COURSE SYLLABUS

2023-2024

Introduction to Soft Skills

SFT 110
Fall 2023

SFT 110 Syllabus

 SFT 110 Syllabus

Contents
1. General Course Information ........................................................................................... 3
2. Course Description ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3. Course Objectives........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4. Learning Outcomes......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5. Student Evaluation .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6. Overall Course Grading Scale........................................................................................ 4
7. Turnitin ........................................................................................................................... 4
8. Artificial Intelligence AI-based content............................................................................ 4
9. Use of textbook and other course material ..................................................................... 5
10. APA Style....................................................................................................................... 5
11. Lab Reports ................................................................................................................... 5
12. Attendance Policy .......................................................................................................... 5
13. Makeup of assessments or Late submissions ................................................................ 5
14. Academic Honesty and Integrity Assurance ................................................................... 6
15. Copyrights...................................................................................................................... 7
16. Disruption of the Learning Process ................................................................................ 7
17. The need to study! ......................................................................................................... 7
18. Teaching Methodology ................................................................................................... 7
19. The Project and team-based work ................................................................................. 8
20. Activities and participation .............................................................................................. 8
21. Assignments / Graded Class Activities / Quizzes / Other assessments .......................... 8
22. Surveys .......................................................................................................................... 8
23. Specific Notes ................................................................................................................ 8
24. Course Weekly Calendar ............................................................................................... 9
 American University of the Middle East (AUM)

COURSE SYLLABUS

1. General Course Information

Title and Code of the course: Introduction To soft Skills, SFT 110

Course Meeting Times:

Section Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

F6 8-9:15 8-9:15

Instructor’s name and title: Dr. Hasah AlHeneidi

Office Hours: In Office on the following days/times:

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

9:30-10:30 11:00-12:00 11:00-12:00 11:00-12:00
12:30-1:30 12:30-1:30 12:30-1:30 12:30-1:30

Number of credits: 3 credits

Prerequisites:
Contact Hours: 3 hrs Lecture
Email: hasah.al-heneidi@aum.edu.kw

2. Course Description
This course is designed to engage learners in a systematic exploration of critical thinking process by
stimulating and guiding to think more clearly, insightfully, and creatively. The course enables students
to solve problems and to make the best choices in their academic, professional, and personal lives by
constructing knowledge, forming concepts and applying crtical reasoning skills on diverse contexts.

3. Course Objectives
This course discusses operational definitions for the processes of critical thinking, creative thinking
and active learning. It aims to:
• Encourage students apply critical and creative thinking skills to problem solving, intelligent
decision-making, and meaning making in academic, professional, and personal contexts.
• Equip students with the skills to recognize, understand, develop, and demonstrate ability with
critical reasoning processes.

4. Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will:
1. Demonstrate an overall understanding of critical thinking as a soft skill
2. Carefully explore situations with questions and view situations from different perspectives.
3. Find individualized ways to creatively and constructively solve complex problems.
 4. Use perspective-taking to achieve knowledge by analyzing different accounts of an event.
5. Exhibit teamwork and interpersonal skills.
6. Demonstrate ability to communicate their knowledge publicly.

5. Student Evaluation
Category 1 Weight
Attendance Attendance 5%
Social Media Page
30%
Assignments Reflection
(3X10%)
Presentation
Graded Class Activity GCA 1 20%
(GCA) GCA 2 (2x10%)
Moodle Quiz(zes) Moodle Quiz 5%
Midterm Midterm 20%
Final exam Final Exam 20%
Total 100%
✓ Students may be asked to work in groups to complete certain assignments. Depending on the needs
of the course, the faculty may arrange the groups and inform students on Moodle in advance.

Notes:
✓ Students have the full responsibility of:
o submitting the required documents within the deadline
o verifying that the correct files are submitted
o verifying that the submitted files are not corrupted
✓ Softcopies are required to be uploaded into Turnitin when applicable.

6. Overall Course Grading Scale

Please refer to the Student Handbook for more information on the Letter Grading System.

7. Turnitin
Turnitin is a web-based solution that lets AUM faculty and AUM students check written work for
improper citation or misappropriated content. If any technical problem is encountered, students
should contact IT at AUM.

8. Artificial Intelligence AI-based content

AI-powered content generating tools are still under development. Students must be particularly aware
that the use of AI-based tools in their academic work may hinder their creativity, critical thinking, and
the attainment of other learning objectives.
As part of assessments, students should refrain from using or submitting any content generated
through the use of AI-based tools as it will be considered as a breach of academic integrity (refer to
the section Academic Honesty and Integrity Assurance).
In particular cases where the use of this tool will be explored, studied or evaluated, the faculty member
will clearly state it and authorize students to use it in their work.
9. Use of textbook and other course material
It is the responsibility of the student to refer to the textbook and other course material. The use of the
textbook is mandatory.

10. APA Style

AUM adopts the APA writing style for all its academic programs. AUM students are required to use this
style in their assignments. The following website can be of value for students: . Students are also
encouraged to visit the AUM Writing Lab to receive help and guidance on all APA-related questions.

11. Lab Reports

It is expected of students to follow and abide with lab procedures and guidelines. The lab report format
must be strictly followed by the student.

12. Attendance Policy

Our educational philosophy is based on two criteria; developing a professional graduate who
understands and respects discipline and a graduate who masters the course material given during the
class session. Missing more than the maximum allowed sessions within a course means the student
cannot fully acquire the amount of information needed to pass the course. Hence, the student is
declared “Dismissed”.

Regular quality attendance is a clear indication of the student’s commitment, dedication, and respect
towards the course and the class. Students must regularly attend every class they register for. In case
of absence, the student is responsible for making up missing class work. Much of the learning will take
place during the class session, so it is important that students be there. The skills which are central to
the course are best developed through practice. Most of the classes follow a discussion rather than a
lecture format. Each student is expected to participate and may be called upon at any time to provide
an analysis of the topic or case for discussion, or a critique of others' comments. Also, missing a class
may well mean missing an assessment. Students’ active participation in class discussions will
contribute to making the class sessions enjoyable and enhance the learning. In the context of class
discussions, students have the opportunity to develop their analytical, listening, and communication
skills.
For more details, please check the attendance policy of AUM.

13. Makeup of assessments or Late submissions

Makeup: Missed assessments, assignments, or activities conducted during class time or exam weeks
are subject to the Makeup rules described in the AUM Attendance policy. Makeups (if approved) will
be administered as per the policy and may be scheduled on days and times different than regular class
time, including Saturdays. Please check the makeup rules for important deadlines.

Late submission: Assessments that has a submission deadline are subject to the below Late Submission
policy:

After the submission deadline, students have a maximum 2-days grace period for late submissions with
the following penalty (excluding Fridays):
 ➢ first day, within 24h from the deadline, 40% deduction
➢ second day, within 48h from the deadline, 60% deduction
Failing to submit within two days after notification means that the assessment will be awarded 0.
Note: Submission of wrong or corrupted files fall under the late submission policy.

14. Academic Honesty and Integrity Assurance

Honesty when completing assignments is an indication that the course material has been properly
understood. Lack of academic integrity (e.g. plagiarism, copying another person’s work, submitting
work done by a third party, submission of content generated through the use of AI-based tools as own’s
work, using unauthorized aids on examinations, cheating, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by
others,) will not be tolerated. Therefore, if students include ideas, sentences, or other material that are
not theirs in their work, they must properly reference the source(s). Students are encouraged to consult
with the instructor if they have any questions on the issues of academic integrity or technical
formatting of the references. Students are also encouraged to contact the AUM Writing Lab to receive
help and guidance on all APA-related questions.

Upon suspicion and doubt of the authenticity of the work submitted, the Instructor has the right to
ask the student to verify her/his work. This can be done through, but not limited to, repeating the
work, oral examination or discussion, alternative or similar on spot class assignment, quiz, or any
other action deemed necessary. If the student fails to prove the authenticity of the work, then the
instructor will apply the academic misconduct rules as mentioned in the AUM Student Handbook
which may include awarding the work a zero grade.

Students are expected and encouraged to be honest and maintain the highest standards of academic
integrity in their academic work and assignments at the university. Any act of academic dishonesty
may result in severe consequences for violations range from zero grades given for the assignments,
failing the course, and suspension from the University. Students will refrain from any academic
dishonesty or misconduct including, but not limited to:

• Plagiarism: the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words, or artistic, scientific, or technical
work as one’s own creation. Also, paraphrasing, summarizing, direct quotations, are
considered as plagiarism, if the original source is not properly cited.
• Cheating: is an act of lying, deception, trickery, imposture, or imposition. Cheating
characteristically is employed to create an unfair advantage, usually in one’s own interest, and
often at the expense of others. The person who is sending or receiving assistance is considered
cheating.
• Assisting in cheating
• Substituting for another student in the taking of an examination
• Substituting examination booklets/papers
• Submitting the same work for more than one course
• Submitting papers and other work written by others
• Submitting content generated through the use of AI-based tools as own’s work
• Receiving or providing unauthorized help or assistance in any academic work or assignment
• Intentional violation of program and degree requirements and regulations as established by
the University
 • Dishonest reporting of computational, statistical, experimental, and research results, or the
like
• Using any format of smart or electronic devices as a tool of cheating
Group responsibility: If plagiarism/cheating or other academic misconduct is detected in a group work,
all members of the group are responsible. Students cannot claim their ignorance of the
plagiarism/cheating in a report submitted by a member of the group. Students are responsible of the
entire work/report, even if they have previously agreed on splitting the tasks between the group
members.

Securing your work: It is the responsibility of the student/group to ensure that their work/report is
secure and not plagiarized or disseminated. If other students or groups re-use their work or parts of it,
they will be considered as responsible of facilitating plagiarism and cheating.

For a detailed description of academic misconduct please refer to the AUM Student Handbook.

15. Copyrights
Students are expected to adhere to copyright practices, refer to the undergraduate AUM Student
Handbook.

16. Disruption of the Learning Process

Any disruption of the learning process by the student will be investigated with the student affairs
department, if needed. The AUM non-academic misconduct policy will be strictly applied.

Refer to the Disruption of the Learning Process guidelines which will be strictly applied as in the
AUM Student Handbook

17. The need to study!

AUM students need to be well prepared for the rigorous curriculum at AUM and its applications. This
means students need to invest a great deal of effort, managing their time effectively, in order to
address the requirements of all the courses they are taking in a semester.

18. Teaching Methodology

Students are encouraged to participate in class and work in teams. Both individual and team efforts
are evaluated and rewarded. The students are also encouraged to develop their critical thinking and
communication skills. There will be several teaching methods employed in the course which will include
all or some of the following: interactive lectures; group work; case studies and discussions; lab sessions;
debates; assignments; multimedia; individual and team activities; field visits; guest lecturers; project,
problem, and research-based tasks; and/or analysis and reflection on scholarly textbooks and papers.
Some of the learning outcomes will be achieved through assignments, projects, and activities.
19. The Project and team-based work
The project component of the course, if included in the syllabus, is essential to passing this course. The
project provides the students with the opportunity to achieve the course objectives and learning
outcomes. The project should allow the students to investigate, apply, research, and practice real-life
situations. It is expected that each student fully and actively participates in the project as an effective
team member. A project document will be distributed later in the semester with details about the
project.

For all group-related work, the entire team is responsible for the project outcome and the
deliverables, except for the specific parts of the project that may be graded individually depending on
the project’s requirements as outlined in the project document.

20. Activities and participation

Activities and other engagement opportunities constitute a major learning tool of this course. They are
designed to draw out the creative talent and abilities of students, adding value to the content and
learning outcomes of the course. Students are encouraged to be creative, innovative, and critical when
addressing the deliverables of these learning tools. These tools require passion, critical thinking, and a
challenging spirit in order to achieve a creative and outstanding outcome. Engagement is ongoing; it
will mainly revolve around subjects and topics presented on the same day of the lecture. Active
participation is encouraged; it may include answering questions, contributing to discussions, debating
issues, and even presenting part of the lecture as requested.

21. Assignments / Graded Class Activities / Quizzes / Other assessments

Assignments / Graded Class Activities / Quizzes outlined in the calendar are designed to assess learning
(i.e. students’ knowledge of specific topics and concepts), and encourage students to keep up with the
course and show their knowledge of specific topics and concepts.

Specific requirements will be highlighted by the instructor prior to the assessment date.

Assessments may be scheduled on different days and time than the regular class meeting times,
including on Saturdays (Ex. Midterm Exam or Final Exam)

22. Surveys
Any survey to be conducted by the student in relation to the course needs first to be approved through
the course instructor.

23. Specific Notes

 24. Course Weekly Calendar

REFERENCE LEARNING /
DATE CLASS TOPIC & DESCRIPTION IN THE ABET ASSIGNMENT/TASK
TEXTBOOK OUTCOMES
DAY1: WELCOME AND COURSE
REVIEW
DAY2: INTRODUCTION & SYLLABUS
SYLLABUS
WEEK ONE REVIEW
1
(24-SEP/ 30-SEP)
24 SEP - CLASSES / DROP ADD
PERIOD BEGINS
28 SEP- PROPHET’S BIRTHDAY
DAY1: SOFT SKILLS
DAY2: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
WEEK TWO
1 OCT - DROP ADD PERIOD ENDS/ 1, 6
(01 OCT - 07 OCT)
DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING "I"
GRADES/
WEEK THREE
DAY1 AND DAY2: THINKING AHEAD CHAPTER 1 1, 2
(08 OCT - 14 OCT)
WEEK FOUR DAY1 AND DAY2: THINKING
CHAPTER 2 1, 2, 3, 5
(15 OCT - 21 OCT) CRITICALLY

DAY1: SOLVING PROBLEMS

WEEK FIVE
CHAPTER 3 1, 3 GCA 1 – 10%
(22 OCT - 28 OCT) DAY2: GCA 1
WEEK SIX DAY1 AND DAY 1: CONSTRUCTING
CHAPTER 5 3
(29 OCT - 04 NOV) KNOWLEDGE

DAY1: VIDEO DISCUSSION MOODLE QUIZ – 5% (24

WEEK SEVEN
DAY2: MIDTERM REVIEW 3 HOURS+2 DAYS LATE
(05 NOV - 11 NOV)
SUBMISSION)
11 -NOV - MIDTERM EXAMS BEGIN
WEEK EIGHT
18-NOV – MIDTERM EXAMS END
(12 NOV - 18 NOV)
ASSIGNMENT 1A 10%
WEEK NINE DAY1: FORMING AND APPLYING
CHAPTER 7 1, 2, 5 AND ASSIGNMENT 1B
(19 NOV - 25 NOV) CONCEPTS
10% - SUBMISSION
DAY1 AND DAY2: CONSTRUCTING CHAPTER 10
WEEK TEN
ARGUMENTS, REASONING 2, 4
(26 NOV - 02 DEC) - 11
CRITICALLY
DAY 1: THINKING CRITICALLY,
WEEK ELEVEN
LIVING CREATIVELY CHAPTER 12 1, 4 GCA 2 – 10%
(03 DEC – 09 DEC)
DAY2: GCA 2
 WEEK TWELVE DAY1: PRESENTATIONS
1, 2, 3 ASSIGNMENT 2 – 15%
(10 DEC – 16 DEC) DAY2: PRESENTATIONS

WEEK THIRTEEN DAY1: PRESENTATIONS ASSIGNMENT 2 – 15%

1, 2, 3
(17 DEC – 23 DEC) DAY2: PRESENTATIONS (CONT.)
WEEK FOURTEEN
24 DEC - WINTER BREAK BEGINS
(24 DEC - 30 DEC)
WEEK FIFTEEN 01 JAN - NEW YEAR’S DAY
(31 DEC - 06 JAN) 04 JAN - WINTER BREAK ENDS

WEEK SIXTEEN DAY1: PRESENTATIONS ASSIGNMENT 2 – 15%

1, 2, 3
(07 JAN - 13 JAN) DAY2: PRESENTATIONS (CONT.)

REVISION FOR FINAL ASSESSMENT

WEEK SEVENTEEN 14 JAN - CHANGE OF MAJORS APPLICATION OPENS

(14 JAN - 20 JAN) 18 JAN - CHANGE OF MAJORS APPLICATION CLOSES / CLASSES END
20 JAN - FINAL EXAMS BEGIN
WEEK EIGHTEEN
(21 JAN - 27 JAN)
FINAL ASSESSMENT WEEK

WEEK NINETEEN 28 JAN - FINAL EXAMS END

(28 JAN – 03 FEB) 01 FEB - FINAL GRADES ANNOUNCED

Note: The instructor has the right to amend the content of this syllabus and keep students informed about the
updates. The most updated syllabus is on Moodle.