Course Syllabus
Student Success Seminar (revised 1/4/18)
HD 101 (3 credits) Section 10 Item # 2835
Winter 2018
Tuesday & Thursday 12:30pm-1:45pm
Building # 8/Room # 2
Instructor: Dr. James Mendoza, NCC
Counseling and Advising Center, Building 7 (check-in with front desk staff)
Phone: 566-5062 (James desk and voice mail) or 566-5122 (Counseling Center Reception Desk)
E-mail Address: jmendoza@tacomacc.edu
Office Hours: Arranged by appointment. Please call 566-5122 or stop by my office if you have any questions.
Required Textbook(s):
1) College Success (2015). University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing Edition, Open Education Resources. Minneapolis, MN. Note: This is a free e-textbook located on Canvas for HD 101. Click on the modules tab located on the left-side of the Canvas page and you will find the link to the text.
2) Tacoma Community College Student Planner (2017-18). Available at the Office of Student Engagement, second floor of building 11.
Course Description:
To provide individuals with an opportunity to cultivate the skills necessary to become confident, successful students. Topics include: personal learning styles, time management, goal setting, test-taking strategies, academic planning, degree audit, self-care, money management, relationships, communication, exploring careers, memory techniques, college and community resources, ethics, and respecting diversity.
College-Wide Outcomes:
Tacoma Community College has identified five college-wide learning outcomes that form the foundation of our educational emphasis:
1) Communication (COM)
2) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CRT)
3) Responsibility & Ethics (RES)
4) Information & Information Technology (IIT)
5) Living and Working Cooperatively/Valuing Differences (LWC)
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Determine/identify their own capabilities, interests, and values
- Design their own educational, personal, social, or career action plan
- Explain how own personal responsibility determines their success as a college student
- Locate, use, and evaluate information technology and other college resources
- Participate in the college community
- Contribute to team projects
- Demonstrate an understanding of college culture
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:
- Communicate effectively and respectfully in diverse settings in order to work well with others and resolve conflict (COM, CRT, RES, LWC).
- Access appropriate campus resources and technology to be successful students (RES, IIT).
- Set, evaluate, and accomplish personal, career, and academic goals (CRT, RES, IIT).
- Recognize own responsibility for educational, social, ethical, and personal growth in order to support learning (CRT, RES).
- Research and explore personal, career, and educational interests (CRT, RES, IIT).
Instructional Methods Used:
Instructors in this course use a variety of teaching methods including: lecture, small and large group activities, presentations, campus tours and web enhanced materials.
Technology:
Students will need access to a computer and the internet to complete this course. TCC provides these resources in: Information Commons – bldg. 16; Library – bldg. 7; and the Gig Harbor Campus.
Attendance/Participation:
Since Student Success Seminar is primarily an experiential class special mention is applicable to your attendance and participation. Much of this class will be group interaction (small and large group) and therefore it is essential that all students attend class and participate in these activities. Non-attendance and lack of participation will negatively influence your grade in this class.
Withdrawal Policy:
The college provides for withdrawal without my (Professor Mendoza) signature until Monday, January 12th. After January 12th you will be required to get my signature to drop the class. Please contact me in person to make this arrangement. If you are on financial aid, it is strongly advised that you inform the Financial Aid Office of any changes in the number of credits you’re enrolled in.
Academic Dishonesty:
Students at TCC are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. It is the official policy that cheating and plagiarism are grounds for disciplinary action. Plagiarism is the use of someone else's words or ideas as your own. You are plagiarizing when you copy someone else’s work or when you receive so much “help” that the paper (or part of it) is no longer your own. Plagiarism is not acceptable in this class and will result in a failing grade on the assignment. A student caught cheating on an exam will receive no credit for that examination.
Classroom Policies:
Cell phones, tablets, computers, and any other technological equipment that is not directly related to this class is a distraction to the learning process and prohibited unless otherwise directed. As a consideration to your classmates and myself, please turn them off during class time. If you absolutely need to be on a technological device, please do so outside of the class. In the event a student disregards this respectful request, they will be excused from the class and must make an appointment with me to discuss the issue.
Accommodations:
Students with special needs: All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but the way they meet these requirements may vary. If you need specific auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, please speak with me and with Access Services, located in Building 7 (566-5328). They will require you to present formal, written documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional. When this step has been completed, arrangements will be made for you to receive reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability accommodation documentation prepared by Access Services must be given to me before the accommodation is needed so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Incompletes:
The “I” grade is given when a student has completed a majority of the course work but cannot complete all of the course requirements during the quarter due to circumstances beyond his or her control. You must make an appointment with me to request and discuss the incomplete grade option.
Inclement Weather:
If you are unsure about classes being held due to inclement weather, please call my office (566-5062) after 7:00 am for a voice mail message, or call the campus operator (566-5000), or go to www.tacomacc.edu and click on Weather Closure Information. If the College is closed for any reason, no classes will be held.
Etiquette for Classroom Disputes:
If you have questions or concerns about this class or me, please come to talk with me about your concerns. If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you may talk next with the Department Chair, Mary Pedersen, building 7 (Counseling Center) at 566-5334. The Chair can assist with information about additional steps, if needed.
Grading Policy: Your final grade will be based on the following requirements:
- Attendance & Participation (10 points)
- Chapter Activities (30 points). These are writing assignments reflecting upon your learning experiences and/or knowledge. There are 6 total assigned Chapter Activities, worth 5 points each. This accounts for 30% of your total grade.
- Let’s See What You Know #1, (10 points)
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Let’s See What You Know #2, (15 points)
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Attend two TCC campus events/activities/workshops, 5 points each (10 points)
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Student Portfolio Presentation, (10 points)
- Student Portfolio Project, (15 points)
Special Note: Late class work will not be accepted unless approval is granted from the instructor. This approval will only be given in rare and extreme circumstances. You must turn in your work in class at the beginning of the class period.
A = 93-100 points C = 73-76
A- = 90-92 C- = 70-72
B+ = 87-89 D+ = 67-69
B = 83-86 D = 63-66 B- = 80-82 E = below 63
C+ = 77-79
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Winter 2018 |
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
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1
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2 *Introductions *Syllabus |
3
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4 *Ch. 1: You and Your College Experience |
5
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8
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9 *Ch. 2: Staying Motivated, Organized, and On Track |
10
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11 *Scavenger Hunt *Chapter Activities #1 Due |
12
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15 MLK Day NO CLASS |
16 *Educational Planning |
17 |
18 *Degree Audit/Educational Planning |
19 |
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22 |
23 *Ch. 3: Thinking about Thought Scavenger Hunt Due |
24 |
25 *WOIS Interest Profiler Assessment (Meet in the Career Center in bldg. 7) *Chapter Activities #2 Due |
26
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FEBRUARY |
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29 |
30 *Library Resources & Tour (Meet in Rm. 5 of the library) |
31 |
1 *Ch. 12: Taking Control of Your Future “Let’s See What You Know #1” |
2 |
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5 |
6 Educational Planning Day NO CLASSES BEFORE 3pm |
7
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8 *Ch. 4: Listening, Taking Notes, & Remembering |
9 |
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12 |
13 *Ch. 6: Preparing for and Taking Tests *Chapters Activities #3 Due |
14
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15 *Ch. 7: Interacting with Instructors and Classes |
16 |
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19 President’s Day NO SCHOOL |
20 *Ch. 9: The Social World of College *Chapter Activities #4 Due |
21 |
22 Ch. 10: Taking Control of Your Health
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23 |
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MARCH |
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26
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27 *Ch. 11: Taking Control of Your Finances *Chapter Activities #5 Due |
28
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1 *Ethics (Note: this topic is not connected to a specific chapter in the text. Alternative resources will be utilized. |
2 TCC Professional Development Day for Faculty & Staff. NO SCHOOL |
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5 |
6 *Let’s See What You Know #2 *Student Portfolio Presentations |
7 |
8 *Student Portfolio Presentations *Chapter Activities #6 Due |
9 |
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12 |
13 *Student Portfolio Presentations
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14 |
15 *Student Portfolio Presentations *Student Portfolio Projects Due Note: Grades due: Mar. 26 |
16 |
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NOTE: There may be changes to this calendar. All changes will be announced in class.
Guidelines for Classroom Expectations and Behavior
During the next ten (10) weeks we will be engaged in learning about the many different characteristics and strategies for being a successful college student. We will cover a broad array of topics. Some of these topics may involve the discussion of emotionally volatile subjects.
In order to create a classroom environment that i/s open and safe for expressing and exchanging our thoughts, ideas, and opinions, it is important that we all agree to abide by the following rules:
Respect – all of us are worthy of being treated respectfully. We have come together with the understanding that we all want to learn more about how to effectively interact with others in our environment and respect is the cornerstone of all healthy relationships.
Listen – take the time to hear what others have to say. Try to remain open to other points of view. Remember, each of us has our own particular perspective on the nature of things and we want to encourage each other to share thoughts and opinions. In this way we can learn from one another.
Speak Clearly – make every effort to state your point of view in clear and understandable words. Speak to be understood. Think before you say it!
Be Supportive – it is important that we encourage and support each other in our efforts to share opinions, thoughts, and ideas on the various subjects we will be discussing. We all feel at risk when we share our thought with others. We want our classroom to be a student friendly environment where people are free to express themselves regardless of whether we agree with their point of view.
Disagreements – I would suspect that there will be times when you hear statements that you disagree with and have the need to respond to. This is healthy. But please remember that when we disagree with someone’s point of view that we confine our criticism to their ideas and not the person.
Grade Tracking Sheet
Class Assignments Grades
1) Chapter Activities (CA’s) (5 points each)
CA #1 (due 1/11) _____/5pts.
CA #2 (due 1/25 _____/5pts.
CA #3 (due 2/13) _____/5pts.
CA #4 (due 2/20) _____/5pts.
CA #5 (due 2/27) _____/5pts.
CA #6 (due 3/8) _____/5pts.
3) “Let’s See What You Know #1 _____/10pts.
4) “Let’s See What You Know #2 _____/15pts.
5) TCC event/activity/workshop #1 _____/5pts.
6) TCC event/activity/workshop #2 _____/5pts.
7) Student Portfolio Presentation _____/10pts.
8) Student Portfolio Project _____/15pts.
Total Points _____/100pts.
Extra Credit (2 pts. Each) _____
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Course Summary:
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