Guided Studies (GUST)
Course Title: College and Career Planning
Course Number: GUST 1270 – Second Start
Class Section:
Semester: Spring 2011
Total Contact Hours: 48 (2 credits)
Instructor:
Phone Number:
713-718-6070
Email:
Office Location: J.B.Whiteley 207
Office Hours:
Course Length: 12 weeks
Type of Instruction: In Person
Course Description: This course is designed to prepare students for the demands of college
and for success in the world of work. This course emphasizes setting priorities, time
management, effective listening, note-taking, concentration techniques, retention of
information, book analysis and comprehension techniques and test-taking skills. This course
also incorporates modules that are designed to facilitate the use of library databases in
conducting research, planning and setting educational objectives, lifelong career assessment
and decision-making, financial aid, tutoring and student support services, enabling the student
to maximize the use of college resources.
Due to the interactive nature of this course, a variety of instructional methodology will be used
including, but not limited to: lecture, group discussion, guest lecturers, group activities, web
activities, library assignments and exploration activities. (www.hccs.edu)
Prerequisite: Must be placed into GUST 0341 (or higher) in reading. Students below this
reading level will be deferred from the Student Success course requirement until their reading
level has improved.
Course Goal: This course is designed to help students succeed in the college classroom.
Students will learn time management and goal-setting techniques, effective listening and notetaking skills, textbook-study methods, strategies for preparing and taking examinations as well as
techniques to boost concentration and memory. Other topics include units on stress
management, use of the college library and the Internet, research strategies, and career planning.
Also covered are units on adapting to academic regulations and improving personal and social
adjustment to college.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Develop an academic/personal/professional Action Plan, to include long-term goals,
with detailed emphasis on time spent at HCCS.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not be limited to:
1.a
Have a Degree Plan on file, and signed off by your professor. (application)
1.b
Write and prioritize short-term and long-term goals related to your
academic/personal/professional development related to your time at HCC. (analysis)
1.c
Write an Action Plan for those priority goals related to your HCC experience.
(analysis)
1.d
Explain the difference between a job and a career, and the purpose of and
preparation for each. Clarify which of the two brings you to HCC. (analysis)
1.e
Explore career options, incorporating the use of career related search tools.
(application)
1.f
Relate the characteristics of a Life-Long Learner, and how you can develop such
characteristics in your own life. (synthesis)
1.g
Demonstrate that you are capable of being an Independent Learner. (application)
2. Identify and use various student services at HCCS.
Objectives for this SLO should include but not be limited to:
2.a
Discuss your educational/career plans with a counselor and relate other services
available through the counseling office.
(application)
2.b
Access system publications, including the student handbook, college catalog, and
semester schedules. (application)
2.c
Select classes for the next semester using a degree plan and on-line registration.
(application)
2.d
Access the Learning Web and Student Services website. (application)
2e.
Describe the pros and cons of distance education. (comprehension)
2.f
Use your student email account to communicate with professor. (application)
2.g
Obtain a student identification card and parking pass (as needed. (application)
2.h
Meet with a financial aid officer and discuss your financial aid options.
(application)
2.i
Utilize tutoring services provided on-campus and/or online to receive advisement
on at least one assignment. (application)
2.j
Attend a library orientation session and access resources available on campus and
on line. (application)
2.k
Attend at least one system-sponsored special event or student organization
meeting. (application)
3. Use classroom skills, including test-taking, note-taking, time management, etc.
Objectives for this SLO can include, but should not be limited to:
3.a
Explain the basic learning process.
3.b
Complete a week-long activity log and identifying at least one area where
adjustments could be made to improve the student’s use of time. (application)
3.c
Complete a schedule showing the length of time it will take to complete their
degree plans using their current course load.
3.d
Participate in at least one pair/share activity with other students or a modeling
activity with an instructor in order to identify key ideas and supporting evidence from a
variety of textbooks and possibly journal articles. (application)
3.e
Write notes over one chapter or section of a chapter using at least two or more
different note-taking styles. (application
3.d
Adapt memory strategies by coming up with at least three different mnemonics
for key information from a specific textbook chapter. (synthesis)
3.e
Word process and correctly format at least half of the written assignments for
class. (application)
3.f
Use the computer to find at least three professional articles or reputable websites
to be used in a career report or project.
(analysis)
3.g
Demonstrate listening skills appropriate to the college classroom. (application)
3.h
Describe how to prepare for and answer a variety of question types found on
typical tests. (comprehension)
3.i
Describe techniques for recognizing and alleviating test anxiety.
(comprehension)
4. Identify and develop personal/professional characteristics sought by professors/
employers.
Objectives for this SLO include but are not limited to:
4.a
Identify and describe values for both personal and professional life. Relate those
values to college and professional decision making. (analysis)
4.b
Work in collaboration with others. (application)
4.c
Network. (application)
4.d
Apply time management strategies and techniques. (application)
4.e
Prioritize immediate and future activities. (analysis)
4.f
Identify and locate resources necessary to personal/professional success.
(application)
4.g
Identify and demonstrate communication skills appropriate for the college and
professional settings. (application)
4.h
Successfully interact with a diverse population. (application)
4.i
Critically analyze selected materials. (analysis)
General Education Outcomes:
1. Reading: Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a
variety of printed materials;
2. Writing: Competency/outcome in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct, and
coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience;
3. Speaking: Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear,
coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience;
4. Listening: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret
various forms of spoken communication;
5. Critical Thinking: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative
and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate
arguments and to construct alternative strategies; and
6. Computer Literacy: Computer literacy at the college level means the ability to use
computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring
information.
Textbook:
Robert M. Sherfield, Rhonda J. Montgomery, Patricia G. Moody
Cornerstone: Creating Success Through Positive ChΑ+nge, 6th ed.
Prentice Hall, 2010 (Required)
ISBN 13: 978-0-13-213542-9 or ISBN-10: 0-13-213542-6
Houston Community College Catalog, 2010-2011 HCCS Bookstore
MyStudentSuccessLab is a state-of-the-art, interactive, and instructive online solution for student
success courses. MyStudentSuccessLab combines multimedia, tutorials, video, simulations,
animations, tests and quizzes to make teaching and learning fun!
Website: www.mystudentsuccesslab.com This is a specific link for Houston Community
College- Central Campus students. A separate handout will be distributed with registration
instructions for MyStudentSuccessLab. Course Registration ID: tsui40103
Support Materials:
3-ring binder/folder and loose leaf paper or notebook to take notes
Pens, pencils, highlighter
Tutoring Help: www.hccs.askonline.net or Reading Tutoring (to be announced)
GUST 1270 College and Career Planning Course Calendar
QUIZZES ARE UNANNOUNCED
Complete homework assignments before coming to class. In general, you should plan to spend 2
hours studying outside of class for every hour spent in class. Late homework assignments are
not accepted.
At the end of each chapter, you are to answer and turn in Knowledge in Bloom and SQ3R
Mastery. This homework will be due on the Fridays following the discussion of the chapter.
It will be the instructor's prerogative to make any changes deemed necessary in order to meet the
learning outcomes of the course. Students will be notified in writing of any change.
Week One
Welcome, Overview of GUST 1270
(Lecture)
1. Bloom’s Taxonomy (Quick Reference Guide inside book cover)
2. Chapter 1: Change Adjusting to the Culture of College, Nurturing
Change, and Setting Goals 2-24
3. Chapter 2: Engage Developing Your Personal and Academic
Motivation 28-47
Week Two
(Lecture)
Week Three
(Hybrid)
1. Complete discussion of Chapter 1 and 2
2. Chapter 1 and 2 Knowledge in Bloom and SQ3R Mastery due
3. Chapter 3: Persist Using Tools of Self-Management to Stay in College
50-70
4. Introduction of Career Research Project
1. Chapter 7 Learn Using Your Dominant Intelligence, Preferred
Learning Style, and Unique Personality Type to Become an Active
Learner 156-179
2. Chapter 12 Inform Improving Your Research, Writing, and Speaking
Skills 290-312
Week Four:
(Lecture)
1. Chapter 3, 7, and 12 Knowledge in Bloom and SQ3R Mastery due
2. Discover Career Assessment Library Computer Lab LHSB, 4th fl.
If you are absent for this session, you will have to contact Ms. Gail
Wellenkamp, Counseling, (713) 718-6124 or gail.wellenkamp@hccs.edu
to attend a separate workshop and receive the password to sign on to
DISCOVER website.
3. Library Orientation, LHSB, 3rd fl.
Both sessions are components of your Career Research Project.
Week Five
SPRING BREAK MARCH 14-20, 2011
Week Six
(Hybrid)
1. Read Chapter 4 Communicate Improving Your Personal
Communication and Conflict Management Skills 72-92
2. Chapter 5 Think Expanding Your Aptitude for Critical Thinking,
Emotional Intelligence, and Information Literacy Skills 94-120
3. Read Chapter 8 Read Building Your Reading and Comprehension
Skills 184-206
Week Seven
(Lecture)
Week Eight
(Hybrid)
Week Nine
(Lecture)
1. Chapter 4, 5, 8 Knowledge in Bloom and SQ3R Mastery due
2. Discuss Chapter 7 Learn, Chapter 12 Inform, Chapter 4
Communicate, Chapter 5 Think and Chapter 8 Read
1. Chapter 6 Prioritize Planning Your Time & Reducing Stress 124-154
2. Chapter 9 Record Cultivating Your Listening Skills and Developing a
Note-Taking System That Works for You 210-232
3. Chapter 10 Understand Empowering Your Memory, Studying
Effectively, and Taking Chapter Tests with Confidence 236-262
1. Chapter 6, 9, and 10 Knowledge in Bloom and SQ3R Mastery due
2. Discuss Chapter 6 Prioritize, Chapter 9 Record, and Chapter 10
Understand
LAST DAY FOR STUDENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, BY 4:30PM
The last date to withdraw from a class with a grade of “W” for Spring 2011 is
THURSDAY, APRIL 21 BY 4:30PM. YOU must take the responsibility to withdraw from
the class. Do NOT depend upon your professor to do it for you. If you do not withdraw,
your final grade will be a “F.” Instructor has an option to withdraw students for excessive
absences before the deadline date.
Week Ten
(Hybrid)
1. Chapter 11 Prosper Managing Your Money and Debts Wisely 264-287
2. Chapter 13 Relate Celebrating People, Cultures, & Diversity 314-329
3. Chapter 14 Live Developing Your Plan for Wellness and Personal
Responsibility 332-353
4. Chapter 15 Plan Focusing on Your Professional Career and Living
Well 356-377
Week 11
(Lecture)
****CAREER RESEARCH PROJECT DUE****
No project papers accepted after this date.
1. Discuss Chapter 11 Prosper and Chapter 13 Relate
2. Chapter 11, 13, 14 and 15 Knowledge in Bloom and SQ3R Mastery due
3. Review for Final Exam
Week Twelve
FINAL EXAM at
Grades available online May 20, 2011.
●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/current-students 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. 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 6 hours (1.5
classes) of absence for the semester. A student who is withdrawn from a class for excessive
absences will receive a grade of “W” by the student/administrative withdrawal date. 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.
●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.
●Withdrawal Deadline
LAST DAY FOR STUDENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, BY 4:30PM
After the official date of record and prior to the last day for student or administrative*
withdrawal, a final grade of “W” will be recorded on your transcript. YOU must take the
responsibility to withdraw from the class. Do NOT depend upon your professor to do it for you.
If you do not officially withdraw from this course, you will earn an “F” for the course.
(*At the instructor’s discretion, he/she have the option to withdraw students for excessive
absences before the official withdrawal date.)
●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 link for further information (reference Disruptive Behavior
pgs. 35-37).
Make a new friend: You may plan to never be absent & that is great! However, things may
occur that are out of your control causing you to be absent occasionally. Anything you miss
during an absence is your responsibility! It is unreasonable for you to request that I repeat my
lecture to you upon your return after an absence. This is why I suggest to all students that you
make a friend/buddy in the class (maybe even a few). So, if you are absent, you can call that
classmate up and ask what you missed, etc… Let’s take a few minutes for you to get acquainted
with
Name:
Email
Phone
Name:
Email
Phone
●Grading Score
These guidelines will be followed for determining students’ grades:
Quizzes
Assignments
Instructor’s Choice
Attendance and Participation
Career Research Project
30%
Final Exam
20%
●Grading Scale
A
B
C
D
F
Equivalent to HCCS Grading Scale
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
59 and below
Grades of “A, B, and C” are transferable grades to most 4-year colleges or universities in the
state of Texas. If a grade of “D or F” is earned, you are recommended to retake this course.
Check with the college or university of your choice regarding grade transferability issues.