1 GUST 1270; College and Career Planning CRN; 55787 Houston (PDF)

1 GUST 1270: College and Career Planning CRN: 55787 Houston Community College Southeast Felix Fraga Campus Room 248 MW 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. 2 hour lecture course/48 hours/12 weeks Instructor/Contact Information: LaTonya Jones, LMSW, PhD Email: [email protected] Office Phone: 713-718-6330 Office location and hours: Central Campus LHSB 206 M-Th 4:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m. Course Description: This course is designed to prepare students for the demands of college and for success in the world of work. This course emphasizes setting priorities, time management, effective listening, note-taking, concentration techniques, retention of information, book analysis and comprehension techniques and test-taking skills. This course also incorporates modules that are designed to facilitate the use of library databases in conducting research, planning and setting educational objectives, lifelong career assessment and decision-making, financial aid, tutoring and student support services, enabling the student to maximize the use of college resources. Due to the interactive nature of this course, a variety of instructional methodology will be used including, but not limited to: lecture, group discussion, guest lecturers, group activities, web activities, library assignments and exploration activities. (www.hccs.edu) Prerequisite: Must qualify to take GUST 0341 or have completed GUST 0339 or 0340 (or higher) with a minimum grade of C. Course Goal: This course is designed to help students succeed in the college classroom. Students will learn time management and goal-setting techniques, effective listening and note- taking skills, textbook-study methods, strategies for preparing and taking examinations as well as techniques to boost concentration and memory. Other topics include units on stress management, use of the college library and the Internet, research strategies, and career planning. Also covered are units on adapting to academic regulations and improving personal and social adjustment to college. Student Learning Outcomes 1. Develop an academic/personal/professional Action Plan, to include long-term goals, with detailed emphasis on time spent at HCCS. Objectives for this SLO should include but not be limited to a. Have a Degree Plan on file, and signed off by your professor (application) b. Write and prioritize short-term and long-term goals related to your academic/personal/professional development related to your time at HCC (analysis)  2 c. Write an Action Plan for those priority goals related to your HCC experience (analysis) d. Explain the difference between a job and a career, and the purpose of and preparation for each. Clarify which of the two brings you to HCC (analysis) e. Explore career options, incorporating the use of career related search tools (application) f. Relate the characteristics of a Life-Long Learner, and how you can develop such characteristics in your own life (synthesis) g. Demonstrate that you are capable of being an Independent Learner (application) 2. Identify and use various student services at HCCS Objectives for this SLO should include but not be limited to a. Discuss your educational/career plans with a counselor and relate other services available through the counseling office (application) b. Access system publications, including the student handbook, college catalog, and semester schedules (application) c. Select classes for the next semester using a degree plan and on-line registration (application) d. Access the Learning Web and Student Services website (application) e. Describe the pros and cons of distance education (comprehension) f. Use your student email account to communicate with professor (application) g. Obtain a student identification card and parking pass (as needed) (application) h. Meet with a financial aid officer and discuss your financial aid options (application) i. Utilize tutoring services provided on-campus and/or online to receive advisement on at least one assignment (application) j. Attend a library orientation session and access resources available on campus and on line (application) k. Attend at least one system-sponsored special event or student organization meeting (application) 3. Use classroom skills, including test-taking, note-taking, time management, etc. Objectives for this SLO can include, but should not be limited to a. Explain the basic learning process. b. Complete a week-long activity log and identifying at least one area where adjustments could be made to improve the student’s use of time. (application) c. Complete a schedule showing the length of time it will take to complete their degree plans using their current course load. d. Participate in at least one pair/share activity with other students or a modeling activity with an instructor in order to identify key ideas and supporting evidence from a variety of textbooks and possibly journal articles. (application)  3 e. Write notes over one chapter or section of a chapter using at least two or more different note-taking styles. (application) f. Adapt memory strategies by coming up with at least three different mnemonics for key information from a specific textbook chapter. (synthesis) g. Word process and correctly format at least half of the written assignments for class. (application) h. Use the computer to find at least three professional articles or reputable websites to be used in a career report or project. (analysis) i. Demonstrate listening skills appropriate to the college classroom. (application) j. Describe how to prepare for and answer a variety of question types found on typical tests. (comprehension) k. Describe techniques for recognizing and alleviating test anxiety. (comprehension) 4. Identify and develop personal/professional characteristics sought by professors/ employers Objectives for this SLO include but are not limited to a. Identify and describe values for both personal and professional life and relate those values to college and professional decision making (analysis) b. Work in collaboration with others (application) c. Network (application) d. Apply time management strategies and techniques (application) e. Prioritize immediate and future activities (analysis) f. Identify and locate resources necessary to personal/professional success (application) g. Identify and demonstrate communication skills appropriate for the college and professional settings (application) h. Successfully interact with a diverse population (application) i. Critically analyze selected materials (analysis) General Education Outcomes 1. Reading: Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials; 2. Writing: Competency/outcome in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience; 3. Speaking: Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience; 4. Listening: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication; 5. Critical Thinking: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternative strategies; and 6. Computer Literacy: Computer literacy at the college level means the ability to use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information.  4 Textbook: Robert M. Sherfield, Rhonda J. Montgomery, Patricia G. Moody, Cornerstone: Building Your Best, 6th ed., Prentice Hall, 2011. ISBN 978-0-55--8827786 Houston Community College Catalog, 2010-2011 HCCS Bookstore Website: http://hccs.bncollege.com/ MyStudentSuccessLab is a state-of-the-art, interactive, and instructive online solution for student success courses. MyStudentSuccessLab combines multimedia, tutorials, video, simulations, animations, tests and quizzes to make teaching and learning fun! Support Materials: 3-ring binder/folder and loose leaf paper or notebook to take notes Pens, pencils, highlighter, dictionary 10 Scrantons Tutoring Help: www.hccs.askonline.net or Reading Tutoring GUST 1270 College and Career Planning Course Calendar QUIZZES ARE UNANNOUNCED Complete homework assignments before coming to class. In general, you should plan to spend 2 hours studying outside of class for every hour spent in class. Late homework assignments are not accepted. It will be the instructor's prerogative to make any changes deemed necessary in order to meet the learning outcomes of the course. Students will be notified in writing of any change. 12-weeks calendar All text reading and assigned chapter activities are to be completed the first week chapter reading is assigned. You are to come to class prepared to discuss each chapter and exercises. You are responsible for reading. Do not wait for the instructor to cover the material before covering related readings and activities. WEEKS ACTIVITIES WEEK ONE: Introduction to the course 9/26-9/28 Overview of class guidelines, and syllabus Bloom’s Taxonomy (Quick reference guide inside book cover) Chapter 1: CHANGE pages 2-24 Read Chapters 1 and 2  5 WEEK TWO: Assignment Due: Goals 10/3-10/5 Chapter 2: ENGAGE 28-47 Complete discussion of Chapter 1 and 2 Introduction of Career Research Project Read Chapters 3 and 7 WEEK THREE: Chapter 3: PERSIST 10/10-10/12 Chapter 7: LEARN Read Chapter 12 WEEK FOUR: Chapter 12: INFORM 10/17-10/19 Assignment Due: Library Tour *Library Tour and *Career Assessment *Both sessions are components of your career research project Read Chapters 4 and 5 WEEK FIVE: Assignment Due: Degree Plan and Career assessment due 10/24-10/26 Chapter 4: COMMUNICATE Chapter 5: THINK Read Chapters 7 and 8 WEEK SIX: Chapter 8: READ 10/31-11/2 Chapter 7: LEARN Read Chapters 6 and 9 WEEK SEVEN: Assignment Due: Time management log 11/7-11/9 Chapter 6: PRIORITIZE Chapter 9: RECORD Read Chapters 10 and 11 LAST DAY FOR STUDENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH BY 12:00 PM WEEK EIGHT: Chapter 10: UNDERSTAND 11/14-11/16 Chapter 11: PROSPER WEEK NINE: MONEY MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL 11/21-11/23 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS, NOVEMBER 24-27, NO NIGHT CLASSES Read Chapters 13 and 14 WEEK TEN: Chapter 13: RELATE 11/28-11/30 Chapter 14: LIVE Read Chapter 15  6 WEEK ELEVEN: Chapter 15: PLAN 12/5-12/7 Career Research Projects and Presentations due. No projects or papers due after this week WEEK TWELVE: Final Exam Review 12/12-12/14 FINAL EXAM at 7:30 p.m. Room 248 Grades available online December 23 Final Grade of FX Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of “FX”, which is compared to an earned grade of “F” for poor performance. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended class. Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education and may have to pay their financial aid. A grade of “FX” is treated exactly the same as a grade of “F” in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress. A student may be dropped from a course for absenteeism after the student has accumulated more than 2 absences. American Disabilities Act Policy Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to call Southeast Disability office at (713) 718-7218 to make necessary arrangements. The disability office is located in the Learning Hub Welcome Center. For information on services offered by the disability office visit, www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students from the Student Support column, select the Disability Services. Academic Honesty Policy Academic dishonesty (cheating of any kind) is a serious offense and will be dealt with accordingly. If a student copies sentences from another person's work without giving credit to the writer by naming the writer as the source of the ideas and words, it is called "plagiarism." This is a serious offense in American colleges, and it is unacceptable. Academic honesty is expected of all college students. Any homework, journal entry or composition that is not a student's own work will be given a grade of 0. The student may receive an F for the course when plagiarism occurs repeatedly. http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students From the Student Support column, select the Student Handbook link for further information (reference pgs. 34 - 36.) Attendance Policy Attendance and punctuality are mandatory. H.C.C.S. policy states that you can be withdrawn by your instructor after missing 12.5% of the course; in this course that is equal to 6 hours  7 (1.5 classes) of absence for the semester. If you exit class early without clearing it with professor, it will be considered an absence and any work done prior to leaving will receive a grade of F. A student who is withdrawn from a class for excessive absences will receive a grade of “W” by the student/administrative withdrawal date. This is not negotiable and cannot be changed for a letter grade. A student who is withdrawn from a required developmental course will also be withdrawn from all other courses during that semester. Students on Financial Aid could forfeit their Financial Aid and F1 students (international) be out of compliance and have their F1 status revoked. These are serious consequences, and it is the student’s responsibility to maintain required attendance. Check with your instructor about specific attendance policies. Six Drop Rule http://imc02.hccs.edu/gcac/drop.htm Important information you need to know about dropping courses. Effective 2007, section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code applies to first-time in college freshman students who enroll in a Texas public institution of higher education in the fall semester of 2007 or thereafter. High school students currently enrolled in HCC Dual Credit and Early College are waived from this requirement until they graduate from high school. Based on this law, HCC or any other Texas Public institution of higher education may not permit students to drop after the official day of record more than six college level credit courses for unacceptable reasons during their entire undergraduate career. Third Attempt Enrollment Information Houston Community College charges a higher tuition to students who are registering for a class for the third or subsequent time. www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students From the Student Support column, select Admissions & Records link, then Third Attempt Enrollment for further information. Other Important Notes Cellular phones and pagers create annoying and unnecessary interruptions during class. Please switch them to vibrate. No laptops will be used during class sessions unless agreed upon by the instructor. Also, no text messaging or listening to mp3 players will be allowed. According to the Texas Education Code 37.123: “No person or groups of persons acting in concert may willfully engage in disruptive activities or disrupt a lawful assembly on the campus or property of any private or public school or institution of higher education or public vocational and technical school or institute.” Hindering other students' learning or deterring an instructor from effective teaching will not be tolerated. The student who is unprepared, sleeps in class, or is disruptive will be asked to leave the class and be counted absent. http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/current-students From the Student Support column, select Student Handbook link for further information (reference Disruptive Behavior pgs. 35-37).  8 Grading Score These guidelines will be followed for determining students’ grades: Quizzes 50 Assignments 100 Goal Setting 20 Degree Plan 20 Time Management 20 Career Assessment 20 Library Assignment 20 Attendance and Participation 65 Career Research Project 75 Final Exam 60 Grading Scale Equivalent to HCCS Grading Scale 315-350 points = A 90-100 279-314 points = B 80-89 278-243 points = C 70-79 242-207 points = D 60-69 207 and below = F 59 and below Grades of “A, B, and C” are transferable grades to most 4-year colleges or universities in the state of Texas. If a grade of “D or F” is earned, you are recommended to retake this course. Check with the college or university of your choice regarding grade transferability issues.