Course Syllabus
Why Care About College: Higher Education in American Life
EDAD 0855, Section 708, CRN 54474 (US Society Gen Ed) Fall 2025
Class Meetings: Asynchronous materials and assignments posted on Canvas August 25th, 2025- December 8, 2025
Instructor: Whitney E. Carroll, EdD
Adjunct Associate Professor, Higher Education
whitney.carroll@temple.edu
Office Hours: Thursdays 5-6PM via Zoom: https://temple.zoom.us/j/9637195839 or by appointment
Course Description: You have decided to go to college. But why? What role will college and in particular Temple University play in your life? Reflect on this important question by looking at the relationship between higher education and American society. What do colleges and universities contribute to our lives? They are, of course, places for teaching and learning. They are also research centers, sports and entertainment venues, sources of community pride and profit, major employers, settings for coming-of-age rituals (parties, courtships, etc.), and institutions that create lifetime identities and loyalties. Using sociological and historical texts and artifacts, students will learn how higher education is shaped by the larger society and how, in turn, it has shaped that society. Become better prepared for the world in which you have chosen to live for the next few years.
US Society Area Learning Goals:
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General Education Competencies |
At the end of this course, you should: |
How is this assessed? |
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Critical Thinking
Contextualized Learning
Interdisciplinary Thinking
Communication Skills
Information Literacy
Lifelong Learning |
Reflect on and build an understanding of your personal and externalized motivations for pursing higher education |
Writing Assignments (e.g. discussion posts or short papers)
Unit 1 Exam |
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Develop observations and conclusions about historical and contemporary themes in the American system of higher education |
Writing Assignments (e.g. discussion posts or short papers)
Unit II Exam |
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Analyze and critique the ways privilege and heterogeneity have shaped the American system of higher education. |
Writing Assignments (e.g. discussion posts or short papers)
Course Paper |
Course Textbook/Readings:
- Ken Bain (2012) What the Best College Students Do [ISBN: 978-0-674-06664-9] This book is offered cost-free via the Temple Library
- Readings accessible cost-free online via Canvas, as assigned.
Course Technology Requirements:
Asynchronous:
This course requires the use of Zoom to attend office hours and to listen to recorded lectures: https://temple.zoom.com and the use of Canvas to access materials and submit assignments: https://canvas.temple.edu. You will need a computer, microphone (or headphones), camera, and a quality internet connection for the duration of the term. Students should check their Temple Email (https://tumail.temple.edu) daily for course updates. If you have issues with content posted in the course, please contact me. If you have issues with technology during the course, please feel free to contact the Help Desk: https://tuhelp.temple.edu/
- Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wifi access, should submit a Student Technology Assistance Application located in TUPortal and linked from the Dean of Students Support and Resources webpage. The university will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Mifi device or a refurbished computer.
- Free loaner laptop options are available for students who need to borrow computers while on campus.
- On-campus computer labs are available for student use. Here is a list of these labs: https://its.temple.edu/computer-labs
- Note that there are technology resources available for students, including some software that is available for free download and other specialty software that may be available for remote access through the ITS Academic Support page, laptop share, and battery share.
Recording of Class Sessions:
Any recordings permitted in this class can only be used for students’ educational use. Students are not permitted to copy, publish, or redistribute audio or video recordings of any portion of the class session to individuals who are not students in the course or academic program without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded. Distribution without permission may be a violation of educational privacy law, known as FERPA as well as certain copyright laws. Any recordings made by the instructor or university of this course are the property of Temple University.
Email and Canvas Policy
Check the Canvas website and your Temple email every day for announcements, assignments, grades, PowerPoints, guidelines for assignments, etc. You can set up Canvas Notifications to alert you when new items are posted. If you need help with Canvas or any other computer-related issues contact the Computer Help Desk (215-204-8000, ext. 2). For a full listing of their services and hours of operations, go to: https://its.temple.edu/technical-support. The number for the Canvas help center is 844-683-6439. You can access all Canvas services through the Help tab in the Canvas Global Navigation Menu at https://templeu.instructure.com/
Do not hesitate to send an email with any questions or concerns to whitney.carroll@temple.edu
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Course Format
- This is an asynchronous online course - meaning we will not have "live" meetings where we all need to be online at the same time. We will use Canvas our “classroom.” There, our course is organized in weekly Modules. Each week will run from Monday through Sunday. This gives you one week to complete readings and assignments. The first item you will see in each weekly module will be a list of tasks to be completed by the end of the week, most often by Sunday, 11:59 pm. At the beginning of every week (Monday) be sure to check the list of tasks to see what is due for that week. Keep up each week with readings, papers, and assignments. It is tempting to procrastinate in an online class format but procrastinating until the time of the exam or assignment due dates will hurt your grade. Contact me if you feel you are falling behind.
- Talk to me if you are struggling in any way. I’m happy to help. If you are having problems with an assignment or understanding class content, make an appointment to meet with me so we can work it out together (the sooner, the better). Feel free to make an appointment to discuss your plans or outlines for your papers or assignments to make sure you are on the right track for following the guidelines posted in Canvas.
Course Assignments
- Participation: including (a) actively engaging in discussions, (b) attending virtual class sessions, (c) completing readings on schedule, (d) completion of discussion posts on Canvas, (e) respectfully listening to/responding to others’ viewpoints, and (f) refraining from unrelated texting, emailing, web browsing, etc. during class.
- Reflection Papers: There will be two reflection papers assigned to allow a more in-depth reaction to the readings as it relates to your personal and professional aspirations. Each reflection paper is worth 50 points.
- Exams: There will be two exams throughout the semester. The exams will consist of essay questions. Each exam will be administered online. There will be no make-up exams except for an extreme emergency. Official documentation will be required.
- Course Paper: There will be one essay of approximately 1,250 words (about 5 pages of double-spaced text). You will act as president of a new university. As the president, you will write a paper about the state of higher education and how you will lead your university to a bright and promising future. Specifications for the paper will be provided via Canvas and discussed in class.
Grading of Assignments
Maximum Point Value = 1000 points
Participation 100 points
Reflection Papers (2) 100 points
Unit I Exam 300 points
Unit II Exam 300 points
Course Paper 200 points
Letter Grades (1000 total points possible)
A 940 to 1000 points
A- 900 to 939 points
B+ 870 to 899 points
B 840 to 869 points
B- 800 to 839 points
C+ 770 to 799 points
C 740 to 769 points
C- 700 to 739 points*
D+ 670 to 699 points
D 640 to 669 points
D- 600 to 639 points
F 0 to 599 point
*Please note that a C- or better is required to fulfill the Gen Ed area requirement.
Course Schedule:
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Week |
Date |
Topic |
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Unit I: “What the Best College Students Do” - Unit 1 Introduces students to college through Bain’s “What the Best College Students Do”. Students will engage in Chapters 1-8 via class discussion and are expected to come to class having read the material. |
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1
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Topic: Welcome and Chapter 1: The Roots of Success August 25- August 31st |
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2 |
Topic: Chapter 2: What Makes You an Expert & Chapter 3: Managing Yourself September 1st-September 7th
** The last day to add/drop a 7-week (7A) course is September 2nd; Last day to add/drop a full-term course is September 8th. |
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3 |
Topic: Chapter 4: Learning How to Embrace Failure & Chapter 5: Messy Problems September 8th-September 14th |
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4 |
Topic: Chapter 6: Encouragement & Chapter 7: Curiosity and Endless Education September 15th-September 21st |
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5 |
Topic: Chapter 8: Making the Hard Choices & Epilogue September 22nd-September 28th
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6 |
Topic: Unit I Review & Unit I Exam September 29th-October 5 ** Midterm Progress Reports posted September 29- October 13 |
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Unit II: “Students and the Institution” – Unit 2 connects a general understanding of college with the resources and opportunities at Temple University. Students will review relevant readings designed to build an understanding of college life.
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7
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Topic: Missions of Higher Education; The Founding of Temple University
October 6th-October 12th
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8
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Topic: College Admissions; Affordability, Financial Aid, Student Debt
October 13-October 19th |
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9 |
Topic: Student Learning and Academic Success; Faculty Engagement and Undergraduate Research October 20th-October 26th |
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10 |
Topic: Student Engagement: Campus Athletics & Greek Life; The Dark Side of College: Alcohol Use and Student Misconduct
October 27th-November 2nd |
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11 |
Topic: The impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education
Unit II Review & Unit II Exam
November 3rd-November 9th |
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Unit III: “College Life and Beyond” – Unit 3 allow students to re-engage on previously discussed topics through deeper reflection of topics, and apply information learned from previous topics to developing models of higher education |
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12
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Life after College: Graduate Education and Career Preparation; Aligning Majors to Careers November 10th- November 16th |
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13 |
Gender Issues in Higher Education; Leadership in Higher Education
November 17th-November 23rd |
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Fall Break/Thanksgiving Break November 24th-November 30th |
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14 |
Student Activism and the Future of Higher Education; Development of Final Course Paper
December 1st-December 7th |
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** |
Exam Week Last Day to Withdraw from a full term course: December 8th |
Course Paper Due – December 12th at 11:59PM |
Grades Posted by December 19th, 2025
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A number of class-specific and university-wide policies are listed below.
Expectations for Class Conduct
In order to maintain a safe and focused learning environment, we must all comply with the four public health pillars, wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, washing our hands, and monitoring our health. It is also important to foster a respectful and productive learning environment that includes all students in our diverse community of learners. Our differences, some of which are outlined in the University's nondiscrimination statement, will add richness to this learning experience. Therefore, all opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse.
Treat your classmates and instructor with respect in all communication, class activities, and meetings. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea but you are not to attack an individual. Please consider that sarcasm, humor, and slang can be misconstrued in online interactions and generate unintended disruptions. Profanity should be avoided as should the use of all capital letters when composing responses in discussion threads, which can be construed as “shouting” online. Remember to be careful with your own and others’ privacy. In general, have your behavior mirror how you would like to be treated by others.
Class Attendance Policy
Class attendance and participation are required. The reason is threefold: (a) you bring to the course experiences and insights that are valuable to other class members; (b) you benefit from the contributions of others in the class; and (c) active discussion in a group develops abilities and creates awareness that individual reading and study do not. (In addition, classes provide a great opportunity to network with classmates in your field—persons who may be valuable colleagues in the years ahead.)
If you must miss a class, please have the courtesy to notify the professor and take the initiative to confer with classmates to determine what was missed. If you are not able to attend class because of a religious holiday, please inform the professor in advance so we can make appropriate accommodation. In the event of inclement weather, track potential cancellation of classes on Temple’s website. If a class session is cancelled by the University, the professor will post on Canvas directions for how we’ll make up the lost class session.
Policy on Late Assignments
Late assignments will automatically receive a mark down in grade, unless otherwise explicitly excused by the professor.
Policy on the Grade of Incomplete (I)
Normally, a grade of “Incomplete” (I) for the course is discouraged unless there are compelling reasons for doing so. If you will not be able to complete some assignment or assignments before the end of the course but you have completed a majority of the coursework at a passing level and wish to receive a grade of Incomplete (I), you must develop a written agreement, approved by the professor, for completing the course and receiving a letter grade. The University’s policy on Incomplete Coursework governs this course. See the entire policy at the following address: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=02.10.13
Disability Statement
Any student who has a need for accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability or medical condition should contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) located in the Howard Gittis Student Center South, 4th Floor at drs@temple.edu or 215-204-1280 to request accommodations and learn more about the resources available to you. If you have a DRS accommodation letter to share with me, or you would like to discuss your accommodations, please contact me as soon as practical. I will work with you and with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. All discussions related to your accommodations will be confidential.
Student Support Services
The following academic support services are available to students:
· Student Success Center
· University Libraries
· Undergraduate Research Support
· Career Center
· Tuttleman Counseling Services
· Disability Resources and Services
· Student Health Services
· If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry. There are also a variety of resources available the Division of Student Affairs.
Statement on Generative AI in this course
Students may use AI applications such as Chat GPT to search for ideas for class discussions, outlines for assignments etc. However, Chat GPT MAY NOT be used to write your analysis papers or institutional profiles. It is important for students to learn to use AI not only in the classroom but as a resource in the professional development. AI should be used as a support tool.
Style Manual for Course Assignments
Any official style manual is acceptable for this course. Just be consistent. The University’s Writing Center offers links to style manuals on its website at http://www.temple.edu/writingctr/support-for-writers/handouts.asp
University Policy on Academic Rights and Responsibilities
Temple University’s policy on academic rights and responsibilities is as follows:
“Academic Rights and Responsibilities
“Temple University students who believe that instructors are introducing extraneous material into class discussions or that their grades are being affected by their opinions or views that are unrelated to a course’s subject matter can file a complaint under the University’s policy on academic rights and responsibilities. The full policy is 03.70.02: Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities.
“The policy encourages students to first discuss their concerns with their instructor. If a student is uncomfortable doing so, or if discussions with the instructor do not resolve the student’s concerns, an informal complaint can be made to the Student Ombudsperson for the student’s school/college. Unresolved complaints may be referred to the dean for handling in accordance with the school/college’s established grievance procedure. Final appeals will be determined by the Provost.”
University-Wide Policies on Academic Honesty, Clearing Holds and Student Conduct Code for Undergraduate Students
The following is an excerpt from the Temple University 2014-15 Undergraduate Bulletin. This excerpt and other University policies for undergraduate student may be viewed at the following website address: http://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/about-temple-university/student-responsibilities/#academichonesty
Student Responsibilities
Every registered student agrees to abide by an overall set of values, principles and regulations mandated by the university. In order for a student to remain in good standing, it is imperative that each student assumes responsibilities throughout his/her enrollment at Temple. Students also have a number of rights which protect their interests. This section details these important responsibilities and rights.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Temple University believes strongly in academic honesty and integrity. Plagiarism and academic cheating are, therefore, prohibited. Essential to intellectual growth is the development of independent thought and a respect for the thoughts of others. The prohibition against plagiarism and cheating is intended to foster this independence and respect.
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another person's labor, another person's ideas, another person's words, another person's assistance. Normally, all work done for courses -- papers, examinations, homework exercises, laboratory reports, oral presentations -- is expected to be the individual effort of the student presenting the work. Any assistance must be reported to the instructor. If the work has entailed consulting other resources -- journals, books, or other media -- these resources must be cited in a manner appropriate to the course. It is the instructor's responsibility to indicate the appropriate manner of citation. Everything used from other sources -- suggestions for organization of ideas, ideas themselves, or actual language -- must be cited. Failure to cite borrowed material constitutes plagiarism. Undocumented use of materials from the World Wide Web is plagiarism.
Academic cheating is, generally, the thwarting or breaking of the general rules of academic work or the specific rules of the individual courses. It includes falsifying data; submitting, without the instructor's approval, work in one course which was done for another; helping others to plagiarize or cheat from one's own or another's work; or actually doing the work of another person.
The penalty for academic dishonesty can vary from receiving a reprimand and a failing grade for a particular assignment, to a failing grade in the course, to suspension or expulsion from the university. The penalty varies with the nature of the offense, the individual instructor, the department, and the school or college.
Students who believe that they have been unfairly accused may appeal through the school or college's academic grievance procedure. For more information see Grievances.
CLEARING HOLDS
A hold is an action placed on a student's record. Holds may affect a student’s ability to register for courses, to apply for graduation, or to receive transcript services or degree audit reports.
Students may receive holds on their records for financial, academic, or disciplinary reasons. Students are obligated to resolve holds as quickly as possible, working with their academic advising office, student financial services, or other offices, as appropriate. Academic holds may be caused by failure to declare a major by the appropriate time, low GPA, or failure to make academic progress. Students receiving a "See College Dean" hold should meet with their academic advisor as soon as possible.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Temple University Student Code of Conduct can be viewed at http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.12. Printed copies are available at the Office of the Dean of Students.
Temple University has the responsibility to formulate and enforce rules of conduct which are necessary for the furtherance of its educational goals and essential activities. In particular, the university has an obligation to protect itself from any acts which tend to impede, obstruct, or threaten its normal operations. While this authority is inherent, the university attempts to delineate its expectations as clearly as possible and publish its regulations. Students, both as individuals and as members of student organizations, are responsible for apprising themselves of, and complying with, all applicable, existing regulations in the Undergraduate Bulletin and any regulations that may be subsequently promulgated through appropriate publications of the university community. Copies of Student Rights, the Code of Conduct, and the Disciplinary Procedure may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Students.
The University Disciplinary Committee is responsible for administering the Student Code of Conduct. Violations of the university's Code of Conduct, including, among other things, theft, underage consumption of alcohol, disorderly conduct, plagiarism, and possession of a weapon, can result in a student being brought before the University Disciplinary Committee. A finding of responsibility may result in a fine, suspension, and/or permanent expulsion from the university. A disciplinary hold is placed on the student’s record until sanctions are fulfilled. The hold prevents students from registering for courses, receiving their transcript or graduating.
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