Syllabus for SDV 100-College Success Skills

Course Information: SDV 100

Semester: Fall 2014
Section# 102A
CRN# 22074
Dates: August 27, 2013 October 15, 2013
Time: 1:00pm 1:50pm
Class Location: AA 437
Instructor Information
Name: Trevor Blair
Campus
: Alexandria
Phone: 703-845-6236

Office: Location: AA 194

Email: tblair@nvcc.edu

(When communicating via phone or email, allow up to 72 hours to receive a

response. It is recommended that you contact by email.)
Course Materials
Textbook: P.O.W.E.R. Learning and Your Life, 1e Robert Feldman
Connect Access Code
NOVA 2013-2014 Student Handbook
NOVA 2012-2013 College Catalog
Course Description
Student Development (SDV)-College Success Skills is designed to assist students in
making a successful transition to college. It provides students with the academic
tools for success and teaches the skills of self-management and self-responsibility
that relate to being a successful student. In addition, the course helps students
learn how to make responsible choices about their academic, personal, and career
goals. Information about the College and community resources, the Colleges
policies and procedures, and the processes of moving effectively through the
educational system is also provided. The course is strongly recommended for
beginning students. First-time College students are required to take SDV
100, 101 or another SDV course before enrolling for their 16th semester
hour at the College. Lecture 1 hour per week.
Pre-requisites: None
Type of Session: 1st Eight week Hybrid (Class meets in room AA 437)
Major Topics

Career Exploration
Career Planning
Curricular Offerings

Academic Plan
Learning Styles
Classroom Skills
Academic Preparation
Critical Thinking Skills
Time Management
Financial Literacy
Diversity
Communication Skills
Stress Management

Semester Calendar:
First 8-Week Session
Classes Begin
Last Day to Drop with Tuition Refund or Change to Audit (Census
Date)
Last Day to Withdraw Without Grade Penalty
Last Day to Apply for Graduation for Fall 2013
Classes and Examinations End

August 21
August 29
September
22
October 1
October 13

Virginia Community College System (VCCS)

General Education Goals/Student Learning Outcomes for SDV 100
Career Development/Exploration
Develop and/or enhance the knowledge, skills, and understanding to make
informed career decisions
Library Resources/Information Literacy
Identify and use electronic resources/college technology for college success
College Policies and Services
Access and use information relative to college policy, procedures, and
services effectively, individually or as a member of a group
Study Skills such as Test-taking, Note-taking and Learning Styles
Develop and/or enhance the knowledge base, skills, and understanding to
make informed academic decisions
Life Management Skills to specifically include Time management and Financial
Literacy
Develop and/or enhance the knowledge, skills, and understanding to make
informed social, personal, financial, and interpersonal decisions
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
SDV 100 Student Learning Outcomes 2013-2014
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

Articulate three potential careers based on their interests, values, and

abilities
Articulate the step(s) they need to take in order to achieve their career
goal(s)
Distinguish between university parallel/transfer and applied programs. Select
the appropriate curriculum based on their career goal(s)
Develop an academic plan
Identify their preferred learning style
Students will review two to three note-taking strategies and identify their
preferred method of note-taking. Students will identify three to five
strategies for test taking.
Identify their optimal time, place, and setting for studying. Identify three
strategies for managing reading
Identify three to five aspects of critical thinking such as: identifying faulty
logic, problem-solving, and asking questions/probing etc.
Review two to three strategies and tools for managing time and articulate
their preferred method
Articulate the benefits and risks of the three aspects (e.g. credit, savings, and
budgeting) of money management
Articulate three to five ways individuals are diverse and how diversity impacts
society
Identify three to five elements of effective communication (e.g. active
listening, verbal and non-verbal messages, etc.)
Identify three to five techniques/strategies for managing anxiety / stress
Grading Criteria
Grades will be based on completion of the assignments noted below; late work will
not be accepted.
In-class Attendance/Participation (10 points per session)

80 point
27%
s

Homework/Online Activities

135
points

45%

Project: Career Exploration Worksheet (25 points)

Academic Plan (20 points)
Academic & Curricular Quiz (10 points)

55
points

18%

Final Quiz

30 point
10%
s

270 - 300 points

240 - 269 points

210 - 239 points

180 - 209 points

Fewer than 179 points

ABLE Examination
If you believe you already have mastery of the topics presented in this course, meet
with your instructor about the testing procedures. Students with a U.S.
transferrable associates degree or higher will receive a waiver for the SDV
requirement if their college transcript has been officially evaluated by NOVA. For
official transcript evaluation, contact the Student Services Center (Admission and
Records Office) at any campus. It will be your responsibility to resolve these
matters if you would like to drop this course before the official drop date ends for
this session.
Academic Policies
All students must read the below referenced policies and procedures of Northern
Virginia Community College outlined in the 2009-2011 Student Handbook: Student
Rights and Responsibilities:
Section II: Student Conduct
page 64
Section VI: Academic Dishonesty
page 72
Section VII: Information Technology Student/Patron Ethics Agreement and NOVA
Computer Use Agreement
page 74
As well as the policy pertaining to:
Academic Standing (Warning, Probation, Suspension and Dismissal)
pages 30
Assignments: Submission and Quality of Work
The majority of assignments will be submitted via Black Board (Bb) for this course.
When submitting a hard copy of an assignment, it must be presented in a
professional manner: clean, typewritten or neatly printed in black or blue ink.
Your full name, class title, instructors name and date must be entered at the top of
the 1st page. Each requested assignment needs to be submitted by the posted due
date. Emailed assignments must include a subject line with YOUR NAME &
the name of assignment.
Submitting Discussion Board posts and Try-It Exercises

Discussion Board Assignments: adhere to the following guidelines:

For posting: Your response must be a minimum of 50 words

For responding: Respond to 2 or more posts with a response of a

minimum of 50 words

Try-It Exercises: After you complete the Try-it Exercises, you MUST:
o click on
check here to receive credit
o Click on the blue submit assignment button

Late Assignments will not be awarded credit: Assignments submitted after the
noted DUE DATE may be checked for completion BUT no points will be
Attendance
Policy
awarded.
Make-up work will
not be assigned or accepted.
As a hybrid class, active and regular participation is mandatory. Virtual assignments
and Discussion Board posts should be submitted by the deadline noted in
Blackboard to ensure ample opportunity for other students to respond to your post.
Students are expected to log in to the Blackboard course at least once per
week.

Wee
k
1

Topics

SDV COURSE SCHEDULE

Readings/Assignments

Online
Course & Syllabus
Introduction

Learning Styles, Goal

Setting & Time
Management
Explore reasons for
attending college
Determine goals for this
academic experience
Identify preferred
learning style
Cover the importance
of knowing learning
style as it relates to
academic success
Online

Learning Styles, Goal

Setting & Time
Management

Review two to three

strategies and tools for

managing time and
articulate preferred

Read Textbook, Chapter 1: P.O.W.E.R.

Learning:
Becoming An Expert Student, pages 1
29
Complete Try-It #1.1 (3 points)
Participate in Discussion Board:
Introduction
(5 points)
Complete Learning Styles Survey on
Blackboard (3 points)
Complete Test Your Knowledge!
Chapter One Post-Assessment (5
points)

Read Textbook, Chapter 2 Making

The Most
Of Your Time, pages 30 53
Complete Chapter 2 Assignment:
Making The
Most Of Your Time (10 points)
Complete Test Your Knowledge!
Chapter Two Post-Assessment (5
points)

Due
Date
Sunday
Sept. 1,
11:59
PM

Sunday
Sept. 8,
11:59
PM

method
Online
Classroom Skills

Review two to three

note-taking strategies
and identify preferred
method of note-taking

Online
Classroom Skills

Identify three to five

strategies for test

taking
Identify optimal time,
place, and setting for
studying.
Identify three strategies
for managing reading

Online
Career & Academic
Planning
Articulate the step(s) to

achieve career goal(s)

Articulate three
potential careers based
on interests, values,
and abilities
Online

Career & Academic

Read Textbook Chapter 3: Taking

Notes,
pages 54 75
Complete:
Try-It #3.1 (3 points)
Try-It #3.3 (3 points)
Participate in Discussion Board:
Note Taking
Skills (5 points)
Complete Test Your Knowledge!
Chapter Three Post-Assessment (5
points)
Read Textbook Chapter 4: Taking
Tests,
pages 76 102
Complete:
Try-It #4.1 (3 points)
Try-It #4.5 (3 points)
Participate in Discussion Board:
Test Taking
Skills (5 points)
Complete Test Your Knowledge!
Chapter Four Post-Assessment (5
points)
Read Chapter Textbook 5: Reading
&
Remembering, pages 103 128
Complete:
Try-it #5.2 (3 points)
Try-it #5.3 (3 points)
Participate in Discussion Board:
Reading Skills
(5 points)
Complete Test Your Knowledge!
Chapter Five Post-Assessment (5
points)
Refer to internet resources in Bb
Using Virginia Wizard, Complete
INTEREST Assessment
In Bb complete Values & Skills
Assessments
Refer to internet resources in Bb
PROJECT: Complete the CAREER
EXPLORATION WORKSHEET
assignment (25 points)

Review NOVA programs of study

Identify internet resources related to 4

Sunday
Sept.
15,
11:59
PM

Sunday
Sept.
22,
11:59
PM

Sunday
Sept.
29,
11:59
PM

Sunday
Oct. 6,

Planning

Distinguish between

university
parallel/transfer and
applied programs
Select the appropriate
curriculum based on
their career goal(s)
Develop an academic
plan
Online

Critical Thinking
Through Diversity &
Stress
Identify three to five

aspects of critical
thinking: identifying
faulty logic, problemsolving, asking
questions, probing etc.
Articulate three to five
ways individuals are
diverse and how
diversity impacts
society
Identify three to five
elements of effective
communication (e.g.
active listening, verbal
and non-verbal
messages, etc.)
8

Online
Critical Thinking
Through Diversity &
Stress

year school
PROJECT: Complete the Two-year
Educational Plan assignment (20
points)
PROJECT: Complete the Academic &
Curricular Quiz (10 points)

Read Textbook, Chapter 8: Making

Decisions
and Problem Solving, pages 189
211

Watch video: KONY 2012

Complete Website Analysis (10

points)
Complete Test Your Knowledge!
Chapter Eight Post-Assessment (5
points)

Read Textbook, Chapter 9:

Diversity and
Relationships, pages 212 - 234
Complete Try-it #9.2 (3 points)

Sunday
Oct.
13,
11:59
PM

Watch videos:
Daring Experiment;
Day Two
Complete Journal Exercise (5 points)
Complete Test Your Knowledge!
Chapter Nine Post-Assessment (5
points)

Read Textbook, Chapter 10:

Juggling: Stress, Money, Family, and
Work, pages 235 - 263

Watch videos:
Stress relief tips and exercises
Articulate the benefits
- how to
relieve stress;
and risks of the three
Ten tips for stress
aspects (e.g. credit,
savings, and budgeting) management
Complete Try-It #10.1 (3 points)
of money management
Identify three to five
Watch video: Getting kicked out of
techniques/strategies
nursing school
for managing anxiety /

Participate in Discussion Board:

stress
Stressors (5 points)

Complete Test Your Knowledge!

11:59
PM

Sunday
Oct.
13,
11:59
PM

 Review

Chapter Ten Post-Assessment (5

points)
Complete Financial Wellness
Assignment
(15 points)
Complete the Final Quiz (30 points)

Classroom Policies and Required Student Behavior

All students are expected to help promote an environment for learning: cell phone
use is prohibited, respect must be shown for each students comments and
opinions, talking must be limited to only those conversations relevant for promoting
group discussion. Consistently disruptive and/or inappropriate behaviors will cause
removal from the class and may be reported to the Dean of Students and/or
Campus Police.

Demonstrate ability to voice your ideas and opinions

Exhibit mature and professional behaviors of respect, personal responsibility,
self-discipline, decision making, and tolerance
Display the ability to work independently and as part of a team
Show commitment to learn and practice the skills presented throughout this
course

Communication by E-mail
The Colleges email system is provided by the Virginia Community College System
to all students within the NOVA community. To protect student privacy, instructors
may only use a students official NOVA email address. Students may forward their
email to another account if they choose. Instructors are able to issue assignments
by email and students may email their work, when allowed by the instructor. The
College also provides faculty and students with access to Blackboard, a Web-based
learning management system. This system allows instructors to post assignments
and announcements, have students participate in asynchronous discussions, share
written materials, etc.
Disability Statement
The College is committed to the goal of providing each qualified student an equal
opportunity to pursue a college education regardless of disability. Efforts will be
made toward meeting reasonable requests for services to students with disabilities
eligible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact a

Counselor for Disability Services in the Student Services or Counseling Center of any
campus to discuss possible accommodations.
http://www.nvcc.edu/current-students/disability-services/
Inclement Weather/Emergency Closings
To find out whether class is in session during inclement weather, listen to the radio
or tune in the TV. The media sources are listed on our web site under weather and
closings. Look at the scroll bar on the NVCC homepage. If you must call, call the
Call Center at 703-323-3000 or call NOVA Connect at 703-323-3770 or 703-3303770 (Prince William County). Messages will be posted there as soon as a decision
to close is made. Do not call College offices to ask about closing.
When the college announces a delayed opening, any class with at least 45 minutes
of class time remaining after the college opens will be held (for example, if the
College opens at 10:00 a.m., a 9:30-10:45 a.m. class will begin at 10:00). This
procedure applies to all credit classes. All students are encouraged to register for
NOVA Alert which will send text messages and an email to your personal cell phone
or email address to communicate to you during times where timely information is
vital.
http://www.nvcc.edu/emergency/
Technical Requirements:
This course will require regular Internet access. Communication between faculty and
the student will occur by email. Thus, the following is recommended:

reliable access to email

reliable access to the Internet (with a recent version of Netscape or Internet
Explorer)
MS Office 97 or later (mainly needed for word-processing in order to complete
assignments.)
Access to software such as Adobe Reader, RealPlayer, etc.

In addition, you will complete a system check via the following links:
Computer requirements: http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/bbtemplate/computerrequirement.htm
Connect: http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com/connectweb/branding/en_US/default/html/support.html