Miami-Dade College
Social Sciences Department
Student Support Seminar SLS 1125 # 641490
Weds. 5:40 – 8:10pm Rm. #6212
Fall 2011-1
Name: Maribel Romero
Office: Wolfson Campus 3117-9 and
Kendall Campus Building 2, Room 2119-4 (Adjunct Office)
Telephone: 305-237-7947
E-Mail: Maribel.Romero@mdc.edu
Webpage: http://faculty.mdc.edu/mromero2/
Office Hours: By Appt. Only
Catalog Course Description:
This three credit course is intended for students that have been placed on Academic Warning. It is designed to help
students to be more successful academically by focusing on performance in a learning environment. This will include
social, cultural, psychological and academic aspects of the individual and the role they play in the learning environment.
Course Competencies:
http://www.mdc.edu/asa/popups/course_competencies.asp
http://www.mdc.edu/asa/documents/competencies/pdf/SLS1125.pdf
MDC Learning Outcomes:
1. Communication
Skills
The 10 MDC Learning Outcomes *
2. Quantitative
3. Critical
4. Information
Analysis
Thinking
Literacy
5. Global
Perspectives
6. Personal
Responsibility
7. Ethical
Thinking
10. The
Environment
8. Technology
Use
9. Aesthetic
Appreciation
* See the College’s Learning Outcomes Web Site: http://www.mdc.edu/main/academics/learning_outcomes.asp
Required Textbook:
Psychology of Success, Finding Meaning in Work and Life
Denis Waitley, Ph.D., Fifth Edition. ISBN#: 978-0-07-337517-5.
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90 – 100
80 - 89
70 – 79
60 – 69
59 and below
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Grading Criteria:
Assignment
Total Points
Tests
60%
Paper/Presentation
20%
Journals
20%
Total Points
100%
Instructional Strategies:
Instructor will use the following instructional format lectures with powerpoint presentations; group discussions and activities;
videos; and handouts.
Course Policies:
Class Rules / Guidelines:
1.
ABSENCE/TARDINESS POLICY: Roll is taken at the beginning of every class meeting. It is your responsibility to attend
class meetings and to arrive on time to be counted on the roll. There are generally no “excused” absences in College beyond
a court summons, military deployment, or brief hospitalization (documentation will be required). You are considered either
PRESENT or you are ABSENT from class at the time roll is taken. If you leave class early, it is the instructor’s prerogative
to mark you as being absent for the full class meeting. See your teacher if you have questions about whether or not your
absence may be deemed as excused. Use your absences as leave in the event of an emergency, sickness, or unforeseen
event.
You are not allowed to sign the roll for a student who is absent. This is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. You
may be referred for disciplinary action if you do this.
NOTICE: IF YOU MISS MORE THAN THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ALLOWABLE ABSENCES (2), YOU WILL BE
DROPPED FROM THE CLASS BY THE INSTRUCTOR WITHOUT NOTICE AND MAY NOT BE READMITTED.
2.
CELL PHONES/PAGERS/TEXT MESSAGING/MP3 Players/Music Devices: All cell phones, pagers or text messaging
devices should be muted or turned off during class. Please do not answer your phone in class or repeatedly leave class to
answer your phone/send a text message. You may be asked to leave by the instructor if you interrupt class and may not return
until you have been cleared by the Dean of Student Services.
Sending text messages or listening to an MP3 player/music device of any type during class is distracting and considered
inappropriate classroom behavior. If you are seen texting or listening to a music device during class, you may be asked to
leave the class by the instructor and may not return to the class until you’ve been cleared by the Dean of Student Services.
Proper classroom etiquette requires you to not use any features of your cell phone during class. You are also not allowed to
use a cell phone during a test. You must put the cell phone away, out of sight, during a test.
3.
IF YOU ARE DROPPED FROM THE CLASS: If you are dropped from this class by the instructor or by the College for
non-payment of student fees, you will no longer be allowed to attend the class. You will also not receive a grade for the class
and the instructor will not accept your assignments, papers, or tests. The instructor can only allow a person to re-enroll in
a class for two reasons: 1) The student was withdrawn due to instructor error, or 2) The student was withdrawn due
to a financial aid issue (documentation may be required). The instructor has the discretion whether or not to allow a
student to re-enroll in his/her course.
If you are dropped from the class and the instructor allows you to re-enroll, you must submit the paperwork to the Registrar’s
Office and receive a receipt showing that you’ve been re-enrolled in the class BEFORE YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO
RETURN TO CLASS. You must provide proof of registration and payment of fees from the Registration Office before the
instructor will let you attend the class.
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TO RECEIVE A GRADE IN THE CLASS, YOU MUST BE PROPERLY ENROLLED PRIOR TO THE START OF
FINAL EXAM WEEK. WE WILL NOT RETROACTIVELY RE-ENROLL A STUDENT AFTER THE FINAL
EXAM WEEK HAS BEGUN OR PASSED.
4.
LATE/MISSED WORK/MAKE-UP WORK: You are responsible for submitting work by the due date/time. The
instructor may impose a penalty for work submitted late. If you should miss class due to an absence or from being
temporarily dropped from the course, you (not the instructor) are solely responsible for making up the work/ material/tests
missed. The instructor is not responsible for reminding you about missing work/test.
The instructor does not have to accept any late work or to allow you to make-up missed work!
Unless an incomplete is arranged through the instructor, ALL COURSEWORK IS DUE BY THE END OF THE
ACADEMIC TERM BEFORE THE START OF FINAL EXAMS. WORK SUBMITTED AFTER THE END OF THE
TERM OR AFTER THE START OF FINAL EXAMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND YOUR GRADE WILL NOT BE
CHANGED.
5. PLAGIARISM/CHEATING: All plagiarized papers will receive a grade of zero and the student will not be allowed to redo the assignment. Cheating is the deliberate act of GIVING OR RECEIVING unfair assistance or help on a test or
assignment or the submission of someone else’s work as your own. Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s work
without properly citing it in a bibliography or putting appropriate quotations around the work. Should an instructor
determine that a student has plagiarized or cheated on an assignment, you will receive a grade of zero for the work and not be
allowed to make-up the grade. The student may also be referred to the Dean of Student’s Office for disciplinary action. All
students are expected to meet the College’s academic conduct standards. For more information on these
standards, refer to the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook at:
http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
6.
REQUESTING AN INCOMPLETE GRADE FOR THE COURSE: Instructors and the department will only consider
issuing a grade of “I” or incomplete if the student has satisfied the majority (75%) of required work in the class, has faithfully
attended the class, and has an extremely extenuating circumstance which prevents him/her from attending the final course
meetings. An Incomplete Agreement Form must be completed by the student and signed by the instructor if the incomplete
is deemed valid. Students who are past due on assignments/tests/papers or who have exceeded the allowable number of
absences are usually not granted the opportunity to do an incomplete. Incomplete requests are NEVER accepted after a term
has ended or after the fact (arrangements must be made in advance with the instructor).
NOTICE: A STUDENT HAS UNTIL THE END OF THE NEXT MAJOR SEMESTER (FALL / SPRING) TO SETTLE
THE INCOMPLETE OR THE FINAL GRADE ASSIGNED WILL BECOME AN “F.” The instructor is not responsible for
reminding the student about the incomplete.
7.
EXTRA CREDIT POLICY: The instructor may only grant extra credit opportunities to the entire class. No one student or
select group of students will be allowed an extra credit opportunity any different than what has been offered to the entire
class. Please do not ask for special exceptions as none will be granted.
8.
GRADE DISPUTES/REQUEST FOR CHANGING A FINAL GRADE: Final course grades are only changed for two
reasons:
 Changing from an incomplete or “I” to a final grade, or
 Due to a grade calculation error by the instructor.
Remember, the instructor cannot curve or adjust a student’s grade for any personal reasons. Nor can the instructor accept
work submitted after a term has ended unless the student has received permission to do an incomplete and the proper
paperwork has been filed in advance with the department.
If you feel that the grade you received on an assignment or the final grade you received in a course is due to an error, the
proper way to resolve the situation is as follows:
a.
Communicate your concern in writing or via email to the Professor. Ask to meet with him/her
during his/her office hours to discuss the issue.
3
b.
c.
d.
9.
Allow the Professor adequate time to respond (usually 3-5 business days except during periods when
school is not in session such as weekends, breaks between terms, or holidays).
Try to resolve the situation with your Professor in a respectful manner. Keep all your written
correspondence.
If, after you have met with your instructor, you feel the need to appeal the faculty member’s
decision, contact the Department Chair at 305-237-2215 to schedule a meeting. Be prepared to bring
all your documentation to the meeting.
DISRUPTING CLASS: Any student who intentionally disrupts the teaching/learning process or who acts in a disrespectful,
threatening, or intimidating way toward the instructor will be asked to leave the class. Campus Security will be called if the
student refuses to leave. The student will be referred to the Dean of Students and must receive his/her approval before
returning to class.
Any student who deliberately causes a class to be cancelled due to his/her inappropriate actions will be immediately reported
to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. An inquiry may be made by the academic department and the responsible
student may face suspension or expulsion.
10. PRESSURING/INTIMIDATING/BEING VERBALLY ABUSIVE/USING PROFANITY WITH THE TEACHER OR
ANOTHER STUDENT IN THE CLASS: Any student who participates in pressuring or “ganging up” on a professor with
other students as a means to get him/her to change a grade or course requirement will be dismissed from the class and not
allowed to return to class until he/she has been cleared to return to class by the Dean of Student Services. The student may
also face disciplinary action by the College. The appropriate way to handle a disagreement or personal grade issue with an
instructor is to meet with him/her one on one during his/her office hours.
Any student who uses profanity toward, intentionally verbally insults, or becomes verbally aggressive with a teacher or other
student in a class will be dismissed and not allowed to return to the class until he/she has been cleared to return by the Dean
of Student Services. The student may also face disciplinary sanctions by the College.
11. Can’t Afford The Textbook? Two copies of all Social Sciences textbooks are on file at the reference desk of the MDC
Kendall Library. You cannot remove these books from the Library and are limited to 2 hours of use per visit.
12. EMAILED CORRESPONDENCE: Our teachers make heavy use of email to share class information and correspond with
students. You are responsible for regularly checking your MDC email account while enrolled in this class. Your instructor is
not responsible for the student’s failure to regularly check his/her MDC email or to respond in a timely manner. Students
who are allowed by an instructor to submit their assignments via email should always keep a copy of the sent document on
file in the event that the email does not make it to the instructor. Students who claim to have submitted a document via email
must be able to produce a record showing the date, time, and a copy of the file sent to the professor should he/she request it.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT THE KENDALL CAMPUS:
ACCESS Services
(Services for Student with Disabilities)
Room 2121
305-237-2767
Campus Counseling Services
Room 3166
305-237-0529
Computer Courtyard
(Computer / Internet Access for Students)
Room 2100
305-237-2502
Natural & Social Sciences Media Ctr
Room 2125
305-237-0812
(Computer Help, Study Areas, Social Sciences Computer Tutorial Packages, Internet Access)
College Prep Writing Lab
Room 6337
(For students in College Prep Reading, Writing)
305-237-2062
English Writing Center
Room 2207
(For students who are taking or have passed ENC 1101)
305-237-0677
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Reading Lab
(For students in College Prep Reading)
Room 6334
305-237-2832
Math / Science Study Center
Room 3326
305-237-2233
Kendall Campus Library
Bldg 2, 2nd Floor
305-237-2077 / 237-2292
Public Safety
Room 5118
305-237-2100
Testing Services
Bldg 5, 2nd Floor
305-237-0892
Course Schedule and Outline:
Tentative Schedule/Due Dates: (This information is subject to change)
8/24/11 – 8/31/11
Welcome/ Review Syllabus / Begin Chapter 1
Please read Chapter 1: Psychology and Success. As you read the
chapter, complete Personal Journals 1.1 through 1.3.
Review Chapter 1: Psychology and Success
Please read Chapter 2: Self-Awareness. As you read the chapter,
complete Personal Journals 2.1 through 2.3.
9/7/11
Begin Chapter 2: Self-Awareness
Please read Chapter 4: Self-Esteem. As you read the chapter,
complete Personal Journals 4.1 through 4.4.
9/14/11
Begin Chapter 4: Self-Esteem
Please read Chapter 3: Goals and Obstacles. As you read the chapter, complete Personal
Journals 3.1 through 3.4.
9/21/11
Begin Chapter 3: Goals and Obstacles
Please read Chapter 5: Positive Thinking. As you read the chapter,
complete Personal Journals 5.1 through 5.3.
9/28/11
Begin Chapter 5: Positive Thinking
Please read Chapter 6: Self-Discipline. As you read the chapter,
complete Personal Journals 6.1 through 6.4.
10/5/11
Review for Exam 1
Journals 1-5 Due
10/12/11
Exam 1
10/19/11
Review Exam 1
Critical Thinking / Learning Outcomes
10/26/11
Chapter 6: Self-Discipline
Please read Chapter 7: Self-Motivation. As you read the chapter,
complete Personal Journals 7.1 through 7.2.
11/2/11
Begin Chapter 7: Self-Motivation
Please read Chapter 8: Managing Your Resources. As you read the
chapter, complete Personal Journals 8.1 through 8.4
11/9/11
Begin Chapter 8: Managing Your Resources
Please read Chapter 9: Communication and Relationships. As you read
the chapter, complete Personal Journals 9.1 through 9.4.
5
11/16/11
Begin Chapter 9: Communication and Relationships
Journals 6-9 Due
11/23/11
No class/Career Exploration Assignment
11/30/11
Career Project/Presentation Due
Review for Exam
12/7/11
Exam 2
6