Syllabus ~ Human Development 8: Orientation to College and Education Planning
SUMMER 2010 ~ SECTION 2406
 June 28 – August 4  Monday & Wednesday  Communications 307 
Instructor: Mrs. Nancilyn Burruss, M.S. (Mrs. “B”)
E-mail: nburruss@elcamino.edu
Virtual Phone: 301-532-3670 Ext. 4404
Note: Email works best ~ Use your ECC account for sending email (to insure delivery), please
put Section number in the subject line
Dean/Division Office: Behavioral Sciences Room # Art B320 (No Homework Drop-offs!)
CLASS TIME ~ Humanities 212
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
OFFICE TIME ~ Humanities 212
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction
you choose." ~Theodore Seuss Geisel
“What an amazing man he was. During WW II he wrote Animated Military Cartoons for Warner Bros called ‘Private Snafu’.
Snafu had brothers named Tarfu and Fubar. You can sometimes see them on YouTube.”
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one
thing.” – Abraham Lincoln
This syllabus, like life itself, is subject to change.
A. Student Learning Outcome:
Students will apply the appropriate tools to create and file an educational plan which identifies educational
goals.
B. Learning Objectives:
The primary objective for this class is for you to learn how to be successful in college and in life.
Through active participation in this class, you can expect to…
1.Identify three personal qualities, or soft skills, associated with success in a diverse college setting.
2. Identify the four True Colors personality types and how they apply to you.
3. Identify five qualities of successful goals (DAPPS).
4. Identify three strategies for effective time management and develop a time management plan.
5. Identify the location of three El Camino College resources and services and how they are relevant to your
individual needs.
6.  Evaluate the components necessary to create an individual educational plan.
7.  Create and file a student educational plan which includes personal, educational, and professional goals.
C. Required Course Materials ~ Due by Day 2:
Bring all materials to class every day
1. Human Development 8: Orientation to College and Educational Planning – El Camino
College (2007), Houghton Mifflin: Boston, MA ~ I will have vouchers for some
extended check-out books this summer!  Loaners not returned will be charged for
both the book and a restocking fee of $10
2. El Camino College Catalog ~ For the year you began college (see Patrick at the
bookstore for the ’09-’10 catalog) The catalog should be about $5.00
3. You will be required to have a course notebook that has required materials. See the
notebook check off list on the homework schedule.
 Both books are available in the bookstore for a total cost of approximately $25 - $30.
 Several copies are available for 2-hour reserve, which may not be removed from the
library.
D. Attendance Policy:
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After one absence you may be dropped from class, which means you may earn a “W”
(Withdraw) or “NC” (No Credit) on your transcript, which is your permanent academic
record (see h/w schedule for cut off dates). Please contact your instructor!
You must also show up on time; you are marked “tardy” for arriving late to class or leaving
early.
o If you come in late or leave early, you must sign in or out quietly
 You will lose three points and earn 1/2 of an absence
o Do not disrupt your classmates’ learning environment during class; find out what you
missed after class from your study buddy
o If you come in late and don’t sign in, you will be marked absent!
If absent, it is your responsibility to let your instructor know if it was due to illness or not.
Please find out what you’ve missed and get notes from your study buddy outside of class.
Only one late assignment will be accepted at the very next class turned in with an NQA.
o If you are absent, try other ways to get your assignment in (email, buddy, or friend).
El Camino policy: if you fail to drop or withdraw from class, you may receive a “W” or a “No
Pass” on your permanent academic record depending on the date you drop.
As a member of the El Camino community, you are expected to follow the Standards of
Student Conduct as described in the El Camino College Catalog. Offenses include:
Cheating, plagiarism
Conduct that jeopardizes health and
safety
Tardiness
Profanity
Pornography
Children or pets in class
Private conversations or inappropriate
displays of affection
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Uncooperativeness
Continually leaving one’s seat
Eating and drinking
Reading unrelated materials
Use of all unauthorized electronic devices
such as personal CD players, phones,
beepers, palm pilots, iPods & MP3 players
Soliciting of funds and/or signatures
E. Reasonable Accommodation:
I am deeply committed to creating a learning environment that is positive and stimulating for
all students. Therefore, in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any and all
reasonable accommodation will be provided to any students who are registered with the El
Camino College Special Resource Center. You may speak with me about how we can work
together to create an effective learning environment, or if you prefer, you may submit your
request to me in writing. Note: All students in class are expected to meet the same criteria for
assignments and attendance as other students.
F. Class Assignments: These are NOT optional!
Read the Chapters and follow your homework schedule
Success Journal
o Journal assignments are in your textbook,
Human Development 8: Orientation to College and Educational Planning – El Camino College
(2007), Houghton Mifflin: Boston, MA.
o Grammar, spelling, and punctuation will NOT be factors in earning points, so
concentrate on expressing yourself without worrying about these factors.
o Handwriting must be legible, or you may type (illegible = 0 on the assignment).
Life Story (Collage) Assignment
o This assignment will be discussed in class.
o You will need a manila folder, glue, and old magazines for this assignment!
Six Semester Education Plan and Counseling Appointment
o This assignment will be discussed in class and no one will pass the course
without having this completed.
G. Grading:
See the Individual Grade Keeper!
In this class, you earn a grade of either “Pass” or “No Pass” – no letter grades are given.
o To earn a grade of “Pass,” you must complete all assignments and earn at least
70% in the class.
o No one will pass the course without having the Six Semester Ed Plan
completed and having an official Ed Plan signed by a counselor this
semester. Note: Your 6-Semester Ed Plan should be completed by
you before seeing the counselor!
Extra Credit Opportunities and Future Information
 TBA ~ Please check your ECC email and www.schoolnotes.com
 Write a journal entry answering the following questions: How did you choose this event to
attend? What happened at the event (be specific). What did you learn? Relate this event
and/or what you learned to the topic of “being successful in life and in college.”
 You may complete up to two extra credit assignments for 5 points each.
 Bonus points will be given for perfect attendance and all assignments turned in when due!
A copy of the syllabus and homework schedule may be found on the course
website. Please follow the link on the left from my homepage
 www.elcamino.edu/faculty/nburruss
 Course Contract for Success
After a complete and thorough reading of the class syllabus, please sign and
return this page to the homework folder at our next class meeting.
1. Show up! To support my success, I choose to be punctual and attend every scheduled class
period in its entirety.
2. Do the work! To support my success, I choose to do my very best work in preparing all of
my assignments and handing them in on time.
3. Participate actively! To support my success, I choose to stay mentally alert in every class,
offering my best comments, questions, and answers when appropriate. I choose to develop
interest and enthusiasm in the subject, be involved in class activities, and treat other members of
the class and the instructor with respect.
By remaining in this class, you understand the syllabus:
(Check each item to indicate you understand):
 Learning objectives for this course
 Materials required for this course
 My responsibility for attendance, class participation, and to officially drop if I
stop attending the class
 Appropriate classroom behavior
 Services available to students with disabilities
 Course assignments and how to read the homework packet
 How my performance in this class will be evaluated, including required
materials, quizzes, assignments, exams, and a final project.
Print name _________________________________ Section # _________
Signed: ____________________________________________ Date: _____________
Turn this in to the homework folder for 3 bonus points!