INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name: Pamela D. Dearman
E-mail: pamela.dearman@hccs.edu or
Mrs DearmanP@aol.com
Office Hours: By Appointment
MISSION STATEMENT
Houston Community College is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering a high-quality, affordable education for academic advancement, workforce training, career development, and lifelong learning to prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in a global and technological society.
“Books had the power to alter my view of the world forever.”----Pat Conroy
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: 32538
Course Compass ID Number: dearman22744
Course Goals: 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, provided that they have not retested and passed the TSI required examination (THEA, COMPASS,
ASSET).
Course Description : This is a pre-collegiate course designed to raise your reading and study strategies so that you will be successful in subsequent college-level courses. You will develop vocabulary enhancement techniques as well as ways to improve your comprehension. You will have a variety of opportunities for practice and test rehearsals in the textbook, lab manual, and online.
Course Date: June 8, 2010-August 15,2010
Location : Learning Hub Room 315
Meeting Day(s) and Time: Tuesday/Thursday 5:30-8:50
GUST 0341/Sum. 2010/PBB

Required Textbook and Support Materials:

The Effective Reader, Alternate Readings Edition, 2 nd
Edition, D.J. Henry

Blue or black pen

Loose leaf paper
 Course Compass/MyReadingLab Access Code
 Planner
 Dictionary
 Staple machine or paper clips
Instructional Methodology:
Because of the interactive nature of this course, a variety of instructional methods will be used including, but not limited to: lecture, group discussion, group activities, and internet activities.
Course Goals and Objectives :
Objectives: By the end of the semester, you will be able to:

Increased vocabulary and dictionary skills

Identify main ideas and supporting details

Define words in context

Develop stronger oral communication skills


Improve and develop stronger critical thinking skills
Locate topic sentences

Develop cooperative learning skills

Gain technological proficiency

Prepare for and take tests successfully

Read textbooks with improved retention

Locate and utilize a variety of library services and resource materials

Understand and apply basic patterns of organization
Attendance Policy:
Realizing that student success in college is largely dependent on attending class, it is imperative that you make an effort to attend every class. On certain occasions, circumstances may arise such as sickness, family issues, childcare, hospitalization and unavoidable transportation problems. In that light, students are allowed to miss no more than 12.5% (4 times) of the total class sessions.
( Note: Any exceptions to this policy must be cleared with the instructor)
Tardy Policy:
Classes begin at the exact times specified in the schedule of classes. If you are tardy 3 times, it will be counted as an absence.
Evaluation and Grading Scale
90-100…A
89-80…..B
Superior College Level Work
Above Average College Level Work
79-70..…C
69 and below… IP
Average College Level Work
College Level Work
69 and below…. F * (Students repeating the course)
GUST 0341/Sum. 2010/PBB

Grades will be earned as follows:
Mid Term Exam
Final Exam
Quizzes & Tests
10%
15%
20%
Project (Required Reading/Portfolio) 15%
Vocabulary 10%
Lab (In-Class/Computer)
Participation
25%
05%
Total 100%
**Students must make a grade of A, B, or C to pass this class.
Late Assignments:
There are NO curves. Your grade is reflective of YOUR efforts and achievements. Your operational calendar details when projects and assignments are due. I will remind you in class; therefore, late work is not acceptable. If a situation occurs where you must be absent from the class and work is due, please contact your instructor immediately by e-mail.
Classroom Activities:
Mid-Term Exam: Each student is required to take a mid-term examination during the semester.
The test will cover a variety of materials discussed in class and found in your readings. You will be given at least one week’s notice before an exam. Exam dates are also found in your operational calendar.
Final Exam: Each student is required to take a final exam. The test will cover a variety of materials discussed in class and found in your readings. Exam date is found in your operational calendar.
Regular Quizzes : To ensure that each student is mastering the materials assigned for reading and discussion in class, several quizzes will be administered on a variety of subjects throughout the semester. Quizzes and tests will be announced.
In-Class Lab: To ensure that each student is mastering the materials assigned for reading comprehension, several reading selections will be administered on a variety of subjects throughout the semester. Reading selections will be announced in class.
Computer Lab: To ensure that each student is mastering the materials assigned for reading comprehension, several computer activities (exercises, tests, etc) will be administered on a variety of reading skills throughout the semester. Computer lab dates will be announced prior to the activity.
Scholastic Honesty:
Cheating is never permitted under any circumstance. The penalties for cheating can be found in the schedule of classes. Penalties range from failing the course to being removed from the college. Cheating includes plagiarism and/or using the work of someone else.
GUST 0341/Sum. 2010/PBB

Grade Reports:
HCCS will longer mail out grade reports. Students get their grades online at http://hccs.edu.
Students who require a paper or hard copy of their grades must obtain an official transcript from the Records and Admissions Office of their campus/college.
American Disabilities Act - ADA Compliance:
“Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Service Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. "Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.” The Disability
Services Office number for Southwest College is (713) 718-7910. Dr. Becky Hauri is the ADA contact counselor.
Sexual Harassment:
It is a violation of HCCS policy for an employee, agent, or student of the college to engage in sexual harassment as defined in the EEOC guidelines (EEO/AA Compliance Handbook -online).
Academic Demeanor:
Beepers/Cell phones:
Turn off beepers and cell phones prior to entering class. All electronic devices should be turned off during our class. If you have a home, family or work situation that requires you to wear a beeper or a cell phone, please discuss this with the professor after the first class. No calls, text messages, photographs, or any other electronic communication should be sent or received during class.
Behavior:
You are in college. You will be treated and respected as an adult. Because of the nature of discussion involved in this class, it is imperative that we respect each other’s opinions and values.
Discipline problems are not tolerated. Any student failing to abide by appropriate standards of conduct during scheduled College activities may be asked to leave that day’s class or activity by the instructor or another College official. (The student has the right to return to the next class/activity.) If a student refuses a request to voluntarily leave the classroom, security may be summoned to remove the student so that the scheduled activity may resume without further disruption. In cases of serious problems, the faculty member will document and report the incident to his/her supervisor. Further disciplinary action may be pursued according to System guidelines, presented in the HCCS Student Handbook.
Syllabus:
Student Handbook:
GUST 0341/Sum. 2010/PBB

http://www.hccs.edu/hcc/System%20Home/Departments/Student_Handbook/student_policies.pdf
GUST 0341/Sum. 2010/PBB