Course Syllabus

A. Course Number-Section Number, and GS111– College Success Skills-Credits 3

Course Title: Contact hours – 3 per week

B. Program Name: Liberal Arts and Science General Studies

Instructor: Robin Bobowicz
Instructor Name:

C. Contacting the Instructor – (Please put GS111 with section in subject line when sending
instructor an e-mail.)
Campus and Office Number: South Campus – Room 4106b
Instructor Phone: 716.270.5620

Department Secretary Phone: 716.851.1661

e-Mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: T – 2:30-3:30, W 9:00 – 11 & 2:30 – 3:30, Th 2:30 -3:30

D. Course Description: This course provides an opportunity for students to learn

and adopt methods and strategies to promote personal
growth and success in college and in life. Topics include:
learning styles, problem-solving and creativity, cultural
diversity, bibliographic instruction, time/task management,
methods of inquiry and critical thinking, academic policies
and procedures.

E. Text / Course Materials: Online Educational Resource

Enter Title, edition, and publisher, year, and No cost to student
ISBN number.

Affordable Instructional Material

(AIM) or Open Educational Resource
(OER) Option (if available):

F. Library Resources:

G. Course Outcomes:
• Demonstrate an ability to research a topic and provide supportive details
• Demonstrate basic literacy in educational technologies
• Articulate ideas about diversity and the role diversity plays in our current
culture
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 • Conduct independent career research
• Describe what the campus has to offer academically, socially, culturally
and recreationally
• Locate and utilize resources that can assist with problems related to
health,finances, academics, course changes, and social issues including
support services such as the Career Resource Center, Math & English
Tutoring Lab, Counseling Center, Library Media Center and Financial Aid
• Recognize and justify commitment, motivation, responsibilities, and
limitations in relationship to college, self, employer, friends, and family
while recognizing multicultural diversity and stereotypes

• Design short-term and long-term goals based on attitude, interest and

resources
• Create realistic time/task management schedules and use them effectively
in fulfilling short-term and long-term goals

• Recognize the existence of student anxiety especially in test taking and

discuss strategies to alleviate it.
• Describe and use specific methods of inquiry/critical thinking related to
study.
• Apply problem-solving and creativity techniques to everyday decision-
making and to the study of application problems.
• Respond to objective test questions using specific strategies and develop a
logical and organized method of responding to essay questions.
• Apply techniques of listening, concentration and communicating in the
classroom.

H. SUNY Erie Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

SUNY Erie Learning Outcomes

Erie Community College's mission includes providing a general education to all students, in addition to a
specific education aimed at an individual field of study or career. SUNY Erie's Learning Outcomes (LOs)
are the college's commitment to the goals of general education.
General Education at Erie Community College is based on a series of Learning Outcomes developed on a
tiered system to address the needs of non-matriculated students/ students in certificate programs,
students in Associate's degree programs, and students on a transfer path.
The tiers are broken down as follows:
Level 1: Communication, Critical Analysis and Reasoning, and Information Literacy
For (1) those students who come to SUNY Erie to complete a few courses and then continue their
education elsewhere or (2) those enrolled in certificate programs. At this level students should be
able to demonstrate the three outcomes: Communication, Critical Analysis and Reasoning, and
Information Literacy at an introductory stage of understanding.
Level 2: Middle States requirements (Erie Community College is accredited by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The
Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the
U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.)

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 For those students who will complete their degree at SUNY Erie and plan on terminating their
education at this level. Each student is to demonstrate all six outcomes with more in-depth
knowledge and understanding.
The six learning outcomes will include:
1. Communication
2. Critical Analysis and Reasoning
3. Information Literacy
4. Scientific Reasoning
5. Quantitative Reasoning
6. Technological Competence
Level 3: SUNY General Education Requirements
For those students who wish to continue their education by transferring to a 4 year institution.
SUNY Erie will guarantee a student that he/she will be able to complete 7 of 10 SUNY knowledge
areas.

I. Testing / Means of Evaluation: Grade:

A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

J. Grading Determination: Letter grades (A-F) will be submitted at mid-term and

for the final grade report. Letter grades will be assigned as follows.
A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F= less than 60

Evaluation of Student Learning –

Method Percentage Quantity or Delivery Notes

Attendance 25
Homework 25
Tests/quizzes 25
Career Research project 25

K. Attendance Requirements:
1. Attendance will be taken each class to comply with college regulations
and state and federal funding requirements. The student is expected to
participate in class regularly. More than 3 absences may result in

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 failure unless supported by official documentation (for example, jury
duty, illness or death in family).
2. Student should contact the instructor by e-mail to indicate an absence.

L. Classroom Expectations:
Cheating and Plagiarism:
According to the policy as stated in the ECC Catalog/Handbook, a final grade of F will be issued
for cheating or plagiarism. No other grade will be given.
Class Participation:
Class participation means:
Contributing to cooperative learning groups and whole-class discussions (seated and online
sections).
Refraining from inappropriate discussions and use of cell phone (seated sections).

M. Students with Disabilities:

SUNY Erie Community College recognizes the right of qualified individuals with disabilities to access an
education through appropriate accommodations. Some examples of disabilities are physical limitations,
chronic medical conditions, mental health disorders (ie anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, etc),
learning disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, head injuries, Substance Abuse Recovery, etc. The Student
Access Center Counselors encourage you to contact them if you feel like your ability to participate in class
will be effected. The counselor will provide you with information which you will share with your
instructor and which will allow appropriate academic accommodations to be made for you.

The student is required to provide the appropriate forms from the Student Access Center to the
instructor.
City Campus Student Access Center: Room 266 851-1189
Susan McLaughlin 121 Ellicott St.
North Campus Student Access Center: Room 213 851-1495
Aaron Garmon Spring Center
South Campus Counseling Center: Room 3120 851-1933
Building 3

N. Topical Outline:
Orientation – course syllabus, college handbook and catalog, college majors, map of college,
college departments and places to go for assistance.

1. Adjusting to the culture of college

2. Developing your personal and academic motivation
3. Using self-management tools to stay in college
4. Improving interpersonal communication and conflict management
5. Expanding your aptitude for critical thinking, emotional intelligence and information
literacy skills
6. Time management
7. Multiple intelligences, learning styles and personality types
8. Improving reading and comprehension skills
9. Cultivating listening skills and note-taking skills
10. Empowering your memory, studying effectively, and taking tests with confidence
11. Money management
12. Improving research, writing and speaking skills
13. Celebrating people, cultures and diversity

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 14. Wellness, personal responsibility, drug addiction and suicide prevention
15. Professional career search

The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of
extenuating circumstances.

Examinations
Students are
expected to be
present for
examinations,
evaluations and
presentations
(including fellow
student discussion
forums). There will
be no make-up tests
or examinations
unless the instructor
has been provided
with prior
notification
involving
extenuating
circumstances.

Student
Responsibilities
The student is
responsible for
completing all
reading
assignments
assigned by the
instructor. The
student is
responsible for all
announcements and
materials presented,
etc. that were
missed during an
absence.
Completed
assignments are due
back at the next
scheduled class
session. A zero will
be recorded for all
missing
assignments.

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Disability
If you have any
condition, such as a
physical or mental
disability, which
will make it
difficult for you to
carry out the work
as outlined or
which will require
extra time on
examinations,
please notify me
within the first two
weeks of the course
so that appropriate
arrangements may
be made.
Withdrawal
If you decide that
you do not want to
remain in this
course any longer,
you must complete
an official
withdrawal form.
If you simply stop
attending, you will
receive a grade of
“F” on your
permanent record.

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O. Starfish® Integrated Course: SUNY Erie Community College has partnered with Starfish®
Retention Solutions as a continual effort to enable student
success, both in the classroom and in meeting overall
educational goals. The Starfish® system may be used to provide
feedback on course progress. Throughout the semester, emails
may be sent via Starfish® regarding grades, performance in the
classroom, and access to supplemental services, such as library
resources and skills labs. This information will be shared with
student support professionals on campus who will reach out to
help ensure your success at SUNY Erie. Starfish® is also a way to
receive kudos, designed to encourage progress. Please be sure
to read your SUNY Erie email on a timely basis, so you are aware
of your progress in this course.

P. Academic Integrity: SUNY Erie Community College assumes that students will
behave with integrity. Academic dishonesty, as defined in the
Student Code of Conduct, will be actionable by the department
and faculty, working within the procedures defined by the
college. Academic dishonesty accusations must be documented
and investigated. Students have the right to dispute accusations
of academic dishonesty through the student academic grievance
policy.

Q. Syllabus Prepared By: Robin Bobowicz

Last Updated Date: 8/28/2018

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