SOUTHWEST
College and Career Planning (GUST 1270)
COURSE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR
Name: Pamela D. Dearman
E-mail: pamela.dearman@hccs.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
COURSE INFORMATION
Class Number: 35368
Meeting Day(s) & Time: Saturday 9:00-2:00 p.m.
Classroom Location: Learning Hub Room 315
Cengage Course Code: 0085
MISSION STATEMENT
The Houston Community College is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering
opportunities for academic advancement, workforce training, career development, and lifelong learning that
prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in a global and technological society.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & SUPPLEMENTS
Ellis, D. (2009). Becoming a master student (12th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
 Cengage Student Passkey (packaged with new textbooks)
 Other Materials (required by instructor): Binder, Document Holder, Journal
COURSE PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide opportunities for students to develop academic and personal tools as
well as to cultivate values and attitudes necessary for the demands of college and for success in the world
of work. The course emphasizes personal awareness, setting priorities, effective listening, note-taking, and
other skills essential to academic success. Course activities are designed to facilitate the use of library
resources and student support services and to guide students in planning and setting educational and career
objectives—all intended to help students to maximize their use of college resources.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY
A variety of instructional methods will be used and may include: lecture, group discussion, group activities,
Web-based instruction, videos, and exploration activities (regarding interests, abilities, careers).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to help you, the student:
Describe aspects of yourself which affect your academic success.
 Discover and acknowledge your responsibility for your experience in college.
 Identify your personal learning strengths, needs, and habits.
 Discover the cultural experiences and values which define you and other people.
Complete essential steps in identifying a major and a career.
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
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Match your interests and abilities with majors and careers.
Explore career networking strategies and learn to use various career resource guides.
Use important academic skills, including:
 Time management (manage time more effectively),
 Textbook reading (read with improved comprehension),
 Note-taking (take effective notes)
 Test-taking (prepare for and take tests successfully),
 Memory strategies (improve your ability to recall),
 Listening (present clear reports, both written and verbal), and
 Creative and critical thinking.
Complete the following activities:
 Create a degree plan the help of a counselor.
 Demonstrate use of the library resources & tutoring services.
 Conduct a personal and career assessment (portfolio).
 Inquire about financial aid/planning.
 Register for classes for the following semester.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
You are expected to attend all lecture classes and labs regularly. Student success in college is largely
dependent on attending class, and it is imperative that you make an effort to attend every class. There is no
such thing as an excused absence. Circumstances may arise such as sickness, family issues, childcare
issues, hospitalization, and unavoidable transportation problems. In that light, students are allowed to miss
no more than 12.5% of the total class sessions. Students who miss more than 12.5% of class time may be
administratively dropped from this course. It is your responsibility to keep informed of class
assignments, test dates, and other matters that affect your participation in this course and on this
college campus.
TARDY POLICY
Tardiness is an interruption of instruction. Class begins at the time specified in the schedule of classes. If a
student is tardy three (3) times (which may also include leaving early), it will count as one class absence.
GRADING SCALE
90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
59 and below
F
Superior College Level Work
Above Average College Level Work
Average College Level Work
Questionably Unacceptable College Level Work
Unacceptable College Level Work
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
Participation (assignments, discussions, etc.)
15%
Cengage
10%
Course Notebook/Career Portfolio
25%
Instructor Choice
10%
Tests & Quizzes
10%
Midterm Exam
15%
Final Exam
15%
TOTAL
100%
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
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Your grade is reflective of your efforts and achievements. Late work is unacceptable. If you have a true
emergency, it is best to contact the professor as soon as possible to discuss the issue. Late work may be
accepted at the professor’s discretion and will likely include a point deduction. Make-up work may be
allowed at the professor’s discretion.
REQUIRED ACTIVITIES (DESCRIPTIONS)
Midterm and Final Exams: Each student is required to take departmental midterm and final exams. The
exams will cover a variety of materials discussed in class and found in your readings. A study guide for
each exam may be provided by your instructor. You will be given at least one week’s notice before an
exam. You will have 2 hours to take the final exam. Exam dates are posted in the course calendar.
Syllabus Test: Teaching and learning are at their best when a partnership is formed between the teacher and
the learner. Think of the syllabus as a “contract” between the professor and student. As such, it is critical
that you understand and know the content of the document. You will take a syllabus test, as well as sign an
acknowledgment that the professor provided a copy of the syllabus.
Regular Quizzes/Tests: To ensure that each student is mastering the materials assigned for reading and
discussion in class, quizzes/tests will be administered following select chapters.
Projects and Exercises: During the course of the semester, each student will be asked to complete a variety
of projects that support lecture and reading materials. Projects/Exercises may include: library orientation,
Eduspace and other online assignments, critical thinking exercises, collaborative work/presentations, career
research and reporting, journaling, oral presentations, and other projects assigned by your professor.
Cengage: Each student is required to register for the online component of this course. You will be
assigned various activities such as quizzes, tests, discussions, career exploration, etc. to assist with gaining
knowledge of course material.
Academic Conference: Students are required to attend at least one academic conference planned during
the semester. Proof of attendance is required.
SCHOLASTIC HONESTY
All students are expected to fulfill the rights and responsibilities of conduct as outlined in the Houston
Community College Student Handbook. Because an important part of being a college student is academic
honesty, it is the expectation in this course that you will complete all academic work without cheating,
plagiarism, lying and/or bribery. Penalties for academic dishonesty (as outlined in the student handbook)
could include receiving a failing grade for this course and/or being suspended from school.
GRADE REPORTS
HCC does not mail out grade reports. Students may view their grades online at www.hccs.edu within one
week of the end of the course. Students who require a paper or hard copy of their grades may request a
copy from the Office of Student Records.
SEXUAL HARRASSMENT
It is a violation of HCC policy for an employee, agent, or student of the College to engage in sexual
harassment as defined in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines. Any
student who has a complaint concerning this policy has the opportunity to seek resolution of such a
complaint in accordance with procedures set forth in the Student Handbook. Report any complaints
immediately to College Administration or call the EEO/ER Office in Human Resources at 713-718-8606.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the information, policies, and other details in the
Student Handbook. Please refer to:
http://www.hccs.edu/hcc/System%20Home/Departments/Student_Handbook/student_policies.pdf
ADA COMPLIANCE
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Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services Office (DSSO)
of their respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the
accommodation(s) requested by the DSSO. For information and services at HCC Southwest, contact
Dr. Becky Hauri, ADA Counselor, at 713- 718-7910.
SYLLABUS
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and schedule of activities except for the grading
scale and attendance policy. Students will be notified of all changes in writing or by way of verbal
announcement to the class prior to the change.
Important Dates to Remember:
Last Day To Withdraw (4:30pm):
June 30 (Summer I)
July 27 (Summer 10 weeks)
Final Exams:
July 7 & 8 (Summer I)
August 9-15 (Summer 10 weeks)
Acknowledgment of Syllabus
I have received a syllabus for the course GUST 1270. I understand that I am responsible
for reading the syllabus and for asking my instructor to clarify any information on the
syllabus that I do not understand. I also understand that the syllabus and calendar of
assignments/tests may change, and that I will be informed of any changes.
____________________________________________________
Name (please print)
____________________________________________________
___________
Signature
Date
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