Link to a Word Version of this Syllabus
PDS 120-003 BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT
Course Syllabus, Schedule & Assignments
Spring 2008
Dr. David Ross
Office: C110, CLC Counseling Center
Office Phone: 847-543-2352
FAX: 847-543-3352
E-mail: daveross@clcillinois.edu
Home Page: http://clcpages.clcillinois.edu /home/cou052
Required Text : The Community College Experience , 2 nd Edition, by Amy Baldwin
Optional Text: The Everyday Writer , 3 rd Edition, by Andrea Lunsford (the college writing handbook)
Required Materials : Date Book or Calendar
Dr. Ross' Normal Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
CLASS OBJECTIVES:
1.) Help students develop a "success attitude" toward school.
2.) Encourage students to try new approaches to study.
3.) Celebrate successes, learn from failures.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES |
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES |
1. Regular attendance |
1. Returning materials on time. |
2. Begin on time. |
2. Listening and responding. |
3. Completing assignments. |
3. Being a learner. |
4. Participating. |
4. Creating an environment for Learning. |
5. Listening and responding. |
5. Sharing Responsibility for Learning. |
6. Experimenting. |
|
Class Web Pages (please bookmark these for continued reference)
Dave's Home Page: http://clcpages.clcillinois.edu /home/cou052
The Everyday Writer Pages: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/custom/CLC/clccomp.html
STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS/PROJECTS.
1. Textbook readings . You will be assigned readings. They should be completed prior to that day.
2. Homework assignments . They will be collected and reviewed by the teacher. Some of the assignments will be required of all students, other assignments will be self-selected. The class schedule will show the due dates.
3. Class Project . 5 page research paper, more details supplied later in the term.
GRADING:
25%--Chapter Quizes & Final Exam
25%--Homework
25%--Research Project
25%--Class Participation/Attendance
QUIZ PREPARATION . It is recommended that you complete all Chapter Reviews at the end of each chapter in the text and that you create your own summary of the chapter.
HOMEWORK POLICY : All homework is to be handed in on the date listed on the schedule. Late assignments are with instructor approval only.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Successful students are always in class. If are absent and wish to be counted as present, you must call the instructor prior to the absent class and turn in an additional homework assignment from the topic being covered that day.
MAKE UP QUIZES : Quizes may be made up due to absences such as: illness, family issues, transportation difficulties. But the instructor must be contacted PRIOR to the quiz.
CELL PHONE POLICY: All Cell phones and electronic communication devices are to be turned off and put away, unless you have prior instructor approval.
Tentative CLASS SCHEDULE—Spring 2008
DATE |
TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS |
READINGS |
January 29 |
Getting Started |
Chapter 1, pages 2-29 |
January 31 |
Campus Resources Syllabus Quiz |
|
February 5 |
Time Management Assignment #1: One week planner #1 |
Chapter 2, pages 30-53 |
February 7 |
Procrastination/Concentration/Learning Styles |
|
February 12 |
Note taking Assignment # 2 : One week planner #2 |
Chapter 4, pages 97-107 |
February 14 |
More on note taking. |
|
February 19 |
Reading/Memory Strategies Assignment # 3 : One week planner #3 Quiz #1: Time Management/Note taking (Chapt. 2, 4) |
Chapter 4, pages 85-97 |
February 21 |
More on Reading/Memory |
|
February 26 |
Test taking/ Test Anxiety |
Chapter 6, pages 132-158 |
February 28 |
More on Test taking/Test Anxiety |
|
March 4 |
Open Topic/Review (possible writing center visit) Quiz #2: Reading/Test Taking (Chapt. 4, 6) |
Quiz # 2 will be administered over Blackboard. It will be available from March 4 to March 7 |
March 6 |
Introduction to the Research Paper |
Chapter 5, pages 108-130 |
March 11 |
Library Visit (tentative) |
|
March 13 |
Plagiarism/Internet Research Assignment #4: Project Topic & Thesis |
Chapter 7, pages 160-175 |
March 18 |
Organizing Study Materials Quiz #3: Writing/Research (Chapt. 5) |
|
March 20 |
Health/Wellness Assignment #5: Project Outline & Sources |
Chapter 8, pages 176-201 |
April 1 |
Work on projects |
|
April 3 |
Campus Diversity Assignment #6: Project rough draft |
Chapter 3, pages 54-83 |
April 8 |
Career Planning |
Chapter 10, pages 226-247 |
April 10 |
Money Management Assignment # 7: Completed Project Due |
|
April 15 |
Project Presentations Assignments #8 & 9: Self-selected homework |
|
April 17 |
Project Presentations Final Exam |
|
Class Web Pages (please bookmark these for continued reference)
Dave's Home Page: http://clcpages.clcillinois.edu /home/cou052
The Everyday Writer Pages: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/custom/CLC/clccomp.html
STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS/PROJECTS.
1. Textbook readings . You will be assigned readings. They should be completed prior to that day.
2. Homework assignments . They will be collected and reviewed by the teacher. Some of the assignments will be required of all students, other assignments will be self-selected. The class schedule will show the due dates.
3. Class Project . 5 page research paper, more details supplied later in the term.
GRADING:
25%--Chapter Quizes & Final Exam
25%--Homework
25%--Research Project
25%--Class Participation/Attendance
QUIZ PREPARATION . It is recommended that you complete all Chapter Reviews at the end of each chapter in the text and that you create your own summary of the chapter.
HOMEWORK POLICY : All homework is to be handed in on the date listed on the schedule. Late assignments are with instructor approval only.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Successful students are always in class. If are absent and wish to be counted as present, you must call the instructor prior to the absent class and turn in an additional homework assignment from the topic being covered that day.
MAKE UP QUIZES : Quizes may be made up due to absences such as: illness, family issues, transportation difficulties. But the instructor must be contacted PRIOR to the quiz.
CELL PHONE POLICY: All Cell phones and electronic communication devices are to be turned off and put away, unless you have prior instructor approval.
Tentative CLASS SCHEDULE—Spring 2008
DATE |
TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS |
READINGS |
January 29 |
Getting Started |
Introduction, pages 1-4 |
January 31 |
Campus Resources Syllabus Quiz |
Chapter 1, pages 5-17 |
February 5 |
Time Management Assignment #1: One week planner #1 |
Chapter 2, pages 19-39 |
February 7 |
Procrastination/Concentration |
Chapter 3, pages 41-55 |
February 12 |
Note taking Assignment # 2 : One week planner #2 |
Chapter 6, pages 85-95 |
February 14 |
More on note taking. |
|
February 19 |
Reading/Memory Strategies Assignment # 3 : One week planner #3 Quiz #1: Chapters 3 & 6 |
Chapter 7, pages 97-111 |
February 21 |
More on Reading/Memory |
|
February 26 |
Test taking/ Test Anxiety |
Chapter 8, pages 113-129 |
February 28 |
More on Test taking/Test Anxiety |
|
March 4 |
Open Topic/Review (possible writing center visit) Quiz #2: Chapters 7 & 8 |
Quiz # 2 will be administered over Blackboard. It will be available from March 4 to March 7 |
March 6 |
Introduction to the Research Paper |
Chapter 9, pages 131-148 |
March 11 |
Library Visit (tentative) |
|
March 13 |
Plagiarism/Internet Research Assignment #4: Project Topic & Thesis |
Chapter 10, pages 149-161 |
March 18 |
Organizing Study Materials Quiz #3: Chapter 9 |
|
March 20 |
Open topic/Review Assignment #5: Project Outline & Sources |
|
April 1 |
Work on projects |
|
April 3 |
Campus Diversity Assignment #6: Project rough draft |
Chapter 5, pages 71-84 |
April 8 |
Health/Wellness |
|
April 10 |
Money Management Assignment # 7: Completed Project Due |
Chapter 11, pages 163-178 |
April 15 |
Project Presentations Assignments #8 & 9: Self-selected homework |
|
April 17 |
Project Presentations Final Exam |
|
Homework Assignments :
REQUIRED:
A.) Three Week Planner .
For three weeks you will write in all assignments and study goals for all of your classes in your planner. Turn in a copy of your planner pages for the UPCOMING week. The goal of this assignment is to make this a habit. There are three due date:
Due Date Covering Dates
Feb. 5 Feb 4 -10
Feb. 12 Feb. 11 - 17
Feb. 19 Feb. 18 -24
B.) Research Project
You will complete a 5 page research paper (more details to follow) using bibliographic resources. It is completed in stages:
a.) Paper topic and thesis statement: Due March 13
b.) Outline with 5 references: Due March 20
c.) Handwritten or typed draft: Due April 3
d.) Final Paper: Due April 10
SELF-SELECTED ASSIGNMENTS:
Select any two of the follow activities, depending on your interests and needs. The assignments are Due April 15.
a.) Create a set of study materials for an upcoming test. It could be a one-page summary, a set of flash cards, or even an audio recording. Make something that helps you summarize and remember the test material.
b.) Attend one of the study skills sessions offered by the counseling center. (see Dr. Ross for a schedule) Write a one paragraph summary of the activity.
c.) Attend another one of the study skills sessions offered by the counseling center. Write a one paragraph summary of the activity.
d.) Go to Dr. Ross' relaxation page: http://clcpages.clcillinois.edu/home/cou052/RelaxationPage.htm Try the deep muscle relaxation recording. Write a one paragraph summary.
e.) Create your own homework assignment, with prior approval from Dr. Ross.
If you are a student with a documented disability and may need academic accommodations such as extended time for exams and/or an in-class note taker, please present documentation to the Office for Students with Disabilities in L112 at the Grayslake campus. To schedule an appointment, please call: voice (847) 543-2055 TTY 223-0134
If you have already contacted the Office for Students with Disabilities and have completed the Instructor Notification Form, please schedule a time to meet with me and discuss your needs.