring)

LIBA 110 Syllabus

Fall

What you will learn

Critical Inquiry
This course will provide you 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. We will work to evaluate
and generate knowledge specific to our
course theme.
Information Literacy
This course will offer you 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 you to
have the opportunity to practice the
writing process, form your ideas for
specific audiences and purpose, and
develop effective written communication
skills. One way we will do this is through
rough drafts. You will participate in peer
review, submit rough drafts for instructor
feedback, and revise essays. In addition,
you will be required to submit completed
rough drafts to me. I will provide
feedback with suggestions for revision
before your final essay is due. This
feedback will give you suggestions on
how to improve your essays before your
essay receives a grade.

p. 2

Activities demonstrating learning

Readings
Reflection activities
Classroom discussions
Exploration papers
Synthesis project

Library instruction (including

visits, discussion board posts,
annotated bibliographies, etc.)
Evaluation of academic sources
and appropriate internet resources
Exploration papers
Synthesis project using significant
research from a variety of
academic resources/

Rough drafts, peer review, and

revision opportunities
Practicing the writing process
(pre-writing, composing, and
revising) for every project
(including exploration papers and
synthesis project)
Approximately 20-22 pages of
polished writing
Ungraded and informal writing
assignments (journals, homework,
in-class writings, discussion board,
etc.)

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

LIBA 110 Syllabus

Fall

p. 3

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

Technology Necessary

Access to a computer with Microsoft Word, Internet access, s GV email

account, and a GV Blackboard account.

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

Self Reflection (### points) You will write an initial reflection about how
you came to be where you are in your education and how youll use resources
to support your academic career at Grand View. This assignment is designed
to give you practice in written communication and critical inquiry.
Exploration Papers (### points) You will write three short papers that use
a variety of scholarly resources to explore themes of the course. Each
assignment will ask you to demonstrate critical inquiry, information literacy
skills, and meet the written communication outcome. We will work on
planning, drafting, and revising with each of these papers. We will also visit
the library for each project.
Synthesis Project (###points) You will complete a final synthesis project
that may build on one or more of your short exploratory papers, readings,
and classroom discussion. This project will find common ground between the
course theme and development of the self. This project will include a
minimum of 8-10 resources from a variety of academic sources, a major
written component, and evidence of critical inquiry. This project must be
submitted electronically on Blackboard.

[YOU MAY MODIFY THE ABOVE AND ADD ADDITIONAL COURSE

REQUIREMENTS]

Earning your Grade

All assignment sheets will include specific criteria that projects will be graded on.
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 110 will be required to take LIBA 110 and
LIBA 111, a 4-credit version of the course, in the Spring. Students who do not

LIBA 110 Syllabus

Fall

p. 4

pass LIBA 110 will stay with their original advisor, but will have a new
instructor in Spring for LIBA 110 and 111.

[OPTIONAL or you may edit this] Tips to be Successful

The most successful students 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.
Write all due dates in her/his planner for all classes. If you dont use a
planner, consider using one. You could also put due dates 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
[ADD YOUR OWN COURSE POLICIES HERE]

Institutional Undergraduate Syllabus Statements

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 e-mail 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

LIBA 110 Syllabus

Fall

p. 5

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

LIBA 110 Syllabus

Fall

p. 6

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 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 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.
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.

LIBA 110 Syllabus

Fall

p. 7

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.
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
[Please add appropriate information here]