COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

LIBA 110: First-Year Seminar

The Pursuit of Happiness
Tuesday/Thursday 11:30 12:50
(LAPT 010)
Instructor: Dr. Brittany Cottrill
Email: bcottrill@grandview.edu
Office: 101 Jensen
Office Phone: 263-2906
Office Hours: M/W 10-12; T 1-2; and
by appointment
Course Librarian: Dan Chibnall
Email: dchibnall@grandview.edu
Location: GV University Library
Phone: 263-2879
Writing Center: Rasmussen Room 205
Writing Center Phone: 263-2855

Course Description and Prerequisites

This 3 credit class takes an interdisciplinary approach to a course-specific theme while allowing students to explore personal
development, intellectual growth, and what it means to have a liberal arts education. The First-Year Seminar is designed to
introduce students to the standards of academic rigor while providing them with the knowledge to make informed
decisions in their transition to college. Students will compose a variety of projects that demonstrate critical inquiry and
information literacy skills.

Course Theme: The Pursuit of Happiness

What makes people happy? How do they create happiness in their lives? How does our understanding of happiness
depend on religion, culture, economy, politics, and wellbeing? This seminar will explore what it means to be happy while
negotiating the complex boundaries of society.

You will.
1.
2.

3.
4.

5.

Activities demonstrating learning

Generate a body of work that engages critical inquiry, information

literacy, and written communication in an academically rigorous manner.
Evaluate and synthesize information to create and critique how
knowledge is made and valued.

Discover your strengths, interests, and passions through participating in

class and campus activities.
Develop the skills and understanding to support critical, self-directed
learning and to utilize campus resources for academic and personal
success.
Examine who you are as a whole person and how that impacts your
potential as a leaner and responsible citizen.

Short papers, happiness project, final portfolio,

reading logs
Library instruction, annotated bibliography
and essay, happiness project, informal
homework and writing
Final reflection, LIBA 111 (Spring)
Papers and portfolio, class discussions and
activities, reading logs, use of resources,
speakers, events on campus, LIBA 111 (Spring)
Papers and portfolio, final reflection, LIBA 111
(Spring)

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

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| LIBA 110 Syllabus

How the course will be taught

LIBA 110 and LIBA 111 are both seminar
classes. This may be different from what
you are used to in school. A seminar is a
type of class where learners come
together and discuss a topic in a small
group. This course is student centered,
and your instructor will act as a
facilitator, resource, and co-learner along
with you. The focus of a seminar is to
explore and inquire into a topic, but that
inquiry may not necessarily be to a
specified end (such as learning the facts
for a test or mastering an experiment).
Instead, this class will ask you to think,
analyze, synthesize, and engage with
issues, ideas, and questions as a way to
improve your thinking and
understanding. The conversations will
build on previous classes, so you will be
expected to make connections. The goal
of a seminar is for students to take
ownership for their learning and to
create an environment built on trust,
respect, and investigation.

What you will learn

Critical Inquiry
This course will provide you with multiple opportunities to practice applying discipline
specific approaches to investigate, research, assess, and generate knowledge. Students
will practice critical inquiry in relation to course readings and issues related to course
themes. We will work to evaluate and generate knowledge specific to our course theme.
Information Literacy
This course will offer you multiple opportunities to analyze questions and problems,
collect and evaluate information from an assortment of sources, and produce significant,
evidence-based responses and projects using a variety of academic resources.

Activities demonstrating learning

Written Communication
This course is designed to allow you to have the opportunity to practice the writing
process, form your ideas for specific audiences and purpose, and develop effective written
communication skills. One way we will do this is through rough drafts. You will participate
in peer review, submit rough drafts for instructor feedback, and revise essays. In addition,
you will be required to submit completed rough drafts to me. I will provide feedback with
suggestions for revision before your final essay is due. This feedback will give you
suggestions on how to improve your essays before your essay receives a grade.

Readings
Reflection activities
Classroom discussions
Short papers
Happiness project
Library instruction (including visits, discussion
board posts, annotated bibliographies, etc.)
Evaluation of academic sources and appropriate
internet resources
Short papers, happiness project, and portfolio, all
using significant research from a variety of
academic resources
Rough drafts, peer review, and revision
opportunities
Practicing the writing process (pre-writing,
composing, and revising) for every project
Approximately 20-22 pages of polished writing
Ungraded and informal writing assignments
(journals, homework, in-class writings, discussion
board, etc.)

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

REQUIRED BOOKS
Aquino, Lidyanne. "Study." June
21, 2009. Flikr. Aug. 9, 2014.
https://flic.kr/p/6zqXnf (CC
Attribution 2.0 license)

Lyubomirsky, Sonja. The How of Happiness: A

New Approach to Getting the Life You Want.
New York: Penguin, 2008. (ISBN 978-0-14311495-6)

Resources Necessary for Learning

Texts/Resources

Technology Necessary

Rubin, Gretchen. The Happiness Project: Or

Why I spent a Year Trying to Sing in the
Morning, Clean my Closets, Fight Right, Read
Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. New
York: Harper, 2009. (ISBN 978-0-06-158326-1)
OPTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

What is happiness?
What makes people happy?
Can one create happiness?
How does our understanding
of happiness depend on
religion, culture, economy,
politics, and wellbeing?
Track Your Happiness

58.6%

The percentage of institutions that require students to

take a FYS.

Mood Panda

Lyubomirsky, Sonja. The How of

Happiness: A New Approach to
Getting the Life You Want. New
York: Penguin, 2008. (ISBN 9780-14-311495-6)
Rubin, Gretchen. The Happiness
Project: Or Why I spent a Year
Trying to Sing in the Morning,
Clean my Closets, Fight Right,
Read Aristotle, and Generally
Have More Fun. New York:
Harper, 2009. (ISBN 978-0-06158326-1)
Additional materials posted on
Blackboard or handed out in
class. You must print documents
on Blackboard and bring them
to class.

Access to a computer with

Microsoft Word, Internet access,
a GV email account, and a GV
Blackboard account.
Students must sign up for either
Track Your Happiness, Mood
Panda, or some other method of
tracking their happiness. More
instructions will be given in class.

Other Supplies

A notebook and sticky notes

specifically for this class.
A data storage device (e.g., flash
drive, CDs, Google Docs account,
etc.) to back up files. Please
dont just rely on your hard drive
computers fail.

Tips to be Successful. . . .
The most successful student will:
Believe in her/himself and her/his ability to be successful. You are here
because youve worked hard and deserve it.
Meet with her/his instructors and advisor early and often. We are here to
help you, but you have to take the first step.
Not wait too long to ask for help. Visit the Writing Center or Math Lab, go
to your instructors office hours, ask your classmates, or visit study tables.
Be prepared to talk and work in every class, every day.
Write all due dates in her/his planner for all classes. If you dont use a
planner, put them in your phone, write them on sticky notes on your wall,
or anything else that will work for you. Put them down somewhere so you
know how to plan your time.

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Course Requirements
Happiness Analysis (100 points) You will
write a short analysis about how happy
you are and what brings you happiness.
This paper may be used as you develop
your Happiness Project later in the
semester. Additional information will be
distributed in class.

Happiness Interview (100 points) You

will select a person to interview about
their perspective(s) on happiness as a
way to get a broader understanding of
how people see happiness. This paper
may be used as you develop your
Happiness Project later in the semester.
Additional information be distributed in
class.

Annotated Bibliography & Essay (100

points) You will work with our embedded
librarian to learn about various research
strategies this semester. This assignment
gives you a change to apply your skills
and start to find connections between
research and your final paper. Additional
information be distributed in class.

Reading Logs (100 points) You will be

expected to keep either a physical
reading log or a digital reading log where
you will take notes on each reading we
do this semester. You must bring your
reading log to every class I will not
announce when I will collect them. Not
having a reading log on collection day
means you will not receive the points.
Additional information be distributed in
class.

Participation (150 points) You are

expected to be a present and an active
member in discussion, research, and
activities throughout the semester.
Simply being in class does not guarantee
participation points.

Information Literacy Homework

(points TBD) You will have a number of
assignments to help you develop your
information literacy skills. All of these
assignments are required. Additional
information will be distributed
throughout the semester.

Happiness Project (250 points) Your

final project for the semester will be your
own mini happiness project, much like
what Gretchen Rubin does in her book
The Happiness Project. You will focus on
one of the definitions or ideas behind
happiness that we read, attempt to
implement it into your own life, and then
reflect on the effectiveness or lack
thereof. This project will require the use
of 8-10 scholarly resources (which will
likely come from your annotated
bibliography and essay) in addition to
your own experiment. Additional
information will be distributed in class
early in the semester.

Happiness Activities Presentation (75

points) Each of you will be assigned a
specific happiness activity from the
reading to become an expert on.
Additional information will be distributed
in class.

Additional Homework (points TBD) You

may be asked to complete additional
activities, reading quizzes, and homework
assignments throughout the semester.

Final Portfolio (250 points)

You will create either a digital or paper
portfolio for your final project. This
project asks you to select four of your
earlier project (or more) that you believe
represent what you have learned this
semester. You will revise them to be the
best they can be and include a reflection
piece where you discuss, reflect, and
comment on your unique process of
completing this class. This reflection
should include a total of 6 credible
sources. Part of your grade is presenting
your portfolio during our finals time.

Earning Your Grade

A (outstanding): A paper that receives an A
(90-100%) meets and exceeds the criteria
of the assignment, maintains a
sophisticated focus throughout the work,
and demonstrates mastery of major
rhetorical principles of audience, purpose,
thesis, organization, development, etc. The
essay captivates readers with sophisticated
writing style from start to finish, makes
clear and smooth connections between

ideas, and approaches the subject in a

unique way so the reader enjoys and learns
from the essay.
B (above average): A paper that receives a
B (80-89%) clearly meets all criteria of the
assignment. The essay has a focused
purpose throughout and demonstrates
solid command of major rhetorical
principles. The subject matter is presented
in an original and interesting way, though it
is not as sophisticated as the A paper. The
essay makes clear and smooth connections
between ideas and is thoroughly
developed. The essay is free of all but a few
minor sentence-level errors.
C (average): A paper that receives a C (7079%) meets all the criteria of the
assignment and maintains a controlling
purpose, though at times the essays focus
my drift. The essay demonstrates adequate
control of major rhetorical principles and
adequate command of the subject matter.
The argument/perspective may not be
original and/or as completing as the A or B
level work. The essay may contain
sentence-level errors, but not sever enough
to interfere with communications.
**Note: many students are surprised to
receive a C when they have done
everything listed on the assignment sheet.
Simply meeting the minimum requirements
constitutes a basic passing grade; to get a
B or an A, you must exceed those
minimum requirements through more
sophisticated execution.
D (below average): A paper that receives a
D (60-69%) meets some of the criteria but
not others. The purpose may be weak or
unclear. Perspectives presented may not be
original or truly argumentative.
Connections between ideas may be rough
or confusing. The essay may contain
patterns of sentence-level errors that are
severe enough to interfere with
communication.
F (not acceptable): A paper that receives an
F (0-59%) fails to meet more criteria of the
assignment than it meets.

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Course Policies

met with me.

Attendance

All assignments are due at the start of

class unless otherwise stated. If you know
you will be missing a class when an
assignment or paper is due you must turn
the assignment in early. Work submitted
after the due date will be penalized 10%
for each additional day. If you feel that
you need extra time for an assignment
please come to me before the day it is
due. If you do not talk to me until the due
date I will not be able to discuss a
possible extension. Extensions will be
considered on a case-by-case basis
considering effort towards meeting the
deadline and are not guaranteed.

Attendance in this class is mandatory.

Your preparation, participation, and
performance are critical to your success
in this class. Absenteeism and tardiness
compromises your ability to succeed
because you will miss opportunities to
participate in-class activities/assignments
that contribute to your development. I
realize, however, that sickness or
emergencies can occur; should you need
to miss class, please be sure to contact
me, preferably beforehand, to discuss
what might be done to assist you with
getting back on track. Similarly, if you
must miss class for a Universitysponsored event, it is your responsibility
to inform me beforehand. Missing class
(or being absent by being unprepared
to participate) will result in a loss of 5
points from your participation score
regardless of the reason for your
absence. Missing more than four classes
may result in failing the course.

Revision Policy (optional but

encouraged)
Because writing is a process, and most
writers find that a work must go through
multiple revisions, you may choose to
revise your graded essays and projects.
Your revised projects may earn up to a
full letter grade from the original graded
draft (for example, if your essay earned a
75% then you may revise the essay to no
higher than an 85%). It is not possible to
get a worse grade on a revision; however,
the extent to which the grade increases
depends entirely on the success of the
revision. If you choose to revise, you
must first schedule an appointment with
me to discuss your revision strategy
within one week of the original paper
being returned. Revisions will not be
accepted from students who have not

Late Work

Courtesy and Integrity

Courtesy and integrity must be shown to
everyone in the class. Please be
respectful of others thoughts, opinions,
and views. If you bring your cell phone to
class make sure it is turned off. Please do
not answer your cell phone in class or
text message. Food and drink are
acceptable in class as long as they are not
distracting and you do not leave a mess.
Laptops are also fine to bring to class as
long as all sound options are turned off,
you stay on task, and you close your
laptop when asked or when appropriate.

Academic Honesty
In addition to following University
sanctioned policy, academic dishonesty in
this course will not be tolerated and will
lead to a failing grade on the assignment
and may lead to failing the course.

Contacting Me Online
Email is a wonderful communications
tool and I welcome the chance of using it
to help you with questions about your
writing or about assignments. Please
note, however, that email can be
unreliable. As a result, I cannot be
responsible for any email messages that

are lost or addressed incorrectly (and this

is not an excuse for late work). I typically
respond to emails within 24 hours during
the week. However, if you dont receive a
reply, this may mean I did not receive
your message and that you should
discuss the content of your email with me
personally. Similarly, if you email me
right before class, I will not be able to
read your message until after class.
*Note: No emails will be replied to
between 4:00 pm on Friday and 9:00 am
on Monday.

Resources
I am committed to the principle of
universal learning. This means that our
classroom, virtual spaces, practices, and
interactions will be as inclusive as
possible. Mutual respect, civility, and the
ability to listen and observe others
carefully are crucial to universal learning.
If you are a student with a documented
disability and would like to discuss special
accommodations, you must contact me
during office hours or by email at the
beginning of the semester. If you think
you might have a learning disability, it is
your responsibility to contact the
Director of Academic Enrichment and
Disability Coordinator and apply for any
requested accommodation. The director
is Ms. Joy Brandt and she can be reached
at 263-2971. Additional support can be
found at the Career Center at 263-2955,
and at the Counseling Center at 2632986. Academic support can be found at
the Tutoring Center (for all concerns
outside of writing and math), the Math
Lab, and the Writing Center. The
Tutoring Center is located on the second
floor of the library. The Math Lab is
located in Elings, and the Writing Center
is located at 205 Rasmussen.

A final word . . . I hope that you will find our class to be a place where you can receive help developing as a student, critical thinker,
and writer. This can be challenging and uncomfortable at times for students, but I am here to help you make this transition and be a
support throughout the process. I encourage you to take advantage of the resources around you and to keep in touch with me as
we go through the semester. If you have any questions about the classroom policies or other class matters, as well as issues that
arise across campus, please feel free to talk to me. I look forward to working with you and helping you transition to Grand View.

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Institutional Undergraduate Syllabus Statement

Revised: 7/10/2014
University E-Mail Account
It is essential that all students check their Grand View University
e-mail account or set their account to forward to a preferred email address. Students may set-up an e-mail auto forward from
the myView web site (myView > Campus Life > Technology
Resources > myView Mail > myView Mail Forwarding).
IDEA Student Ratings of Instruction
Grand View University is interested in knowing how learners
experience the classroom environment. To that end, all students
will be asked to participate in the IDEA survey of student ratings
of instruction system at the end of each fall and spring term.
IDEA is also administered in some summer classes. Students are
asked to provide honest and thoughtful feedback to their
instructor through the IDEA process. All student responses are
confidential and are not provided to the instructor until after
grades are submitted.
Academic Responsibility/Academic Honesty
In accordance with its mission statement, Grand View University
is dedicated to the development of the whole person, and
committed to truth, excellence, and ethical values. The University
strives to promote appreciation of the dignity and worth of each
individual and open interaction among students, faculty and staff.
Personal integrity and academic honesty are essential to building
a campus of trust. Thus, honesty in all aspects of the college
experience is the responsibility of each student, faculty, and staff
member. This is reflected in the Grand View University Code of
Integrity which states: As a member of the Grand View
University community, and in accordance with the mission of the
university and its Lutheran identity, I agree to appreciate and
respect the dignity and worth of each individual. I will honor and
promote a community of open interaction, personal integrity,
active and intellectual engagement, and academic honesty with
students, faculty and staff.
The following list describes various ways in which the principles
of academic honesty/integrity can be violated. This list is not
exhaustive; see the Student Handbook for a complete list.

Plagiarism: The use of anothers ideas, words, or results and

presenting them as ones own. To avoid plagiarism, students
are expected to use proper methods of documentation and
acknowledgement according to the accepted format for the
particular discipline or as required by the faculty in a course.
Cheating: The use or attempted use of unauthorized
materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices in
any academic exercise. Cheating also includes submitting
papers, research results and reports, analyses, etc. as ones
own work when they were, in fact, prepared by others.

Fabrication and Falsification: The invention or falsification of

sources, citations, data, or results, and recording or reporting
them in any academic exercise.
Facilitation of Dishonesty: Facilitation of dishonesty is
knowingly or negligently allowing ones work to be used by
another student without prior approval of the instructor or
otherwise aiding another in committing violations of
academic integrity. A student who facilitates a violation of
academic honesty/integrity can be considered as responsible
as the student who receives the impermissible assistance,
even if the facilitator does not benefit personally from the
violations.
Academic Interference: Academic interference is
deliberately impeding the academic progress of another
student.

Procedure for an Incident of Academic Dishonesty

Any incident of academic dishonesty requires action by both the
student and the instructor directly involved, and the submission
of an Academic Dishonesty Report to the Office of the College
Deans. If the instructor is unsure how to proceed, she/he may
consult with the Student Academic Life Committee at any point in
the process.
The faculty member must also provide the student with a
copy of the Academic Dishonesty Report. The report form
should identify the following series of consequences:
If it is the students first incident of academic dishonesty:
o The instructor can impose a range of sanctions from
the following, depending upon the nature of and
degree of seriousness of the incident:
A warning with opportunity to rectify the
violation
A failing grade for the academic exercise
with no opportunity to rectify the violation
A failing grade for the course
o The student will receive a letter from the Provost
and Vice President for Academic Affairs about the
incident, the Universitys expectations regarding
academic honesty/integrity, and future possible
consequences should the student commit another
act of academic dishonesty during their enrollment
at Grand View. Copies of the letter will be sent to
the students academic advisor, the instructor, and
the registrar.
Following a second incident of academic dishonesty, the
student minimally will fail the course and be placed on
academic dishonesty probation. Upon receiving notification
from the instructor of a violation, and determining that it is a
second violation, the Provost and Vice President for
Academic Affairs must notify the student about the incident.
This letter will inform the student of her/his failing grade and
placement on probation. Copies of the letter will be sent to
the students academic advisor, the instructor, and the
registrar.

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

When a student is reported for a third incident of academic

dishonesty, the student will fail the course and will be
suspended from the University, and the suspension for
academic dishonesty will be noted on the students
transcript. Upon receiving notification from the instructor of
a violation, and determining that it is a third violation, the
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs must notify
the student about the incident. This letter will inform the
student of her/his failing grade and suspension. Copies of the
letter will be sent to the students academic advisor, the
When a student has returned to Grand View after being
suspended for a third violation and is subsequently reported
for a fourth incident of academic dishonesty, the student will
fail the course and will be suspended immediately from the
University, and the suspension for academic dishonesty will
be noted on the students transcript. The suspension will
remain in force during the appeal process; if the suspension
is upheld, the student will be expelled from the University.
Netiquette (from Internet etiquette)
"Netiquette" refers to the standards for appropriate interaction
in an online environment. Students are expected to display
proper netiquette in their communications with their teacher and
with other students. This includes using proper written English,
being polite, by disagreeing agreeably when necessary, including
your name and other necessary identifiers on any
communication. If an email or discussion post ever concerns you,
please notify the instructor right away in a private manner.
Accommodation
Grand View University prohibits unlawful discrimination and
encourages full participation by all students within the university
community. When a student requires any instructional or other
accommodation to optimize participation and/or performance in
this course, it is the responsibility of the student to contact both
the instructor and the Associate Director of Student Success:
Academic Support and Disability Services and apply for any
requested accommodation. The associate director is Ms. Joy
Brandt and she can be reached at 515/263-2971.
Class Attendance
Students are responsible for adhering to the attendance policies
as expressed by the instructor/department. Furthermore, the
Federal Government requires that students receiving financial aid
attend classes. Students, who are identified by the instructor as
not attending classes, will be reported. Students who fail to
return to classes may lose all or a portion of their financial aid.
Classroom Conduct
Students should conduct themselves as responsible
members of the University community respecting the
rights of others. Any student behavior interfering with
the professors ability to teach and/or the students
ability to learn constitutes a violation of the Code of
Student Conduct found in the Grand View Catalog. The

instructor, and the registrar. Should the student appeal the

decision, he/she will be allowed to complete the term during
which the appeal is heard; if upheld, the suspension will
occur during the regular term following the appeal.
Students suspended for Academic Dishonesty must follow
the same procedures for readmission as those listed for
students who have been academically suspendedwith the
exception that they will not be required to enroll elsewhere
during their suspension.

professor may ask the student to leave the classroom and that
student will be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
Appeal of Final Course Grade or Faculty Members Final Academic
Disciplinary Action
Students who wish to appeal a final course grade or other
academic disciplinary action of an instructor must complete at
least section I.A. of the Academic Appeal Form on-line within
fourteen calendar days after the published due date for the final
grade submission of the academic term in which the issue of
disagreement occurred. Visit site below to complete first part of
the form. https://secure/grandview.edu/gradeappealform.html
This form must be submitted electronically to the Office of the
Provost. Nursing Students appealing a grade in a nursing course
must follow the Nursing Division procedures.
Use of Blackboard and MyGrades
The MyGrades tool of Blackboard is intended to be a
communication tool and to facilitate information sharing
between instructors and students. The grades and feedback
posted on MyGrades are not to be interpreted as the final grade
submitted by the instructor. Discrepancies and mistakes can be
made in using and interpreting the technology by both student
and instructor. Refer to the grade policy in the syllabus for a full
understanding of how your grade is calculated. Students will find
their final grade on myView > myTools > Academic Profile >
Grades by Term.
Assignment of Credit Hours
With successful completion of this course, Grand View University
will award you a specified number of credit hours on your
transcript. Our accrediting body, the Higher Learning
Commission, as well as the US Department of Education have
standards in the definition of what counts as a credit hour (see
GV Catalog for a full definition) so that students receive the full
educational experience we claim. This course will involve face-toface class time and outside learning activities to fulfill credits
awarded.

The Unicorn Code

1. Unicorns never cheat.
2. Unicorns always lend a helping hand.
3. Unicorns dont talk to strangers.
4. Unicorns respect the Earth.
5. Unicorns are never late.
6. Unicorns arent conceited.
7. Unicorns dont judge people.
8. Unicorns always give 100%.
9.class
Unicorns
on peace
and
Subject to change. All changes will be announced in
and on graze
Blackboard.
Students
arelove.
responsible for all changes.
10. Unicorns dont do drugs. From:
http://www.mcphee.com/blog/2010/02/15/creation-of-the-unicorn-code/

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| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Course Calendar
* Subject to Revision

Tues 8/26

Thurs 8/28

Tues 9/2

Week 1
Topic: Introductions and Expectations
Homework for following class:
Buy your supplies for the course if you havent so far.
Read the complete syllabus and write down what you believe to be the 5 most
important points
Read Lyumbomirskys Forward also available on Blackboard > Readings
Listen to The How of Happiness Song linked on Blackboard > Readings
Topic: Introduction to Library Services; What is happiness?
Homework for following class:
Read Rubin Getting Started and Your Happiness Project
Week 2
Intro: Happiness Analysis
Topic: Introduction to happiness project and web portfolio

Thurs 9/4

Homework for following class:

Read Lyubomirsky Chapter 1: Is it possible to be happier?
Read Rubin January: Boost Energy
Topic: Is it possible to become happier? Boost Energy

Tues 9/9

Homework for following class:

Read Lyubomirsky Chapter 2: How happy are you and why?
What is Academic Honesty? online lesson
Week 3
Topic: How happy are you and why?

Thurs 9/11

Tues 9/16

Thurs 9/18

Homework for following class:

Complete the strongest draft of your Happiness Analysis paper and submit it on
Blackboard before the start of the following class
Read Rubin October: Pay Attention
Due: Happiness Analysis
Topic: Reading Scientific Articles; Paying Attention
Homework for following class:
Reading TBA
Week 4 * Global Vision Week *
Intro: Happiness Interview
Topic: Happiness Visit #1 (Chibnall); Can you be happy if there is suffering?
Homework for following class:
You must attend the Global Vision Speaker
Reading TBA
Topic: Meals from the heartland; Can you be happy if there is suffering?
Homework for following class:
Read Lyubomirsky Chapter 3: How to find happiness activities that fit your
interest, your values, and your needs

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Tues 9/23

Thurs 9/24

Tues 9/30

Thurs 10/2

Week 5
Topic: How to find happiness activities that fit you
Critical Research Skills
Homework for following class:
Reading TBA
Complete the strongest draft of your Happiness Interview and submit it on
Blackboard before the start of the following class
Due: Happiness Interview
Topic: Introduction to Annotated Bibliography & Essay
Homework for following class:
Read your assigned happiness activities
Week 6
Topic: Happiness Activities Presentations
Homework for following class:
Meet in library
Topic: Finding and Evaluating Sources (part 1)
Homework for following class:
Week 7

Tues 10/7

Meet in library
Topic: Finding and Evaluating Sources (part 2)

Thurs 10/9

Homework for following class:

Topic: Happiness Activities Presentations

Tues 10/14

Homework for following class:

Read Rubin March: Aim Higher (p. 69-79, 82-89)
Additional reading TBA
Week 8 * Happiness Tracking (10/12 11/1) *
Topic: Happiness and Goals: Aim Higher

Thurs 10/16

Homework for following class:

Read Rubin Enjoy the Fun of Failure (p. 79-80)
Read Do you Want to be Happy? Dont Set Your Expectations Too High linked
on Blackboard > Readings
Topic: How does failure impact happiness?
Homework for following class:
Complete your pre-advising activities and come prepared to your conference
Week 9 * Happiness Tracking (10/12 11/1) *
Mandatory Advising Conferences

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Tues 10/21
Thurs 10/23

MANDATORY ADVISING CONFERENCES No Class This Week

In place of meeting as a full class this week you will meet individually with me about
your scheduling for Spring and progress in class. These meetings are very important,
and you will have work to do independently throughout the week. Complete the
following homework:

Tues 10/28

Homework for Following Class:

Attend mandatory advising conference
Attend mandatory library conference with Dan
Continue tracking your happiness
Read Rubins July: Buy some happiness, November: Keep a contented
Heart, and August: Contemplate the Heavens
Complete two online activities related to readings
Homework to have done for Tues 10/28:
Read Rubin May: Be Serious About Play
Read Brains at Play on Blackboard > Readings
View Brains at Play on Blackboard > Readings
Week 10* Happiness Tracking (10/12 11/1) *
* Freshmen Registration 10/27 10/31*
Topic: Can play make us happy?

Thurs 10/30

Homework for following class:

TBA
Topic: Happiness Visit 2 (TBA)
Homework for following class:
TBA

Tues 11/4

Week 11
Topic: Using your research to write your essay

Thurs 11/6

Homework for following class:

Read assigned pages from Rubrin July: Buy Some Happiness, August:
Contemplate the Heavens, November: Keep a Contented Heart, and
December: Boot Camp Perfect
Topic: Money, Attitude, Eternity, and Happiness

Tues 11/11

Homework for following class:

Write: Complete the strongest version of your happiness project. Submit a
rough draft online before the beginning of the following class. Be sure to bring a
copy to class as well.
Week 12
Happiness Project Rough Draft Due
Topic: Happiness Project Peer Review
Homework for following class:
Read Lyubomirsky The Five Hows Behind Sustainable Happiness

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

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COTTRILL

| LIBA 110 Syllabus

Thurs 11/13

Tues 11/18

Topic: The 5 Hows of Happiness

Homework for following class:
Read Rubin December: Boot Camp Perfect
Week 13
Topic: Finding Connections

Thurs 11/20

Homework for following class:

TBA
Topic: Finding Connections
Homework for following class:
TBA

Tues 11/25
Thurs 11/27
Tues 12/2

12/4

Wednesday
12/10
10:20 am
12:10 pm

Week 14
Happiness Project Due
Introduction to Final Reflection
No Class Thanksgiving Break 11/26 11/30
Week 15
Meet in Krumm 28 Computer Lab
Revisions and Portfolio
Homework for following class:
Complete the strongest version of your final portfolio
Meet in Krumm 28 Computer Lab
Revisions and Portfolio
* * Portfolios must be finalized by the end of the day * *
Finals Week
We will meet in our classroom to present your final portfolios.

Subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all changes.

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