FFCS 199- Foundations for College Success (Sample Syllabus) Fall 2013 Professor: Office: Office Hours: Phone: Email: Required texts: Student Success in College: Doing What Works! Author: Christine Harrington (2013) SUNY Cobleskill Handbook / Planner (provided to every student upon arrival) I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Welcome! I look forward to the opportunity to work with you this semester. Through this course you will be introduced to, and asked to evaluate, information related to your success as a college student. You will participate in class discussions and complete assignments intended to promote your success in the course and beyond, and you will have numerous opportunities to attend co-curricular programs on a diverse range of topics. I will be there to encourage and to support you as you make the transition to college. My office hours and location are listed above, and I also encourage you to take advantage of other resources on campus, including the Center for Academic Support and Excellence, the Student Success Center, the Student Life Center, and the Wellness Center. II. COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 1. Identify and critically evaluate information related to success in college. 2. Demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively with others. 3. Demonstrate and apply skills associated with strategic learning (note-taking, organization, reading, writing, speaking, listening, problem solving, taking exams). 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the advisement process and the roles of students and faculty. 5. Develop a GPS (Goals for Personal Success) plan. 6. Demonstrate an understanding of how to access student support services on campus. 7. Demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility through participation in academic, social, and cultural activities. 8. Implement personal management skills. III. CLASS POLICIES In order to get the most out of this course and your college experience - you must attend every class and complete all assignments on time. More than three unexcused absences will result in a reduction in your final grade, so please be sure to contact me in advance if you will be missing class. You may not withdraw from the course and must earn a passing grade in order to satisfy the requirement for graduation. This means that, if you do not pass this course, you will have to repeat it! Please come to class prepared to share your ideas and to listen to and respect those of others. While I encourage good
communication, I ask that you leave your cell phone off during class and that you refrain from engaging in side conversations while others are talking. Demonstrate a commitment to your success and encourage others to do the same! IV. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY Plagiarism, or any type of cheating, will not be condoned and may result in an F in the course. Both involve presenting others work as your own, whether it be through copying a test, bringing in notes for an exam, or handing in homework/papers copied from other sources, written or spoken, without acknowledgment. V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS VI. GRADING Class attendance Written assignments Oral presentations GPS plan Participation in co-curricular activities Quizzes, midterm and final examinations Coursework: Peer Reviewed Articles (15%), Assignments (20%), quizzes (7.5%), & co-curricular (7.5%) = 50% GPS plan and Reflection Paper 15% Attendance and participation 15% Midterm 10% Final 10% Letter Grade Grade Points Percentages A 4.00 92.1 or higher A- 3.67 89.5-92.0 B+ 3.33 86.9-89.4 B 3.00 82.1-86.8 B- 2.67 79.5-82.0 C+ 2.33 76.9-79.4 C 2.00 72.1-76.8 C- 1.67 69.5-72.0 D+ 1.33 66.9-69.4 D 1.00 59.5-66.8 F 0 Less than 59.5 (Fail) Cobleskill Grade Point Average (GPA) Minimum Requirements for Retention First semester 1.50 GPA Second semester 1.75 GPA Third semester 1.90 GPA Fourth semester and on 2.0 GPA & graduation req. *Financial Aid requirements differ from Cobleskill requirements-refer to the Financial Aid office or webpage for clarification
What Does My Grade Mean? Letter Grade Numerical Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- 92.1 or higher 89.5-92 86.9-89.4 82.1-86.8 79.5-82 76.9-79.4 72.1-76.8 69.5-72.0 Grade Points (GPA) 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.67 Letter Grade Description Excellent. First Class Standing. Superior Performance showing comprehensive, in-depth understanding of subject matter. Demonstrates initiative and fluency of expression. Very Good. Second Class Standing. Clearly above average performance with knowledge of principles and facts generally complete and with no serious deficiencies. *Should have at least a 2.5 to transfer, but it depends on college s requirements Satisfactory. Basic understanding with knowledge of principles and facts at least adequate to communicate intelligently in the discipline. D+ 66.9-69.4 1.33 Pass. Some understanding of principles and facts but with definite deficiencies. D 59.5-66.8 1.00 Minimal Pass. A passing grade indicating marginal performance. Student not likely to succeed in subsequent courses in the subject. F I S U W Less than 59.5 0.00 Unsatisfactory. Fail. Knowledge of principles and facts is fragmentary; or student has failed to complete substantive course requirements. -- 0.00 Incomplete Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Withdrawal Adapted from http://www.tru.ca/admreg/academicrecords/grade_point_average.html Policies directly from the college are as follows: Student Responsibilities: This course outline is a significant document in the student s educational process. It is the student s responsibility to be aware of and be compliant with the course information and requirements. Students are expected to respect the educational environment as established by the faculty member. All individuals are expected to demonstrate respect for the rights and responsibilities of the faculty member and of each other (Academic Policy 5.60). Academic Integrity Students are expected to practice an ethic of academic honesty. Students will not participate, directly or indirectly, in any practice that could be construed as academic dishonesty (such as presenting others work as one s own, whether it be through copying a test, bringing in notes for an exam, or handing in papers either written by others or copied from sources, written or spoken, which are not acknowledged in the text). Students will also discourage academic dishonesty in the actions of fellow students and report occurrences of academic dishonesty to their instructors or to the deans of schools in which their courses are housed. See Academic Policy 5.5 for definitions, penalties, procedures, and appeals. Support Services: a. Students with Disabilities All student with a documented disability who are requesting special accommodations must be registered with the Office of AccessAbility Resource Center and notify the faculty of their learning needs. b. Tutoring Tutorial support can be obtained in the Center for Academic Support (CASE) located on the lower floor of the VanWagnen Library.
VII. FFCS Fall 2013 COURSE TOPICS Week Topics Assignments 1 Aug 26-30 3, 4,6,7 & 8 2 Sept 2-6 1,2,3,6 & 8 3 Sept 9-13 1,2,3,5,7 & 8 Introduction to FFCS course Making connections Campus communication p. 20 Getting Started: Chapter 1 Safety, Health, and Wellness Active Shooter presentation Online discussion forum assignment Diversity: Create the uber student Past, Present, Future: GPS Timeline Complete Advisor Information Sheet Send introductory email to Instructor Complete the Student Information Sheet (due before class 2A) Complete online discussion by class 3B begin reviewing notes since you never can tell when a quiz may appear Complete Key Quest assignment (due in class 4A) Finish GPS Timeline sheet (due in class 4B) 4 Sept 16-20 1,2,3,6,7 & 8 5 Sept 23-27 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7& 8 6 Sept 30-Oct 4 1,3,4,5,6 & 8 7 Oct 7-11 1,2,3,4,5 & 8 Campus resources Math Survival Skills Academic Skill Building: Chapters 6 & 7 Self Efficacy: Peer- reviewed article 1 pp. 147 Advisement: Career Planning and GPS Plan Computer lab (begin FOCUS) Midterm Review Financial Literacy- pp. 128-131 Midterm Exam Advisement: GPS Plan Computer lab SUNY General Education and Program Requirements Banner Web & DegreeWorks GPS Academic Plan review your classes rubrics and outlines to be sure you are on task Study for the midterm exam (6B) Complete Career Plan based on FOCUS results Bring FOCUS wage results from your chosen career to class for 6A Study for the midterm exam (6B) review your returned quizzes, notes, and study guide to prepare for exams Complete General Education assignment (due Class 9B) Complete Academic Plan Complete Degree Evaluation (due Class 9A)
Week Topics Assignments 8 Complete GPS Plan to take Goal Setting: Peer-Reviewed Article 2 pp. to advisor 76 Oct 14-18 Complete Peer-Reviewed article 2 assignment (due Class 9A) 9 Oct 21-25 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 10 Oct 28-Nov 1 1,2,3,4,5 & 8 Academic Advisement Time Management: Chapter 3 Computer Lab- Academic Plan, Midterm Grades, GPA Academic Advisement: Midterm Grades, Course Withdrawal, GPA, Course Selection Peer- reviewed article 3 Student Choice- (Computer lab preferred) Continue to work on the GPS plan (all parts, signature, and reflection paper due Class 11A) Complete Midterm grade assignment (due Class 10A Complete Peer-reviewed article 3 assignment (due Class 11B) Meet with faculty advisor to discuss midterm grades, get signature on completed GPS Plan, review course selection, discuss course withdrawals, if applicable, and obtain Registration Instruction Sheet with PIN 11 Nov 4-8 1,3,4,5 & 8 12 Nov 11-15 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 Academic Advisement Pre-registration for spring 2014 Course evaluation (computer lab) Share research findings Share research findings Final Exam Peer-reviewed article 3 assignment due Completed GPS Plan (all sections) with signature form completed and Reflection Paper due in class 11A *Course Selection Begins Use the extra time from these class periods to devote to your studies so you can end your semester strong. Do well!