Columbia State Community College:

DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES

DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES - LEARNING STRATEGIES SYLLABUS

COURSE OFFERS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES

Learning Strategies (DSPS 0800) will focus on assisting the student in developing practical study skills techniques to enhance academic success in college. Materials used are designed for both individual and group work and will enable the student to view the entire college experience in a more positive way. Every effort will be made to help each student to learn, study, think, and become self-directed. Specific attention will be given to such topics as goal setting, concentrating and remembering, listening, note taking, researching, preparing for objective and essay tests, and improving reading skills. To exit this course, a grade of "C" or better is required. Students will receive 3 hours of institutional credit. The class will meet one morning, afternoon or evening or two days a week as prescribed in the class schedule book.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

Many methods and varied presentations will be used to meet the needs and interests of these highly diversified college students. Included in these methods and presentations will be class lectures, role-playing, video recordings, experiential and cooperative learning, and guest speakers.

The only required text is Becoming A Master Student, 11th Edition, by David B. Ellis. College Survival, Inc., a program of Houghton-Mifflin Company, published the 2006 edition in St. Charles, IL.

Students and instructors submitted recommendations of ways to improve the text and information about what tools and techniques work for them, and Ellis utilized the recommendations to refine the most recent edition.

Because the textbook is a workbook with three-hole punched pages, each student is expected to purchase a new issue. Even if you are repeating the course, you must purchase a new copy of the text. In addition, resource materials, some date sensitive, are shrink-wrapped with the textbook, and students need to have the most recent materials. The soft cover Becoming A Master Student must be purchased in the CoSCC Bookstore.

Other materials that will be helpful include:

Three ring binder - 2 - 2 1/2" wide in which to place the 3-hole punched textbook
Divider pages with tabs
Standard-ruled loose-leaf notebook paper. (NOTE: Spiral notebooks and spiral notebook paper are not acceptable in this course. Student's work submitted on spiral paper will not be accepted.)
Pens, pencils, highlighters

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with Ms. Kasee Story, Coordinator of Disability Services and Wellness (931) 540-2857 (TDD number for the hearing impaired 1-800-848-0298) for possible assistance with accommodations. It is the student's responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of any disability. Students requesting special accommodations are (strongly) encouraged to contact Ms. Story's office is located in room 160 in the Jones Student Center on the Columbia campus.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, each student should show improvement at various levels of competency as reflected by acceptable letter grades on class assignments and activities. More specifically, the instructor expects student to be able to do the following:

Set study goals and priorities; establish a habit of following a sensible schedule for all projects
Use learning and testing techniques and strategies in effective note taking and textbook reading
Approach a task or problem logically and apply critical-thinking skills and problem solving skills
Obtain and us resources external to the classroom
Function as a successful student in the college environment
Make effective use of college/university services

VITAL KNOWLEDGE: COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for this course are as follows:

To attend each scheduled class on time.
To take all specified standardized tests and inventories, i.e., Learning Styles Inventory(LSI), Discovery Wheel, etc .
To take all comprehensive class tests and examinations as announced.
To read textbook assignments and answer accompanying questions before coming to class.
To participate in individual and group discussions and activities.
To prepare a paper, speech or project. The topic/format will be determined by the student with instructor approval. The instructor will determine the due date for the assignment.
Each student is expected to access and use their campus e-mail account to regularly communicate with the classmates and the instructor.
Should it be necessary to be absent from class for any reason, CALL the instructor no later than day of the absence. Class notes should be obtained from a classmate in the class.
To attend individual sessions with the instructor. Dates and times to be arranged by the instructor.

COMPUTER HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

None. Although students will be expected to use computers to complete some assignments and to communicate by e-mail, Columbia State has computer labs at every site and center. The computer labs and the SASE Center contain production software (i.e.. Microsoft Office) and afford Internet Access to all currently enrolled students.

GUIDELINES FOR E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS

The subject line of any e-mail sent to the instructor should include the student's name and the assignment title (if applicable). Senders who use a word processing program should use Microsoft Word, or they should save the documents in Rich Text Format (.rtf). For directions for saving in RTF, se Idaho State College's page at www.nic.edu/dess/rtf.htm. Please note that electronic failures in submitting assignments is not an excuse for late work.

Remember, without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording e-mails.

Use standard fonts.

Do not send large attachments without permission.

Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless it is necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.

Respect the privacy of other class members.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to attend class and be on time for each class meeting (Please see the current CoSCC catalog for affirmation of this policy). Attendance is taken at the beginning of each instructional period, and two late arrivals to or early departures from class (tardies) will constitute one absence.

Three absences in a MW or TR class or one class in a 3-hour morning, afternoon or evening class may result in failure, for there is NO provision for make-up of class sessions. Make sure you work closely with your instructor should the need for an absence occur.

Adequate time will be given in class to address any concerns of the student. For additional assistance, the student may check with the instructor during office hours. Professional and peer counselors are also available to assist students with individual concerns and are available by appointment. Contact Dr. Paula Petty-Ward at (931) 540-2572 for assistance.

STUDENT CONDUCT

Each student is on the honor system in this class. Plagiarism and cheating on papers and examinations will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action as described in the college catalog and the student handbook. No food, beverages, or tobacco products will be allowed in the classroom.

Students must turn off beepers and cell phones during class time.

The children of students are not permitted in the classroom at any time, nor are they permitted to be left unattended at any time in any campus building.

Disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated during class and will result in the student (s) being asked to leave the classroom immediately.

In the event of any type of emergency in this class, please follow the instructions given by the instructor.

A student who questions an error in grading should contact the instructor for re-evaluation and/or explanations. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with his/her progress and class materials. Notes on missed class lectures can be obtained from other students in the class. The instructor will be available to clarify any questions the student may have concerning the notes or assignments.

Before dropping the course, students must obtain the signatures of the instructor and the Director of Developmental Studies on the Admissions Office Drop Form.

Students who fail to get official approval to drop the course will receive an "F." In order to receive a grade of "WD," the student must contact the Developmental Studies Program Director and provide appropriate documentation. The last date to drop or withdraw from a class is Thursday, November 9, 2006.

GRADING

Evaluation for a final grade will be based on a variety of assessments made throughout the semester. Therefore, the student should focus attention on doing well on all of the activities in this class. All work done by the student--class activities, homework, tests, and examinations will be averaged to determine the final letter grade.

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B:80 - 89

C: 70 - 79

F: Below 70

PR: Progress

In addition to the grades listed above, a student may also earn a grade of PR (Progress) in the course. The criteria for a PR grade are posted below:

1. You have made a considerable amount of progress in the course
2. In the opinion of the instructor, you have made your best effort and have made an honest attempt to pass the course;
3. In the opinion of the instructor, you will be able to pass the course, given another attempt;
4. You have not previously received a PR in the course: AND
5. You have attended the class regularly until the end of the semester.

A student who receives a "PR" or an "F" in any course MUST re-enroll in that course the next semester in which the student plans to enroll in classes.

Failure to maintain at least a "C" in this course should indicate to the student that they need to register for another semester in Learning Strategies. Some of the work would be a repeat, but most of the work would be a continuation of the concepts and skills needed to succeed in college.

The final grade, unless otherwise directed by the instructor, will be based on the following standards:

Homework/Participation 20%

Quizzes 20%

Research 20%

Portfolio 20%

Final Examination 20%

Grades are not mailed to students. Students must access grades through Web for Students at www.columbiastate.edu five (5) working days after grades are required in the Office of Admissions and Records. The date for fall semester is December 22, 2006. Students who need official copies of grades must request it in writing from the Office of Admissions and Records. Call the transcript information line at 931-540-2550 for detailed instructions. iStudents may print a copy of their grades from Web for Students, but it not an official copy.

The design of this course is such that it is hoped to enhance each student’s ability to learn the basics of academic success as well as success in life. Each student will be required to read and write through the use of the textbook and outside assignments. They will also be expected to think and reason before acting in preparing for classes and examinations as well as in dealing with other situations with which they will be faced.

Have a GREAT semester!

Last updated: August 27, 2006

Columbia State Community College is a Tennessee Board of Regents Institution and is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer committed to the education of a nonracially identifiable student body.