Guided Studies (GUST)
Course Title: Developmental Reading I
Course Number: GUST 0341
Class Section: 56417
Day and Time: T 2-3:15p JBW201 (Lab)
T 3:15-4:45p JBW215
Th 2-4:30p JBW215
Semester: Fall 2011
Instructor: Professor Annie L Tsui
Phone Number: (713) 718-8418 (direct line)
(713) 718-6070 (JBW207 Main Office)
Email: annie.tsui@hccs.edu
Office Location:
JBW 207C
Office Hours: JBW207C
MW 9:30-10:30a; 1:45-2:15p;
TTh 9:30-10a; F 8-8:30a; 2-2:30p
And by appointment
Total Contact Hours: 64 (3 credits) Institutional Credit Only
Non-transferable academic credit
Course Length: 12 weeks
Type of Instruction: Lecture/Laboratory
Course Description:
College Reading I is designed to address the developmental reader's need for direct instruction in basic
reading behaviors that are essential to the acquisition of knowledge in the content areas. Instruction is
based on an interactive reading method with emphasis on learning to learn. These key skills include
previewing chapters, selecting and organizing the information read and critical reading, making
informed decisions about that information. It also incorporates a technology component that will assist
students in additional practice with reading skills and assist in developing computer skills necessary for the
future.
Due to the interactive nature of this course, a variety of instructional methodology will be used including,
but not limited to: lecture, group discussions, guest lecturers, group activities, web activities, library
assignments and exploration activities. (www.hccs.edu)
Prerequisite:
Completion of GUST 0339 or GUST 0340 or placement based on an HCC-administered alternative Texas
Higher Education Assessment (THEA) test. GUST 0341 is the second course in a required three-course
remediation sequence for college reading.
Course Goals:
To help students become more independent, confident and efficient learners so that they are better
able to meet HCC’s academic standards and successfully attain their own educational goals. The
Guided Studies Department also promotes goal setting, self worth, positive attitudes and value
clarification to aid students in becoming contributing members of society and gaining personal
satisfaction. The goal of this course is to teach students to analyze materials thoroughly, locate main
ideas, and critically read information in an effort to make wise decisions. Students who successfully
complete this course will take GUST 0342 the following semester. Students who successfully satisfy THEA
are exempted from GUST 0342.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the semester, you will be able to:
1. Increase vocabulary and dictionary skills
2. Identify main ideas and supporting details
3. Define words in context
4. Develop stronger oral communication skills
5. Improve and develop stronger critical thinking skills
6. Locate topic sentences
7. Develop cooperative learning skills
8. Gain technological proficiency
9. Prepare for and take test successfully
10. Read textbooks with improved retention
11. Locate and utilize a variety of library services and resource materials
12. Understand and apply basic patterns of organization
Student Learning Outcomes:
1.
Acquire vocabulary.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not limited to:
1.a
1.b
Apply context clues to determine the meaning of words and phrases.
Delineate the meaning of figurative language.
2.
Identify main and supporting details.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not limited to:
2.a
2.b
2.c
Show stated and implied main ideas and supporting details in written material.
Show a writer’s purpose, intended audience, viewpoint, tone, and intended meaning.
Describe the relationship of ideas in written material.
3.
Identify relationships in a reading selection.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not limited to:
3.a
3.b
3.c
3.d
Show inferences.
Identify conclusions.
Describe various perspectives on an issue.
Acquire problem solving methods.
4.
Develop reading retention skills.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not limited to:
4.a
4.b
4.c
4.d
Determine assumptions underlying a writer’s argument.
Show the reasoning in a writer’s argument.
Calculate the overall logic and credibility of a writer’s argument.
Show fallacies.
5.
Acquire communication and learning skills.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not limited to:
5.a
5.b
5.c
5.d
5.e
Prepare outlines.
Acquire note taking skills.
Delineate visual aids.
Apply written directions.
Produce a summary of reading assignments.
6.
Exhibit use of the college library for academic research.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not limited to:
6.a
6.b
6.c
6.d
Acquire technical, organizational, and testing skills.
Develop technological proficiency.
Organize information.
Prepare for and exhibit test taking skills successfully.
7.
Develop critical thinking skills.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not limited to:
7.a
7.b
7.c
7.d
7.e
7.f
7.g
Draw an analysis of the relationship of ideas in a written material.
Make inferences and generate conclusions.
Illustrate various perspectives on an issue.
Employ problem solving methods.
Determine assumptions underlying a writer’s argument.
Determine the overall logic and credibility of a writer’s argument.
Determine fallacies.
Text:
Reading Now by Amy Olsen
Pearson Ed Publishing
ISBN 13:978-0-205-00870-4 or 10:0-205-00870-4 (includes MyReadingLab access code)
Books provided by Pearson for Fall 2011. Students are to return the textbook to instructor by final
exam date. If textbook is not returned, student will be responsible for the cost of the textbook.
Materials
Scantron answer sheets (available in the bookstore)
Paper, pens, #2 pencils
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Notebook or Binder with loose leaf paper
Folder for class notes, returned assignments, and handouts
Tutoring Help: www.hccs.askonline.net or Reading Tutoring – Tuesday 12-2p JBW201 Ms. Elaine Krieg
Free books to read online: www.manybooks.net
Tentative Instructional Outline
Week 1
9/27
9/29
Week 2
10/4
10/6
Week 3
10/11
10/13
Week 4
10/18
10/20
Week 5
10/25
10/27
Week 6
11/1
11/3
Week 7
11/8
11/10
Welcome
Chapter 1 The Active Reader Part 1: Asking the Right Questions 3-22
Nelson Denny Assessment
Chapter 1 The Active Reader Part 1: Asking the Right Questions (Continued)
●Faulty Logic 18, Figurative Language 19
Chapter 2 The Active Reader Part 2: Answering Your Question 23-70
●Annotating 24, Paraphrase 26, Summary 28, Outline 29, Visual Aids 30
♦ Introduction to MyReading Lab
Chapter 2 The Active Reader Part 2: Answering Your Question (Continued)
●Organization & SQR4 45, Plot, Characters & Dialogue 57, Conflict, Setting & Tone 58,
Symbolism & Theme 59
Chapter 3 A Word about Words 71-88
●Context clues 72, Dictionary Use 77, Prefixes, Roots, Suffixes 85-86
♦MyReadingLab
Chapter 3 A Word about Words (Continued)
Major Test 1 Chapters 1, 2, 3
♦MyReadingLab
Chapter 4 Everyday Life: Finding the Special in the Ordinary 89-138
●Topic, Topic Sentences 90-91, Thesis Statements and Implied Main Ideas 91-94
Chapter 4 Everyday Life: Finding the Special in the Ordinary (Continued)
♦MyReadingLab
Chapter 5 In the News: Lasting Issues That Spark Debate 139-198
●Major and Minor Supporting Details 140, Example 141, Statistic, Testimony, & Reason 142,
Fact & Opinion 144, Evaluating Supporting Details 146
Chapter 5 In the News: Lasting Issues That Spark Debate (Continued)
Chapter 6 Work and the Dollar: How They Influence Decisions 199-250
●Methods of Ordering Information 200, Patterns of Organization 202, Transition Words and
Phrases 206
♦MyReadingLab
Major Test 2 – Chapters 4, 5
Chapter 6 Work and the Dollar: How They Influence Decisions (Continued)
Chapter 7 Health: Preserving the Mind and Body 251-308
●Purpose 252, Tone 253, Selecting Tone Words 255
♦MyReadingLab
Chapter 7 Health: Preserving the Mind and Body (Continued)
LAST DAY FOR STUDENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, BY 12 Noon
IMPORTANT: Faculty are no longer allowed to assist a student by withdrawing the student at the student’s
request for reasons other than excessive absences. You will receive a FINAL grade of “FX.”
Week 8
11/15
Chapter 8 Science and Technology: Investigating New Realms 309-370
●Inference Clues 310, Bias 313
♦MyReadingLab
11/17
Chapter 8 Science and Technology: Investigating New Realms (Continued)
Week 9
11/22
♦MyReadingLab
11/24
Thanksgiving Holiday - No class
Week 10
11/29
12/1
Week 11
12/6
12/8
Chapter 9 The Environment: Interacting with a Changing Planet 371-428
●Faulty Logic 372, Figurative Language 375
♦MyReadingLab
Chapter 9 The Environment: Interacting with a Changing Planet (Continued)
Chapter 10 The World: Glimpses of Different Places and Perspectives 429-483
COMPASS Retest (Go to Testing Center, Room 211, LHSB Learning Hub Science Bldg.)
♦MyReadingLab completion
Major Test 3 – Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9
Final Exam Review
Week 12
12/13
No class
12/15
Final Exam, Thursday at 2:00pm
Grades Available Online by December 23
●American Disabilities Act Policy
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the
respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. Students who require reasonable
accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to report to Room 106, Learning Hub/Science Building
(LHSB) or call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary arrangements. www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students
From the Student Support column, select the Disability Services link for further information.
●Academic Honesty Policy
Academic dishonesty (cheating of any kind) is a serious offense and will be dealt with accordingly. If a
student copies sentences from another person's work without giving credit to the writer by naming the
writer as the source of the ideas and words, it is called "plagiarism." This is a serious offense in American
colleges, and it is unacceptable. Academic honesty is expected of all college students. Any homework,
journal entry or composition that is not a student's own work will be given a grade of 0. The student may
receive an F for the course when plagiarism occurs repeatedly. http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/currentstudents From the Student Support column, select the Student Handbook link for further information
(reference pgs. 34 - 36.)
●Attendance Policy
Attendance and punctuality are mandatory. Parking is a continuous problem, so leave early for class and
avoid excessive absences. Due to excessive absences and continuous tardiness; if I feel you cannot
complete the objectives of the course, I may withdraw you from class. H.C.C.S. policy states that you can
be withdrawn by your instructor after missing 12.5% of the course; in this course that is equal to 8 hours
(approximately 3 in class lectures) of absences for the semester. A student who is withdrawn from a class
for excessive absences will receive a FINAL grade of “FX." This is not negotiable and cannot be changed
for a letter grade. A student who is withdrawn from a required developmental course will also be
withdrawn from all other courses during that semester. Students on Financial Aid could forfeit their
Financial Aid and F1 students (international) be out of compliance and have their F1 status revoked.
These are serious consequences, and it is the student’s responsibility to maintain required attendance.
Check with your instructor about specific attendance policies.
IMPORTANT: Faculty are no longer allowed to assist a student by withdrawing the student at the student’s
request for reasons other than excessive absences. You will receive a FINAL grade of “FX.”
●Withdrawal Deadline
LAST DAY FOR STUDENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, BY 12 Noon
●Six Drop Rule http://imc02.hccs.edu/gcac/drop.htm
Important information you need to know about dropping courses. Effective 2007, section 51.907 of the
Texas Education Code applies to first-time in college freshman students who enroll in a Texas public
institution of higher education in the fall semester of 2007 or thereafter. High school students currently
enrolled in HCC Dual Credit and Early College are waived from this requirement until they graduate from
high school. Based on this law, HCC or any other Texas Public institution of higher education may not
permit students to drop after the official day of record more than six college level credit courses for
unacceptable reasons during their entire undergraduate career.
●Third Attempt Enrollment Information
Houston Community College charges a higher tuition to students who are registering for a class for the
third or subsequent time. www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students From the Student Support column, select
Admissions & Records link, then Third Attempt Enrollment for further information. An additional $50 fee for
each semester credit hour will be added to your tuition.
●Other Important Notes
Cellular phones and pagers create annoying and unnecessary interruptions during class. Please switch
them to vibrate. No laptops will be used during class sessions unless agreed upon by the instructor. Also,
no text messaging or listening to mp3 players will be allowed.
According to the Texas Education Code 37.123:
“No person or groups of persons acting in concert may willfully engage in disruptive activities or disrupt a
lawful assembly on the campus or property of any private or public school or institution of higher
education or public vocational and technical school or institute.” Hindering other students' learning or
deterring an instructor from effective teaching will not be tolerated. The student who is unprepared,
sleeps in class, or is disruptive will be asked to leave the class and be counted absent.
http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students From the Student Support column, select Student Handbook
for further information (reference Disruptive Behavior pgs. 35-37).
●Important Phone Numbers
♦Houston Community College Police Department (713) 718-8888 Dispatch
Central Police Department 1215 Holman and San Jacinto St., Business Careers Center (BSCC)1 st fl.
♦Information Technology (IT) (713) 718-8800 Computer issues on HCC campuses
●EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System ☺
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to
improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online
survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be
made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for
the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
Grading Score
These guidelines will be followed to determine your final grade:
MyReadingLab (Lab Component)
20%
Average of Major Tests
30%
Comprehensive Final Exam
20%
Instructor’s Choice
30%*
From 2 or more of the following areas:
1. Graded homework assignments
2. Vocabulary lists/exercises* (average of quizzes 10%)
3. Reading assignments* (average of quizzes 10%)
4. In-class exercises
5. Internet activities
6. Novel project
7. Quizzes* (average of chapter quizzes 10%)
8. Preparation exercises
HCCS Grading Scale for Developmental Courses
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
IP* 69 and below
FX Excessive Absences◊
◊A student who is withdrawn from a class for excessive absences will receive a FINAL grade of “FX.”
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to receive credit.
The grade "IP" does not affect GPA. You can receive an IP only once in each developmental class! A
grade of D or F will be assigned for averages below 70% the second time you take this or any other
developmental course.
●As part of the state of Texas’ THEA requirements, you will be re-taking/taking the COMPASS test at the
end of the semester. If you receive a scaled (not percentage) score of 81 or above, you will not have to
enroll in GUST 0342 and you will have satisfied the state’s reading requirements. If you receive a scaled
score of 79 or below, you must reenroll in GUST 0342 next semester.