Common Syllabus for SDV 100-College Success Skills
Course Information:
Semester
Instructor Information
Name
Campus
Phone
Section#
CRN#
Date
Time
Class Location
Office Location
Email
Course Materials
Textbook
Determined by campus
Current NOVA Student Handbook
NOVA 2011-2012 College Catalog
Course Description
Student Development (SDV)-College Success Skills is designed to assist students in making a successful
transition to college. It provides students with the academic tools for success and teaches the skills of
self-management and self-responsibility that relate to being a successful student. In addition, the course
helps students learn how to make responsible choices about their academic, personal, and career goals.
Information about the College and community resources, the College’s policies and procedures, and the
processes of moving effectively through the educational system is also provided. The course is strongly
recommended for beginning students. First-time College students are required to take SDV 100 or
another SDV course before enrolling for their 16th semester hour at the College. Lecture 1 hour per
week.
Additional Explanation for Alternative Sections: FYE, Pathways, ESL Sections, PASS, Learning
Communities, etc.-You would explain the distinction of your SDV section. Although the
objectives/learning outcomes are standard, you would briefly explain to the student how their
assignments would be directed to meet the needs of their program.
Pre-requisites: None
Type of Session: Session Length and Format (i.e. 16 week, one day only meeting)
Semester Calendar:
Session Begins
Holidays and Non-Instructional Days
Last day to drop with tuition refund
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty
Session Ends
1
Virginia Community College System (VCCS)
General Education Goals/Student Learning Outcomes for SDV 100, 101 and 108 Courses
Career Development/Exploration
Develop and/or enhance the knowledge, skills, and understanding to make informed career
decisions
Library Resources/Information Literacy
Identify and use electronic resources/college technology for college success
College Policies and Services
Access and use information relative to college policy, procedures, and services effectively,
individually or as a member of a group
Study Skills such as Test-taking, Note-taking and Learning Styles
Develop and/or enhance the knowledge base, skills, and understanding to make informed
academic decisions
Life Management Skills to specifically include Time management and Financial Literacy
Develop and/or enhance the knowledge, skills, and understanding to make informed social,
personal, financial, and interpersonal decisions
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
NOVA SDV 100 and 101 Student Learning Outcomes 2011-2012
Topic
Learning Outcome
Career Exploration
Through the Virginia Wizard, students will articulate three potential
careers based on their interests, values, and abilities.
Career Planning
Students will articulate the step(s) they need to take in order to achieve
their career goal(s).
Curricular Offerings
Students will select the appropriate curriculum based on their career
goal(s).
Academic Plan
Students will develop an academic plan.
Learning Styles
Students will review multiple learning styles and identify their preferred
learning style.
Classroom Skills
Students will review two to three note-taking strategies and identify
their preferred method of note-taking.
Students will identify three to five strategies for test taking.
Academic Preparation
Students will identify their optimal time, place, and setting for studying.
Students will identify three to five strategies for managing reading.
2
Critical Thinking Skills
Students will articulate three to five aspects of critical thinking such as:
identifying faulty logic, problem-solving, and asking questions/probing
etc.
Time Management
Students will review two to three strategies and tools for managing time
and will articulate their preferred method.
Financial Literacy
Students will articulate the benefits and risks of the three aspects (e.g.
credit, savings, and budgeting) of money management.
Diversity
Students will articulate three to five ways individuals are diverse and
how diversity impacts society.
Communication Skills
Students will identify three to five elements of effective communication
(e.g. active listening, verbal and non-verbal messages, etc.).
Stress Management
Students will identify three to five techniques/strategies for managing
anxiety / stress
Grading Criteria
Grades will be based on completion of the following assignments:
To be determined by the instructor
Grading Scale
% of Grade
To be determined by the instructor
The grading scale, based on ____ points is:
A
B
C
D
F
Project Descriptions
To be determined by the instructor
Extra Credit Descriptions
To be determined by the instructor
3
Academic Policies
All students must locate and read the policies and procedures of Northern Virginia Community College
outlined in your current Student Handbook: Student Conduct, Academic Dishonesty, Information
Technology Student/Patron Ethics Agreement and NOVA Computer Use Agreement, and Academic
Standing (Warning, Probation, Suspension and Dismissal)
Attendance Policy
To be determined by the instructor
Classroom Policies
To be determined by the instructor
Statements could include but are not limited to issues such as cell phone usage, appropriate attire,
texting, breaks, food/drinks, mutual respect, talking, etc.
Disability Statement
The College is committed to the goal of providing each qualified student an equal opportunity to pursue
a college education regardless of disability. Efforts will be made toward meeting reasonable requests for
services to students with disabilities eligible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact a Counselor
for Disability Services in the Student Services or Counseling Center of any campus to discuss possible
accommodations.
Inclement Weather/Emergency Closings
To find out whether class is in session during inclement weather, listen to the radio or tune in the TV.
The media sources are listed on our web site under “weather and closings.” Look at the scroll bar on the
NVCC homepage. If you must call, call the Call Center at 703-323-3000 or call NOVA Connect at 703-3233770 or 703-330-3770 (Prince William County). Messages will be posted there as soon as a decision to
close is made. Do not call College offices to ask about closing.
When the college announces a delayed opening, any class with at least 45 minutes of class time
remaining after the college opens will be held (for example, if the College opens at 10:00 a.m., a 9:3010:45 a.m. class will begin at 10:00). This procedure applies to all credit classes. All students are
encouraged to register for NOVA Alert which will send text messages and an email to your personal cell
phone or email address to communicate to you during times where timely information is vital.
http://www.nvcc.edu/emergency/
Major Topics
Study skills, habits and attitudes
Use of college e-mail and web resources
Transfer, career, and job market information
Personal goal setting and effective self-responsibility strategies
College policies and procedures
4
SDV ABLE Examination
Students may take an examination to receive transfer credit for SDV 100. If you believe that you already
know the material of this course, you may inquire with your instructor about the testing procedures.
Students with a U.S. transferrable associate’s degree or higher will receive a waiver for the SDV
requirement if their degree has been confirmed officially by NOVA. If you have any questions about
your status, contact the Student Services Center. It is your responsibility to resolve these matters if you
would like to drop this course before your official add/drop date ends for this session.
Course Schedule
To be determined by the instructor
**Sample Eight Week Session**
Week
1
Topics
Highlight
Topics/Learning
Outcomes for the Week
Readings/Assignments
Outline Readings,
Assignments and/or
Activities
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
5
Due Date
Provide the Date these
Readings/Assignments
are Due