2015FA SDV-100-C21 Online Syllabus Page #1
SDV-100-C21 - Fundamentals of College Study
Instructor: Amanda G. Messatzzia, M.Ed.
Phone: 410-334-2993 (voicemail only)
Email: amessatzzia@worwic.edu
Office: Brunkhorst Hall (BH) 110-C
Term: Fall 2015 - C session
Term Dates: September 9 – November 11
Class Location: http://blackboard.worwic.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Description:
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*All questions related to course material should be sent via Blackboard message.*
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This course is designed to introduce students to the information and habits that will facilitate
academic success at the college level. The course presents modules focusing on the expectations and
realities of college responsibility; active learning and critical thinking skills; increasing motivation and
decreasing stress; analyzing the syllabus, instructor and course; establishing a learning style;
organizing and balancing family, work and school; improving study and note-taking skills, and testtaking strategies; advisement, registering, and understanding the catalog; safety, student services, and
other administrative resources; rules, regulations and civility; and life-long learning. Students who do
not pass this course must take it again the following fall or spring term. Hours: 15 lecture. Usually
offered in the fall, spring and summer.
Free, Open-Source e-Textbook:
Selected readings from College Success are available free through the Blackboard Learning
Management System of the course as hot links. Students are not required to purchase a textbook.
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Creator: College Success was developed in partnership with Career Management, LLC, whose
cofounders developed SuccessHawk® (http://www.successhawk.com)—interactive online job
search software.
This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original
creator or licensee.
Materials Required:
 A computer with Windows XP or greater and reliable, high speed access to the Internet
 Microsoft Office 2000 or greater (not Microsoft Works) with Word and PowerPoint
 Mozilla Firefox 3.6 or Internet Explorer 8.0 or greater
Skills Required:
 Basic knowledge of the Internet and computers
 Knowledge of how to send and receive attachments electronically as .DOC, .DOCX, and .PDF
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

files
Ability to work independently
Motivation to complete assignments on a timely basis
Special Considerations for Online Learning:
SDV-100-C21 is an online course that utilizes a combination of text material, assignments, quizzes,
final exam, homework assignments in reflection journal form, and participation in online class
discussions. Material is presented through the textbook and Blackboard, a learning management
system. Active participation is expected of all students and is reflected in the final grade.
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If you do not have Internet access off-campus, the college provides computer access in each of the
buildings on campus (MTC 200, BH 217, HH 100, GH 204, FOH 305, and AHB 108). Operating hours
for these resource labs can be found at the following URL:
http://www.worwic.edu/Students/LearningResources/ResourceLabs.aspx
After having joined the course, if you experience home computer or Internet failures, you are
required to use the campus computers. Technological failures cannot be used as excuses for not
completing course requirements or not completing your work in a timely manner.
Please see page four of this syllabus for the Blackboard Online Deadline Policy for this course.
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Each Weekly Module on Blackboard will include a checklist of items to be completed. Make sure to
review each week’s tasks at the BEGINNING (every Wednesday) and the END of the week (every
Tuesday) so you can manage your time wisely and ensure that you have completed all requirements.
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To log in to Blackboard:
1. Go to the Wor-Wic home page at www.worwic.edu.
2. Click myWor-Wic at the top of the right side of the webpage.
3. Review page content and click the Login to myWor-Wic link.
4. Enter your Wor-Wic username and password and click Login.
5. Once the myWor-Wic portal page loads, click the link for this class under My
Blackboard Classes.
Special Note About Blackboard Access:
All students logging in to Blackboard affirm that they understand and agree to follow Wor-Wic
Community College policies regarding academic integrity and the use of College resources as
described in the college catalog.
Wor-Wic Community College considers the following as violations of the computer usage policy:
• Using the campus computing network and facilities to violate the privacy of other individuals.
• Sharing of account passwords with friends, family members or any unauthorized individuals
Violators are subject to college disciplinary procedures.
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Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Course Objectives
Assessment Goals
*Assessment
Strategies
2.
Describe the values associated
with the community college
culture and setting personal
goals to enhance student
success.
a.
Develop an academic and career
plan to establish a path to goal
completion.
a.
b.
c.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Examine policies, procedures,
and resources to help students
navigate the college experience.
Self-Assessment
Class Activities
Quiz # 1
Final Exam
Identify the connection between career
interests, skills, and college majors.
Describe the importance of developing a
relationship with your academic advisor.
Create an educational plan in a chosen
program of study.
Identify important elements in a cover letter
and resume.
Conduct an informational interview with a
professional in a field of one’s career
interest area.
Self-Assessment
Class Activities
Academic Planning
Project
Professional
Informational
Interview Assignment
Quiz #1
Final Exam
a.
b.
Explore key college resources and staff
available to assist students.
Examine the college’s policies and
procedures related to registration, refunds
and withdrawals.
Identify the different types of financial aid
available at the college.
Identify the eligibility requirements for
maintaining financial aid.
Understanding personal integrity and avoid
plagiarism and cheating.
Recognizing the importance of financial
literacy.
Self-Assessment
Class Activities
Quiz # 2
Final Exam
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3.
Identify Wor-Wic’s core values and their
importance to a positive college culture.
Examine personal short-term and long-term
goal setting.
Understand the importance of selfmanagement and how to stay motivated in
college.
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1.
c.
d.
e.
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f.
4.
Identify and apply effective study
skills for academic success.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
5.
Identify and recognize the
importance of healthy
relationships, respect for
others, and the value of
diversity.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Identify effective time management
strategies.
Recognize the importance of reading
strategies.
Develop test-taking strategies for various
types of tests.
Recognizing the different types of learning
styles.
Examine the critical thinking process in
relation to learning.
Distinguish between health and unhealthy
relationships.
Recognize the importance of diversity on a
college campus.
Examine civility and the Code of Student
Conduct on a community college campus.
Recognize definitions of domestic violence,
Self-Assessment
Class Activities
Quiz # 3
Final Exam
Self-Assessment
Class Activities
Quiz #4
Final Exam
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e.
6.
Recognize the physical and
mental aspects holistic
wellness.
a.
b.
c.
dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and
bullying.
Understand the dynamics of sexual violence,
complaint processes, and resources to
support students on campus.
Describe ways to maintain a healthy life style
and how to manage stress.
Recognize the effects of drugs and alcohol
abuse.
Identify college resources to address stress
and substance abuse concerns.
Self-Assessment
Class Activities
Quiz #4
Final Exam
Blackboard Online Deadline Policy:
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*Assessment strategies reflect content to be learned in the class, but not the order of the information
presented. Please see the tentative course schedule for the order of topics in the class.
Due to the delivery and grading formats of this course, attendance and active participation are
crucial. Students will not be permitted to make up any missed assignments and, subsequently, will
lose points off of their final grade. All assignments must be submitted by the deadline indicated in
each week’s learning module on Blackboard. Technology is not always reliable; therefore, count on
problems with computers and plan your assignments accordingly.
Online Participation and Conduct Expectations:
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Online learning courses pose some different challenges than do face-to-face learning experiences.
This course is not like an independent study and should not be seen as being less time consuming or
easier than a face-to-face course. In some cases, you may be putting in more time than a traditional
format depending on how well you are adapting to the new format. Consider the instructor as a
facilitator. The instructor will be checking in and mediating when necessary. As adult learners, you
are self-directing your learning by accessing Blackboard and following the course as outlined in the
Weekly Modules.
Everyone within the online classroom should be courteous, attentive, engaged, and exhibit a positive
attitude when the instructor or other students are contributing to class activities. Use good
“netiquette,” or online etiquette. A guide to netiquette can be found in the SDV100 Web Resources
area on Blackboard.
Instructor/Facilitator Expectations:
Students can expect to be treated with fairness and respectfulness by the instructor. They can expect
the instructor to be accessible to the online class via Blackboard messages which will receive a
response within 24 hours. Students can expect the instructor to display enthusiasm for the subject at
hand. The instructor is expected to be willing to respond to student questions and to be consistent in
adherence to course policies. Students can expect the instructor to attempt to vary online activities to
promote student engagement and interest. All graded work will be reported via the View Grades area
on Blackboard within 48 hours of the posted student deadline.
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Student Expectations:
Several expectations exist of each and every student in the online classroom:
 Treat others with respect at all times;
 Be prepared for each learning module;
 Communicate any issues or concerns with the instructor;
 Actively participate in class discussions, journals, and other assigned tasks;
 Complete all assignments as detailed and submit them by the given deadline; and
 Take responsibility for one’s own learning.
Assignments:
Assigned Selected Readings from College Success, a free, open-source e-textbook
Students are expected to follow the reading assignments provided in the syllabus and available
in the modules on Blackboard. Students should read each assignment from the text BEFORE
completing the tasks within the weekly learning module. Students should be aware that their
failing to do so may significantly impact the quality of his/her discussion posts, journal entries,
and preparation for quizzes/exams. GEO 3
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Online Discussions and Participation
Students will be expected to actively participate in each online activity and discussion. The
course is very interactive and getting to know your peers is a large part of the college
experience. You can earn up to a total of 100 participation points (10 points per discussion
board as assigned in the learning modules). GEO 1, 2

Online Reflection Journals
A total of ten journal reflections will be given with a value of 10 points each. You must
complete the journal entry during the dates indicated on the weekly module folder. All journal
entries are private between the student and the instructor. GEO 1, 2

Online Quizzes
A total of four quizzes will be given (50 points each). You must complete the quiz on the
assigned date on the syllabus. The quizzes will consist of multiple choice and true & false. Each
quiz is based on the assigned readings from the text. Students are not permitted to make up
quizzes. GEO 2, 3
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Professional Informational Interview
This project is worth 100 points. Students will be required to conduct an informational
interview with an individual currently working in their current field of study (major). The
interview can be conducted in-person or by phone. GEO 1, 2, 3

Academic Planning Project
This project is worth 150 points. Students will be required to complete this assignment on the
myWor-Wic student portal under the web advisor/student educational planning site. Specific
directions will be provided in the Weekly Module Information on Blackboard. Students must
review their own academic plan with their advisor for full credit. GEO 1, 2, 3
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Your Academic Planning Project is the biggest assignment of SDV100! Be mindful of all
deadlines, but especially the deadlines for this project!

Final Exam
The final exam will be cumulative. It will consist of multiple choice and true and false questions
worth 100 points total. ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE FINAL EXAM. GEO 2, 3
Course Grading:
Points Total
200
Group Discussions
10 online discussions @ 10 points each
13.5%
100
Reflection Journals
10 online journals @ 10 points each
13.5%
100
Professional Informational Interview
Academic Planning Project
Final Exam
TOTAL
13%
20%
13%
100%
100
150
100
750
FINAL GRADE
90-100% - A 675-750
80-89% - B
605-674
70–79% - C 530-604
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Weight
27%
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Category
Quizzes
Quiz 1-4 (50 points each)
69% or
lower – F
529 or lower
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Please note that you must earn at least a 70% in order to pass SDV100.
Final grades will be posted on myWor-Wic and Blackboard no later than
Wednesday, November 19.
Academic Honesty Policy:
Students are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance. Cheating, plagiarism, and
academic dishonesty are fully defined in Wor-Wic’s Student Conduct Policy (appendix of College
Catalog). Infractions of this policy will result in the student’s failure for the assignment or test, and
possible referral to the student-faculty disciplinary committee.
Plagiarism:
The presentation of seemingly-original work that is derived in whole or in part from an existing source
without properly citing the source of the material.
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Cheating:
The intentional use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids, or
unethical collaboration in any academic exercise. Common forms of cheating include, but are not
limited to, the following: having another person write a paper or presentation or a substantial portion
of a paper or presentation; submitting another’s project as one’s own; and using any electronic device
to obtain, provide or assist with answers on a quiz, test or examination.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty:
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Giving intentional assistance to another student in committing an act of academic dishonesty.
Common forms of facilitating dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following: completing an
examination or project for someone else; permitting another student to copy one’s work; and
furnishing another student with unauthorized information during an examination, including the use of
electronic devices.
Tentative Course Schedule
Date
W 09/09 –
T 09/15
College Culture & Values
Success in College
Motivation
Setting & Reaching Goals
Module 2:
Resources
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Week 2
Module 1:
College Values
W 09/16 –
T 09/22
Week 3
W 09/23 –
T 09/29
Reading
2015-16 College Catalog:
pp. 5-7
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 3-22;42-56; 57-59; 60-75
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Week 1
Topic
2015-16 College Catalog:
pp. 10-26; 62-64
College Resources
MyWor-Wic Portal
Policies/procedures related to
registration, drop/add, and
withdrawal
Graduation requirements
Assignment
Discussion #1: Introductions
Reflection Journal #1:
Orientation Review
Discussion #2:
Student Success Video
Reflection Journal #2:
Goal Setting
Discussion #3:
Plagiarism Video
Reflection Journal #3:
Campus Connections
Review the requirements for
the Professional
Informational Interview
Assignment and send
questions to instructor
Module 3:
Choosing a Major
2015-16 College Catalog:
pp. 67-69
Career Exploration
Getting the Right Stuff
Ready for a Test Drive
WWCC Majors
My Program Evaluation
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 498-504; 507-508; 511-512
Quiz 1 – Modules 1 & 2
Discussion #4:
Majors/Careers Video
Reflection Journal #4: Career
Clusters Interest Inventory
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(continued from page seven)
Review the requirements for
the Academic Planning
Project and send questions
to instructor
Module 4:
Learning Styles
W 09/30 –
T 10/06
Learning Styles
Time Management
W 10/07 –
T 10/13
Week 6
Week 7
W 10/21 –
T 10/27
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 122-129; 131-134; 136-139; 148149; 151-155; 156-166; 170-177
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Problem-solving and decisionmaking
Learning Cycle
Active Listening
Got Notes?
Memorization
Module 6:
Reading and Test Taking
Module 7: Career Planning and
Financial Information
Entry Level Jobs
Power of Networking
Cover Letters/Résumés
Types of Interviews
W 10/28 –
Module 8: Holistic Wellness
Nutrition & Weight Control
Discussion #6:
Study Tips Video
Assignment: Professional
Informational Interview
Assignment due
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 188-197; 207-211; 216-239
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 511-513; 516-520; 525-526; 527532
pp. 448-451; 456-465; 471-480; 480487
Financial Goals
Spending Less
Credit Cards
Financing College
Week 8
Quiz 2 – Modules 3 & 4
Reflection Journal #6:
Note-taking Evaluation
Active Reading
Building Your Vocabulary
Taking Tests
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W 10/14 –
T 10/20
Module 5:
Critical Thinking
and Study Skills
Discussion #5:
Learning Styles Video
Reflection Journal #5:
My Program Evaluation
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Week 5
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 27-28; 82-102
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Week 4
Schedule mandatory
meetings with academic
advisor to discuss Academic
Planning Project due during
week eight
Discussion #7:
Active Reading Video
Reflection Journal #7:
Vocabulary Exercise
Quiz 3 - Modules 5 & 6
Schedule mandatory
meetings with your assigned
advisor to discuss Academic
Planning Project
(due next week!)
Discussion #8:
Financial Aid Link and Video
Reflection Journal #8:
Career Skills Inventory
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 377-382; 383-386; 387-392; 392405; 406-416; 416-425
Discussion #9:
Nourishing Your Soul
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T 11/03
Activity & Exercise
(continued from page eight)
(continued from page eight)
Reflection Journal #9:
Your Action Plan
Sleep
Substance Use & Abuse
Stress
Emotional Health & Happiness
W 11/04 –
T 11/10
Module 9: Relationships
Diversity
Civility
Student Code of Conduct
Bullying
Title IX: Sexual Violence
Awareness
2015-16 College Catalog:
pp. 229-235
College Success, e-textbook:
pp. 346-360
Quiz 4 - Modules 7 & 8
Discussion #10:
Using Social Media
Responsibly
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Week 9
*Your Academic Planning
Project is due, including your
academic advisor’s
signature.*
Final Exam
W 11/11 –
T 11/17
Your final exam will be taken
online in the Testing Center on
campus (BH 226).
Modules 1-9
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Week 10
Reflection Journal #10:
Self-Evaluation
Final Exam - Cumulative