COL 105 Freshman Seminar

     Developmental Studies

Semester: Fall 2008

Catalog Course Description: COL 105 is a study of the purposes of higher education and provides orientation to the functions and resources of the college.  This course is designed to help freshman adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic skills.

Prerequisite(s):                      None

Credit Hours:                             3

Departmental Website:         http://midlandstech.edu/dvs

WebCT Login Page:             http://courses6.midlandstech.edu

Instructor:                 

Office:                                                [Adjuncts may delete this]                 

Telephone:                             Office: [Adjuncts may delete this]

Departmental Assistant: Ms. Sandra Smith    (smiths@midlandstech.edu)

Interim Department Chair: Darlene Anderson  (andersond@midlandstech.edu)

FAX:                                      738-7857

E-mail:                       

Campus Mailbox:     

Personal Website:                  [Delete if none]

Class Schedule:                      [Section number, Day, Time, Place]

Office Hours:                         [Adjuncts may delete this]

Textbook(s):                          On Course by Skip Downing

                                                Service Learning Guide and Journal by Robert Schoenfeld

Additional Textbooks/Readings:    There may be additional readings assigned in this course.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.                   To promote in you and your classmates a positive adjustment and assimilation into Midlands Technical College

2.                   To develop among you and your classmates a community of learners who are also friends

3.                   To assist you in increasing your self-knowledge

4.                   To introduce you to the many educational opportunities and resources at Midlands Technical College

5.                   To help you acquire academic survival skills

6.                   To improve your academic learning skills such as listening, writing, speaking, and studying

7.                   To teach you how to use the library

8.                   To give you information on the career development process

Course Outcomes and Competencies:

Intended Course Outcome #1: Students will demonstrate awareness in self knowledge relative to community and local needs.

Course Competency: Students will participate in and complete a Service Learning Project.

Performance Measurement Instrument and Success criteria:  Students will meet this competency by completing a service learning portfolio for evaluation and score at least .67 on a standardized evaluation rubric with ratings of 0, .33, .67, and 1.

Course Attendance:         The quality of your learning experience in this class is determined by your active participation in the learning process. Therefore, it is important that you make every effort to attend every class.  Students are expected to attend all classes and are responsible for class work, homework, lecture notes, reading assignments, etc., whether or not you are present.

You are expected to attend all classes; there are not excused absences. You are responsible for all in-class work and assignments, even if you miss a class.

If you have extenuating circumstances, such as illness, you are allowed a certain number of absences, depending on the length of the term and the number of times the course meets per week:

·         14 week term- 6 absences if the class meets 3 times a week, 4 if it meets twice

·         10 or 12 week terms- 3 for 3 times a week, 2 for 2 times a week

·         7 or 5 week terms- 2 absences

·         If you exceed the number of absences you will be withdrawn from the course.

You are considered tardy if you miss up to 10 minutes of any portion of the class. You will be counted absent if you miss more than 10 minutes of any portion of the class. 3 tardies equal 1 absence.

If you arrive in class after your instructor has taken role and marked you absent, it is your responsibility, at the end of that class meeting, to request that the absence be changed to a tardy.  The instructor will not change the roll at a later date.  Instructors are not obligated to repeat information or allow students to make up missed work.

If you have questions about whether the college will close during inclement weather, check the MTC web site (www.midlandstech.edu), WIS-TV, and/or call the school (803-738-8324) for information.  It is possible that the college will close or reopen in the middle of a regular class time; if this occurs, and there will be at least 30 minutes of class time remaining, that class will meet as usual.

Students who are absent from class are responsible for assignments that were given during class. In addition, students who are absent when a test is given must make up that test upon return to school with an automatic 10% deduction from their test score.  No makeup tests are allowed after one week from the original test date. Only one make up test will be permitted.

***Please note the following: You are responsible for all material and announcements presented, whether you are present or absent. ***

Withdrawal:  Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded prior to midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar to be recorded on the student's transcript.  Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded after midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar if the student was passing the course at the time of withdrawal OR a "WF" will be submitted if the student was failing the course at the time of withdrawal.

Course Requirements

Textbooks/Course Materials:      Skip Downing, On Course 5ed.

                                                         Robert Schoenfeld, Service Learning Guide and Journal 

                                                         3 ring notebook and dividers

                                                         MTC Handbook and calendar

                                                         Access to 3 ring hole punch and small stapler

Service Learning Project: This project is worth 30% of your grade.  You will be required to do research, community service hours, and complete the Service Learning Guide and Journal.

Journal Entries:  Each journal is worth 3 points. All journal entries are required in your portfolio to receive a passing grade on that particular portion.

Quizzes/Homework/Classwork/Activities- There will be pop quizzes, chapter tests, classwork assignments, and outside activities required for Freshman Seminar.

Grading Scale: 

Evaluation Elements and Grading Scale

Tests/Homework/Classwork/Activities                                         40%                         

Service Learning Component                                                          30%                                                                                                       

Portfolio                                                                                              20%                        

Final Exam                                                                                           10%                            

A = 90– 100%               Superior Performance                                                               

 B = 80 – 89%              Above Average Performance                                              

 C = 70 –-79%              Average Performance                

 D – 69%                       Poor Performance                        

 F =  59% and below     Unacceptable Performance

W = Withdrawal

WF = Withdrawal after midterm with failing grade on last day attended

Items to consider:

A.         Incompletes are awarded only under extenuating circumstances, such as hospitalization, and require the permission of the instructor. All requests must be properly documented. Normally, the course work must be completed no later than the end of the following term.

B.         The instructor is not required to permit makeup work after the fact and may assign a grade of “0”. Submitting makeup work for grades may be permitted at the discretion of the instructor provided you make arrangements with your instructor prior to the due date of the assignment in question.

C.         You are responsible for making sure all work reaches the instructor. All assignments should be submitted directly to the instructor; if assignments are submitted in any other way, they must be clearly labeled with the instructor’s name.

Special Procedures:   None

Field Trips:                None

Classroom Rules/Other:       Mastering skills requires regular attendance in class, consistent study of text material and class notes, and preparation of homework assignments.  Students are expected to be prepared for and participate in every class meeting. Students are expected to have all assignments completed by the due date.

You are in college.  You will be treated and respected as an adult.  It is a violation of the MTC Student Code to interfere with the learning process in the classroom.  Courteous, attentive behavior is expected at all times.  Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated.  Students engaged in such behavior will be dismissed from class and subject to disciplinary procedures.

It is expected that all beepers and cellular telephones will be turned off or set to the silent mode during class. You may not receive or place telephone calls during class.

No I-pods, MP3 players, etc will be permitted in class.  A laptop computer is allowed only if the student uses it to take notes during class.

Be on time! It is inconsiderate to your classmates and disruptive to the class to arrive late.  Students are expected to be in their seats ready to start at the beginning of the class.  Leaving during class should only be in case of an emergency.  If you must leave early, please let the instructor know ahead of time.

Course Topic Outline/Course Calendar with Assignments:

COURSE OUTLINE: 

 PLEASE NOTE: Should change become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the requirements, pace, or scheduling of this course.  Any change will be announced in class before it becomes effectiv

                      College Policies

Students are expected to read the student handbook and abide by its policies. Copies of the

handbook may be obtained at various locations on campus and is located on the web: http://www.midlandstech.edu/planner/

Academic Dishonesty: The Student Code addresses what constitutes academic dishonesty. All forms of dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification, will call for discipline.

                CHEATING ON TESTS includes:

§  Copying from another student’s paper.

§  Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test.

§  Collaborating with any other person during a test without permission.

§  Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of any un-administered test.

§  Bribing any other person to obtain information about tests.

§  Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself.

                PLAGIARISM is the appropriation of any other person’s work and unacknowledged

                incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit.

Campus Emergency Protocol: Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Security at 7199 (on campus) or 738-7199 (cell phone or off campus). In the event of an emergency, employees and/or students should immediately call Campus Security or local 911.  If an emergency occurs, the college will use a variety of methods to communicate additional information and instructions including the MTC Information Centers, campus loud speakers, MTC Alerts! (http://www.midlandstech.edu/Phone_Alert.

htm),voice mail, email, college Intranet, and the MTC website homepage.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event weather conditions or other emergencies cause the closing or a delayed start of Midlands Technical College, announcements will be made over local radio and TV stations, on the MTC Web site, and on the college’s information line (803-738-8234).  Notices will be sent to students via Campus Cruiser Mail when applicable.  Separate announcements may be made for day and evening classes as weather conditions change during the day.

If the college closing or reopening means that there is at least 30 minutes of a class remaining, plan to attend that class. For example, if the college opens at 10:00 a.m. in TTH, classes that normally meet at 8:00 a.m. will not meet, but classes beginning at 9:30 a.m.will meet. If the college closes at 8:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. classes will meet for their regular time, but 7:35 p.m. classes will not meet since there are fewer than 30 minutes remaining in class.

Student E-Mail Accounts: All MTC students are assigned a college e-mail account upon admission to the college.  This account is called “Campus Cruiser Mail.”  Campus Cruiser Mail is the primary mode by which the college communicates with students.  Students are responsible for checking their college e-mail on a regular basis for important information and announcements about registration, financial aid, cancelled classes, emergency announcements and other notices.  Students can use their college e-mail accounts to communicate with faculty, staff, fellow students, and others, in support of their educational pursuits.  In addition to e-mail, students will also have access to maintaining personal calendars and “tasks lists” through their Campus Cruiser e-mail account.

Student Evaluation of Instruction: Students have the opportunity to evaluate this course. The confidential evaluation process is conducted through MTC Online using the individual student’s username and password. Announcements will be made during the term concerning how and when to complete the online evaluation. Students are encouraged to participate in this process.

Students Requiring Special Accommodations: If special accommodations are needed for a student with a disability, the student should go to Counseling Services on Beltline or Airport Campus for assistance. Documentation regarding a specific disability is required in order for special arrangements to be made. Confidentiality of information received will be maintained.