Course Description

GUST 0339 Introduction to Reading

Credit: 3 (3 Hours - Lecture, 1 Hour - Lab)

This is a basic reading course designed to improve students' overall reading skills. Emphasis is on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, study techniques, career planning, and critical reading. Classroom instruction is enhanced by a variety of self-paced activities.

Prerequisites

Students are placed in GUST 0339 on the basis of their performance on the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) or HCCS-administered alternative THEA test. GUST 0339 is the first course in a required three-course remediation sequence for college reading.

Course Goals (includes competencies, incorporation of SCANS, etc.

Key Concepts of the Course:

This course teaches students the reading skills needed to succeed in subsequent GUST courses. The course is designed to augment the student's reading comprehension through refined vocabulary skills, improved ability to identify main ideas and supporting details, and increased understanding of the relationships among the elements of reading passages. In addition, the course attempts to enhance the student's computer skills through the use of computer-aided instructional materials.

Instructor Information

Because of the interactive nature of this course, a variety of instructional methodology will be used including, but not limited to: lecture, group discussion, guest lecturers, group activities, web activities, library assignments and exploration activities.

Textbook Information

Required text and support materials: Textbooks vary by HCC campus.
Some currently in use for GUST 0339 include but are not limited to:
Groundwork for College Reading by Bill Broderick;
Ten Steps to Building College Reading by John Langan.
Other materials needed may include:
* 3-ring binder and loose leaf paper to take notes
* blue or black pen
* dictionary
* an open mind, a hearty spirit and a sense of humor.

Lab Requirements (if any)

Students at some HCC locations may have their regular classroom lecture/lab work supplemented with computerized materials.

Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities will be provided all reasonable accommodations. An accommodations request from the campus HCCS ADA counselor is required for documentation.

Academic Honesty

Cheating is never permitted under any circumstances. The penalties for cheating can be found in the HCC Schedule of Classes and the Student Handbook. Penalties range from failing the course to being removed from the College. Cheating includes plagiarism and/or using the work of someone else.

Attendance and Withdrawal Policies

Realizing that student success in college is largely dependent on attending class, it is imperative that students make an effort to attend every class. There is no such thing as an excused absence. On certain occasions, circumstances may arise, such as sickness, family issues, child care, hospitalization and unavoidable transportation problems. In that light, students are allowed to miss no more than 12.5 % of the total class sessions. All students enrolled in GUST 0339 missing more than 12.5% of class time will be dropped from the class. Students placed in GUST 0339 because of failure on the THEA can be dropped from their other classes if they fail to attend and are dropped from their GUST 0339 class. Special note: Classes begin at the exact times specified in the schedule of classes. If a student is tardy 3 times, it will be counted as an absence. Thus, if the student is absent 3 classes (4 hours) and you have been late to class 30 minutes, he/she will be dropped from the class.

Course Requirements and Grading Policy

The course grade legend is as follows:
A = 90 to 100
B = 80 to 89
C = 70 to 79 IP* = Below 70
*No "D's" are given in GUST reading courses at HCC.
To pass, a student's final course grade must be 70 or above. Students who are taking the course for the first time and who fail to achieve 70 or above receive an IP (for "in progress") and must repeat the course to remain in compliance with THEA requirements. Students who retake the class will receive a final course grade of "F" for final grades below 70.
A sample evaluation of how the course grade may be figured in Reading:
Internet project(s) -- 10%
Midterm and Final Exams 20%
Journal -- 10%
Quizzes and tests 20%
Other -- 20%
Lab -- 20%
Percentages above may vary according to college.
Special note on grade reports: HCC does not mail out grade reports. Students get their grades on-line at www.hccs.cc.tx.us or www.getgrades.com. Students who require a paper or hard copy of their grades must obtain an unofficial transcript from the Records and Admissions Office of their campus/college.

Testing

Each student is required to take a mid-term examination during the semester and a final exam at the end of the semester. Both exams cover a variety of materials discussed in class and found in textbook readings and from on-line materials. Students will be given at least one week's notice before the midterm and final exams. Dates for the exams are found in the course calendar that comes with the instructor's course syllabus. To insure that each student is mastering the materials assigned for reading and discussion in class or for exploration on-line, several quizzes will be administered on a variety of subjects throughout the semester.

Make-up policy

If an occasion occurs where a student must be absent from class, he/she should contact his/her instructor immediately.

Projects, Assignments, Portfolios, Service Learning, Internships, etc.

Class assignments vary by college and may include but are not limited to: career projects, library assignments, core class visitations, college resource exploration, portfolios of student work, journals, essays, internet projects, on-line lessons and e-mail assignments, oral presentations, etc.

Course Content

1. Phonics: Consonants and Vowels
2. Dictionary use
3. Defining words in context
4. Identifying main ideas and supporting details
5. Identifying relationships between various elements of reading material
6. Applying reading skills to reading selections
7. Career awareness

Course Calendar with Reading Assignments

Students will be provided a class calendar with information concerning class readings, class assignments, projects, and use of the library and the Internet.

Other Student Information (clubs, tutoring, web resources, etc.)

Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA)

The THEA is a state-mandated program designed to ensure that students have the academic skills necessary to perform effectively on college-level work. In order to comply with THEA rules, HCC requires that all students be tested to determine their basic skill level in reading, writing and mathematics. Testing is mandatory and must be completed prior to enrollment in any course unless it is determined the student has been waived or exempted from THEA requirements. Students who fail any portion of any approved THEA test are required to enroll in and complete a developmental program of study. Sections of an approved THEA test not taken are considered as failed. Students who failed the reading section of the THEA and do not complete their developmental course work will be dropped from all other courses and limited to enrollment in only developmental course work during the following term.

Students with disabilities may apply for special testing accommodations. Deaf students may take the Stanford Achievement Test HI to meet THEA requirements. A student who fails an approved alternative test (such as the ASSET) must retest on the THEA Test. For a detailed explanation of policies governing THEA, students should see a counselor prior to enrollment or contact the Guided Studies Department at the HCC campus they plan to attend.

Tutoring and Learning Assistance

Tutoring in writing, math, science and other disciplines is available through the Learning Centers operated by the Guided Studies program on various campuses throughout the HCC System. Several of the Learning Centers have access to Microsoft Office 2007 (MS Word, Excel, etc.). All tutoring services are offered free of charge to HCC students. Students should check for availability of tutoring services at the campus they attend.