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TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOUTHEAST CAMPUS
COURSE SYLLABUS
ENGLISH 1003
Academic Strategies
Mrs. Pat M. Belcher
Fall
2015
Course & Sec. #: ENG. 1003-322
CRN#: 16933
T R: 11:00 am – 12:20 am Room: SE: 3102
TO CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Mailbox: Academic and Campus Services, Room 2202 (Building 2); 918-595-7673
E-Mail: patricia.belcher@tulsacc.edu or through MyTCC or Blackboard
COMMUNICATION SERVICES DIVISION INFORMATION:
Associate Dean: Lori Coggins
Phone: 918-595-7694
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE READ:
This syllabus is an agreement between instructor and student. As a participant in this course, you must abide
by the rules and requirements as outlined in this document. It is your responsibility to read this syllabus
carefully and address any questions/concerns as soon as they arise. The instructor reserves the right to amend
this syllabus (including the class schedule) at any point this semester. In the event of such a change, all
students will be notified via in-class announcements or e-mail.
___________________________________________________________________________
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Academic Strategies orients students to TCC campuses and college services, emphasizing personal and
social strategies to increase student involvement in college and community activities. The course requires
students to analyze and apply study techniques and behavior patterns essential to college success, apply
critical and creative thinking skills to solve academic and social problems, and construct goals and time plans
to balance work, school, and family. There is no prerequisite for ENGLISH 1003.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK and OTHER MATERIALS:
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ONLINE TEXTBOOK – Guide URL: http://guides.library.tulsacc.edu/ASreadings
Description: This guide is the textbook for academic strategies
Three-ringed binder for portfolio (this is not optional) with dividers
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The student should be able to:
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1. Use personal and social strategies to succeed in and enjoy the college experience and to become
involved in college and community activities;
2. Identify and apply college and academic terminology;
3. Construct short-term and long-term goals, balancing personal skills, interests, personality, and
values;
4. Construct and monitor weekly/monthly time plans to balance work, school, family, and social
activities;
5. Locate and apply college resources and support systems and incorporate these into the learning
process (MyTCC Portal, Blackboard, Career Center, Advisement, Financial Aid, Learning Resource
Center, Computer Labs, and Support Labs);
6. Analyze and modify study techniques and behavior patterns to successfully complete homework,
reading assignments, exams, and special projects:
~ Demonstrate effective note taking techniques across the disciplines;
~ Demonstrate test taking strategies for objective tests, essay exams, and oral examinations;
~ Use techniques for improving memory and concentration;
7. Apply critical and creative thinking skills to identify and solve academic and social problems
(includes math and science strategies, information literacy techniques, collaborative learning,
diversity issues, and conflict resolution);
8. Apply writing process skills to written work:
~ Demonstrate application of basic paragraph and essay organizational techniques;
~ Use mechanics of English correctly (i.e. grammar, punctuation, and spelling);
9. Demonstrate transference of skills learned to other coursework during the semester.
To make the course objectives applicable to your life, Learning Outcomes are listed below. These
outcomes are specific tasks and/or processes students will complete in this course over the semester. You
may use the table of Learning Outcomes as a checklist, indicating tasks that have been completed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES (TASKS YOU WILL PERFORM IN THIS COURSE):
Orientation to College Campus and Services
By the completion of this course students will:
 Locate a majority of the student services, including Registration, Financial Aid, Advisement,
the Library, Student Activities, the Fitness Center, the Book store, Campus Police, Student
Computer Labs, Career Planning Services, Writing Center Tutors, Math Tutors, student
Government, and Academic and Campus Services.
 Use at least five of the student support systems listed above.
 Complete Educational Planning Unit.
Technology
By the completion of this course students will:
 Access TCCNet.
 Download and upload assignments in Blackboard.
 Use the Discussion Board in Blackboard.
 Send and receive emails from their TCC Outlook email address.
 Be able to enroll in classes and to print their semester schedules.
 Type a document in MLA style using Microsoft Office Word.
Effective Communication
By the completion of this course students will:
 Construct emails to faculty and peers using formatting, language, and grammar/mechanics
appropriate in professional correspondence.
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
Present a clear and valid discussion point and support it with evidence in a short answer or
essay question on an exam.
 Exercise classroom etiquette in classroom interactions with professors and other students.
Goal Setting and Time Management
By the completion of this course students will be able to:
 Set long term goals in various categories (education, family, career, personal health,
community, and/or self-actualization).
 Establish semester education goals for this course.
 Construct a weekly plan that balances work, school, personal goals, and family (as
appropriate). Schedules include time blocked for homework, work, travel, exercise, family
obligations, household chores, personal errands, community commitments, personal growth
and leisure activities (short term goals).
 Complete the Career Planning Unit, analyzing at least one possible career choice.
Critical Thinking and Academic Development
By the completion of this course students will:
 Create a semester crisis plan to address problems that typically arise during a semester,
including transportation issues, severe illness, family emergencies, job conflicts, and lost
books/notes.
 Demonstrate effective note taking from other courses or guest presentations/workshops.
 Complete a Library Information Literacy Unit and/or Plagiarism Review.
 Complete a study guide for an exam.
 Demonstrate ability to apply levels of critical thinking to a self-analysis of test performance.
 Follow critical reading processes for textbook readings and literary text readings.
 Develop a working plan to resolve problems using steps to create and analyze options and
execute a plan.
Civic Responsibility and Diversity in Community
By the completion of this course students will:
 Contribute at least 5-8 hours community service (perimeters set at discretion of instructor).
 Resolve social conflicts in a variety of scenarios through role-playing.
 Participate in a student organization or Student Activities function
GRADE DISTRIBUTION:
The final grade for this course will be based on the following scale. Students may check their progress at
any point this semester by reviewing the “student grades” section on the class Blackboard page. There will
NOT be any extra credit assignments this semester, so all students are strongly encouraged to maintain a
strong academic effort throughout the course.
925 - 832 points
831 - 740 points
739 - 647 points
646 - 555 points
554 and below
A
B
C
D
F
Points are awarded based on the following class activities:
Essay #1 (2 page minimum)
Essay #2 (2 page minimum)
Exam #1 (mid-term)
50 points
50 points
100 points
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Exam #2 (final exam)
Classroom Activities
Portfolio
Vision Board
Time Management
Advisement Assignment
Library Unit
100 points
200 points
150 points
50 points
100 points
25 points
100 points
TEACHING METHODS:
This class will be conducted as an academic support group for students and as a workshop consisting of brief
lectures, discussions, group activities, individual activities, learning experiences, and portfolio assessment.
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend class regularly and to be on time. However, there is no documented or
enforced attendance policy. Each and every class meeting is important, and student participation is a vital
ingredient to success this semester. Excessive absence makes successful completion of the class difficult or
impossible. Any student who is frequently absent from this course should not expect a passing grade.
After an absence, the student is responsible for obtaining their assignments and classroom materials from
another student. Most in-class assignments cannot be made up; participation and class activity points cannot
be made-up. Weekly assignments will not be accepted after the due date. No major assignments (midterm and final exams, portfolio, essays, etc.) will be accepted after the due date without instructor
approval on or before the due date. Approved make-up work must be submitted in a timely manner –
within a week from the time the student is able to return to class.
LATE WORK/MAKE-UP WORK:
All students are expected to submit their work on-time and in the manner designated by the instructor. Since
all major assignments deadlines are outlined in this syllabus, there is no reason for any late submissions.
Therefore, any assignment submitted past the prescribed deadline will not be graded/accepted. As
with the attendance policy, any student who misses a deadline due to a medical or family emergency many
be granted a brief extension (the time allotted is dependent on the circumstances).
CLASSROOM ADMISSION:
Access to the classroom is limited only to students who are officially enrolled in the course and are
recognized as such in the Tulsa Community College database. No guests, family members, friends, or
children will be admitted. Also, in accordance with campus procedure, the class door will be locked once
our session begins. Any student who arrives after the door is closed must knock for admission and confirm
that their attendance is recorded.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom
or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the
ability to learn from each other. Any student determined to be disruptive will be asked to leave the class.
They will forfeit any credit for the session and be charged with an absence. During this class, there will be
many opportunities for discussion about various topics. Any debates or confrontations should remain civil
and logical. Also, mocking another student’s ideas, speech, appearance, or compositions will not be
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tolerated. Anyone found making rude comments or gestures toward another student will be warned the first
time then penalized a full (final) letter grade for every following offense. The instructor may also contact the
Dean of Student Services with a recommendation for further disciplinary action.
WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES:
The student who simply stops attending class has not officially withdrawn. If a student cannot continue with
a class, he or she must officially withdraw. The last day to withdraw is Friday, November 6, 2015.
Procedures for withdrawal are:
1. You are required to begin the process by talking with your instructor. There are other options open to
students besides withdrawal. Always include the professor in the decision process.
2. Begin the paperwork process in Advisement which is located on the first floor of Building 2. The
advisement staff will walk you through the proper procedure for withdrawal from a course.
3. Keep a copy of the withdrawal form for your records. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from
a course after the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the current and future
semesters. Students may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a
balance due to TCC. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may
receive a course grade of “F”, which may have financial aid consequences.
POLICY REGARDING ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
All cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices should be turned off. If any student is expecting an
emergency phone call, please notify the instructor before class and set the phone to silent. Also, please find a
seat near the door and exit the room quietly.
E-MAIL:
All communications from the instructor and the college will be sent exclusively to the student’s assigned
TCC address. After enrollment, all TCC students receive a designated e-mail address. All students are
required to regularly check their e-mail and use it to correspond with the instructor outside of class. If any
student is not familiar with their address, they are encouraged to contact the TCC Help Desk as soon as
possible at 918-595-2000.
CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:
The best way to reach the instructor is via e-mail communication. While some messages are answered
shortly after their submission, please allow at least forty-eight (48) hours for a response. All students MUST
use their official TCC e-mail when communicating with the instructor. Personal e-mail addresses are not
accepted. Unless otherwise noted, the instructor will not respond to e-mail messages on the weekends.
WRITING CENTER/MATH LAB:
Assistance in reading, writing, and study skills is available in the Writing Center (Room 1102). Assistance
in mathematics and individualized tutoring for math courses is available in the Math Lab.
INCLEMENT WEATHER:
TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives
cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website
(www.tulsacc.edu).
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TOBACCO FREE COLLEGE:
Tulsa Community College prohibits smoking or the use of tobacco products on all property owned, leased or
contracted for use by Tulsa Community College. This includes both indoor and outdoor areas such as, but
not limited to, classrooms, laboratories, offices, work areas, vestibules, hallways, enclosed walkways,
restrooms, elevators, stairwells, sidewalks, parking lots, and green spaces, etc. This policy also includes
vehicles owned, leased, or rented for College business.
The prohibition includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes, hookahs, ecigarettes, dip, snuff, smokeless pouches, or any form of loose leaf or rolled tobacco.
Legal Reference: Oklahoma State Statute, Title 21, Section 1247
Oklahoma Governor Executive Order 2012-01
Oklahoma State Statute, Title 63, Section 1-1523
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:
Tulsa Community College graduates value cultural diversity, ethical behavior, and the unique role of public
education in sustaining a free society. The following general education goals function independently and in
concert. TCC graduates demonstrate:
1. Communication Skills – effective written, oral, visual, technological, and interpersonal interactions.
2. Critical Thinking – aesthetic and qualitative reasoning for creative inquiry, analysis, synthesis, and
evaluation or information, both abstract and concrete.
3. Empirical Skills – problem solving and quantitative reasoning in support of scientific and
mathematical concepts.
4. Teamwork – the ability to collaborate in support of shared purposes and goals.
5. Personal Responsibility – choices and actions that recognize consequences and exhibit ethical
decision-making.
6. Social Responsibility – the ability to evaluate one’s own ethics and traditions in relation to others
and to embrace the diversity of human experience while engaging local, regional, and global
communities.
SYLLABUS CHANGES:
Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the
syllabus during class time or via e-mail.
DISABILITY RESOURCES:
It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments.
Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education
Access Center (EAC) at eac@tulsacc.edu or call (918) 595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing
students may text (918) 809-1864.
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ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY:
Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the
work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the
Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of
authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but
are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic
dishonesty a faculty member may:
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Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a substitute
assignment or test;
Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively withdraw
the student from the class;
Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may request that
disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a
request to the Dean of Student Services.
COURSE DROP OR WITHDRAWAL:
A student who has been found responsible for academic dishonesty in a course may not drop or withdraw
from the course. If the student processes a drop or withdrawal from the course, the action will be reversed
and the appropriate grade will be recorded on the student's transcript.
PLAGIARISM STATEMENT:
Plagiarism is claiming, indicating, or implying that the words, ideas, or sentences of another writer are your
own; copying the work of another and presenting it as your own; or following the work of another as a guide
to ideas and expression that are then presented as your own. Students who turn in the same work will both
be considered to have plagiarized. For more information, please read either pages 626-635 in The Little,
Brown Handbook, or pages 191-195 in The Craft of Research.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT:
Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC
Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All
information may be viewed on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
PORTFOLIO GRADING:
An Academic Portfolio of the student’s coursework, worth 150 points of the final grade, will be submitted
once at the end of the semester. Portfolio assessment enables students to document mastery of the objectives
by presenting evidence of the course outcomes of the semester. The Portfolio will provide students with an
individualized academic reference to be used throughout their college experience - - the result of their
research and assessment of academic strategies and support services. Students will participate in many
learning activities and writing exercises - - individual and group, graded and ungraded. Students are advised
to keep all written exercises, revisions, worksheets, and handouts from the course. Since the loss or damage
of the course materials could jeopardize the Portfolio grade, course materials should be maintained with care.
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TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR:
Please note that the instructor reserves the right to amend this schedule at any point this semester. In the
event of such a change, all students will be notified via in-class announcements and/or MyTCC e-mail
messages.
Week 1 –August 18 and 20
Course Introductions
Syllabus Discussion/Syllabus Activity
Read: Unit I: About TCC and Technology
1.1 Introduction to the College – Read all sections (examples below)
Sec. 1 - Barry Zimmerman Article
Sec. 2 - Phases and Processes of Self-Regulation
Sec. 3 - College Definitions
Sec. 4 - Intro. to MyTCC and Single Sign On
Sec. 5 - Preparing for Emergencies
Sec. 6 - Exercise: Making a Crisis Plan
Week 2 –August 25 and 27 (meet in Computer Lab 1220 both days)
Read: Unit I
1.2 TCC Facilities and Support Services
1.3 Advisement
Using a College Catalog Activity
1.4 Career Planning
College Definitions Hand-Out
Assignment: Zimmerman Group Presentations – due 9-8-15
Assignment: PORTFOLIO due 11-17-15
Week 3 – September 1 and 3
Campus Scavenger Hunt
Academic First Impressions
Tell Us About Yourself . . .
Crisis Plan Activity
Work in groups on Zimmerman Assignment
Assignment: Essay # 1 – due 9-22-15
Prompt – Discuss some of the obstacles or problems that have kept you from success either
in school or real life. How did you overcome these obstacles? If you weren’t able to
overcome these problems, what would you think to do differently now?
Why did you choose this path for college? What led you to TCC? What skills
discussed/learned in this class have influenced you the most so far? What skills have you
used in other classes?
Week 4 – September 8 and 10
Present Zimmerman Assignment
Read: Unit 2: Goals and Time Management
2.1 Goal Setting
Activities: Wildest Dreams
Establishing Life Goals/Long-term Goals/ Semester Goals
How to Write Goals/Analyze Goals
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Goal Setting
Assignment: Vision Board – due 9-17-15
Week 5 – September 15 and 17
Read: Unit 2
2.2 Time and Stress Management
Activities: Creating a Time Management System
Coping with Stress
Assignment: Time Management – due 10-27-15
2.3 Money Management
Activity: Creating a Budget
Present Vision Boards to class
Week 6 – September 22 and 24
Assignment Due: Essay #1 due 9-22-15
Read: Unit 3: Study Skills
3.1 Learning Styles
Activities: Learning Styles Survey
Reflecting on Learning Style Preferences
Assignment: Learning Theories (if time permits)
3.2 Reading
Activities: SQ3R
Drawing Conclusions
How to Use Your Textbook
Reading Difficult Material
Listening Skills
Week 7 – September 29 and October 1 (Meet in Computer Lab #1220 both days)
Read: Unit 3
3.3 Note Taking
Activities: Note taking in another class
Note taking during videos
Note taking skills
Watch note taking videos
Review for Mid-term
Week 8 – October 6 and 8
Mid-term Exam Review
Mid-term Exam
Week 9 – October 13 and 15
Read: Unit 3
3.4 Test Taking
Activities: Test preparation
Strategies for different types of tests
Watch test taking videos
Test anxiety
3.6 Math Study Skills
Activities: How to be successful in math
Math anxiety
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Week 10 – October 20 and 22
Read: Unit 4: Critical Thinking
4.1 Memory
Activities: Memory Aids Exercise
Improving Your Memory Techniques
4.2 Critical Thinking Tools
Activities: Bloom’s Taxonomy
Critical Thinking Exercises
Week 11 – October 27 and 29
Continue with Critical Thinking Exercises
Assignment: Essay #2 – due 11-24-15
Prompt – Discuss the college major that you have chosen (at this time) and your career
choice. Why did you choose this major/career? List and discuss reasons for both.
What steps do you need to take in order to meet your goals? What steps are
necessary for achieving success in your life?
Week 12 – November 3 and 5
Read: Unit 4
4.3 Community and Diversity
Activities: “A Class Divided” video
“What Would You Do” video
Cultural Diversity Worksheet
The Choice – values exercise
Presenting Diversity – writing activity
4.4 Teambuilding and Leadership
Activities: Teamwork discussion
4.5 Conflict Resolution
Activities: Resolving conflicts – videos
Conflict Resolution and Problem Solving workshop
Tips for resolving conflicts
Week 13 – November 10 and 12 (Meet in Library)
Read: Unit 1
1.3 Advisement
Activities: Student Advisement Worksheet
Choosing a Major
Assignment: Visit with your Academic Advisor
Enrollment Form due 11-24-15
Nov. 12 – Meet in Library for Library Assignment Instruction
Week 14 – November 17 (meet in Computer Lab #1220) and 19
Read and work on: Unit 5
5.1 – Library Introduction
5.2 – Library Resources
5.3 – Be an Info Pro
PORTFOLIO DUE 11-17-15
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Week 15 – November 24 (Meet in Computer Lab #1220) and 26 (Thanksgiving – no class on the 26th)
ESSAY #2 DUE ON 11-24-15
Activity: Review for Final Exam
Week 16 – December 1 (Meet in Computer Lab #1220) and 3 (NO CLASS)
Activity: Work on Review for Final Exam on 12-1-15
No class on 12-3-15 – Review for final exams
Week 17 – FINAL EXAM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015
11:00 AM – 12:50 AM