University Skills (CI 101)
Course Title: |
Course Code: 101 CI |
Program: Bachelor |
Department: Self-development Skills Department |
College: First Year Common |
Institution: King Saud University |
Version: 1448 H |
Last Revision Date: 27 /8/ 2025 |
A. General information about the course:
1. Course Identification
1. Credit hours: (3) | ||||||
3 Hours | ||||||
2. Course type | ||||||
A. | ||||||
B. | ||||||
3. Level/year at which this course is offered: | ||||||
Common First Year | ||||||
4. Course general Description: | ||||||
The course aims to develop thinking skills, mental flexibility, scientific research, digital literacy, learning skills, personal effectiveness, communication skills, and community leadership among first-year students at King Saud University, enabling them to respond effectively to the demands of the changing labor market and apply these skills in diverse academic, professional, and community contexts. | ||||||
5. Pre-requirements for this course (if any): | ||||||
Not found | ||||||
Not found
| ||||||
7. Course Main Objective(s): | ||||||
The course aims to develop thinking skills, mental flexibility, scientific research and digital knowledge, learning skills, personal effectiveness, communication skills, and community leadership among first-year students at King Saud University, and to apply these skills in their university and professional lives. | ||||||
2. Teaching mode (mark all that apply)
No | Mode of Instruction | Contact Hours | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Traditional classroom | 45 Hour | 100% |
2 | E-learning | - | - |
3 | Hybrid
| - | - |
4 | Distance learning | - | - |
3. Contact Hours (based on the academic semester)
No | Activity | Contact Hours |
Lectures | 45 | |
Laboratory/Studio | - | |
Field | - | |
Tutorial | - | |
Others (specify) | - | |
Total | 45 | |
B. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs), Teaching Strategies and Assessment Methods
Code | Course Learning Outcomes | Code of CLOs aligned with program | Teaching Strategies | Assessment Methods |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.0 | Knowledge and understanding | ||||
1.1 | clarify the logical fallacies inherent in texts and argumentative debates. |
The course is not linked to any specific program, as it is a (university requirement) shared across all university programs and not tied to a particular program. | Interactive lecture, brainstorming | Midterm Exam [20%] |
|
1.2 | define the criteria for rigorous academic writing according to the IMRAD framework. | Integrated lecture, guided reading | Midterm Exam [20%] |
| |
1.3 | explaining the principles of a growth mindset and mental resilience in dealing with stress. | Discussion and dialogue, studying inspiring models | Final Exam [40%] |
| |
1.4 | outlining the dimensions of active citizenship and the individual's responsibilities towards serving society | Interactive lecture, project-based learning | Final Exam [40%] |
| |
2.0 | Skills | ||||
2.1 | Analyzes complex problems and systems in academic and professional environments to identify their causal relationships. |
| Problem-Based Learning (PBL) | Assignment (1): Problem Analysis [5%] |
|
2.2 | Applies design thinking methodology to develop prototypes for solutions to societal problems. | Practical Workshops, Case Studies | Classroom Participation and Interaction [10%] |
| |
2.3 | Designs a comprehensive research proposal according to scientific documentation standards. | Inquiry-Based Learning, Laboratory Applications | Assignment (2): Research Proposal [10%] |
| |
2.4 | Creates communication messages and presentations that are flexibly tailored to the needs of the target audience. | Simulation and Role-Playing, Presentations | Classroom Participation and Interaction [10%] |
| |
3.0 | Values, autonomy, and responsibility | ||||
3.1 | Adheres to the principles of academic integrity and intellectual property rights in all research practices. |
| Ethical discussion, peer learning, and plagiarism detection | Assignment (2): Research Proposal (Integrity Check) |
|
3.2 | Develops a personal and professional development plan based on the SMART goals model. | Self-directed learning, self-reflection exercises | Assignment (3): Sustained Personal Effectiveness [5%] |
| |
3.3 | Practices empathy and emotional management strategies to build healthy professional relationships within work teams. | Peer learning, role-playing | Classroom Participation and Interaction [10%] |
| |
3.4 | Proactively participates in volunteer work that contributes to addressing societal challenges. | Field service learning, teamwork | Assignment (4): Volunteer Work [10%] |
| |
No | List of Topics | Contact Hours |
1 | Introductory Session | 3 |
2 | Critical Thinking and Problem Analysis | 3 |
3 | Systems Thinking and Foresight | 3 |
4 | Design Thinking and Innovative Solutions | 3 |
5 | Fundamentals of Scientific Research and Academic Writing | 3 |
6 | Information Retrieval in the Digital Environment | 3 |
7 | Research Ethics in the Digital Age | 3 |
8 | Professional Management and Personal Effectiveness | 3 |
9 | Psychological Resilience and Mental Resilience | 3 |
10 | Self-Leadership and Impact Creation | 3 |
11 | Effective Communication and Building Personal Influence | 3 |
12 | Emotional and Social Intelligence and Relationship Building | 3 |
13 | Active Citizenship and Social Innovation | 3 |
14 | Reviw | 3 |
15 | Academic Enhancement Week | 3 |
Total | 45 | |
D. Students Assessment Activities
No | Assessment Activities * | Assessment timing (in week no) | Percentage of Total Assessment Score |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Classroom Participation and Interaction | (13) | 10% |
2 | Assignment (1): Problem Analysis | (5-4) | 5% |
3 | Assignment (2): Research Proposal | (8-5) | 10% |
4 | Assignment (3): Sustainable Personal Effectiveness | (9-7) | 5% |
5 | Assignment (4): Volunteer Work | (12-1) | 10% |
6 | Midterm Exam (First three sessions of the course) | (8) | %20 |
7 | Final Exam (last nine sessions of the course | (16) | 40% |
*Assessment Activities (i.e., Written test, oral test, oral presentation, group project, essay, etc.).
E. Learning Resources and Facilities
1. References and Learning Resources
Essential References | Self-Development Department, Deanship of Common First Year. (2026). University Skills. King Saud University Publishing. |
Supportive References | references found in the book University Skills (First Edition) 1448 - 2026. |
Electronic Materials | Electronic portfolio of university skills. (LMS). |
2.6Other Learning Materials | - |
2. Required Facilities and equipment
Items | Resources |
|---|---|
facilities (Classrooms, laboratories, exhibition rooms, simulation rooms, etc.) | Classrooms- presentation rooms |
Technology equipment (projector, smart board, software) | Data Show, Smart Board |
F. Assessment of Course Quality
Assessment Areas/Issues | Assessor | Assessment Methods |
|---|---|---|
Students - Study Plans and Course Evaluation Committee in the department | - Indirect evaluation (a questionnaire to determine stakeholders’ opinions about the course and the effectiveness of the teaching method). - Directly: periodic review of the course by the Study Plans Committee in light of the test results. | |
Effectiveness of Students assessment | Faculty members - Examinations Committee. | • Directly (tests/semester work) • Indirect (questionnaires) |
Quality of learning resources | Students - faculty members | • Directly (quarterly work) • Indirect (questionnaires) |
The extent to which CLOs have been achieved | Course Professor - Quality Committee - Program Leadership | • Directly (tests/semester work) • Indirect (a questionnaire to find out stakeholders’ opinions about the course and the effectiveness of the teaching method) |
Other | - | - |
Assessor (Students, Faculty, Program Leaders, Peer Reviewers, Others (specify)
Assessment Methods (Direct, Indirect)
G. Specification Approval
Council /COMMittee | Self-Development Skills department |
Reference No. | 2 |
Date | 15 / 9 /2026 |
