Volume 11.2

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The Success Gazette

Course Syllabus for Learning Strategies

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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. The course will give specific attention 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 course will meet once a week for an evening class or two times a week if it is a day class.  

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.

Facts on File:

            The only required text is Becoming a Master Student, Tenth Edition, by David B. Ellis.  College Survival, Inc., a program of Houghton-Mifflin Company, published the 2003 edition in Rapid City, SD.  Students are expected to purchase this text and bring it to every class meeting.

            Students and instructor submitted recommendations for 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 perforated pages, each student is expected to purchase a new issue. The soft cover Becoming A Master Student may be purchased in the CoSCC Bookstore.  

Other materials that will be helpful include:

·        Three ring binder - 1 ½ - 2 inch wide

·        Divider pages with tabs

·        Standard-ruled, loose-leaf notebook paper. (NOTE:  Spiral notebooks and spiral notebook paper are not acceptable in this course.)

·        Pens, pencils, highlighters

·        3x 5 and/or 4x6 index cards

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

         In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with Counseling/Disability Services (931-540-2572) for possible assistance with accommodations.  It is the student’s responsibility to provide appropriate documentation voluntarily and confidentially regarding the nature and extent of a disability.  Students requesting special accommodations are encouraged to contact Counseling/Disability Services at the beginning of the semester.

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:

VITAL KNOWLEDGE:  COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for this course are as follows:

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to attend class and be on time for each class meeting.  The current Columbia State catalog supports this policy.  Attendance is taken at the beginning of each instructional period.  Three late arrivals or early departures from class will constitute one absence.

• Three absences in a MW, TR or one evening class may result in failure, for there is NO provision for the makeup of missed class sessions.  There are no free cuts from this class.  Students are encouraged to maintain an open line of communication with their instructor and notify her of absences in advance, when it is possible.

• Adequate class  time will be given to address most student concerns.  However, depending on the nature of the concern, the student may need to seek assistance from their instructor outside class.

• Professional counselors are also available by appointment to assist students with individual concerns.  Students may contact the Counseling Services office at (931) 540-2821 to make appointments.

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

Before dropping this course, students MUST obtain the instructor’s signature on the Admissions Office Drop Form and on the Developmental Studies Drop Form.  (Your instructor is also the Developmental Studies Program Director.)  

Students who fail to get official approval to drop the course and who stop going to class and/or completing assignments will receive a grade of “F.”  In order to receive the grade of “WD,” the student must provide the instructor with appropriate documentation.  The last date to drop or withdraw from a class is Thursday, March 25, 2004.  Any student seeking to drop this course needs to submit these forms at least seven days before the drop date.

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. All snacks should be consumed prior to entering the classroom, as NO food, beverages, or tobacco products will be allowed in the classroom.

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

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. 

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

In the event of an emergency, students are to follow the directions announced by the instructor.

GRAB A GRADE, GET OUT OF DODGE

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 student work—class activities, homework, tests, and examinations—will be averaged to determine the final grade.

Grading Scale

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

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  means that the student will 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 will be based on the following standards:

Grades are not mailed to students.  Student 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 which semester is Monday, May 17, 2004.  Students who need official copies of grades must request it in writing from the Office of Admissions and Records.  Call the transcript information line 931-540-2550 for detailed instructions.  Students may print a copy of their grades through Web for Students, but it is not an official copy.

This course is designed 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 to complete outside assignments.  They will also be expected to think and reason before acting in preparing for classes  as well as in dealing with other situations with which they will be faced.

Have a GREAT semester!