Oglala Lakota College
CoSu 103, College Success
Course Syllabus
Spring 2009
Instructor: Bessie LeBeau (bvitalis@olc.edu)
Office Hours: 8:30-5:00
Phone:
867-5893
Location: Pine Ridge College Center
Course Description:
CoSu 103 College Success
This course introduces students to four content areas that research has shown to be effective
in helping students succeed in college: orientation, study skills, critical thinking, and career
exploration. Orientation is designed to help students succeed at OLC, and provides them with
information about financial aid, scholarships, and computer use. Study skills include time
management, library and research skills, memory and reading techniques, test-taking skills,
priority setting, and note taking. Critical thinking includes problem solving techniques, logic,
estimation, and Lakota cultural perspectives. The career exploration component provides
students an opportunity to explore their academic interests, to identify their strengths, and to
consider their values and career goals in relationship to their college education.
Prerequisites: R&W 083 OR Testing.
Required Text:
Becoming A Master Student, Dave Ellis, Twelfth Edition, Houghton Mifflin, 2009.
Methods of Instruction:
The course will use an applied approach to learning. They will include, but not be limited to,
the following: lecture, video, supplemental materials, discussions, one on one interaction,
small group, and skills performance with oral, reading, and writing presentations.
Objectives of the Course:
1. Introduce critical thinking skills:
 Logic
 Problem solving
 Estimation
 Anticipation
 Cultural perspectives and awareness
2. Learn and practice college reading strategies:
 Comprehension
 Analysis
 Synthesis
 Application
3. Explore academic and career direction:
 Career self-assessment
 Career exploration
 Academic decision-making/planning
 Academic goal setting, and motivation
 Job Preparation
4. Develop study skills:
 Test-Taking Strategies
 Note-Taking Strategies/ Listening Skills
 Stress Management and Survival Strategies
 Memory Techniques
 Portfolios
 Learning Styles
 Library and Research
5. Learn to succeed at OLC (Collaborative Effort with Center and other Staff)
 College Center Orientation
 College-Wide Orientation
 Scholarship website/essay
 Financial Aid website
 Student Handbook
 Computer Information (Jenzabar, Moodle)
Evaluation of Assignments:
The course will consist of content relevant to the goals and textbook with appropriate
assignments. Class periods also will be set aside for learning activities. Each will consider:
· skill and competency practice.
· efforts to enhance personal and small group academic growth.
· reading materials for expansion of content comprehension and application through oral
and/or written presentations
· review of those learned skills, knowledge, and applications through assessment strategies
of observation, peer review, testing, and other methods.
Assignments:
Assignments must be typed. Weekly writing assignments are expected when due as
requested. Remember to place your name on the top of your paper when handing in
assignments, OR e-mail instructor with writings.
Exams:
No exams will be given in this course. However we may use the student questionnaire as a
reference for student progress in place of exam scores.
Calculation of the Final Course Grade:
The final grade of the course will be a comprehensive compilation of grades for participation,
presentations, newsletter articles, and knowledge of OLC registration and financial aid
procedures. The course grade will also be based on active involvement in class activities.
Significant class time will be spent on student presentations; small and large group interactive
dialog and analysis; and other relevant activities.
Grade Calculation:
Presentations
Successful CoSu Skills
Active Participation
Questionnaire
Total
25%
25%
25%
25%
100%
OLC Attendance Policy:
Students are required to attend class regularly. If a student must be absent from a class, it is
the student’s responsibility to arrange the absence and any assignments with the instructor
as soon as possible, but no later than before the next scheduled class session. At that time
the student must make arrangements to get and complete the assignments, as assignments
are due when scheduled and absence is not acceptable as an excuse for not completing
assignments. A student may be dropped from a course after three consecutive absences at
the discretion of the instructor and will be dropped after a total of five absences. Please note
that drops may jeopardize your financial aid due to lack of Satisfactory Progress.
Lakota Perspective:
Wolakolkiciyapi.
Students are encouraged to display the Lakota values of respect, knowledge, generosity,
fortitude, truthfulness, and courage as you perceive such.
Lakota language with consideration is encouraged.
Suggestions to the Student:
1. Attend regularly and arrive on time, if not a few minutes early.
2. If you are absent from class, you are still responsible for homework assignments and
material/notes/handouts presented in class the day of your absence.
3. Feel free anytime to ask course questions from your Instructor.
4. Relax, actively participate, and enjoy the class.
5. Think of each assignment as an opportunity to solve real problems,
rather than thinking of it as a mandate.
6. Strive for quality in all work you produce and present.
Academic Integrity or Dishonesty:
Students are expected to uphold the college’s standard of conduct relating to academic honestly.
Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The
guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student’s submitted homework including essays,
exercises, examinations, reports, projects, etc. must be the student’s own. If a student is unclear
about whether a particular situation may constitute an honor code violation, the student should meet
with the instructor to discuss the situation. For this class, it is permissible to assist classmates in
general discussions. General advice and interaction are encouraged. Each person, however, must
develop and complete his or her own assigned homework and exercises. A student may not use or
copy another’s work or portions of it and represent it as his/her own. If you need help on an
assignment, contact your center staff/counselor, instructor, available tutors, or classmates.
Disclaimer:
Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct
and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. However, the syllabus is not
a contract between the Oglala Lakota College and any student. The instructor reserves the right to
make necessary changes in course content and/or the instructional technique within reason.