What is College Strategies 101? 

Instructor: Donna Bolima
Instructor contact: email, phone
Office hours after class
Office:  Room 327

Email: college@u.washington.edu
Phone: 206-938-4380
Web: http://staff.washington.edu/saki/strategies/bolima.htm
College strategies is a course designed to help students test, stretch and develop the various skills that they might need in order to survive in the college community. Some of these skills may involve voice, some may involve presenting and listening to alternative perspectives and some may involve learning to read analytically order to research, write and present. The goal of this class is student centered learning through critical awareness, dialogue and problem posing. Participation and attendance is crucial in order for students to gain the most out of this class and related materials.

Student Learning Outcomes at Cascadia

Learn Actively -- Learning is a personal, interactive achievement that results in greater expertise and a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Think Critically, Creatively and Reflectively -- Reason and imagination are fundamental to problem solving and critical examination of self and others.

Communicate with Clarity and Originality-- The ability to exchange ideas and information is essential to personal growth, productive work, and societal vitality.

Interact in Diverse and Complex Environments -- Successful negotiation through our increasingly complex, interdependent and global society requires knowledge and awareness of others as well as enhanced interaction skills.


Required Texts & Readings:

Invisible Man, Author: Ralph Ellison
Cultural Contexts for Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, Edited

*Optional: Becoming a Master Student, Author: Dave Ellis
Available in Campus Book Store & Library

*Selected Readings for activities may be distributed in class.

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 Assignments:
Assignments are due every week. It is the student's responsibility to complete the scheduled readings and turn in assignments due each week. You must turn everything in to receive points and late assignments may lose points. The main types of assignments required include the following:

Journal response are informal, but intelligent response to each week's readings and issues. They are intended to help students learn how to thoughtfully respond to materials and discussions in class and to help students prepare their research for their final project. They should be composed of three parts: a) gut response to reading or discussion b) analysis of a symbol or concept in the reading c) a possible topic to research from the reading (20 points per entry, 5 total)

Reading Facilitation will be done in groups and will draw on the week's readings and materials. Each group prepares to facilitate an exercise for the Invisible Man Seminar once during the quarter. Everyone in the group should have a role and presents should include the following: Very short (2-3 minutes) intro of concepts that connect to your interactive exercise or research in that week’s reading & why. About 10-15 minutes of presenting research. 10-15 minutes of leading an interactive exercise. Groups can be creative with supplemental materials, utilizing poetry, power point, showing a short video for discussion, a game (or even treats) etc… All should connect to that week’s reading concepts. Must be interactive! See the instructor for questions or suggestions. (50 points)

Participation in class counts! Absences may result in point loss due to lack of participation for In-Class Assigns & Exercises (25-30 points)

Workshops will focus on systems of information here at Cascadia or may include E-Portfolio, Power Point or Library Database Systems.