SUMMER
· Instructor: D. Mark Nygren
· Email: nygrenm@byui.edu
· Office: Smith Building- Room 407 (Available by appointment)
· Phone: 496-1846
·
Texts: Inner
Victory (Book)
Principles of Inner Victory Guidebook
A planner or personal management tool
· Credits: 3 Semester hours
The capacity to determine one's success in college and in life begins from within, from the way we see the world we live in, and the attitudes we use to approach it. Every public victory begins in the quit chambers of the mind and heart. Somehow, the extent to which we are successful in college, on missions, in marriage, family relationships, professional pursuits, church callings, civic duties, and every other area of 'earth life' stem from the timeless and eternal principles designed by our creator. Agency, responsibility, consequences, to act and be acted upon and the hundreds of attendant principles--impact our daily life. This course examines principles which will help you to be more successful in college and beyond. if you apply yourself, this course has the potential of being the most helpful of all your college classroom experiences. Why this class? First, because the subject is YOU. . . no other class is as intent on application to your daily life (now and in the future). Second, because the principles taught and applied will make you more successful in all of your other classes. Do your very best to attend, learn, apply, and teach what you learn to others! Make your Creed Documentation the best product of your college experience. You will be blessed by this process! So will all those you serve.
Evaluation: Grades will be based on the following point system. 1100 possible
1. Attendance: *3 or more absences will affect your grade.* Perfect attendance, 100 bonus points.
2. Regularly assigned Creed Documents (245 points)
3. Final Creed Document (255 points)
4.
"R" Menu (200 points)
The Printable SRSE WORKSHEET
5. Success Books (100 points)
6. Teaching Sharing (160
points)
The Printable Teaching Sharing
TRACKER
7. Success
Talks (140 points)
The Printable Success Talks
tracker
Perhaps the most important part of your grade and certainly what you get out of the class will be your attendance. I have the responsibility to provide an environment which will stimulate you to think and learn. You have the responsibility to attend. Perfect attendance qualifies you for a "NO ABSENCE BONUS." "NO ABSENCE" means "no absence". . . for any reason. If you are sick . . . stay home and get better! If you are going on a field trip . . . go, have fun, and learn! If you must go to the airport to see a brother depart for his mission . . . be there!!!! You will not be penalized for 'excused absences’ . . . except that you will miss out on important information. AND neither will you qualify for the BONUS points reserved for those who have perfect attendance. Any absence for any reason eliminates the opportunity for the "No Absence Bonus."
Your 'core' grade comes from your Creed Document, R Menu, Reading Assignment, and Study Group Participation. Then, the core grade will be factored by your attendance or the lack thereof as follows:
|
0 Absences |
100 Bonus Points |
|
1-2 Absences |
NO grade drop |
|
3 Absences |
1 grade drop |
|
4-5 Absences |
1.5 grade drop |
|
6 absences |
2 grade drop |
|
7-8 Absences |
2.5 grade drop |
|
9 or more Absences |
"F" Grade |
A set of plans or blueprints are to the building--as a Personal Creed document is to your life. IT IS THE END PRODUCT OF THIS COURSE. It will include among other things which you may want to add, your mission statement, details regarding your values (things which matter most to you), specifics about your goals, and other important information to help you guide your life. There will be seven (7) parts to your document. You will be given a due date for each part of the document. You will receive points on each part based on, 1) Timeliness of completion, and 2) perception of thought investment into this piece. The final document will be completed and graded at the end of the term and will be graded in a face-to-face interview during finals week. the Creed Document is 50% of your grade but more importantly it is a beginning to the rest of your life. Each part is worth 35 points when they are due, for a total of 245 points. If they are late they will be worth only 15 points. The final copy is worth 255 points. Criterion for the grade will be: Is it typed? Does its cover suggest it is important to you? Does it show investment of thought and time? Does it contain visual content? Is it impressive?
Assignments 1-7:
|
#1 pg. 48 (Chp.4) |
This I Believe |
|
#2 pg. 65 (Chp.5) |
My Advisor Interview |
|
#3 pg. 82 (Chp.6) |
My Personal Strengths & Weaknesses |
|
#4 pg 149 (Chp.11) |
My highest & most important value |
|
#5 pg 170 (Chp.12) |
Value Goals & Z |
|
#6 pg 186 (Chp.13) |
People & Experiences |
|
#7 pg 191 (Chp.14) |
My Song |
"R" stands for "Resourcefulness." It is a primary ingredient to successful living. When presented with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, the masses of humanity will concede failure before the battle begins. There will always be excuses for the masses! However, "resourcefulness" as an external drive or attitude, like an automatic sensor--explores alternatives, searches, finds, tries, and ultimately discovers other approaches to solve a problem or perhaps identifies in the process a better primary choice. Resourcefulness, as an inner attribute, comes with us at birth--but with most of us, it has been lost and therefore must be relearned. This part of the course gives you an opportunity to become familiar with and apply the principle of "Resourcefulness" at Brigham Young University-Idaho.
You are enrolled at a university which is one of the greatest places on the planet for your next four years of post high-school education. BYU-I has a wonderful combination of resources to enhance your experience and prepare you for your continuing educational and life experience. If you desire to become a better student--you can find a way! If you need more help in identifying a major and mapping your education pathway--you can find assistance and design a plan that works! If you struggle with the challenge of funding your education--you can find a way! If you desire to be marketable in the job market--you can find ways to begin that process here and now! If you want to design a life and education which will be a greater blessing to others and make a difference in the world, and become more prepared to live happily--you can!
Review the R Menu and self-select those which you feel will most appropriately assist you to understand and embrace our BYU-I Resources. You will need to accumulate 200 points during the semester.
Reading the inspiring words of or about a successful person is very motivating in one's life. The following books have been highly recommended for personal success; however, you may choose any book of your choice. Additional recommendations are included in this syllabus under the heading, "Suggested Reading List." To qualify for this assignment, the book must be read during the semester and cannot have been read before. At the end of the semester, you might be asked to make a short verbal presentation to the class about the value of the book you have read. you will also prepare a one-page typed summary for your Creed Document entitled "success book," wherein you summarize the principles of success that you have learned from you reading. Your "Success Book" reading and write-up is worth 100 points.
*Biography of Auto-Biography of: Gordon B. Hinckley, Joseph Smith, Howard W. Hunter, Ezra Taft Benson, John Taylor, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, etc.
Inspirational: Man's Search for Meaning, The Hiding Place, Les Miserable, The Miracle of Forgiveness, Believing in Christ, etc.
Motivational: Covey-Seven Habits of highly effective people, or First Things First, Smith-10 Natural Laws..., etc.
You will identify another person who you will meet with once each week for eight (8) weeks to accomplish three primary purposes.
1. Discuss your reading and impressions from Inner Victory.
2. Support each other and share ideas for the creation of your Creed Document.
3. Complete short assignments given by the teacher.
You will want to determine a time and place to meet each week. Generally, a half hour will be plenty of time for you to accomplish this task. You must take ownership in making this a beneficial experience. Stay on task and focus. Share ideas, thoughts, and feelings about the subject at hand . . . refraining from any inclination to chit-chat and deviate from your purpose.
You will track this exercise on a weekly basis on the Teaching-Sharing Tracker. At the end of the semester you will certify and turn in the Teaching-Sharing Tracker for grading. Each Teaching-Sharing session is worth 20 points, for a total of 160 points.
From the list provided, listen to all 7 talks available on tape, in the Reserve Library. A list if provided in this syllabus under Success Talks. You should also make clear and comprehensive notes of each talk in a way that is most beneficial to you and which will be included in your Creed Document. Come prepared to discuss each talk on a day indicated by your teacher. Each success tape write-up is worth 20 points for a total of 140 points.
Grading Scale:
|
93% - 100% = A |
80% - 82.9% = B- |
67% - 69.9% = D+ |
|
90% - 92.9% = A- |
77% - 79.9% = C+ |
63% - 66.9% = D |
|
87% - 89.9% = B+ |
73% - 76.9% = C |
60% - 62.9% = D- |
|
83% - 86.9% = B |
70% - 72.9% = C- |
below 60.0% = F |
1. No assignment will be accepted late. You need to learn to be responsible and complete your assignments on time. If an assignment is late due to a medical emergency or family tragedy, leave a message on my telephone and I will work with you. Trips home, etc. are not excuses for late work unless emergencies exist, so plan accordingly. You may turn work in early if you are planning to miss a class.
2. The Code of Honor and Dress & Grooming standards apply and will be enforced.
3. Plan on taking the final exam at the date and time indicated on the schedule. Check travel plans now. I cannot accommodate everyone who wants to leave early.
4. If you have a diagnosed disability, or believe you have a disability that may require reasonable accommodation on the part of BYU-Idaho, please call 1-800-we-care to make an appointment with Red Taylor, Director at the center for students with disabilities. "In compliance with the applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to 'reasonable accommodation.' It is the student's responsibility to disclose to the SSD office any special needs he/she may have and to provide the appropriate documentation of the disability. The SSD office is located inside the Learning Assistance Center, McKay Library 1st floor."
5. The emphasis in this course will be on material discussed in class; therefore, attendance is very important. Because the course will be conducted primarily on a discussion basis, it is very important that the student read the text and other materials so that he or she is prepared to participate in class discussions.
6. Learning outside the classroom: What happens out of the class can be as important, or more important than what happens in the class. For every hour of class, you should spend 3 to 6 hours a week in out-of-class learning activities. Learn to Love Learning!
7. Attendance Policy: One of the most important parts of your grade and certainly what you get out of the class will be your attendance. We both have the responsibility to be active participants in the classroom. If your not here, we all miss out!! Attendance will affect your grade as follows:
8. Learning Styles: We all have different learning styles. It is challenging to hit every ones Hot Button every time we meet. As a teacher, you can interest all of your students some of the time; you can interest some of your students all of the time; but you can't interest all of your students all of the time.
SPEND CALCULATED AND CONSISTENT TIME ON IMPROVING AND SHARPENING YOURSELF. . . AND YOUR CAPACITY TO PERFORM WELL IN YOUR STUDIES AND EDUCATION IS MULTIPLIED MANY TIMES.
One might say "Yes, but I am in education and I am constantly improving myself. . . as a student, it's what I do all day. . . I don't need to spend more time on self improvement. Don't buy into that philosophy without real examination of the principle. Steven R. Covey calls it 'Sharpening the Saw'. Remember the story of the two men who cut down trees. . . the one who stopped periodically to 'sharpen his saw' cut the tree down significantly faster than the man who tried to do it all by sweat and brawn. Sharpening your Saw daily will bring dividends at grade-time, employment time, and even dinner time! Your spiritual, social, educational, emotional, and physical capacities increase and so does your JOY.
Make this a great semester! I'm glad our paths are crossing here at BYU-Idaho! I believe there is a reason. . . I know the Lord is in the details of our lives!
-- D. Mark Nygren
|
"Take |
"Our lives become extremely busy. We run from one thing to another. We wear ourselves out in thoughtless pursuit of goals which are highly ephemeral (lasting only one day or are short lived at best). We are entitled to spend some time with ourselves in introspection, in development. My dear father was a great example. . . he would go sit on a rock wall and would sit for a time thinking, meditating, writing, pondering. he never ceased growing. Take TIME TO THINK! -- President Gordon B. Hinckley |
Remember . . . your Creed Document is the tangible END PRODUCT of this course. Begin now with the end in mind. Determine to make it your best effort! This may be the only time in your adult life when you will have the luxury of taking time to think, ponder, prepare, and create your beginning Creed. It is likely, the products and papers of your other classes will not become a lasting part of your life. However, this product may well be the basis of a document which you carry throughout your entire life. You will share it with your spouse, your children will be impacted by it, and your contribution to life and others will be enhanced by the things which you ponder, record, and live by. Make it the BEST product of your college experience.
Begin TODAY. . . .
What will the cover look like? Will you include it in your planner or will you have a special cover for it? How will you protect the pages? Do you plan to carry your document with you or will you give it a special place where you can access it frequently as you THINK about and set the course of action for your life? Will the cover have a picture? What color will it be?
THINK. . .pictures which have meaning to your life. . .poems which inspire you. . . quotes which remind you of your purpose-passion -plan. . .scripture references which help you maintain proper focus. . .images which symbolize your life's direction. . . your patriarchal blessing which you have studied and pondered. . . a special conference talk. . . a photograph or two identifying your course. . . a letter from another person which has lasting meaning. . .perhaps a LOGO or representation of all that you stand for.
The following list of talks are on RESERVE at the
library circulation desk. they can be checked
out for a two-hour time period. Personal copies of each talk can be
purchased at the Bookstore for minimal cost. For this assignment, listen
to all 7 tapes. As you listen, please take notes on each talk and
organize your notes into a meaningful summary. THESE NOTES WILL BE SOME
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT IDEAS YOU WILL LEARN! Each tape you listen to and
take notes on is worth 20 points. The final day for receiving any points
will be announced in class. Each talk will be discussed on Wednesdays as
time permits.
|
TITLE
OF TALK |
SPEAKER |
DATE OF TALK |
# |
|
Make Christ the Center of Your Life |
Steven Covey |
11/16/78 |
4753 |
|
Look Up My Heart/Endure to the End |
Gerald Lund |
1/20/87 |
7260 |
|
Spend Time With the Lord in Study and Prayer |
Steven Covey |
9/20/76 |
0237 |
|
Revelation |
Gerald Lund |
11/07/89 |
7655 |
|
2nd Coming/Choices |
Gerald Lund |
03/07/95 |
8098 |
|
Achieving Personal Goals |
Margaret Nadauld |
10/20/98 |
8415 |
|
Of Souls, symbols, and Sacraments |
Jeffrey R. Holland |
|
8229 |
|
Unlimited Power |
Anthony Robbins |
|
7703 |
|
Will We Finish the Temple, Brother Brigham? |
Jeffrey R. Holland |
03/10/81 |
6059 |
|
What We Do Depends Upon How We Feel About What We Know |
Hyrum W. Smith |
09/23/86 |
7246 |
|
Accept & Overcome Challenges |
Scott Anderson |
01/21/92 |
8416 |
|
Prepare for the Second Coming |
Daniel Ludlow |
11/11/80 |
6045 |
|
Spirit World |
Daniel Ludlow |
03/14/95 |
8097 |
|
Steps to Spirituality/Points of Good Living |
Joe J. Christensen |
10/04/83 |
6675 |
|
First Things First |
Covey, Merrill, Merrill |
|
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens |
Shaun Covey |
|
Gaining Control |
Robert Bennett |
|
The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management |
Hyrum Smith |
|
Learned Optimism |
Martin Seligman |
|
self-Esteem |
Fanning McKay |
|
Feeling Good |
David Burns |
|
Awaken the Giant Within |
Anthony Robbins |
|
The Greatest Salesman in the World |
Og Mandino |
|
The Wealthy Barber |
David Chilton |
|
The Richest Man in Babylon |
George Clason |
|
Acres of Diamonds |
Russell Conwell |
|
Gordon B. Hinckley |
Sheri Dew |
|
Ezra Taft Benson |
Francis Gibbons |
|
Joseph Smith, the Prophet |
Truman G. Madsen |
|
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt |
Parley P. Pratt |
|
Stand For Something |
Gordon B. Hinckley |
|
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff |
Richard Carlson |
|
You and Your Spouse in Your Happy Home |
George Durrant |
|
My Best Day So Far |
George Durrant |
|
Being Happy |
Andrew Mathews |
|
Teaching of Gordon B. Hinckley |
|
|
Brigham young, American Moses |
Leonard Arrington |
|
Tuesdays with Morrie |
Mitch Albom |
*There are many other acceptable books, but if they are not on this list they must be approved by me in advance.
Final Creed Document Evaluation
General Studies 101 Personal Achievement
Name
________________________ Due __________________________
1. All
seven typed Creed Document assignments
70 points possible ________
2. Visual
Effect including: pictures, borders, cover page,
binder, selected talks, poems, scriptures, personalized,
creative and organized.
100 points possible _______
3. Success Talks: typed notes that indicate a
good understanding of 14 success talks.
55 points possible _______
4.
(Optional) Success Book: one or two page typed summary of success book
report.
30 extra points possible ______
255 Total Points: ________
Creed Document Assignments 1-7
1)
Chapter 4, Page
48
·
This I Believe
·
WB pg. 27-31
2)
Chapter 5, Page
65
·
My Advisor
·
My
·
My Board of
Advisors
·
WB pg. 39-47
3)
Chapter 6, Page
82
·
My Personal
Strengths & Weaknesses
·
WB pg. 53, 87
4)
Chapter 11, Page
149
·
My highest &
most important values
·
WB Pg. 133
5)
Chapter 12, Page
170
·
Value Goals &
Z Goals
6)
Chapter 13, Page
186
·
People &
Experiences
·
WB pg. 161-180
7)
Chapter 14, Page
191
·
My Song
·
WB pg. 183-186
“R” Menu
Complete at least one
activity in each section.
Total Points earned
Learning Assistance Lab
McKay Library 266 Phone: 496-1180
Why is it that people who
study ‘success’ are more successful? Why is it that great musicians continue to
study music? What is it that causes
accomplished athletes to continue to study & improve their performance? Maybe there is a ‘hint’ somewhere in
this! Another question: Why do so many excellent students use the
Learning Assistance Lab at BYUI? Did you
know that the grade point average for ‘users’ of the L.A.L is 3.4? Perhaps that’s worth knowing.
|
|
Points
Possible |
Date |
Initial |
|
SRSE (A diagnosis of your
learning strengths & weaknesses) |
50 |
|
|
|
Strategic Learning Skill
Assignment |
25 |
|
|
|
Time Management Skill
Assignment |
25 |
|
|
|
Concentration Skill
Assignment |
25 |
|
|
|
Memory Skill Assignment |
25 |
|
|
|
Note Taking Skill
Assignment |
25 |
|
|
|
Textbook Study Skill
Assignment |
25 |
|
|
|
Test Taking Skill
Assignment |
25 |
|
|
|
Problem Solving Skill
Assignment |
25 |
|
|
Career & Academic Advising
Kimball 250 Phone: 496-1167
Are you wondering how you
will spend the next 40 years of your life?
If you have made a decision, perhaps it would be good to verify it by a
few simple exercises prior to spending a lot of time, energy, and money
preparing for it. If you have not
decided—decide not to decide. Do you
have an educational plan for after you leave BYU-Idaho? Not just a plan to go to “XYZU” but do you
know what is required for admittance or specific courses you can get out of the
way here at BYUI? Save time &
thousands of dollars by planning now!
|
|
Points
Possible |
Date |
Initial |
|
Discover Program |
50 |
|
|
|
College/University Transfer
Research and Plan |
25 |
|
|
|
Career Research and Narrow
to |
25 |
|
|
Library
McKay Library Phone:
496-2350
Before you finish college,
you will likely spend more hours in the library than you do in the
classroom. Do you know how to use this resource
to its fullest (databases, media services, computer lab, study areas, etc.)?
|
|
Points
Possible |
Date |
Initial |
|
Library Orientation (By
sign-up only) See Sister Lana Hepworth in the
Library or call 496-2350. |
50 |
|
|
|
Walking Tour |
25 |
|
|
Leadership & Personal Development
Unique to BYU-Idaho is the
Leadership & Service Institute. In a
mountain lodge with a panoramic view of the Teton mountains (near Victor, Idaho)
you go with a small group of other Ricks students for one evening or on an
overnight weekend retreat to learn and apply principles of leadership &
service that will help you in every area of your life. Make sure you include the TMLI a part of your
BYUI education.
|
|
Points
Possible |
Date |
Initial |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
Evening Retreat |
25 |
|
|
|
Leadership Conference |
50 |
|
|
|
Saturday Conference |
50 |
|
|
Kimball 244 Phone: 496-2170
Some of you will leave
BYU-Idaho and go directly into the job market.
All of you will want to develop a resume as you seek for employment, to
assist you through college, seek research grants, or apply for internships. Use the “resource” of the
|
|
Points
Possible |
Date |
Initial |
|
Develop a resume to use now
(put it on disk so you can update). |
50 |
|
|
|
Networking (review the
booklet & prepare a network list) and make contact with people on that
list. |
25 |
|
|
|
Make contact and interview
with a campus recruiter (i.e. Micron, Disney World, |
25 |
|
|
Activities Program
One of the marked
characteristics of successful people is that they are ‘Joiners’. Studies are so strong in this area of
“joinerism” that most major employers require their employees to join
associations, committees, service organizations, and community related
programs. You will do well to develop a
‘Joiner’ mentality now. It will bless
you and in turn bless others! Get
involved; participate in any of the 4 areas of the activities program: Arts,
Enrichment, Physical, Social.
|
|
Points
Possible |
Date |
Initial |
|
Participate in any of the 4
areas of the activities program. |
50 |
|
|
Miscellaneous
There are many resources and
opportunities at BYU-Idaho. Scope out
and take advantage of them. Attend
devotionals and take notes. Attend firesides,
forums, FA 100 events, go to dances, and be involved. No points can be earned in miscellaneous.