Course Description:  This course is designed to help students adjust to college by giving them the information, support and strategies they need to feel secure in their college classes.  It will help students clarify their goals, become familiar with the academic environment, and sharpen their ability to learn and think critically.  2 lecture hours per week. 2 credit hours. Prerequisite: ENG 087 and ESL 065 if required

Special Note for UCC 101-006:  This class is linked in a learning community with MAT 011-003, and everyone in this class should also be in the same Math class.  We will work in this class on the subjects and issues of UCC 101 as well as support strategies for your MAT 011 class.  please bring your MAT 011 folder to this class every day in case we discuss handouts or tests.

A UCC 101 planner (available in the UCC bookstore).

Websites: Thompson/Wadsworth companion site for book chapters, online surveys and quizzes, WebCT, class website; Mathematics support sites such as Success in Mathematics from St. Louis University, Understanding Mathematics from the University of Utah; and various support and study skills sites from Texas A & M University.  UCC email and access to a computer (at home or in a UCC lab) are required for successful completion of this course.

Materials: a pocket folder in which to keep all your graded assignments (you will turn in all your assignments in this folder at the mid-term and final); a jump drive for your college work; looseleaf paper for in-class notes and assignments; students are also required to use their UCC e-mail addresses and to check their email regularly.

Academic Mentor:  In UCC 101-003 class, we are fortunate to have a student who is serving as an Academic Mentor.  Her responsibilities include communicating with you in and our of class (minimum of twice a month), working with you on assignments when needed, and serving as a mentor and liaison between you and the College (not only me, but other members of the faculty, as well, if needed.  She is a successful UCC student, so she will have a lot of good advice, feedback, and comments for you in class and out.  Please be aware that she is a member of the class as well as your resource for additional support and help at the College.  You can contact Joy at 10342890@ucc.edu.

Course Requirements

Attendance:  Attendance is required in this course.  No absences are excused.  Please let me know before you miss a class if you will not be able to attend. 

Participation:  Participation is 25% of the overall grade for this course.  This includes being here on time with all the necessary materials, participating in class discussion, and completing all in-class and out-of-class assignments. Your participation grade in this class can be affected negatively for any of the following:

• The use of electronic devices such as IPods, laptops, blackberries, cell phones, text messaging, or CD players.  All devices should be turned off, not set to vibrate, for the duration of class.

• Doing any work for another class during this class.

• Eating food during class that has a smell or makes a noise.

• Sleeping, daydreaming, or otherwise failing to participate.

• Coming in late or leaving early.

• Arriving in class without having completed the assignment due for that day.

• Talking to your classmates when others are talking or otherwise disrupting class discussion.

Reading Assignments. Please make sure you read all the assignments on time. There will be online quizzes for each textbook chapter and you will be expected to participate in class fully each day. Participation is part of your final grade, and you have a responsibility to your classmates to be a part of each day's discussion. Remember that participation is not just expected, it is a part of your final grade.

Pow/Wows:  Weekly review of college experiences.  Okay, I know it’s a lame name, but it’s the best I can do.  Each week we will take a few minutes in class to discuss the best experience you’ve had that week (Wow) and the worst experience that week (Pow) – each student will turn in a response and discuss what he or she has written in class.  At midterm and at the end of the semester each student will review his or her weekly reviews and write a progress report, evaluating the course and what you are learning.

Papers:  Some smaller assignments on various topics related to developing college skills, as well as two research projects, one on the College Success Factors Index and one on a career or profession of your choice (see below for topics and due dates). Papers must be typed, must follow the MLA System of Style and Documentation, and must be stapled.   For help with the MLA Style, see this site.  If you need help finding a stapler, click here.

Presentations:  Early in the semester students you will be assigned to a study group for support.  Individually each student will choose a presentation topic associated with resources for college students (especially those at Union County College) and present them, starting in April, to the class in short (ten minute) presentations.  Topics are explained below.

Mid-term and final assignments in class.

Breakdown of Grades: Participation (in-class discussion, completion of assignments, presentations, and attendance) 20%; Pow/Wows 20%; Out-of-Class Papers/Portfolios 60% .  

Grading Scale:  100-92 A; 91-87 B+; 86-82 B; 81-77 C+; 76-72 C; 71-67 D+; 66-62 D; below 62 F.  Please see grade explanation attached. Please note that Union County College does not permit the assignment of minus final grades (such as A-, B-, or C-), so I will try not to give such grades on your work.

How to reach me: E-mail: chewning@ucc.edu. Voice mail: (908) 709-7182.  Office: Cranford H-125. By regular mail:

                                    Dr. Susannah M. Chewning
                                    Department of English
                                    Union County College
                                    1033 Springfield Avenue
                                    Cranford, NJ   07016

Because of my busy class schedule, I may not have time to return telephone calls. You are much more likely to get an immediate response from me if you e-mail me during the hours of 9am and 5pm. I cannot accept e-mailed or faxed papers, nor can I relay grades (including final course grades) via e-mail or phone. No exceptions. My office hours are M&W 10am-11am; T&Th 1pm-3pm and by appointment. Please make an appointment if you would like to meet with me to discuss your progress in this course. You will be required to meet with me in a conference at least twice during the semester.  Plainfield Students:  our conferences and my office hours will be directly before and after class.

Extra-Credit and Revisions: We can talk about this on an individual basis.  Please note that plagiarized papers (which receive the grade of F) cannot be revised.  Revisions can only be completed on papers if we have met to discuss it prior to your turning it in.

A Note on Grammar: We will not spend much time in class on grammar, but we will discuss your writing in our conferences and in my comments on your written work. I expect your writing (and grammar) to be correct, to begin with, and to develop in style and creativity as the course progresses. All papers must conform in style and format to the MLA System of Documentation and Style. If you find that you need further help with the MLA Style or grammar, speak to me and we can discuss it on an individual basis. You are also strongly urged to visit the Writing Center (in the ALC) for help. I recommend the text A Writer’s Reference, edited by Diana Hacker, if you need a grammar and style handbook.  You can also get help on writing on my webpage at http://faculty.ucc.edu/english-chewning.

Plagiarism and Academic Integrity:  The first instance of plagiarism or cheating of any kind will result in the failure of the assignment.  A second instance of academic dishonesty will result in failure of the class and possible censure and dismissal from the College.  Plagiarized papers cannot be revised.  Please see the attached handout for more specific expectations.

Schedule of Assignments: All assignments are listed below. In addition to these assignments, there may be homework given in class. Some of these assignments will be posted on the online syllabus; however, if you miss a class and miss the homework, you should speak to a classmate (or check WebCT) to get the assignment--don't count on me to give you assignments.