Syllabus and Schedule

Foundational Skills for College and Beyond

Course Information

Course Code: FDN 101

Credit Hours: 3 units

Course Duration: 16 weeks

Delivery Mode: Hybrid (In-person and Online)

Instructor Information: [To be filled in]

Office Hours: [To be filled in]

Contact: [To be filled in]

Course Description

This foundational course is designed to equip undergraduate students with essential skills necessary for academic success and personal development in college and beyond. Students will develop competencies in digital literacy, effective communication, goal setting, time management, and financial literacy. Through integrated learning experiences, students will build a comprehensive toolkit for navigating academic challenges, managing their resources, and achieving both short- and long-term goals.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Digital Literacy

·        Define and explain core components of digital literacy, including information literacy, media literacy, and technological literacy

·        Identify and categorize different types of digital skills into relevant categories

·        Evaluate credibility of online information sources and apply critical thinking to source evaluation

·        Develop ethical strategies for using AI tools responsibly in academic work

·        Navigate and evaluate various online communication platforms for academic purposes

·        Apply advanced research techniques using scholarly databases and online resources

Communication Skills

·        Define and explain at least five core interpersonal communication concepts and competencies

·        Demonstrate active listening techniques through role-playing exercises

·        Deliver clear and concise messages with effective verbal and nonverbal communication

·        Adapt communication styles to suit different audiences and contexts

·        Identify and apply effective conflict resolution strategies

·        Develop a personal conflict management plan

Goal Setting

·        Define SMART and SMARTER goals and explain their elements

·        Develop a personal goal-setting framework for academics, career, and personal growth

·        Apply the framework to set short-, medium-, and long-term goals

·        Differentiate between needs and wants in personal goal setting

·        Evaluate personal goals for alignment with essential needs before wants

·        Revise goals to reflect priorities that support overall well-being

Time Management

·        Analyze time demands of coursework by auditing syllabi and weekly workloads

·        Identify high-demand courses and rank them by expected effort

·        Apply evidence-based time management techniques to personal schedules

·        Develop strategies to manage distractions and overcome procrastination

·        Evaluate the effectiveness of chosen time management strategies

·        Explain group collaboration techniques and develop group management plans

Financial Literacy

·        Create and maintain a personal budget that tracks income and expenses

·        Analyze spending habits and develop strategies to optimize budgeting

·        Compare different financial aid options including grants, loans, and scholarships

·        Develop a personalized education financing plan

·        Differentiate between good debt and bad debt with realistic examples

·        Design a debt repayment strategy and develop debt avoidance techniques

Course Requirements and Grading

Grade Distribution

 

Grading Scale

 

Course Expectations

·        Attendance: Regular attendance is expected. In-person sessions require 80% attendance; online components require timely participation.

·        Participation: Active engagement in discussions, role-playing exercises, and group work is essential.

·        Academic Integrity: All work must be original. See your institution's academic integrity policy for details.

·        Late Work: Late submissions will be accepted with a 10% deduction per day, up to 3 days.

·        Technology Requirements: Reliable internet connection, access to email, and basic software (Microsoft Office or Google Suite)

Course Format and Learning Modalities

This course utilizes multiple learning approaches to accommodate diverse learning styles:

·        Lectures & Presentations: Foundational concepts delivered through video and in-person sessions

·        Interactive Role-Playing: Practical exercises in communication and conflict resolution

·        Reflection & Journaling: Personal insights and self-assessment activities

·        Case Study Analysis: Real-world scenarios applied to course concepts

·        Group Collaboration: Teamwork projects to practice collaborative skills

·        Self-Assessment Tools: Digital literacy audits, budget templates, goal-setting frameworks

·        Portfolio Development: Cumulative collection of work demonstrating skill development

16-Week Course Schedule

Unit 1: Foundations (Weeks 1-2)

Theme: Introduction to College Success

Week 1: Course Overview & Digital Literacy Foundations

·        Course expectations and learning outcomes

·        Introduction to Digital Literacy (define concepts, self-assessment)

·        Assessments: Course orientation discussion forum, Digital Literacy Self-Assessment

Week 2: Digital Literacy Deep Dive

·        Information literacy, media literacy, and technological literacy

·        Identifying types of digital skills

·        Assessments: Digital literacy knowledge check, discussion forum

Unit 2: Digital Skills & Online Presence (Weeks 3-4)

Theme: Mastering Digital Tools for Academic Success

Week 3: Ethical AI and Online Research

·        AI applications in academia and academic integrity

·        Strategies for ethical AI use

·        Advanced research techniques for credible sources

·        Assessments: AI ethics case study, research technique worksheet

Week 4: Online Communication & Digital Communication Guidelines

·        Evaluating online communication platforms

·        Professional email etiquette and discussion forum participation

·        Developing personal digital communication guidelines

·        Assessments: Communication platform comparison, communication guidelines creation

Unit 3: Communication Skills (Weeks 5-6)

Theme: Building Effective Communication Foundations

Week 5: Communication Fundamentals

·        What is communication? Definitions and core concepts

·        History and evolution of communication study

·        Define key communication concepts and theories

·        Assessments: Communication concept definitions, practice communication exercise

Week 6: Active Listening & Effective Messaging

·        Communication models (verbal and nonverbal)

·        Active listening techniques and practice

·        Delivering clear and concise messages

·        Assessments: Listening practice role-plays, communication journal

Unit 4: Conflict Resolution (Week 7)

Theme: Constructive Conflict and Healthy Relationships

Week 7: Navigating Conflict Constructively

·        Conflict defined and sources of conflict

·        Conflict resolution strategies and techniques

·        Role-playing conflict scenarios

·        Developing a personal conflict management plan

·        Assessments: Conflict scenario analysis, personal conflict management plan

Unit 5: Goal Setting & Prioritization (Weeks 8-9)

Theme: Setting Meaningful Direction

Week 8: SMART Goals and Goal-Setting Framework

·        Define SMART and SMARTER goals

·        Develop personal goal-setting framework

·        Apply framework to academic, career, and personal goals

·        Assessments: SMART Goals worksheet, academic goals worksheet, video reflection

Week 9: Prioritizing Needs vs. Wants

·        Differentiate between needs and wants

·        Evaluate personal goals for needs alignment

·        Revise goals to reflect essential priorities

·        Assessments: Needs vs. wants worksheet, vision board project, elevator pitch presentation

Unit 6: Time Management (Weeks 10-12)

Theme: Mastering Your Schedule

Week 10: Analyzing Time Demands & Allocation Techniques

·        Coursework time audit using syllabi

·        Identifying high-demand courses

·        Introduction to time management strategies (Pomodoro, Pareto analysis)

·        Applying techniques to personal weekly schedules

·        Assessments: Coursework audit, discussion board, end-of-chapter quiz

Week 11: Conquering Distractions & Procrastination

·        Identifying personal distractions and their impact

·        Developing distraction management plans

·        Strategies for overcoming procrastination

·        Tracking progress and refining strategies

·        Assessments: Distraction assessment, management plan, weekly reflection logs

Week 12: Teamwork & Collaborative Time Management

·        Group collaboration techniques and best practices

·        Role delegation and communication tools

·        Developing group management plans

·        Practicing effective team communication

·        Assessments: Group management plan, collaboration case study, team reflection

Unit 7: Financial Literacy (Weeks 13-14)

Theme: Managing Money and Resources

Week 13: Personal Financial Management

·        Creating personal budgets

·        Analyzing spending habits and identifying overspending areas

·        Tracking and evaluating budget effectiveness

·        Assessments: Personal budget creation, spending analysis, financial management reflection

Week 14: Education Financing & Debt Navigation

·        Comparing financial aid options (grants, scholarships, loans)

·        Developing personalized education financing plans

·        Understanding good vs. bad debt

·        Designing debt repayment strategies

·        Assessments: Financial aid comparison, financing plan, debt case study

Unit 8: Integration & Final Project (Weeks 15-16)

Theme: Bringing It All Together

Week 15: Synthesis and Skill Application

·        Review of course concepts across all five areas

·        Identifying connections between different skill areas

·        Planning continued growth and development

·        Assessments: Comprehensive reflection on learning journey

Week 16: Final Portfolio Project Presentations

·        Present comprehensive portfolio demonstrating understanding across all course areas

·        Peer feedback and reflection

·        Course evaluation and future goal setting

·        Final Assessment: Foundational Skills Portfolio

 

Course Resources and Support

Required Materials

·        Foundational Skills for College Success textbook (Chapters 1-13)

·        Access to institution's library databases

·        Microsoft Office or Google Suite (free student access)

·        Reliable internet connection

Support Services

·        Writing Center: Assistance with essays, research papers, and professional writing

·        Library Research Services: One-on-one research consultations

·        Student Success Advisors: Academic planning and time management support

·        Disability Services: Accommodations for students with disabilities

·        Counseling Services: Mental health and stress management resources

·        Financial Aid Office: Education financing questions and assistance

Technology Support

·        IT Help Desk: [Contact information]

·        Learning Management System (LMS) support

·        Zoom/Video conferencing technical support

Course Policies

Academic Integrity

All work submitted must be your own original work. Plagiarism, cheating, and academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action per institutional policy.

Attendance Policy

·        Attendance is expected for all synchronous class meetings

·        Three unexcused absences will result in a one-letter grade reduction

·        Communication with the instructor is essential if you must miss class

Accessibility and Accommodations

Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office. Accommodations will be provided upon verification and should be requested within the first two weeks of class.

Communication Expectations

·        Instructor response time: 24-48 hours for emails (excluding weekends)

·        Course announcements will be made via email and LMS

·        Check email and LMS regularly for updates

Technical Requirements

·        Stable internet connection

·        Current web browser

·        Speakers/headphones for videos

·        Webcam for video discussions (when required)

Course Evaluation

Your feedback is valuable for improving this course. An anonymous course evaluation will be administered in Week 15. Your honest feedback will help enhance the course for future students.

Final Notes

This course is designed to support your success during your college career and beyond. The skills you develop will transfer to your other courses, your workplace, and your personal life. Engage actively with the material, participate in discussions, and reach out for support when needed. Your success is our priority.

Welcome to Foundational Skills for College and Beyond!