Course Syllabus
Course: GNST 1600
Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Behavioral Science
Title: Dealing with Life
Semester Approved: Spring 2024
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2028
End Semester: Fall 2029
Catalog Description: This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, insight, and life skills, as well as an understanding of realistic life expectations as they transition from high school to college and from young adulthood to adulthood. Students will receive information and participate in discussions on how to balance academics, family, recreation, social interaction, mental and physical health needs, and personal growth in order to minimize stress and anxiety and structure a life in which they may thrive.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Justification: Life changes experienced as students move from high school to college can cause students to have difficulties adjusting to new adult responsibilities that interfere with learning opportunities and social development. Knowing what to expect and having confidence in their ability to make informed choices and fulfill adult responsibilities will help to minimize stress and anxiety and allow students to realize academic, social, and overall success now and in the future. This course will improve retention of students and improve the learning environment. This will be done by mitigating stress and anxiety. Hopefully this will reduce the demand on the Wellness Center of Snow College. This course will enhance the student’s understanding and application of many of the Behavioral Science disciplines theories and methods. It will also prepare all students to adjust and prepare for transfer to other institutions and careers. The courses will help students increase their academic readiness for higher education and create opportunities for meaningful connections/interactions with faculty and peers.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to: Better understand how change impacts them socially, academically, and emotionally by completing a pre and post assessment and learning logs. Course objectives and outcomes will be achieved by the student being able to experience and explain through group discussions, presentations, and critical thinking scenarios. The student will maintain a learning log that will be the resource for a final reflection paper summarizing what they have learned.
Explain what causes stress and anxiety and strategies for dealing with them by participating in relaxation, critical thinking, guest lectures and reading assignments. Course objectives and outcomes will be achieved by the student being able to experience and explain through group discussions, presentations, and critical thinking scenarios. The student will maintain a learning log that will be the resource for a final reflection paper summarizing what they have learned.
Know what to expect as they make the transition from teens to adult by reading experiences of others, guest lectures, conducting critical thinking scenarios and research of workable options. Course objectives and outcomes will be achieved by the student being able to experience and explain through group discussions, presentations, and critical thinking scenarios. The student will maintain a learning log that will be the resource for a final reflection paper summarizing what they have learned.
Understand different coping skills that may improve their ability to deal with issues of life and living by reading experiences of others, conducting critical thinking scenarios, learning logs, reflection paper and research of workable options. Course objectives and outcomes will be achieved by the student being able to experience and explain through group discussions, presentations, and critical thinking scenarios. The student will maintain a learning log that will be the resource for a final reflection paper summarizing what they have learned.
Understand a variety of general life concerns by participating in class discussion, group projects, integrated teaching/ lectures and demonstrations. Course objectives and outcomes will be achieved by the student being able to experience and explain through group discussions, presentations, and critical thinking scenarios. The student will maintain a learning log that will be the resource for a final reflection paper summarizing what they have learned.
Content:
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, insight, and life skills, as well as an understanding of realistic life expectations as they transition from high school to college and from young adulthood to adulthood and as they navigate the diversity of experiences and people they will encounter. Students will receive information and participate in discussions on how to balance these diverse experiences and people in relation to academics, family, recreation, social interaction, mental and physical health needs, and personal growth in order to minimize stress and anxiety and structure a life in which they may thrive.
Key Performance Indicators:
Critical thinking exercises & presentations 40 to 60%
Attendance and participation 20 to 30%
Written assignments (learning log & reflection paper) 25 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Representative Text and/or Supplies: A variety of resource materials will be used. Updated articles and text.
Pedagogy Statement:
Course objectives and outcomes will be achieved by the student being able to experience and explain through group discussions, presentations, and critical thinking scenarios. The student will maintain a learning log that will be the resource for a final reflection paper summarizing what they have learned. Inclusivity will be influenced by concerted efforts to encourage students to share their opinions, analysis, and life experiences and value those contributions and their diverse backgrounds.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Online
Maximum Class Size:
Optimum Class Size:
