Description:

This course is designed to help students transition from past experiences to college life. The topics will focus on four key areas, including practical life skills, wellness-related presentations, working with diverse individuals and groups, and academic skills enhancement. Thus, the goal of this course is to provide students with a valuable living and learning experience that equips them with the tools necessary to be academically successful and remain in school. This course will help students "navigate" through their first semester at JCCC. 2 hrs. lecture/wk. This course may be offered as a Learning Communities (LCOM) section, see current credit schedule for LCOM details. This course will not meet the general education requirement for Health and/or Physical Education.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Individual students will acquire, through in-class activities, reading
assignments, out-of-class reflection, and utilization of various campus
resources, the knowledge, understanding, and practical skills to meet the
personal goals and objectives that they determine to be successful at
JCCC.

Specifically, students will:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an awareness of the resources available on the JCCC campus.
2. Identify wellness and support resources, both mental and physical.
3. Practice written and oral communication activities.
4. Develop skills for working with groups and contributing to decision-making and conflict resolution.
5. Discuss diverse cultures.
6. Assess and modify practical "life skills," such as financial, time and stress management.
7. Improve self awareness through use of various exercises and techniques.
8. Identify campus leadership activities and opportunities.
9. Participate in career exploration activities.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Demonstrate an awareness of the resources available on the JCCC
campus. 
   A. Locate and visit resources available
   B. Use website and print materials to find hours of service
   C. Tour the Hiersteiner Child Development Center (optional)

II. Identify wellness and support resources, both mental and physical.

III. Practice both written and oral communication activities.  
   A. Maintain a weekly journal
   B. Participate in group discussion
   C. Complete reflection papers

IV. Develop skills for working with groups and contributing to
decision-making and conflict resolution. 
   A. Participate in group projects (or exercises) on topics of interest
   B. Practice decision making within a group
   C. Discuss JCCC student policies and procedures

V. Discuss diverse cultures.
   A. Participate in discussions with guest speakers on/from diverse
cultures
   B. Review articles on cultural diversity
   C. Listen and respond to International Club presentations

VI. Assess and modify "life skills," such as financial, time and stress
management.
   A. Discuss credit and credit card management
   B. Establish a personal budget
   C. Create time management tools such as a daily planner and “To Do
Lists”
   D. Calculate interest for loans

VII. Improve self awareness through use of various exercises and
techniques.
   A. Complete Affective Domain Assessment (pre and post test)
   B. Participate in self-advocacy exercises 
   C. Use journal writing techniques for self-reflection

VIII. Identify campus leadership activities and  opportunities.
   A. Define and discuss role of mentor and mentee
   B. Select and explore leadership activities
   C. Attend and participate in campus activities and report experience

IX. Participate in career exploration activities.
   A. Complete Career Inventory
   B. Identify the steps involved in career decision-making
   C. Research a career of interest in the Career Services Center
   D. Participate in discussions about how personalities affect career
choices

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Attendance and participation            40 points
Journal or reaction/reflection papers   40 points 
Oral presentation                       20 points
Total possible                         100 points

Grading Criteria:
  A = 90 - 100 points
  B = 80 -  89 points
  C = 70 -  79 points
  D = 60 -  69 points
  F = Below 60 points

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.