Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

General Studies Capstone (Online)

GS 4000-SW1

Course: GS 4000-SW1
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies
CRN: 33021

Course Description

Students complete a faculty-approved capstone project to demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained in their General Studies coursework. Projects may be academic, applied, or creative, and emphasize reflection on identity, career readiness, and the value of multidisciplinary learning. Through career-focused assignments like informational interviews, relevance statements, and final presentations, students integrate academic learning with professional preparation.

Required Texts

This course does not use a traditional textbook. As in similar capstone courses, required readings will be specific to each student’s project and track choice. Students will identify and integrate peer-reviewed academic literature relevant to their chosen capstone focus and apply these sources within their proposal, development, and final deliverables. Weekly required readings will be provided in Canvas to support the theme of each module, and will include open-access scholarly articles, professional frameworks, sample capstones, and media resources that reinforce the capstone process. Track-specific recommended readings and resources will also be provided to support Research Paper, Digital Project, Portfolio, or Creative Capstone pathways. All required weekly readings and materials will be posted in Canvas within each module.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Reflect on their academic journey to articulate the value of a multidisciplinary General Studies degree and its application to career and future pathways.
  2. Identify and develop a significant problem, question, or theme to address through a faculty-approved capstone proposal.
  3. Design and complete a project that demonstrates integration of knowledge, skills, and perspectives gained through General Studies coursework.
  4. Produce and present a rigorous final deliverable that meets academic and professional communication standards.
  5. Evaluate the capstone process through structured reflection to assess personal, academic, and career-related growth.

Course Requirements


Academic Integrity & AI Policy: 

For more information on what is academic misconduct and what is considered academic misconduct, a list can be found on SUU's website: SUU Academic Misconduct Policy
Links to an external site..

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, use of unauthorized resources, and unauthorized collaboration or distribution of course materials. All work submitted must represent your own ideas and effort. When work includes someone else's ideas or contributions, it must be properly cited; failure to do so constitutes academic misconduct.

Reusing Work: Submitting work from previous courses or other students without permission is academic misconduct. Follow assignment instructions to know when building on prior work is acceptable.

Proper Use of Sources: Any information that is not your original thought must be cited in a references section. Using someone else's work without citation is considered academic dishonesty and will result in reduced points or a required resubmission.

Example citation for AI:

AI Usage Guidelines: Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are only allowed when specified in the assignment instructions. AI use outside of when it is sanctioned specifically in the assignment instructions is prohibited. When using AI in AI-approved assignments, you are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any AI-generated content used. If AI is used, it must be cited as a reference.

Unauthorized AI use on assignments will be investigated as academic misconduct.

Grammarly & Spelling Tools: Using tools like Grammarly for grammar and spelling checks is acceptable to refine your work. These tools must not be used to create new content or complete assignments unless explicitly allowed.

Consequences of Academic Misconduct: If academic misconduct is suspected, SUU’s Policy 6.33 will be followed. Consequences may include:

  • Formal warning
  • Resubmission of the assignment
  • Loss of points or a zero on the assignment
  • Completion of an academic integrity tutorial
  • Reduced or failing grade
  • Dismissal from the program
  • Suspension or expulsion

For details, review Policy 6.33: SUU Policy 6.33
Links to an external site.. Unauthorized AI use or other misconduct will result in a notice and appropriate sanction. Repeat offenses will escalate consequences, up to dismissal or expulsion.

Course Outline

Module 1 | Welcome to Class and General Studies Identity

Module 2 | Capstone Proposal

Module 3 Foundations | Annotated Bibliography | Research-Supported Post | Artifact #1 with Analytical Commentary | Creative Sample with a Research Statement

Module 4 Contextualization | Literature Review | Audience & Performance Analysis | Research Integration Report | Contextual Analysis

Module 5 Application | Argument & Evidence | Usability and Accessibility | Professional Relevance Statement | Artist/Creator Statement

Module 6 Summation | Abstract and Conclusion Statements | Executive Summary and Final Post | Portfolio Preface and Closing Statement | Critical Preface and Thematic Reflection

Module 7 | Final Assessment

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work:
  1. Unexcused late assignments will be docked 5% for each day the assignment is late.
    1. For example, the highest score possible for an assignment submitted 3 days late is 85%.
  2. Assignments are not accepted after 14 calendar days (2 weeks) past the original assignment deadline.
  3. Assignments will not be accepted after the Tuesday after the last assignment is due (ie. the Tuesday of finals week). All late work must be submitted on or before this day.
  4. Discussion board content created and posted after the assignment deadline will not be accepted. 
  5. If something comes up and you are unable to turn something in by the deadline, contact me before the assignment deadline, and we can make arrangements for an extension. 

Makeup Work & Extra Credit: 
Make-up work is not provided, and extra credit will be offered to the entire class when applicable. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance:
This course does not have any required live class sessions. However, students are expected to actively engage in the course by logging in and participating multiple times per week. Regular participation is essential to staying up-to-date with course announcements, discussion boards, and new content.

To ensure you don't miss any important updates, please turn on notifications for announcements and submission comments. All work must be submitted by the specified deadlines, and it is your responsibility to manage your time effectively to keep up with the course schedule.

Proactive communication is key to your success in this course. If you have any questions or concerns about the material, deadlines, or technical issues, please reach out to me as soon as possible. Additionally, I encourage you to engage with your peers in discussions and group activities to enhance your learning experience.

If you anticipate any issues that might impact your ability to complete coursework on time, please contact me as early as possible so that we can discuss your situation and consider possible arrangements.

Course Fees

https://www.suu.edu/registrar/course-fees.html

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.