Guided Studies (GUST)
Course Title: College and Career Planning
Course Number: GUST 1270
Class Section:
Semester: Fall 2011
Total Contact Hours: 48 (2 credits)
Course Length: 8 weeks
Type of Instruction: (Hybrid)
Instructor: Professor Darin LaMar Baskin, M.A.,
Ph.D. (ABD)
Phone Number: (713) 718-6071 (direct)
(713) 718-6070 (main office)
Email: darin.baskin@hccs.edu
Office Location: JBW 207
Professor of Guided Studies
and Athlethic’s Coordinator
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:
A. READING: Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a
variety of printed materials;
B. WRITING: Competency/outcome in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct,
and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience;
C. SPEAKING: Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear,
coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience;
D. LISTENING: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret
various forms of spoken communication;
E. 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
F. 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 Change, 6th ed.
Prentice Hall, 2010 (Required)
ISBN- or ISBN-10: 0137007620
Houston Community College Catalog, 2010-2011 (Required)
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!
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.
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 LOCATED ON BLACKBOARD
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 complete assignments, quizzes and discussion
questions on Blackboard. This homework will be due on the Mondays 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 1
Welcome
Introduction of Course
Chapter 1 Change Adjusting to the Culture of College, Nurturing Change, and Setting Goals 224
Chapter 2 Engage Developing Your Personal and Academic Motivation 28-47
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS
Week 2
Discuss Chapter 2
Chapter 1 and 2
Introduction of BlackBoard
Chapter 3 Persist Using the Tools of Self-Management to Stay in College 50-70
Discuss Chapter 3
Chapter 3
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 7 Learn Using Your Dominant Intelligence, Preferred Learning Style, and Unique
Personality Type to Become an Active Learner 156-179
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS
Week 3
Discuss Chapter 7
Chapter 7
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 12 Inform Improving Your Research, Writing, and Speaking Skills 290-312
Discuss Chapter 12
Introduction of Career Research Project
Chapter 12
BlackBoard Assignment (Homework)
Chapter 8 Read Building Your Reading and Comprehension Skills 184-206
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS
Week 4
Discuss Chapter 8
Chapter 8
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 4 Communicate Improving Your Personal Communication and Conflict Management
Skills 72-92
Discuss Chapter 4
Chapter 4
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 5 Think Expanding Your Aptitude for Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, and
Information Literacy Skills 94-120
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS
Week 5
Discuss Chapter 5
Chapter 5
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 6 Prioritize Planning Your Time and Reducing Stress 124-154
Discuss Chapter 6
Chapter 6
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 9 Record Cultivating Your Listening Skills and Developing a Note-Taking System That
Works for You 210-232
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS
Week 6
Discuss Chapter 9
Chapter 9
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 10 Understand Empowering Your Memory, Studying Effectively, and Taking Tests with
Confidence 236-262
Discuss Chapter 10
Chapter 10
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 11 Prosper Managing Your Money and Debts Wisely 264-287
Chapter 13 Relate Celebrating People, Cultures, and Diversity 314-329
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS
LAST DAY FOR STUDENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
Thursday, November 3, by 4:30PM
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.”
After the official date of record and prior to the last day for student or administrative*
withdrawal, YOU must take the responsibility to withdraw from the class. Do NOT
depend upon your professor to do it for you. Faculty will only be able to request and process
withdrawals for the reason of excessive absences.*
Week 7
Discuss Chapter 11 and 13
Chapter 11 and 13
BlackBoard Assignment
Chapter 14 Live Developing Your Plan for Wellness and Personal Responsibility 332-353
Chapter 15 Plan Focusing on Your Professional Career and Living Well 356-377
Career Research Project
BlackBoard Assignment
Discussion of Chapter 14 and 15 online
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS
Week 8
Chapter 16 Plan Preparing for Success In The World of Work…and Beyond
CAREER RESEARCH PROJECT DUE
None accepted after this date.
Chapter 14, 15, and 16
Review for Final Exam
*CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR QUIZZES, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
ASSIGNMENTS, THIS IS THE LAST WEEK TO COMPLETE ANY ASSIGNMENT,
ASSESSMENT OR DISCUSSION QUESTION ON BLACKBOARD.
Final Exam Week - No class
ONLINE GRADES AVAILABLE DECEMBER 24
NO BLACKBOARD ON THIS DATE - IN CLASS LECTURE
Discover Career Assessment (Counseling),
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. (This session is a component of your Career Research
Project).
IMPORTANT NOTES
Final Grades Available Online 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/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 (4 in
class lectures) of absence 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
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, BY 4:30PM
●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.
●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)1st fl.
♦Information Technology (IT) (713) 718-8800 Computer issues on HCC campuses
●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
●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
Attendance and Participation♥
Quizzes
BB Assignments
Career Research Project
Final Exam
TOTAL
10%
20%
20%
30%
20%
100%
HCCS Grading Scale
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
59 and below F
♥Note: If you are absent from class on lecture days, you will be counted absent for the following
Blackboard class session. Attendance is a component of your grade.
Blackboard Vista Directions
At any computer that has internet access you can access Blackboard. You
will need to pay attention to your pop-up blocker because Blackboard uses pop-up
to open new windows. You should always allow pop-ups for this site.
Blackboard is a user friendly program and everything is accessed through
links. Click the link that you want to access. Anything underlined and in blue will
send you to another link. Blackboard is designed so students with limited internet
or computer skills can maneuver through it. The best way to learn Blackboard is to
play around with it before you start working.
THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO WATCH THE VIDEOS THAT ARE LOCATED ON
THE BLACKBOARD SITE.
BLACKBOARD LOG-IN INSTRUCTIONS
Log-On at
 http://hccs.edu
 Once you get there you have to click on the tab at the top that says CENTRAL, once
there then click Blackboard Vista
 Your User name is W+ student ID number. You student ID number is the number that
you were provided at HCC. It can be found on your student ID or in your paperwork. It
consists of the last 7 numbers EX: W1234567.
 To log into the system for the first time your initial password is the word distance. The
password is in lower case because the system is case sensitive. Once you have logged in
the first time, the system will ask you to create a current password from your initial
password. After this is completed you will use the new password (This is the password
you just created.) REMEMBER YOU SHOULD WRITE DOWN YOUR USER
NAME AND PASSWORD UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO REMEMBER IT.
 After you have completed changing your password the system will log you out and you
have to reenter your user name and new password.
You now have access to the class. You need to click on the course and then you will see all
of the instructions to follow in order to complete the course. The page that you are looking at is
called the home page.
You need to orientate yourself to the Blackboard program. Here is a brief description of
some of the important links:
 Course Content- This link will get you back to the home page.
 Assessment- Location of all your quizzes or tests.
 Assignments- This link is where all of your assignments that you need to complete are
located
 Calendar- Assignments and assessments due dates and time. This is a useful tool to
help keep you on schedule.
 Chat- A tool used by the instructor or the students; able to chat with anyone that is
currently online with you. You may be asked to meet your instructor in a chat room at a
certain time.




Discussion- If your course requires you to complete discussion questions this is where
they will be located.
Learning Module- This course is broken down into four learning modules. Learning
modules contain certain chapters, links to discussions questions and quizzes. Also each
Learning Module contains PowerPoint presentation for each unit/chapter, these are
helpful when reading your chapters.
Mail- Every student has access to email which allows communication with your fellow
students or instructor. Email should be used if you are having any problem with
Blackboard.
My Grades- Blackboard is setup so that the grades are released once you have
completed your assessment and assignments submitted are graded by the instructor.
You can find all your grades here.