Miami Dade College – Kendall Campus
Social Sciences Department
SLS1505 COLLEGE SURVIVAL SKILLS
Thursdays, 5:00 – 6:40 pm
Room G306
Aug. 26 – Oct. 14, 2010
Course Description:
This one credit course is intended for students who place into one college preparatory course. It
offers students an introduction to college life and self-discovery leading toward a successful career
path. Also, it exposes students to methods and techniques for mastering learning skills. This
course will have a mathematics module designated for students that place into a college
preparatory mathematics or algebra course. (1 hr. lecture)
Credits:
1 (cc)
Textbook:
Cornerstone, Creating Success Through Positive Change
Robert M. Sherfield, Patricia G. Moody. Concise Sixth Edition. ISBN#: 978-0-13-704804-5
ANGEL Course Site
We will use ANGEL for course content, resources, activities and quizzes.
Logon to http://mycourses.mdc.edu Use your Regular mymdc logon and password
Maximum Number
of Absences:
2 --- This is the MAXIMUM number of classes you are allowed to miss. Remember…this is
College—there are normally no excused or unexcused absences. If you exceed this number of
absences you may be dropped WITHOUT NOTICE by your instructor. See your instructor if you
have questions about this policy.
Date / Time of Final Exam:
10/14/10 – 5:00 pm
Instructor Information:
Rhonda Berger
rberger@mdc.edu
Faculty Web Page - http://faculty.mdc.edu/rberger
Twitter - http://twitter.com/rbergersls
By Appointment
Building 6, Room 6324
305-237-0971
Department Information:
Social Sciences – Kendall
Building 6, Room 6206
305-237-2215
Grading:
You will have 2 tests, each worth 20 points for a total of 40 points
You will have several Activities for a total of 50 points - (must be turned in on or before due
date for full credit consideration). – After one week, assignments will not be accepted.
Participation Grade – up to 10 points.
A = 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
D= 60-69
F= Below 60
MDC’s General Education Outcomes:
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.
SLS 1505 Course Competencies
Competency 1: The Student will demonstrate utilization of effective study skills by:

assessing his/her personal learning style and study skills

applying effective study skills

applying active reading and comprehension skills

developing strategies for critical thinking, memory enhancement and test-taking

identifying math and test anxiety triggers and applying successful coping strategies
Competency 2: The Student will demonstrate knowledge of the dynamics of success by:

identifying personal values and interests through selected inventories

examining the role of short, midterm, and long-term goals in success

examining issues critical to life-management, including: time management, physical and emotional well-being, personal and
civic responsibility, and the impact of cultural diversity

developing informational literacy and technology skills effectively
Competency 3: The Student will demonstrate an understanding of the process of making appropriate career choices by:

matching knowledge about one's own characteristics and abilities to information about job or career opportunities

comparing various career choices and related requirements

developing an educational plan for meeting graduation requirements
Competency 4: The Student will demonstrate knowledge of college matriculation processes and procedures by:

demonstrating knowledge of college procedures including registration procedures, degree requirements, advisement
services, financial aid, and the Standards of Academic Progress

identifying resources available at the College for successful academic progress

developing strategies for working effectively with professors in and out of class

expressing his/her academic needs to the appropriate support resources
.
Tentative Schedule/Due Dates: (This information is subject to change)
See ANGEL class for more detail and any changes to the tentative schedule below.
Week 1 - 8/26/10
Week 2 – 9/2/10
Week 3 – 9/9/10
Week 4 – 9/16/10
Week 5 – 9/23/10
Week 6 – 9/30/10
Week 7 – 10/7/10
Change
Introductions and overview of Syllabus
Overview of Textbook
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Read Textbook –Chp. 1
Act. – email assignment
Engage and Communicate
ANGEL Overview, Courtyard field trip
Read Textbook – Chp 2 and 3
Act. – ANGEL Discussion – Meet and Greet and Text review of topics
Think
MDC Resources/Web tour
Read Textbook – Chp 4
Act. Group Scavenger Hunt and Display board
Prioritze - Learn
Chp 5 and 6
Class and HW activities to be assigned
Read
Quiz 1 – Chp 1-6
Chp 7
Library
HW activities to be assigned
Record – Understand
Chp 8 and 9
Class and HW activities to be assigned
Prosper – Plan
Chp 10 and 11
Week 8 – 10/14/10
Class and HW activities to be assigned
Quiz – Chp -6-11
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
2.
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, YOU WILL BE
DROPPED FROM THE CLASS BY THE INSTRUCTOR WITHOUT NOTICE AND MAY NOT BE READMITTED.
3.
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.
4.
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.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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..
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.
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.
9.
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.
10. 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.
11. 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. We will be
using the ANGEL Learning Management System in this course for class discussions and to access learning material.
ANGEL can be accessed from any computer with Internet, including Courtyard Computers. Contact the instructor if you
have trouble accessing ANGEL. YOU SHOULD LOG ON TO ANGEL at least 2 times between classes.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU WITH THIS CLASS:
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
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
EMERGENCIES:
Miami Dade College has a text-messaging ALERT system in place for your cell phone. We strongly recommend that you
subscribe to this service to stay abreast of emergency broadcasts by the College. To subscribe, go to http://www.mdc.edu/alerts
on your computer and enter your cell phone information. This information is used for emergency alerts only and will not be sold
or distributed to other parties.
FIRE ALARM
Leave the building immediately. Remain outside of the building at a safe distance until cleared to
re-enter the building by authorities.
SHOOTER/SNIPER
Once notified, comply with instructions from authorities. If you are instructed to remain inside,
stay away from doors and windows. If you see a person wielding a gun on campus, immediately
call Public Safety at 305-237-2100. Know your location!
HURRICANE THREAT
Tune to local television and/or radio stations for information about MDC class
cancellations or call 305-237-7500.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Know your location on campus before you call! Call Public Safety at 305-237-2100 and
report the emergency. If an Ambulance is needed, tell the dispatcher. Stay with the
injured person until released by a Public Safety Officer.
FIGHT / DISRUPTION
Know your location on campus. Call Public Safety at 305-237-2100 and report the
emergency. Do not intervene in the conflict.
STALKER
Immediately report your situation to Public Safety at 305-237-2100.