MANATEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DIVISION OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 2007-2008
SYLLABUS: SLS 1101
COURSE DESCRIPTION: SLS 1101 – STRATEGIES FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS (3) A.A. Three hours lecture per
week. This course is designed to assist students in identifying their motivation for attending college and
to map the essential resources and skills necessary for college success. Strongly recommended for
students who place into two or more developmental courses.
PRE-REQUISITE: Active MCC E-Mail address. Access to a computer with basic knowledge computer
skills.
TEXTBOOK (S) AND RELATED MATERIALS:
YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Strategies for Success , 7th Edition, by Gardner & Jewler, 2005, Media
Edition, Wadsworth Group, ISBN#0-495289655
WINNING AT MATH, 4th Edition, by Nolting, 2002, Academic Success Press, ISBN#: 0-940287-34-X
BECOMING A CRITICAL THINKER,5th Edition, by Ruggerio, 2006, Houghton Mifflin, ISBN#: 0-618-527834
MCC CATALOG, MCC STUDENT HANDBOOK, MCC CAMPUS MAP (these resources can be acquired free
at the college. SUGGESTED SUPPLIES: Computer disks for saving work, dictionary and/or thesaurus,
notebook for portfolio
PROFESSOR: Dr. Margie Robertson
Bradenton Campus Building #26-Office #117
Phone: Office: 752-5372 (Leave message if no answer)
Home: 355-0873*2
E-Mail: robertm@mccfl.edu (primary)
Docmargie1@aol.com (secondary)
Office Hours: TBA each semester. To insure quality time, please make appointment.
CLASS ATTENDANCE:
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL CLASSES WHICH ARE CONDUCTED AND TO FOLLOW THE
GIVEN ITINERARY FOR CLASSES WHICH ARE NOT HELD IN THE ASSIGNED CLASSROOM. STUDENTS
SHOULD CONSULT THEIR ELECTRONIC CALENDAR REGULARLY TO CHECK FOR ANY CHANGES MADE TO
THE CLASS. Attendance will be taken each class meeting; if a student misses class on MWF classes, 3.3
points will be subtracted from their starting total of 100 each day missed; if a student misses class on TR,
5 points will be subtracted from their starting total of 100 each day missed; if a student misses a night
class, 10 points will be subtracted from their starting total of 100 for each night missed, and if class
meets 4 days/week, students will lose 2.5 points for each class missed from their starting total of 100
points.. Class attendance is regarded as essential for each student’s maximum participation and for
effective instruction to take place. Students are asked to call and/or e-mail the Professor and leave a
message PRIOR to missing class. Students who miss class are responsible for all material covered in
class; for accurate information, it is best for the Student to contact the Professor directly for this
information .Any student who enters the class after roll has been taken (TARDY) will lose half of the
points for their presence that day. Any student leaving class early without the prior permission of the
Professor will be counted as absent for the day. Students will be notified if the class is cancelled (by
phone, e-mail, or notice at the classroom site). Make-up work for credit or excused absence may not be
permissible if the student misses class unexcused or has not followed the prior suggestions. Any
assignments made-up or submitted late may have a penalty assessed of minus 10 points or more.
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
The student, at the successful completion of this course, should be able to:
1. Initiate the development of educational goals and objectives.
2. Identify individual strengths and weaknesses as they apply to course and exam performance,
including identification of learning styles, anxiety and its effect on performance.
3. Demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking skills.
4. Choose actions and develop practices that demonstrate student responsibility toward student
success.
5. Identify and demonstrate academic skills which are necessary for success, including note-taking,
reading, discussion, research, testing strategies and writing.
6. Engage in active learning strategies and techniques.
7. Make appropriate decisions about time, finances, stress and life choices.
8. Demonstrate the ability to follow specific and detailed instructions.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of community and college support services and resources.
10. Demonstrate basic technology skills, including basic computer and Internet skills and the ability to
utilize MCC online resources.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of college policies and procedures.
GRADING POLICY:
The Student grade in this class will be determined as follows:
25% Participation (includes attendance and participation in class)
25% Book Review (to be presented to the class toward end of term)
50% Exam/Quiz Average
***PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION: Students may submit their Portfolio developed in
this class toward the end of the course which may substitute for the lowest
grade achieved on exams in the course. Please note that this applies to only
one exam grade, not the average.
NUMERICAL EVALUATION:
100 - 90 = A Excellent
89 - 80 = B Good
79 - 70 = C Average
69 - 60 = D Poor
59 – below = F Failing
I - incomplete (defined in MCC Catalog); will only be given in dire circumstances
W – withdrawal policy as stated in the MCC Catalog: students may withdraw from any course or all
courses without academic penalty of a WF by the deadlines listed in the academic calendar. The dates
for the 2007-08 terms are listed below. Students must take responsibility for initiating the withdrawal
procedure. Students are strongly encouraged to talk with their instructors first before taking any
withdrawal action and inform the Professor of their decision for proper recording.
WITHDRAWAL DATES:
FALL TERM 2007------------OCTOBER 29, 2007
SPRING TERM 2008-------------MARCH 19, 2008
SUMMER A TERM 2008 ------JUNE 2, 2008
SUMMER B TERM 2008-------JULY 14, 2008
STATEMENT OF PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is the use of ideas, facts, opinions, illustrative material, data, direct or indirect wording of
another scholar and/or writer—professional or student—without giving proper credit. Expulsion,
suspension, or any lesser penalty may be imposed for plagiarism.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT:
Students are expected to honor fellow classmates and the Professor. Students are expected to abide by
all Lancer Student Handbook guidelines. Please refrain from using electronic devices in the classroom.
All cell phones should be either turned off and/or on vibrate and answered only in case of emergency
while in class. Once class begins, your Professor will expect your undivided attention.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
You may be required to participate in additional specific learning experiences for this course; i.e. events
held on campus in the area of performing arts, service learning components, student activities or events
held on/off campus related to the course objectives (attendance at specific locations for events in the
community), Suggestions may be made for your assistance via additional support for students (lab
availability, etc.); communication channels for students having difficulty, computer ethics, specific
information relevant to special format classes (VTEL, telecourse, etc); additional resources
(bibliographies, web pages, etc).
STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THEIR PROFESSOR IN THIS CLASS IF
THEY NEED CLARIFICATION OR HAVE CONCERNS. WE ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU ON YOUR “WAY
TO AN ‘A’”!!!!!!
PLEASE COMPLETE THE COURSE DISCLOSURE WHICH YOUR PROFESSOR DISTRIBUTES IN CLASS OR
WHICH IS ON LINE FOR YOUR CLASS, AND GIVE TO YOUR PROFESSOR WHEN ASKED, DURING THE
FIRST WEEK OF CLASS. YOU SHOULD ALSO PRINT OUT THE SYLLABUS WHICH IS ON LINE AND REVIEW
FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THIS COURSE. THESE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED
DURING THE FIRST MEETINGS OF YOUR COURSE.
A TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE WILL BE PROVIDED BY YOUR PROFESSOR FOR YOU TO FOLLOW IN THIS
COURSE AFTER THE ADD PERIOD ENDS.