COURSE SYLLABUS Guidance 120
Instructor Information:
Instructor: Mary Silva Website: http://silvam.faculty.mjc.edu: https://yccd.blackboard.com/ Office: Yosemite 154 (West Campus) Hours: ______By appointment – email or call Phone: (209) 575 7721 Email: [email protected] (best way to contact me!)
Required Materials:
An active MJC email account; Text: College and Career Success, 5 th Edition by Marsha Fralick (Purchase new!); Semester Calendar (Any type, including Computer Program such as Outlook) Modesto Junior College Catalog, 20013-14; 10 scantrons (#882); 3x5 index cards; 1 scantron (#886) for final
(All of the above items are available at the Pirates’ Bookstore on campus or online at http://bookstore.yosemite.cc.ca.us/)
Student Learning Outcomes: Students successfully completing Guidance 120 will •demonstrate the ability to apply physiological, social, and psychological principles to ensure success in college and in life; •create a written, individualized plan for transfer to a four year institution incorporating personality, values, interests and skills assessments; •demonstrate an increased awareness of their personal strengths and blindspots which will assist in the selection of a major and a career.
Course Description:
Guidance 120 is a transfer-level class designed to help develop the skills necessary to make you a more effective student. An effective student is able to understand and adapt to the college environment, create an academic plan to meet his or her educational goal and fulfill the demands of the course of study required. Along the way, it is my goal that you also learn how to learn, a skill that will benefit you in all your future learning experiences, both work and play. To this end, this class will include the following areas: personality, time management, reading, note-taking, test-taking, learning styles, research and presentation, career exploration, educational planning and how to transfer.
Because this class also satisfies the guidance requirement for graduation from MJC, you must complete an educational plan. If you have already done so, please submit a copy to me as soon as possible. We will spend time in class working on this or you may chose to work with me or a counselor of your choice outside of class. Please make an appointment before the end of September!
1 | P a g e This class is designed for students who place in English 101 and Reading 184 and who intend to transfer to the university. If you have questions about the suitability of this class for you, please talk to me immediately.
Instructional Methods: This is a highly interactive class that will include a wide variety of instructional experiences including discussion, lecture, online activities, small group work and student presentations.
Course Policies Attendance is essential for a good grade. Due to the interactive nature of the class, if you are not present, you cannot participate and therefore cannot earn that portion of the grade. Participation includes listening, speaking in discussion, and contributing in small groups. You are expected to inform me of impending absences and keep up with assignments completed during your absence. Plagiarism will be punished!! If you chose to use the work of another student you will receive zero for the assignment and may also fail the class. Be sure to cite all of your sources in all papers submitted. Assignments will be due at the beginning of the class on the due date. Late assignments will be marked down 20% and will not be accepted two weeks after the original due date. No make-up quizzes will be given. The final may be taken at an alternate time with advance notice.
Course Requirements Every week there will be a reading quiz on the assignment for that week. These quizzes will usually be multiple choice and/or true false and will cover material from the text. There will be a final covering Chapters 10-14. See the class outline for dates. There will be eight assignments. Further details will be given in class. You can preview each at https://yccd.blackboard.com/. All papers should be submitted in MLA format. Some of these assignments require working with other students. You may submit this work via Blackboard, MJC’s learning management system. Class participation and attendance will make up 20% of your grade. Class participation includes journal writing, individual and group exercises, note-taking. These points cannot be made up if you are absent.
Course Assessment and Grading Your grade will be reflect the following components:
• Weekly Quizzes • Final • Eight Assignments (25-100 points each) • Participation (including Educational Plan)
ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES – an up to date handout will be distributed in class as many areas are in a state of change due to construction.
Tutoring Center. As an MJC student you are entitled to academic support services without cost. Tutors are available for most subjects and will work with
2 | P a g e you individually or as a group. On West Campus services are available in Room 235 upstairs in Yosemite Hall. On East Campus go to Classroom Annex 103 The Health Center. Nurses are available to provide first aid and other general health services. There is a cot room should you need a nap! Call 575 6360 or visit Yosemite 114. On East Campus call 575 6037 or go to Morris 108. Career Development and Transfer Center is located on the East Campus in the Student Center. The staff and resources there provide career planning services, job hunting assistance and information on transferring to four year schools. Call 575 6239.
Please see your catalog for a complete listing of other services available.
IMPORTANT DATES THIS SEMESTER. (PUT IN YOUR PHONE TODAY!
January 27th: Last day to drop a class without a W showing on your transcript April 7th: Last day to withdraw from this class (so you get a W and not a bad grade.) April 23rd: Last day of class. Last day to turn in educational plan.
Some Concluding Thoughts
While I expect you to take the above very seriously, please don’t be intimidated by either the rules or my high expectations. It is my honest intention that this class not only is educational, but enjoyable. If you find the class boring, irritating, or in any way bothersome, please see me immediately. Similarly, if you find yourself confused or “behind”, please see or call me right away to discuss the situation. However, don’t wait until the end of the semester to bail out of a sinking ship! If you need special accommodations because of a disability or otherwise please let us know. My ultimate objective is to help you succeed in this class and at MJC. GOOD LUCK! ***
*******The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus based on individual and class needs.
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