FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 1 of 13

Elite Team Syllabus Spring 2020

Modified for COVID-19 Plague

We are moving online. The class will be conducted through D2L.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Name: Dr. Steve Raynie

Office Location: Student Center 202

Phone: 678-359-5282 Cell: 678.551.3631

Email: sraynie@gordonstate.edu

Gordon State College created an email account for you when you registered for

classes. Your GSC email is your “official” email for the college, and for this course. Please check your Gordon State College email frequently.

To schedule an appointment: To schedule an appointment, you can email me, me. We can Skype or use

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra through D2L.

This course will also utilize Brightspace by D2L. You can access Brightspace at https://gordonstate.view.usg.edu.

Log in with your Gordon email username (do not include @gordonstate.edu) and current Gordon email password.

FIRE 1000 Freshman Introduction to Reasoning Essentials is a two-credit hour course designed to stimulate students' academic self-efficacy, depth of intellectual inquiry, and problem-solving skills through research and

reflection to achieve a deeper understanding of themselves, their academic purpose, and the campus community.

This course has four major objectives spread across four instructional units:

1. Students will be able to analyze, reflect upon, and strengthen skills that foster persistence toward graduation.

2. Students will be able to reflect on and develop their academic self-efficacy.

Students will be able to communicate understanding of field-specific issues that will guide their future academic investigations.

3. Students will be able to apply critical reading and writing skills to cross-

curricular problem solving.

FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 2 of 13

Required Textbook

Carol S. Dweck (2016). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Ballantine Books.

You will absolutely need the following next to be successful in this course. This text is available in the Gordon bookstore or online elsewhere (such as Amazon). Link to text on Amazon.

Attendance Policy

Class meetings are held online in D2L and monitored through full discussion

participation. It is very important for you participate! Attendance is

calculated into your final grade. Each class meeting that you are present awards you 5 points towards your final grade. This adds up to 150 points!

Discussion posts must be substantive. Substantive posts contain fully

developed ideas and/or responses. Posts such as “I agree” are not substantive. Students are expected to make their thinking visible to the best of their ability.

Course Units. Schedule, and Point Scale

There are four main units in this course, which area aligned to the four major objectives. Each unit is comprised of several activities that you are to

complete. In addition, there is a capstone assignment for each unit. This means

that the capstone assessments for each unit are very important and are meant

to show your knowledge and mastery of the unit objective. The activities in the corresponding units are meant to prepare you for each capstone assessment.

Due dates for assignments are listed in the unit schedules below. Assignments are due in the D2L Dropbox no later than 11:59 PM of the due date. Assignments received late will result in a lower grade.

Coursework Expectations

In the completion of course work, I expect students to

• ask questions whenever the need arises,

• collaborate with colleagues in a professional manner,

• follow directions and complete all portions of assignments,

• write with clarity,

• demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize material,

• cite carefully and appropriately from the body of professional literature, and

• submit products that demonstrate pride in one’s work and attention to detail.

FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 3 of 13

Assignments submitted late will have points deducted.

Writing Expectations

• Create papers and assignments using word processing equipment double-spaced with 1" margins (sides, top, and bottom).

• Use a standard font (for example, Times New Roman), double spaced, with font size of 11 or 12.

• Carefully proofread your paper and/or ask someone familiar with APA style to proofread your paper to

double check for all of the items on which you will be evaluated.

• Please make use of electronic tools such as the grammar check tool in your word processing software.

• Utilizing the Purdue Owl APA Style and Formatting Guide available at https://owl.purdue.edu/.

Unit 1: Reflection and Self-regulation

Your journey begins here: In this unit, you will reflect on where you come from and who you are. Through

reflection, you will discover that you are the author of your destiny. Students will analyze, reflect upon, and strengthen skills that foster persistence toward graduation.

Primary Objective: Students will be able to reflect on and develop their academic self-efficacy.

Topic Week Meeting

Number/Date

Objectives Activity What’s it

worth?

Course introduction

(syllabus);

Metacognitive

Learning Strategies

1 Class 1

January 14

(Tuesday)

1, 2, 3, 4 Homework: Log into D2L and complete introductory discussion in D2L by January 16 at 11:59pm.

Complete Getting Started Quiz

in D2L by January 16 at

11:59pm.

5 points

5 points

Time Management Class 2

January 16

(Thursday)

1,2 In class activity: Where does the

time go?

January 15—Drop add ends and payment deadline Make any final changes to your schedule now, and check

your Banner Web ASAP to make sure you are paid in full.

January 20: MLK Holiday: No Classes! (Campus closed)

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Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 4 of 13

What kind of personality do you have?

Guest Speaker: Provost

Knighton will conduct a

personality assessment

in class!

2 Class 3

January 21

(Tuesday)

1,2,4 Personality assessment

Homework: Complete

learning style assessments in

D2L Due January 22 at 11:59pm.

10 points

Exploring Grit Class 4

January 23

(Thursday)

Grit Scale Assessment Growth

Mindset Assessment and

discussion

5 points

Learning about Learning 3 Class 5

January 28

(Tuesday)

In class writing assignment:

Why this all matters

Homework: Succeeding at

GSC Quiz

10 points

5 points

USG Growth Mindset

Survey

Class 6

January 30

(Thursday)

Meet in IC 102 to take

survey

Emotional Intelligence 4 Class 7

February 4

(Tuesday)

Emotional Intelligence

Assessment

Homework:

Begin reading reflections in D2L (pick two to write about in your Reading Comparison due February 15)

Begin planning your “Pick your

own Grit story” writing

assignment due February 11.

5 points

Setting Goals

Class 8

February 6

(Thursday)

Homework: Work on

Reading Reflections in D2L (pick

two to write about in your

Reading Comparison due

February 15)

Work on your “Pick your own

Grit story” writing assignment

due February 11.

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Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 5 of 13

Discussion of

Reading: Exemplars

Who Overcame

Obstacles

5 Class 9

February 11

(Tuesday)

Homework: Work on

Reading Reflections in D2L (pick two to write about in your Reading Comparison due February 15)

Pick Your Own Grit Story

Assignment due at 11:59pm in

D2L

10 points

PERTS Growth Mindset Class 10

February 13

(Thursday)

Meet in IC 102 to take 10 points

survey

Unit 1 Assessment:

Reading Comparison

February 15

(Sunday)

Reading Comparison due at

11:59pm in D2L

100 points

Unit 2: Academic Self-discovery and Reflection

Now that you know yourself a little better, here you will begin to shift toward where you are going. You will

strengthen your skills while learning that you belong to a community of scholars. Your FIRE instructor is your

advisor, your class is your team, and you are an important member of your team. You matter. This unit focuses

on student self-discovery: learning styles, self-regulation, metacognition, grit, resilience, study strategies, emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication skills.

Primary Objective: Students will be able to analyze, reflect upon, and strengthen skills that foster persistence

toward graduation.

Topic Week Meeting

Number/Date

Objectives What’s Due? What’s

it worth?

Growth Mindset: Yes,

you are a scholar.

6 Class 11

February 18

(Tuesday)

2,4 Homework: Read Dweck, Growth Mindset, pp. 3-54

Growth Mindset. Yes, you can do this

Class 12

February 20

(Thursday)

2,4 Homework: Read

Dweck, Growth

Mindset, pp. 55-107

Growth Mindset. Yes, we are talking about this 3 days!

7 Class 13

February 25

(Tuesday)

1, 2, 3

Homework: Read

Dweck, Growth

Mindset, pp. 108-146

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Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 6 of 13

March 11

Social Belonging

8 Class 15

March 3

(Tuesday)

1, 2, 3

Homework: Read

Dweck, Growth

Mindset, pp. 147-222

Work on Personal

Data Summary and

Reflection Essay due

March 11.

Library Orientation

10 points

Social Belonging

Class 16

March 5

(Thursday)

1, 2, 3

Who Am I? Activity

10 points

March 5: GSC Midterm of Spring 2020: You’re halfway there!

Reminder: Courses dropped after midterm will receive an automatic grade of WF.

Problem Solving and

Mentoring

9 Class 17

March 10

(Tuesday)

1, 2, 3

Mentoring Activity

Work on Personal

Data Summary and

Reflection Essay due

March 11.

Unit 2 Assessment: I

Belong: Personal Data

Summary and

Reflection Essay

9 cont. Class 18

March 11

(Wednesday)

Personal Data Summary and Reflection Essay due

March 11at 11:59pm in

D2L

100 points

Unit 3: Understanding Field-specific Issues to Guide Future Academic Investigations

Now it is time to explore and develop your academic goals. You will create a roadmap that will speed you on

your journey to graduation. Students will create a holistic plan for college completion that includes a semester-

by-semester course agenda, awareness of college policies and support resources, participation and peer leadership in the college community, and post-graduation planning.

FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 7 of 13

Primary Objective: Students will be able to communicate an understanding of field-specific issues that will guide

their future academic investigations.

Topic Week Meeting Objectives What’s Due?

Number/Date

What’s it

worth?

Guest Speaker, Dr.

Tonya Moore discussing

Kuder Journey

Introduction and

Assessment

9 cont. Class 19

March 12

(Thursday)

3 Kuder Assessment

Meet in IC

102!

Homework: D2L

Discussion: Kuder Assessment results and initial response Work on Personal Development and

draft.

10 points

Spring Break (March 16-20)

March 30—Summer and Fall 2020 registration opens

COVID-19 Break 10 Class 20

March 31

(Tuesday)

Discussion Post and

Responses

Homework:

Work on PDGP due

April 2 at 11:59pm

Take Core Curriculum

& Advising Quiz in D2L

25 points

50 points

Post-Graduation

Planning

10

cont.

Class 21

April 2

(Thursday)

3,4 Personal

Development and

Graduation Plan due

in D2L at 11:59pm

Discussion Post and

Responses

100

points

25 points

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Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 8 of 13

Unit 4: Critical Literacy in Cross-Curricular Problem Solving

In this unit, you will explore what it means to think like those in your chosen field, developing your critical

literacy. Critical literacy includes habits of reading and writing that foster deep understanding and develop the

ability to solve problems in multiple disciplinary contexts. You will exercise content-specific critical thinking skills and develop ideas for further undergraduate research.

Primary Objective: Students will be able to apply critical reading and writing skills to cross-curricular problem

solving.

Topic Week Meeting Objectives

Number/Date

What’s Due? What’s

it worth?

Scientific

Method,

Logical

Thinking and

Critical

Engagement in

our world today

11 Class 22

April 7

(Tuesday)

3, 4 Introduction to experiment and lab report or research project

Homework: Work

Scientific Research

Be prepared to post

PowerPoint

presenation on April

14.

Discussion Post and

Responses

25 points

It’s time to schedule an advising meeting with Dr. Raynie. We can use

Skype or phone.

Thinking like a

Pro

11 cont. Class 23

April 9

(Thursday)

4 Logical Fallacies

presentation and

quiz on D2L

Discussion Post and

Responses

30 points

25 points

Leadership and

critical thinking

case study

12

Class 24

April 14

(Tuesday)

3, 4 What would you do?

Presentation and

Discussion in D2L

Discussion Post and

Responses

60 points

25 points

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Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 9 of 13

Scientific Research 12 cont. Class 25

April 16

(Thursday)

3, 4 Scientific Research

Project: PowerPoint

Presentation Due

Discussion Post and

Responses

50 points

25 points

Scientific Research 13 Class 26

April 21

(Tuesday)

3,4 Discussion Post and

Responses

25 points

Scientific Research 13 cont. Class 27

April 23

(Thursday)

3, 4 Homework: Work on

Scientific Research

Project Individual work due April 28

Discussion Post and

Responses

25 points

Scientific Research 14 Class 28

April 28

(Tuesday)

Homework: Work on

Scientific Research

Project Individual work

due April 28

Discussion Post and

Responses

100 points

25 points

Scientific Research 14 cont. Class 29

April 30

(Tuesday)

3, 4 Discussion Post and

Responses

25 points

Course Review 15 Class 30

May 5

(Tuesday)

3, 4

Discussion Post and

Responses

25 points

FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated March 19, 2020 Page 10 of 13

Final Exam May 8, 2020

Online

Grit Test on D2L 40 points

FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated January 8, 2020 Page 11 of 13

Letter grade equivalents for numerical scores

The final grade/letter grade correlation is:

• 800 points or higher: A

• 700 points to 799 points: B

• 600 points to 699 points: C

• 560 points to 599 points: D

• Below 560 points: F

My goal is for you to know where you stand in this course at all times. Therefore, you will be able to log into D2L and look in the grades area to view all of the graded items as well as your scores, feedback, and overall average

throughout the semester.

Class Information

*You must have consistent access to Brightspace by D2L, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, and the internet (preferably high speed.) If you have computer issues, you will first need to contact me. I may ask you to

contact Gordon State College Information Technology. Information Technology (678-359-5008) is open from 8:00-5:00 Monday- Friday. They will not be able to help you on the weekends so you should start on your

activities early.

*There are over 100 computers in the Instructional Complex computer lab at Gordon State College that you can

use to complete your coursework. There are also computer labs in the following buildings: Academic Building,

Russell Hall, Smith Hall, Nursing Building, Hightower Library, Student Success Center.

*You will need Microsoft Office to complete your assignments. If you do not have Microsoft Office, you can

download it (for free) from Gordon State here: https://www.gordonstate.edu/departments/computer-services/office-365/index.html

Academic Integrity

In a nutshell, academic integrity is completing your own work. You will be in violation of academic integrity if you

• Turn someone else’s work in as your own,

• Do someone else’s work and allow them to turn it in as their own,

• Cheat on a test/assignment by using unapproved materials, seeking unapproved help or using

someone else’s work without giving proper citation (plagiarism).

FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated January 8, 2020 Page 12 of 13

What will happen if you are in violation of academic integrity?

• You will receive a “0” for the assignment/test

• You may fail the course

• You will be reported to the VP of Student Affairs.

Title IX

Gordon State College is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual

harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. If you (or someone you

know) has experienced or experiences any of these incidents, know that you are not alone. All faculty members

at Gordon State College are mandated reporters. Any student reporting any type of sexual harassment, sexual

assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking must be made aware that any report made to a faculty

member under the provisions of Title IX will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator or a Title IX Deputy Coordinator. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, you must contact the Counseling and

Accessibility Services office, Room 212, Student Life Center. The licensed counselors in the Counseling Office are

able to provide confidential support. Gordon State College does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy, parenting or related conditions. Students seeking accommodations on the basis of

pregnancy, parenting or related conditions should contact Counseling and Accessibility Services regarding the

process of documenting pregnancy related issues and being approved for accommodations, including pregnancy related absences as defined under Title IX.

ADA and 504

If you have a documented disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and/or physical accessibility. The Counseling and Accessibility Services office located in the

Student Center, Room 212 can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GSC programs and facilities.

Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For

documentation requirements and for additional information, contact Counseling and Accessibility Services at 678-359-5585.

House Bill 280

For information regarding House Bill 280, see the University System of Georgia at the following link:

http://www.usg.edu/hb280 Religious Holidays

Gordon State College acknowledges that the academic calendar can sometimes conflict with major holidays

from among our diverse religious traditions. If a student must miss class due to the observance of a religious

holiday, that absence may be excused. To be excused, the student must inform his/her instructors before the absence and make alternate arrangements for any work due at the time of the absence. An excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday does not excuse student from responsibility for required course work.

FIRE 1000 K:

Freshman Introduction to

Reasoning Essentials

Last Updated January 8, 2020 Page 13 of 13

Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library

The Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library offers Gordon State students specialized library research

assistance. Students can meet with their personal librarians for one-on-one help in each discipline, major, or course to search and evaluate information sources effectively.

Check the library’s web site for hours, electronic resources, and LibGuides (subject- or cl ass-specific research

guides).