COURSE SYLLABUS
Guidance 120
Instructor Information:
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Mary Silva
Website:
http://silvam.faculty.mjc.edu:
https://yccd.blackboard.com/
Yosemite 154 (West Campus)
Hours: _______________________
By appointment – email or call
(209) 575 7721
silvam@mjc.edu (best way to contact
me!)
Required Materials:
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An active MJC email account;
Text: College and Career Success, 5th Edition by Marsha Fralick (Purchase new!);
Semester Calendar (Any type, including Computer Program such as Outlook)
Modesto Junior College Catalog, 20013-14;
10 scantrons (#882);
3x5 index cards;
1 scantron (#886) for final
(All of the above items are available at the Pirates’ Bookstore on campus or online at
http://bookstore.yosemite.cc.ca.us/)
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students successfully completing Guidance 120 will
•demonstrate the ability to apply physiological, social, and psychological principles to
ensure success in college and in life;
•create a written, individualized plan for transfer to a four year institution incorporating
personality, values, interests and skills assessments;
•demonstrate an increased awareness of their personal strengths and blindspots which
will assist in the selection of a major and a career.
Course Description:
Guidance 120 is a transfer-level class designed to help develop the skills necessary to make
you a more effective student. An effective student is able to understand and adapt to the
college environment, create an academic plan to meet his or her educational goal and fulfill the
demands of the course of study required. Along the way, it is my goal that you also learn how
to learn, a skill that will benefit you in all your future learning experiences, both work and play.
To this end, this class will include the following areas: personality, time management, reading,
note-taking, test-taking, learning styles, research and presentation, career exploration,
educational planning and how to transfer.
Because this class also satisfies the guidance requirement for graduation from MJC, you must
complete an educational plan. If you have already done so, please submit a copy to me as
soon as possible. We will spend time in class working on this or you may chose to work with
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me or a counselor of your choice outside of class. Please make an appointment before the end
of September!
This class is designed for students who place in English 101 and Reading 184 and who intend
to transfer to the university. If you have questions about the suitability of this class for you,
please talk to me immediately.
Instructional Methods:
This is a highly interactive class that will include a wide variety of instructional experiences
including discussion, lecture, online activities, small group work and student presentations.
Course Policies
 Attendance is essential for a good grade. Due to the interactive nature of the class, if
you are not present, you cannot participate and therefore cannot earn that portion of the
grade. Participation includes listening, speaking in discussion, and contributing in small
groups. You are expected to inform me of impending absences and keep up with
assignments completed during your absence.
 Plagiarism will be punished!! If you chose to use the work of another student you will
receive zero for the assignment and may also fail the class. Be sure to cite all of your
sources in all papers submitted.
 Assignments will be due at the beginning of the class on the due date. Late
assignments will be marked down 20% and will not be accepted two weeks after the
original due date.
 No make-up quizzes will be given. The final may be taken at an alternate time with
advance notice.
Course Requirements
 Every week there will be a reading quiz on the assignment for that week. These quizzes
will usually be multiple choice and/or true false and will cover material from the text.
 There will be a final covering Chapters 10-14. See the class outline for dates.
 There will be eight assignments. Further details will be given in class. You can preview
each at https://yccd.blackboard.com/. All papers should be submitted in MLA format.
Some of these assignments require working with other students. You may submit this
work via Blackboard, MJC’s learning management system.
 Class participation and attendance will make up 20% of your grade. Class participation
includes journal writing, individual and group exercises, note-taking. These points
cannot be made up if you are absent.
Course Assessment and Grading
Your grade will be reflect the following components:
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Weekly Quizzes
Final
Eight Assignments (25-100 points
each)
Participation (including Educational
Plan)
ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES – an up to date handout will be distributed in class as
many areas are in a state of change due to construction.
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Tutoring Center. As an MJC student you are entitled to academic support
services without cost. Tutors are available for most subjects and will work with
you individually or as a group. On West Campus services are available in
Room 235 upstairs in Yosemite Hall. On East Campus go to Classroom Annex
103
The Health Center. Nurses are available to provide first aid and other general
health services. There is a cot room should you need a nap! Call 575 6360 or
visit Yosemite 114. On East Campus call 575 6037 or go to Morris 108.
Career Development and Transfer Center is located on the East Campus in
the Student Center. The staff and resources there provide career planning
services, job hunting assistance and information on transferring to four year
schools. Call 575 6239.
Please see your catalog for a complete listing of other services available.
IMPORTANT DATES THIS SEMESTER. (PUT IN YOUR PHONE TODAY!
January 27th: Last day to drop a class without a W showing on your transcript
April 7th: Last day to withdraw from this class (so you get a W and not a bad grade.)
April 23rd: Last day of class. Last day to turn in educational plan.
Some Concluding Thoughts
While I expect you to take the above very seriously, please don’t be intimidated by
either the rules or my high expectations. It is my honest intention that this class not
only is educational, but enjoyable. If you find the class boring, irritating, or in any way
bothersome, please see me immediately. Similarly, if you find yourself confused or
“behind”, please see or call me right away to discuss the situation. However, don’t wait
until the end of the semester to bail out of a sinking ship! If you need special
accommodations because of a disability or otherwise please let us know. My ultimate
objective is to help you succeed in this class and at MJC. GOOD LUCK! ***
*******The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus based on individual and
class needs.
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