COLUMBIA GORGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CG 111A: STUDY SKILLS FOR COLLEGE LEARNING SYLLABUS

HEADER TERM (8/20 – 9/28) 2012

Instructor: Kristen Kane

CRN: 1083381

Credits: 3

Meeting Time and Place:  8/21/12   9:30 to 12:00  at  CGCC Rm. 3.103   

                                          The remainder of the term is done on-line through Moodle

Office Hours: until August 31st:    Monday, Tuesday  8:00 -  5:00; Wednesdays  8:00 - 1:00

                       After September 4th:  Monday through Thursday  8:00am – 1:00pm

Office Location: in Student Services (Building 3, 2nd Floor)

(It is best to make an appointment, as I cannot always guarantee that I will be in my office)            

Phone Number: (541) 506-6023

E-mail: kkane@cgcc.cc.or.us

Course Description:

Study Skills for College Learning provides information, techniques, and strategies helpful in becoming more efficient in studying, note taking, textbook reading, and taking exams. Identify preferred learning style and develop skills in scheduling study time, library research, memory strategies, and critical thinking. Prerequisites: Placement into WR 115 and RD 115

Prerequisites: College-level reading and/or writing skills as defined by placement in WR 115, or RD 115 or above, or instructor permission

Themes:    Critical Thinking           Self Awareness           Success in School

Course Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
 

1. Identify learning style and apply preferred learning style.
2. Utilize test-taking strategies.
3. Utilize library resources for information and research.
4. Use effective textbook reading techniques.
5. Apply critical thinking skills.
6. Develop memory strategies and review tools.
7. Employ a study schedule and strategies to manage procrastination.
8. Apply note taking strategies.

Materials: 

• Becoming a Master Student (13th edition) by Dave Ellis. Houghton-Mifflin Publishing, 2005
• CGCC Student Handbook (provided)

Instructor Expectations:

• Attend scheduled classes and participate in online learning opportunities
• Complete textbook reading assignments prior to face-to-face class (online reading assignments will be completed in scheduled face-to-face class)
• Complete assignments by due dates
• Communicate with instructor when difficulties with course arise
• Log onto online portion of course at least once a week

Class Rules:

• Respect classmate’s opinions, values and beliefs
• Acknowledge and accept the importance of confidentiality
• Turn off/silence cell phones while in class
• Focus on the course while in class (students may not check e-mail, play games or visit other websites while in class unless directed by instructor)

What Students Can Expect:

• For the face-to-face portion of the course, students can expect to complete much of the online reading and assignments in class. Students should expect to complete an additional 1 to 2 hours  of homework after the face-to-face class for submission by the Sunday, 11:59 pm due date.
• For the online portion of the course, students can expect to spend approximately 9 hours per week reading and completing assignments
• Students can expect readings and assignments to align with course learning objectives and unit learning objectives. Assignments and readings are designed to be meaningful to their development as a “master students” and to provide opportunities for insight into their learning style and study skills habits.
• Students can expect the instructor to respond to questions and e-mails within 24 hours (Monday to Friday: instructor will not check the course or e-mails weekends and holidays).
• Students can expect the instructor to grade assignments, forum postings and journals within one week of submission. Students can expect the instructor to provide feedback on journals and appropriate forum postings and assignments.
• Students can expect to be able to monitor grades online (by clicking on My Grades)
• Students can expect to be responsible for following the syllabus and submitting required assignments by the due date. Students can expect to be proactive in communicating with instructor if questions arise concerning assignments and grades (if you aren’t sure what your grade is or if you are missing assignments, ASK)
• Students can expect to submit all unit assignments, journals and forum postings by 11:59pm Sunday, of the week the unit is assigned. Late Assignment Policy: This pertains to all assignments, journals and forum postings. Unless prior arrangements have been made and agreed upon by me, 2 pts. will be deducted from your assignment, journal and/or forum posting for every day that it is late. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor as soon as possible if circumstances arise that hinder the student’s submission of assignments by the due date.

Competencies and Skills:

The skills and competencies which students will develop by doing assignments and participating in this class and online are:

1. Study skills.
2. Communication skills.
3. Test-taking skills
4. Use of appropriate learning style strategies
5. Reflect on own learning process and style
6. Library skills

Grading

Assignment Grading

Examples and more detailed grading rubrics are available in the online portion of the course

Personal Journals

Forum Postings

Assignments

Assignments are worth different points (see schedule for number of points for each assignment); therefore assignment grading rubric is expressed in percentages instead of points.

Schedule:

Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism. All work submitted in this course is to be your new, original work written in response to the assignment. Consciously or unknowingly presenting the ideas or writing of others as your own will result in academic sanctions that July include a grade of F for the class assignment, and possible institutional sanctions, including suspension or expulsion. See the Code of Student Conduct and The Student Rights and Responsibilities policy for further information.

Students with disabilities should contact CGCC’s Learning Assistance Advisor for information and assistance regarding accommodations: Please contact Student Services at (541)506-6046 to make an appointment.

Assignment and class schedules may be changed in response to institutional, weather or other problems.