Revised: 8/31/17

Division of Student Success

First Year Experience
LEAD 151: Secrets of Powerful Women
Fall 2017
Killian 104
MW 3:35pm-4:25pm

Instructor Information

Instructor: Hunter Pritchard

Email:hspritchard@wcu.edu
Phone Contacts: Office: 828.227.3017 Cell: 828.443.0014

Course Materials
Required Texts:
▪ First Year Experience at Western Carolina Univeristy: Strategies for Success,
12th ed. – ISBN: 978-1-319-12957-6 (available in book rental)
▪ The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks the 2017 One Book. Custom ed. – ISBN: 978-1-524-76304-6
This book was provided to all new freshmen during Orientation.

Course Aims and Objectives

• Rationale
This course provides an introduction and opportunity for you to transition to university life, as you
discover the resources available (academic, co-curricular, community). This subject of this course is you. It
is intentionally designed to promote your self-awareness and personal success—in college and in life after
college—by empowering you with flexible skills and strategies that are applicable across subjects
(transferable, cross-disciplinary skills) and across time (durable, lifelong learning skills).

• The Purpose of this course is to:

✓ connect you with other students
✓ connect you with the college
✓ connect your present college experience with your future goals and plans

• Goals and Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will:
1. Discover College
▪ identify the purpose and function of the campus resources that serve as tools for success.
▪ engage with the campus community.
2. Be Involved
▪ practice the Student Community Creed.
3. Connect the Dots
▪ identify connections between personal experiences and closely related academic knowledge
(i.e., facts, ideas, concepts, experiences).
▪ articulate their own strengths and challenges as learners in dealing with a specific task,
performance, event, etc.
4. Think First
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▪ select from available information and resources to solve issues in their collegiate lives and
campus communities.
▪ construct a plan to achieve an intended solution.
5. Exchange Ideas
▪ communicate as appropriate to the context and audience in order to articulate needs or share
information.
6. Calibrate Your Compass
▪ choose learning experiences consistent with their own values and goals.
▪ prioritize values that influence decision making.

Students fully participating in this course will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of leadership principles and behaviors of effective leaders
• Utilize leadership styles in diverse contexts
• Apply knowledge of conflict resolution in difficult situations
• Generate and accept constructive feedback
• Define clear and actionable goals
• Experience an intentional and experiential immersion into leadership education
• Build relationships with fellow students, faculty, and staff in the LEAD LLCs
• Successfully transition to the Western Carolina University community

Technology:
While the use of technology is greatly encouraged, during class it is asked not to be used unless given
permission by the instructor. The instructor may ask the students to bring laptops for an in- class assignment
or to do research on the assigned topic/learning activity. If the use of technology becomes a distraction, it will
be terminated. If cell phone use becomes a problem, the instructor will ask the student to leave.

Faculty Expectations of Students/Course Policies

Attendance:
Much of a person’s learning and thinking originates in, and is supported by, interactions with other people.
What happens inside the classroom is important for your success with the course. Therefore, your
performance on in-class activities and contributions to class discussion are important to you and to your fellow
students, and will be the basis for a portion of your course grade. You are encouraged to consult the complete
statement of this policy in the Undergraduate Catalog.
As per the University’s Undergraduate Catalog, Acceptable excuses include the following:
▪ Clear evidence that you are too ill or otherwise indisposed to benefit from being in class and will be a
risk or distraction to others in the class;
▪ Documented evidence of your required presence in a court of law;
▪ Documented evidence of a personal or family emergency requiring your presence;
▪ Documented evidence of your participation in an approved university activity (field trip, athletic
event, etc.; documentation will be provided by the university official in charge of the activity, and
must be presented before the time of the absence);
▪ Other circumstances approved by your instructor, preferably prior to the absence.
Attendance WILL affect your final grade per course policy. Keep in mind that if you miss a class meeting,
you are still responsible for the material addressed during that meeting and for submitting assignments
due at the meeting. Attendance will be taken at EVERY class meeting and will be recorded.

Timely Submissions:
The instructor does not have to accept late work. Late work will not be accepted on any assignment without
documentation of an illness/etc. or prior notice. In the event of an illness/etc., it is the student’s responsibility
to inform the instructor as soon as possible. If this is before the due date of an assignment, the instructor may
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extend the assignment date given the circumstance.

Expectations for Submitting Required Work:

All assignments will be due on Blackboard. All assignments are due at 11:59pm on the night before class. All
assignments are outlined on the syllabus with a due date/time next to it. Any hand-turned in
classwork/learning activities/group assignments/etc. will be graded and given back to the student to keep for
their record.

Office of Accessibility Resources:

Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with
documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. Students who require reasonable accommodations must
identify themselves as having a disability and/or medical condition and provide current diagnostic
documentation.
Office of Accessibility Resources.
135 Killian Annex
828-227-3886
https://www.wcu.edu/learn/academic-services/disability-services/

Course Evaluation:
▪ Course Eval is the WCU course evaluation used for all courses, and you are encouraged to participate
and complete this on-line evaluation for this course. You will receive an electronic notification near the
end of the semester when it becomes available. Your instructor will have no access to your responses.
▪ FYE Course Survey: Your cooperation to complete the end of term FYE course survey will help us in our
goals to constantly improve course design and delivery and learning outcomes for all students.

A Note on Civil Discourse at Western Carolina:

The WCU Community Creed states: “I will respect the rights and well-being of others.” Consistent with WCU’s
core values and our campus creed, the WCU community accepts the freedoms and responsibilities of our
shared community. WCU encourages all to clearly express their own views while at the same time seeking to
understand the varieties of style, identity, and opinion that are held in any diverse community. In order for us
to sustain a learning environment that promotes and values freedom of expression, we have a shared charge to
accept personal responsibility for our actions, reactions, and speech, while seeking to learn from the actions,
reactions, and speech of others.

SafeAssign Tool:
All written work submitted for this class is eligible for submission to the SafeAssign tool at the instructor’s
discretion.

Academic Integrity Policy and Reporting Process

This policy addresses academic integrity violations of undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate students
should read inside the parenthesis below to identify the appropriate entities in charge of that step of the
process.

Students, faculty, staff, and administrators of Western Carolina University (WCU) strive to achieve the highest
standards of scholarship and integrity. Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is a serious offense
because it threatens the quality of scholarship and undermines the integrity of the community. While academic
in scope, any violation of this policy is by nature, a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and will follow the
same conduct process (see ArticleVII.B.1.a.). If the charge occurs close to the end of an academic semester or
term or in the event of the reasonable need of either party for additional time to gather information timelines
may be extended at the discretion of the Department of Student Community Ethics (DSCE).

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General:
This policy addresses academic integrity violations of undergraduate and graduate students. Students, faculty,
staff, and administrators of Western Carolina University (WCU) strive to achieve the highest standards of
scholarship and integrity. Any violation of this policy is a serious offense because it threatens the quality of
scholarship and undermines the integrity of the community.
Instructors have the right to determine the appropriate academic sanctions for violations of the Academic
Integrity Policy within their courses, up to an including a final grade of “F” in the course in which the violation
occurs.

Definitions:
1. Cheating – Using, or attempting to use, unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any
academic exercise.
2. Fabrication – Creating and/or falsifying information or citation in any academic exercise.
3. Plagiarism – Representing the words or ideas of someone else as one’s own in any academic exercise.
4. Facilitation – Helping or attempting to help someone to commit a violation of the Academic Integrity
Policy in any academic exercise (e.g. allowing another person to copy information during an
examination).

Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Integrity Process:

Additional information is available on the Student Success website under Student Community Ethics:
http://www.wcu.edu/experience/dean-of-students/AcademicIntegrity/academicintegrity.asp

Resources
Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC):
The Writing and Learning Commons (WaLC) is a free student service, located in BELK 207, providing course
tutoring, writing tutoring, academic skills consultations, international student consultations, graduate and
professional exam preparation resources, and online writing and learning resources for all students. To
schedule tutoring appointments, visit the WaLC homepage (http://tutoring.wcu.edu) or call 828-227-2274.

Mentoring and Persistence to Success:

Mentoring and Persistence to Success (MAPS) provides support to students who are either first-generation,
independent, low-income, or have participated in the Academic Success Program (ASP) or Catamount Gap
with: academic advising, mentoring, and personal and social coaching. Contact MAPS at (828) 227-7127 or
email maps@wcu.edu for more information. MAPS is located in Killian Annex, room 205.

Distance Students:
Distance students including students taking classes at Biltmore Park are encouraged to use the online tutoring
service, more information can be found here: https://www.wcu.edu/apply/distance-online-programs/current-
students/tutoring-support.aspx.

Math Tutoring Center:

The Mathematics Tutoring Center in Stillwell 455 provides drop-in tutoring for math courses and math-related
content across the curriculum in addition to workshops on study specific skills specific to math
courses. Tutoring is available on a drop-in basis, MTWR 9:00am-9:00pm and Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. For more
information, please visit http://tutoring.wcu.edu or contact us at 828–227–3830.

Hunter Library:
Hunter Library provides students with access to group and individual study spaces and to thousands of
information resources: print and electronic books, newspapers, and scholarly journal articles.
These resources can be searched online and often accessed there (http://www.wcu.edu/hunter-library) or
library staff and subject specialists skilled in their specific disciplines can be contacted via the library’s
research guides (http://researchguides.wcu.edu/).
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 Week Date Topic Assignments Points
1 8/21 Introductions BB Syllabus Quiz & Formal Email 50
(Due by 11:59pm on 8/22/17)
Revised:
1 8/31/17
8/23 Who Am I: Read Chapter 14 of the Required
- My Values Textbook
- Defining Goals
2 8/28 Who Am I: Student Read Chapter 7 & 8 of the 10
- How We Learn Required Textbook.
- Study Skills
- Taking Notes Chapter Quiz: Learning to Study
Quiz (Due by 11:59pm on
08/27/17)
2 8/30 Who Am I: Student WaLC Quiz (Due by 11:59 on 175
- Starting the Write Way 8/29/17)
- Information Literacy MyWCU, Hunter Library and
One Book Discussion: Registration Quizzes (Due
- Writing a Book Review by 11:59pm on 8/29/17)
QEP Presentation
3 9/4 LABOR DAY – NO CLASS
3 9/6 Service Learning Project CSL Quiz & Read article (Due
3:00pm- (REQUIRED) by 11:59pm on 9/5/17)
6:00pm Cullowhee Garden Event Cullowhee Garden Reflection (Due
by 11:59pm on 9/9/17)
4 9/11 NO CLASS

*** 9/12 I-LEAD Workshop Series – 7:00PM Speaker

MANDATORY THIS SESSION REPLACES 9/11
CLASS
4 9/13 Who Am I: Professional CCPD Quiz (Due by 11:59pm
- CV/Resume on 9/12/17)
- Interview Techniques
*** 9/16 Habitat ‘Women Build’ NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND
8:30am- VOLUNTEER ONLY!!!! For More Info or to Sign Up:
3:00pm Call 828.452.7960
5 9/18 What is My Situation: Chapter Review Quiz (Due 5
- Time and Stress 11:59pm on 9/17/17)
Management
- Conflict Management
5 9/20 Resume Review
6 9/25 Resume Review
6 9/27 What is My Situation: Pre-Visit Material for 10/2
- Power, Privilege,
Oppression
7 10/2 Advisor Visit – Julie Conway
7 10/4 Who I Want to Be:
- Inclusion & Facing
Adversity
“Building an Inclusive Campus” –
CAPS
8 10/9 Who I Want to Be: Leader
- Leadership Inventory
8 **10/10 I-LEAD Workshop Series- 7:00PM Speaker 15
MANDATORY THIS SESSION REPLACES 10/23
CLASS
ILEAD Reflection (Due by
11:59pm on 10/11/17)
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9 10/11 Who I Want to Be: View Videos + Diversity and 50

- Diversity & Study Abroad Inclusion and Study Abroad
quizzes (Due by 11:59 on
10/10/17)
9 10/16 FALL BREAK
10 10/18 FALL BREAK
10 10/23 NO CLASS
11 10/25 Who I Want to Be:
- Developing a More
Authentic Self
Guest Speaker: Michaela Bishop
11 10/30 Who I Want to Be: NO Regular Class Period! Just
- Film Viewing- Hidden Movie in Scott Blue at 7:00pm-
Figures 9:15pm
12 11/1 What is My Situation: Review weekly folder; Complete 60
- Health and Wellness “Real news about Health and
Wellness;” Chapter Quiz (Due
11:59pm on 10/31/17)
12 11/6 Major Exploration
13 11/8 How Do I Get There: Bring an article or topic about 30
- Women in the Media women internationally. Be ready
- Women Worldwide: to discuss their roles,
Women in Diverse Contexts expectations, societal norms.
13 11/13 How Do I Get There: Read Chapter 3 of the Required 10
- Emotional Intelligence Textbook
Discovering Our Voice
Chapter Quiz (Due by 11:59pm on
11/12/17)
14 11/15 How Do I Get There:
- Navigating life as an
emerging adult
“You’ve Got This” – CAPS
14 11/20 How Do I Get There: One Book Assignment (Due 50
- Becoming an Advocate 11/19/17 at 11:59pm)
*** 11/18 Habitat ‘Women Build’ NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND
8:30am- VOLUNTEER ONLY!!!! For More Info or to Sign Up:
3:00pm Call 828.452.7960
15 11/22 THANKSGIVINNG BREAK
15 11/27 How Do I Get There: View Videos; Budget Quiz; 75
Being Financially Stable Banking Quiz; FAFSA Quiz (Due
11:59pm on 11/14/17
16 11/29 Interview Presentations (5) Interview Assignment (Due by 75
11:59pm on 11/28/17)
16 12/4 Interview Presentations (5)
17 12/6 Interview Presentations (5)
17 12/15 Final Exam (8:30am-11:00am)
- Interview Presentations (2)
Blackboard Support:
The learning management system for this class is blackboard and can be found at: http://wcu.blackboard.com.
Additional help with blackboard can be found at: tc.wcu.edu, (828) 227-7487 or by visiting the Technology
Commons located on the ground floor of the Hunter Library.
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Academic Toolbox:
The Academic Toolbox is available in all WCU courses via the course Blackboard site. It can be found in the left-
hand side column. The Academic Toolbox contains information and contact information for nearly all of the
resources needed by WCU students, including but not limited to: technology assistance, academic services,
student support, co-curricular programs and university policies.

Assignments

Formal Email Assignment: (DUE AUG 22nd @ 11:59pm )

In the information age, email has become the dominant form of communication. Being able to write a polished,
professional email is now a critical skill both in college and the workplace. Construct an email to the instructor
containing:
- Your name
- The name you prefer others in this class to call you/ preferred pronouns
- Your home country, state, and city
- Your declared or possible major/minor
- Your possible career interests
- Your current/previous work experience if any
- What you are wanting to gain from LEAD 151
- A brief statement that includes anything else you want your instructor to know about you.
25 points

Cullowhee Garden Workday (REQUIRED):

September 6th @ 3:00PM-4:30PM
The Cullowhee Community Garden is a organic, donation based garden located at 65 S Painter Rd behind campus.
No experience is needed. It is weather dependent, and will be cancelled in the event of rain/bad weather. In the
event of bad weather, a small alternate assignment will be assigned. Additionally, if a student cannot attend due to
other reasons (i.e., class) and the instructor is notified promptly, a small alternate assignment will be given.
10 points

Women Worldwide: Women in Diverse Contexts (DUE NOV 8th in class)

Bring an article or topic about women internationally. This article can be specific to their roles in the workplace,
societal roles, gender roles, etc. Be ready to discuss the article and how it made you feel, surprises/shocks, new
information.
30 Points

One Book (DUE NOV 20th @ 11:59pm)

Write a 3-5 page book review on a book of your choosing off the approved book list provided. A book review does
not only tell you what a book is about, but also whether it achieves what it is trying to do. Therefore, a book
review is more than a summary of the content (even though this is an important component), but a critical
analysis of the book and your reactions to it. The paper will be submitted via Blackboard and will be analyzed
by the SafeAssign Tool.
Paper Requirements: Double-Spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins, cite accordingly. I expect your
book review to be free of grammatical and spelling errors, and otherwise well edited.
50 points

Interview Assignment: (DUE NOV 28th@ 11:59pm)

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Each student must conduct a minimum of a 20-minute interview with a female faculty or staff member on campus
to get to know who they are, what their roles are on campus and their journey to where they are now. You should
ask this individual a minimum of 6 questions that are focused on their “secrets to success” and advice that they
may have to help guide you in your own journey. After the interview, you will create a 10-minute
presentation/reflection incorporating your response to the staff/faculty member’s answer, how her journey
relates to your own as you begin your college career, and how you can implement these concepts into your own
personal short and long term goals. You can use any preferred technology (Prezi, PowerPoint, etc.)
Interview: 50 Points
Presentation: 15 Points

Module Quizzes (Varying Due Dates)

Throughout the course there will be certain topics of discussion that require you to complete a modular
quiz/assignment to examine your knowledge on the topic. These quizzes are recommended after you have
reviewed the module information and the reading/videos. Modules and quizzes/assignments can be found in
Blackboard under the weekly tab. Each module quiz/assignment will be timed and each student will only receive 1
attempt. The quiz will close at 12:00am and cannot be accessed after the given time. All module
quizzes/assignments are due by 11:59pm.
425 points

In Class Assignments (Varying Due Dates)

Throughout the semester there will be multiple learning activities. These will not be announced and will only be
able to be completed in class. These may be presentations, group engagements, or other activities at the discretion
of the instructor.
100 points

Chapter Quizzes (Varying Due Dates)

To ensure that the student is reading and getting the full message of the text, there will be 4 chapter quizzes
provided via Blackboard throughout the semester. These chapter quizzes have been assigned to aide learning in
the given topic. Each chapter quiz will be due at 11:59pm and can be found in Blackboard under the weekly tab.
Each chapter quiz will be timed and each student will only receive 1 attempt. The quiz will close at 12:00am and
cannot be accessed after the given time.
35 points

Chances for Community Service: (NOT REQUIRED)

Habitat “Women Build”
When: 9/16 and 11/18 @ 8:30am-3:00pm
Event Type: Fundraiser and Charity
Description: “Women Build” is a Habitat for Humanity program that challenges and teaches women volunteers
how to construct decent, affordable housing. Tasks may include framing, painting, landscaping, and more! No
special skills are needed – training is provided, and so is lunch! Volunteers can come as individuals, or as a part of a
group, and they are welcome to work all day or part of the day. For more info or to sign up, call 828.425.7960.

Grading:

Grading Scale (950 points possible)

A (90-100) 855-950
B (80-89) 760-854
C (70-79) 665- 759
D (60-69) 570-664
F (0-59) 0-569
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Assignment Points Percentage

Attendance/Participation 200 21.05%
Module Quizzes 425 44.74%
Formal Email Assignment 25 2.63%
Interview Assignment 75 7.89%
Cullowhee Community Garden 10 1.05%
Women Worldwide 30 3.16%
One Book Assignment 50 5.26%
In Class Assignments 100 10.53%
Chapter Quizzes 35 3.68%

The grades of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F indicate gradations in quality from Excellent to
Failure. Please note that a C- grade is less than satisfactory and may not meet particular program and/or
course requirements.

Students must be familiar with the class attendance, withdrawal, and drop-add policies and procedures.

Basis for student evaluation:

Points Earned Letter Equivalent Quality Points per semester hour
97-100 A+ 4.0
93-96 A 4.0
90-92 A- 3.67
87-89 B+ 3.33
83-86 B 3.0
80-82 B- 2.67
77-79 C+ 2.33
73-76 C 2.0
70-72 C- 1.67
67-69 D+ 1.33
63-66 D 1.0
60-62 D- 0.67
< 60 F 0.0

Other Grades:____________________________________________________________________________________
I = Incomplete S = Satisfactory AU = Audit
IP = In Progress U = Unsatisfactory NC = No Credit
W = Withdrawal

Academic Calendar
This includes dates for all breaks, university closures, final exams, etc. The academic calendar can be found at
http://www.wcu.edu/learn/academic-calendar.asp

Final Exam
The university final exam schedule can be found here:
http://www.wcu.edu/learn/academic-services/registrars-office/final-exam-schedule.asp

Important Dates: Fall 2017

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First Day of Classes Monday, August 21

Labor Day (No Classes)
Fall Break (No Classes)
Last Day to drop with a “W”
Advising Day (No Classes)
Thanksgiving Break
Last Day of Classes
Final Exams
All Grades Due by 10:00 am
Monday, September 4
Monday, October 16 to Friday October 20
Friday, October 27
Tuesday, October 31
Wednesday, November 22 to Friday, November 24
Friday, December 8
Monday, December 11 to Friday, December 15
Monday, December 18

Syllabus Updates
This syllabus, along with its course schedule, is based on the most recent information about the course content and
schedule planned for this course. Its content is subject to revision as needed to adapt to new knowledge or
unanticipated events. Updates will remain focused on achieving the course objectives and students will receive
notification of such changes. Students will be notified of changes and are responsible for attending to such changes
or modifications as distributed by the instructor or posted to Blackboard.

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