International Student
Orientation
Counseling Services
Heike Gecox, Counselor
 Room # 1616 J
 (925) 424.1436
 hgecox@laspositascollege.edu

What Do Counselors Do?
 Academic
advising/planning
 Career counseling
 Personal counseling
 Transfer counseling
 Teach classes
Hours

Heike Gecox
M 9-5, Tu 9-5, W 9-7, Th 9-5
 Counseling office hours:
Monday/Thursday 9:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday/Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m.
Note: Please check with the Counseling office
for reserved hours for international students,
please indicate that you are an International
Student with an F-1 visa - Hours are subject
to change
How to Meet with a Counselor
Appointments: ½ hour to 1 hour –
Appointments are for future dates and
can be made in person in building 1600
or by calling 424-1400
Drop-in counseling: For questions that
can be answered in 10-15 minutes
maximum
Emergency: If you are experiencing an
emergency notify the counseling
assistant and a counselor will assist
you
Best Time To Make An Appointment
Spring semester starts: January 19
Counseling will start taking appointments
first week of classes.
 The Fall 2016 class schedule will be
available sometime in mid to late April
and we usually start registering for
Summer/Fall classes in April by priority

Best Time To Make An Appointment –
continued

The BEST time to make an appointment to
develop a Student Educational Plan (SEP)
(REQUIRED for all International Students),
discuss career(s), review requirements
toward multiple goals, and discuss Fall
classes is between the first week in February
through the end of March.
PSCN 28
PSCN 28 Orientation /International
Students
 Required for all International Students
during their 1st semester!
 1 unit – Mondays 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

PSCN 28
Course Objectives
 Gaining a better understanding of the U.S.
Education System
 Transitioning to higher education
 Becoming familiar with Las Positas College
Student Services
 Gaining an understanding of U.S. American
Culture
Able to meet with a Counselor once a
week = great opportunity!
3 Important Materials
1.
2.
3.
Class Schedule (also online)
Academic Catalog
Course Syllabus
Class Schedule




Calendar
 Important Dates
 Course lengths
 Full term
 Late Start (ESL)
 Fast Track
Departments
Course listings – how to read
Types of Classes
 On campus
 Hybrid
 Online
Class Schedule – Choosing
Classes

Prerequisite
 Corequisite
 Strongly recommended: English 1A eligibility
including but not limited to:
 Intro. To Business (BUSN 40)
 all Economics,
 Intro. to Marketing (MKTG 50),
 General Psychology (PSYC 1),
 Fundamental of Speech Communications
(SPCH 1)
Academic Catalog








Student Programs and Services
Students Rights and Responsibilities
Academic Regulations
Degrees and Certificates
Entire course offerings
Major requirements
Catalog rights
http://www.laspositascollege.edu/documents/C
atalogLPC2014-2016forWeb.pdf
Course Syllabus
Psychology Counseling (PSCN) 13 V01: Multi-Cultural Issues In America
Tu,Th 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM, Room 1641
CRN # 30822
, 3 units (UC/CSU transferable)
Instructor: Heike Gecox, MS, LMFT
Telephone: 925.424.1436
Office: Room 1616J in Building 1600
Email: hgecox@laspositascollege.edu
Office Hours: by appointment
Office Hours: Please email me or call the office at 424.1436 to schedule an appointment.
Course Syllabus
Required Textbook:
Multicultural Psychology: Understanding Our Diverse Communities (Third Edition)
Author: Dr. Jeffery Mio, Dr. Lori Barker and Ms. Jaydee Santos Tumambing
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (December 7, 2011)
•
ISBN-10: 0199766916
•
ISBN-13: 978-0199766918
Course description:
Exploration of issues relating to the multicultural community in which we live today. Interpersonal relations and
communication. Focus on improving individuals understanding of other cultures and how those cultures impact the
American lifestyle. Includes exploration of myths and misunderstandings. Discussion of four specific cultures
or sub-cultures from the following groups: 1) African-American, 2) Asian-American, 3) Hispanic American, 4) Native
American, 5) Middle Eastern-American, 6) European-American, 7) Gay/Lesbian American, 8) Disabled American.
Syllabus:
The syllabus is a “road map” detailing topics, assignments, grading system, deadlines, and other necessary information
to succeed in this class. The instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the dates, activities, assignments.
and any other part of the syllabus at any time. When any changes do occur, students will be informed in class and
the updates will be posted on “Blackboard.”
Course Syllabus
Course information available online:
Go to: http://clpccd.blackboard.com and enter your student “W” number and password to access this course on Blackboard. Make
sure to change your password when you access Blackboard for the first time (either through this class or another).
You can access the current course syllabus, PowerPoint lectures (when applicable), and your grade information on Blackboard.
Supplemental Materials:
Throughout the semester, the instructor will provide additional handouts in class to provide further clarifications on topics.
Attendance & Class Participation:
Attendance is required for all classes. The instructor will not drop students from the class for non-attendance; it is the student’s
responsibility to drop or withdraw this class according to the Admission & Records” Academic Calendar.
Please be prompt and do not arrive late or leave early. Attendance will be taken. Tardiness and leaving class early may be taken
into consideration by the instructor when assigning grades.
Students have four “grace” absences that you can use for whatever reason for the semester. However, if you miss more than four
class meetings, you will have your grade lowered by one full letter grade (e.g., from an A to a B).
Class participation is critical. You will be asked to participate in pairs, groups, class discussions, and activities in class.
Course Syllabus
Electronic Devices:
Students’ cell phones, iPods, PDAs, and other electronic devices must be turned off during class periods.
Expected behaviors from students:
Students are expected to be courteous and respectful to each other as we learn from each other throughout the
semester.
Any disruptive/unruly behavior or inappropriate/offensive language will not be tolerated. Any student who is
unable to manage his/her behavior after two verbal warnings will be directed to meet with the Dean of Student
Services.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
If you need special accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible so that arrangements can be
made ahead of time
Grading and Assessment:
Readings and assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates listed. If there are any changes to the
reading/assignment dates, the information will be communicated in class and posted on Blackboard.
Late assignments are automatically deducted by 20% of the total points each day after the due date.
After the 5th business day, no late assignments will be accepted. If you are submitting a late assignment
,please turn it in to the Administration Office, Building 100.
Course Syllabus
Self Reflection Journal for Set #1 (Chapter 1 – 4) and Set #2 (Chapters 6, 7, 8 & 10): “Critical Thinking Questions”

(240 points = 30 points x 8)

Answer at least 2-3 “Critical Thinking Questions at the end of the chapters listed above. Please type at least

one or two (short) paragraphs for each question and provide a specific example from your life but you should

not exceed three pages for each chapter. Full points will be given for well-written and insightful answers
supported by at least one example.

Refer to the Schedule of Classes for the Journal due dates.

Please type your Self-Reflection Journal.
Group Project:

[210 points = 70 (individual work)+70 (group presentation)+50 (written summary)+20 (peer review)]:

You will be randomly assigned to a group of 3-4 students after the first three weeks of class.

As a group you will conduct a 15-20 minute class presentation on one specific cultural group (about their

history, culture, psychological experiences and contributions);

Conduct fieldwork for your specific group;

Submit a written summary and bibliography;

More detail information and instructions will be provided after your group assignments.
Course Syllabus


Active participation in class discussions and activities (50
points);
Exam #1 for Chapters 1-4 (100 points);
Exam #2 for Chapters 5-7 (100 points);
Exam #3 for Chapters 8-10 (100 points);
Total possible points: 800 points

No make-up exams allowed.



Course Syllabus
1.
Extra Credit (20 points each):
Multicultural Issues--Current Event (20 points)
A.Identify an event in the news that has occurred in the United States (within the last 5 years) that
deals with
B. any of the concepts discussed in class.
C.You will make a brief 5 minute presentation about the current event to the class.
D.Each student will have no more than one current event for this extra credit assignment.
2.
Class attendance (20 points)
A.Missed no more than 4 class meetings.
3.
Other extra credit assignments will be announced throughout the course of the semester.
4.
More information will be provided at a later date.
Course Syllabus
Plagiarism and Cheating:
Plagiarism and cheating (copying from other students, from the web, or submitting work that is not
the student’s own work) will not be tolerated.
Any student found cheating or plagiarizing will receive zero credit for that specific assignment and will
be reported to the Dean of Student Services, Kimberly Tomlinson.
Grading Scale:
Divide your total points earned by the total points possible to determine overall percentage of course points earned.
For example, if you earned a total of 650 points then you will have 650/800 = 0.813 that would result in a
B grade (81%).
Grades are based on the standard below:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
65-79% = C
50-64% = D
Below 50% = F
Resources









Admissions and Records
Associated Students/Student Government
Bookstore
Career/Transfer Center
Disability Resource Center
Health Services
Integrated Learning Center (ILC) – Math,
English and ESL
Library
Tutorials
US Educational Systems
Educational System continued

Components to an Associate
and/or Baccalaureate degree:
1. General Education
2. Major
3. Electives/Total units
Community College System

•
•
•
Certificates
Associate Degree – Associate in Arts (AA)
or Associate in Science (AS) – Generally
two years of full time study
Transfer – Completion of transfer
requirements for admission to a
baccalaureate granting institution
Self development/personal interest/job
skills, etc.
Baccalaureate Granting
 California
State University System
 University of California System
 Private Institutions
University of California (UC)
system
California State University (CSU)
System