Syllabus
Course Title: Preparing for Student Success SLS1510
Term: Summer2012
Number: 714553
Credits: Three credits
Schedule: T11:40am-3:00PM
R ONLINE(ANGEL)
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Office Hours
Aneisah V. Castro
Hialeah Campus, Building 1800 #314 L
305-237-8644
acastro5@mdc.edu
http://faculty.mdc.edu/acastro5
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The SLS 1510 course is designed to assist students in the development and achievement of
their academic, professional, and personal goals. It provides students with self-awareness,
learning strategies, academic skills, orientation, and individual direction to succeed within
the higher education environment, as well as in the world of work.
MDC Learning Outcomes:
1. Communicati
on Skills
6. Personal
Responsibilit
y
The 10 MDC Learning Outcomes *
2. Quantitative
3. Critical
4. Information
Analysis
Thinking
Literacy
7. Ethical
Thinking
8. Technology
Use
9. Aesthetic
Appreciation
5. Global
Perspectiv
es
10. The
Environm
ent
* See the College’s Learning Outcomes Web Site:
http://www.mdc.edu/main/academics/learning_outcomes.asp
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an orientation to college life and helps develop academic, career, and
personal goals. Students will learn college success strategies, goal-setting, learning style,
assessments, as well as general and discipline-specific study skills in the context of various
theoretical, practical, and experiential perspectives.
Intended for first-year in college students, the SLS 1510 offers life and study skills needed
for a successful academic and professional experience in today’s society.
This class is structured to offer students practical, proactive approaches to manage the
academic expectations and personal adjustment to college. Students are expected to be
active partners in this learning environment.
Aside from lectures and discussions, the format of this course includes active participation
through various assessment tools, interaction with the instructor, completion of
computerized assignments, teamwork, peer group discussions, as well as numerous oral
and written exercises. Also, students with participate with their individual classes to
selected campus events, such as workshops, conferences, and college fairs.
REQUIRED TEXBOOK
Cornerstone: Discovering Your Potential Learning Actively, and Living Well’6th ed. By Robert
M. Sherfield; Rhonda J. Montgomery and Patricia G. Moody.
GRADES
1. Students must take all exams and complete all assignments. A missed test or
assignment will be equivalent to an “F”
Non-attendance to tests MUST be justified and documented, preferably prior to the absence;
otherwise 0 point will be given. Students will be allowed to take a missed test or complete an
assignment upon proper documentation of a reasonable excuse (a dead of a close relative, a
hospitalization, a car accident etc.). A wedding, a vacation trip, oversleeping and other
miscellaneous events will not be acceptable excuses to re-take an assignment.
2. Internet connection problems will not be acceptable excuses for missing due dates or
anything else. MDC has several computer labs and the computers in the library that
you can use to do your course work.
This is a blended course therefore you will be taking quizzes and other assignments online through
ANGEL; nevertheless, you have to attend to every class since 5% of your final grade will be
attendance based.
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GRADING SCALE
A
B
C
D
F
90 – 100
80 - 89
70 – 79
60 – 69
59 and below
GRADING CRITERIA
In order to pass this course, you must meet all course requirements. Grades will be based
on the following criteria:
Assignment
Total Points
Participation
10
Assignments
20
Freshman Portfolio
20
Midterm
25
Final
Total Points
25
100
Your attendance grade will be based on the following criteria:
Attendance 10%
Miss 1 class or 2 T = -1%
Miss 2 classes or 3 T= -4%
Miss 3 classes or 4 T= -6% (If the absences are consecutive you will be dropped)
Miss 4 classes, or 5 T= -8%
Miss 5 or more classes, or 6 T= -10%
Online and face to face classes count the same.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity
All students are expected to meet the College’s academic conduct standards. Acts of
academic misconduct, including cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, and facilitating
academic dishonesty will be referred to the Dean of Students. Students caught plagiarizing
will be charged with misconduct charges. For more information on these standards, refer
to the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook at:
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http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
Access Disability Services:
Students with documented disabilities should contact ACCESS Disability Services in
advance for information and for obtaining assistance. No retroactive accommodations can
be provided. The ACCESS department is located in Room 6112 at the North Campus. They
may be reached at (305) 237-1272.
Make-up, Attendance& Withdrawal policy :
1. Students are expected to attend every class.
2. The instructor will keep a record of class attendance.
3. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of any absence and to
show the corresponding documentation to be excused.
4. It is the instructor’s prerogative to withdraw students with more than three
consecutive absences. Online and face to face classes count the same.
5. The students are expected to participate in the online portion of the course at least
once a week for no less than 3 hours.
6. Students unable to complete at least 80% of the course assignments by the last day to
drop a student during the current semester will be dropped from the class.
7. The use of cell phones, laptop computers, mp3 players or any other type of electronic device
is COMPLETELY forbidden during the lectures.
WITHDRAWALS and class DROP actions are the responsibility of the student and should
be done within the given time as specified in the MDC academic calendar.
IN CLASSROOM RULES
Visitors in the classroom
In order to maintain an appropriate learning environment, only individuals who are
officially registered will be allowed in the classroom. Any special arrangement must be
made in advance with the instructor.
The use of electronic devices in the classroom
Electronic devices for personal use such as pagers, cellular phones, MP3 players, and
headphones should not be used in the classroom. Students are also expected to abide by
the college’s Code of Conduct, as described in the Handbook of Student Rights and
Responsibilities.
Communication
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ANGEL email will be the email communication tool to be used for all course related matter.
Grades, assignment performance and other academic matters will not be discussed/
reported by email or over the phone under any circumstance. They are to be discussed/
reported face to face during office hours only.
Competencies
1. Competency 1: The Student will develop the strategies and attitudes for success
specific to the learning environment by :
1. identifying preferred learning styles and developing a study system that is
compatible with it.
2. describing study skills and using effective study strategies.
3. applying different learning strategies to determine the most efficient strategies
according to a personal learning styles.
4. employing effective modes of reading to suit various types of reading material
(skimming, scanning, rapid reading, and personal, analytic, study reading).
5. applying knowledge of efficient note-taking skills, including active listening,
organizing, and
recording.
6. identifying memory principles, and constructing mnemonic devices and mental
maps.
7. identifying different study strategies for effective test preparation for a variety of
test types and applying test taking strategies for objective and subjective tests.
Competency 2: The Student will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that provide a
general foundation for college success by:
1. analyzing his/her self-concept through selected inventories which measure areas of
psychological awareness.
2. describing the role of taking personal responsibility for making changes necessary
for success and achieving one’s goals.
3. discussing the impact of his/her aptitudes, interests, strengths, and values on
success.
4. identifying and using motivational skills, and their role in achieving success.
5. developing critical thinking skills, including organizing information and planning.
6. identifying useful time management systems and making appropriate use of
strategies in specific college applications.
7. describing and applying problem-solving techniques and conflict resolution in
decision-making.
8. identifying appropriate classroom etiquette.
9. applying stress reduction strategies to college experiences.
Competency 3: The Student will demonstrate utilization of discipline-specific study skills
by:
1.
2.
identifying and using strategies to reduce math anxiety, including using math tutors
and math support services.
identifying and using strategies to increase reading and writing proficiency,
including using reading and writing support services.
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3.
identifying various discipline-specific study strategies, and selecting and applying a
strategy appropriate to a specific content area.
4.
comparing test-taking strategies for different types of examinations.
5.
developing strategies for working effectively with professors in and out of class.
6.
expressing his/her academic needs to the appropriate support resources.
7.
visiting and using the campus library and computer facilities to locate disciplinespecific
information.
Competency 4: The Student will develop the knowledge and attitudes that provide a
general foundation for social and life management skills by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
understanding the importance of a positive attitude.
demonstrating the ability to assume responsibility for actions and decisions.
demonstrating the ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
explaining the importance of maintaining openness to change.
demonstrating initiative and proactivity.
describing the relationship between health, wellness, and social issues and success.
analyzing current events and social issues from several perspectives.
understanding how to work effectively with others.
describing how to work and communicate with diverse people.
utilizing effective conflict resolution skills.
exhibiting personal and academic honesty.
demonstrating punctuality and good attendance practices.
recognizing the relevance of recent computer technology in achieving success.
developing informational literacy and technology skills effectively.
Competency 5: The Student will demonstrate an understanding of the process of career
development and employability skills by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
discussing the impact of his/her aptitudes, interests, strengths, and values on
academic program and career selection and success.
evaluating information from self-assessments, career inventories, occupational
types, and general career information acquired from various sources including the
Internet.
matching knowledge about one's own characteristics and abilities to information
about job or career opportunities.
identifying preferred careers to select an academic program as part of a career plan.
developing an educational plan for meeting graduation requirements, including the
requirements needed for transfer to upper level institutions.
developing an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning to career and life
success.
Competency 6: The Student will develop competence in identifying and using resources
appropriate for their academic program by:
1.
identifying resources available at the College for successful academic progress
including tutoring services, advisement, financial aid, and career information office.
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2.
3.
describing college policies and procedures including Student’s Rights and
Responsibilities Handbook, degree program, and graduation requirements.
describing and applying the registration procedures including degree audit, adding
and dropping courses, official withdrawal policies, transcripts, and the Standards of
Academic Progress.
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