FCST 1010
The College Experience

Instructor: Susan Claxton Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone: 770-537-5145 Class Time: MW 3:00-4:15
E-Mail: sclaxton@mail.highlands.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Designed for both the recent high school graduate and the student returning to school after several years this course assists students in adjusting to college life. The course, taught by faculty and staff who have participated in a special training retreat, provides students with techniques needed for college success. Emphasis is on study skills (taking tests, reading textbooks, effective notetaking, and prioritizing time), stress management, exploration of personal goals, and using college resources. FCST 1010 also aids students in identifying career interest. This course is recommended for all students but especially new students.

COURSE GOALS: To provide students with a set of skills that are prerequisites for academic success by obtaining the following objectives:

    1. To help students identify their personal strengths and weakness, potential academic problems and learning styles.
    2. To help students foster a sense of community with them as a member
    3. To help students understand and cope with professors
    4. To help students gain an understanding of the purpose of a college education and encourage them to accept greater responsibility for their learning success and general behavior.
    5. To gain an understanding of the College’s academic regulations and requirements for a degree program.
    6. To assist students in becoming familiar with resources and facilities available at Floyd College.
    7. To learn to make decisions and realistic choices.
    8. To promote career exploration (self-awareness of college majors).
    9. To help students develop efficient study programs
    10. To provide students with a repertoire of survival skills such as preparing for and taking tests, managing their time more efficiently, taking effective notes, etc.
    11. To help students learn effective interpersonal communication and life skills, and to examine personal values and aspirations
    12. To expand student’s knowledge and understanding of people and other racial and ethnic groups and to assist students in learning to live and work in a world characterized by cultural diversity and global interdependence.

CLASS FORMAT: The course will consist of lectures, exercises, sharing time, guest speakers, quizzes/evaluations, review/previews, and assignments.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS: Becoming a Master Student, 8th Edition, David B. Ellis; College Student Inventory; Georgia Highlands College Catalog, Student Handbook, and New Student Orientation Packet, 3-ring Binder Notebook, and dividers.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: In order to accomplish the course goals, the following will be required:

    1. Attend all classes-Class attendance is REQUIRED. Your attendance is important because you will have daily assignments, quizzes, and/or activities. Participating in these activities is hard to do if you are not present, and they usually cannot be made up. Your are responsible for all material covered when absent from class.
    2. In-Class Participation-Participate as an active contributing member of the class. We will do a great deal of non-lecture activities in class. IN order for you and your classmates to receive the most benefit it is important that everyone participates. You will receive credit for your participation.
    3. Complete all assignments promptly-ALL work is due at the beginning of class on the day designated. LATE work will not be accepted without penalty. If you have problems meeting an assigned deadline, see me BEFORE the assignment is due about possible extensions. You are responsible for turning in all given assignments on time, whether you are in class or not. If you are not going to be in class, send your work with a classmate, friend, St. Bernard, or whatever, but get it in! (See Grading Policy).
    4. Journals:*-You will be required to maintain a journal throughout the quarter. Each week you should write an entry of approximately 150 words. Entries, unspecified by the instructor, can discuss anything about your college experience you wold like to write about (i.e. Professors, this class, campus events, etc.). Must be legible.
    5. Individual Consultations-Each student MUST meet with me this semester. Appointments need to be scheduled in advance and must be kept.
    6. Chapter Review/Outline:*(see guidelines)
    7. Quizzes/tests-To be Announced
    8. Cultural Diversity exercise- (Instructor will explain)
    9. Students must attend Library Orientation session. Arrangements will be announced in class.
    10. Students will need a 3-ring binder notebook to keep all handouts from this class. The organization for this notebook, which will be checked at mid-semester and the end of the semester, is attached.
    11. Internet-Internet assignments will be given periodically
    12. PowerPoint-You will be required to give a PowerPoint presentation approximately mid-semester (this corresponds with the Cultural Diversity Exercise).

*These assignments should be completed and transmitted electronically.

IMPORTANT DATES

January 7 Classes Begin
January 11 First Day of Class for MW classes
January 7, 8, 11 Drop/Add
January 11 Last day to withdraw from all classes
January 18 Martin Luther King Holiday
March 2 Last day to withdraw to receive a "W"
March 8-12 Spring Break
April 30 Last day of Classes
May 4,5, 6, 7, 10 Final Exams
May 15 Graduation

GRADING POLICY

A=1500 points
B=1250 points
C=1000 points
D= 750 points
F=below 750 points

Points bay be earned from the following sources:
        1. Attendance                                              = 300 points
        ___points earned for each class attended
        50 extra points for no absence, 25 for no more than 1 absence

2. Assignments                                                     = 300 points

        Must complete all assignments to get total points. Assignments will be
        graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. The instructor may request that
        you rewrite unsatisfactory assignments and give a deadline for
        satisfactory completion.

3. In-Class Participation                                        = 250 points
                    Participating in discussions, group activities. Full points received
                    only if no more than one absence.

4. Textbook Summary                                          = 150 points
        See guidelines for notebook.

5. Quizzes/Tests                                                     = 200 points
        In class and take home quizzes/tests are used.

6. Journal                                                                = 150 points

7. Library Orientation                                              =25 points

8. Cultural Diversity Exercise                                  = 125 points

  1. YOU MUST MEET WITH THE INSTRUCTOR AT LEAST ONE TIME DURING THE SEMESTER BEFORE FINALS OR STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A LETTER GRADE OF "F"!