Counseling 116: Career/Life Planning and Personal Exploration Syllabus

Course Syllabus: Santa Ana College CNSL 116 MW.docx .pdf

Meet Your Instructor: 

 Luz Elena earned a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in older adults and families from Cal State Los Angeles in 2015. Luz has six years of work experience in the non-profit sector and background in education and child protection. Luz earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services in 2011 and has worked for programs serving children, families and older adults in diverse communities. Since 2016, she has been an adjunct counselor/faculty at Santa Ana Community College and Palomar College. Luz Elena’s passion for international exchange opportunities arose after being part of the Social Work Abroad Program (SWAP) in 2014. After her return, she became involved in the International Social Work Caucus at California State University Los Angeles where she served as a president for one semester. Luz has a positive attitude and enjoys being helpful to students, clients, volunteers, and her peers.

Course Description
The course is designed to cover theories and concepts of values, interests, skills and personality as applied to the career/life planning process and its application to labor market trends. Short/long term career/life plans will be developed. Students will develop an awareness of diversity and its relationship to psychological, sociological and physiological forces within the work place.

Course Objectives (SLOs)

1. Articulate their interests, values, and feelings related to their career and educational goals. (Communication Skills)
2. Assess goals and objectives by analyzing skills and values. (Thinking and Reasoning)
3. Research career paths using interest and personality inventories and computer databases. (Information Management Skills)
4. Create an educational plan to achieve an Associate Degree and/or transfer goal. (Life Skills)

Required text

1. OER: Counseling 116 $5 fee (pay with online registration)
   • This course uses digital course materials designed using Open Educational Resources (OER), high-quality, openly licensed educational materials, rather than a traditional textbook. You can access all readings, videos, quizzes and other activities through our course site on Canvas. (https://rsccd.instructure.com)
     Our course materials were created and assembled by SAC Counseling Faculty and funded by the Achieving the Dream OER Degree Initiative. Santa Ana College is committed to student access and excellence. You will not have any additional cost for textbooks. Extra care and effort was involved to assure access to high-quality affordable materials. I am interested in your experience using these materials and welcome your feedback in an anonymous survey at the end of the course and at any time during the course of this class.
2. MBTI & SII inventories ($16 material fee) paid online through Webadvisor or at the Student Business Office in Village 205B.
3. Santa Ana College Catalog    
   http://www.sac.edu/CatalogAndSchedule/Pages/catalog.aspx. 

COURSE RULES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

Your class participation significantly contributes to your success in the course. In-class discussions, and full and enthusiastic participation in group assignments, individual exercises, attendance, and active participation are critical aspects of this class and will be factored into your final grade. Additionally, due to the personal nature of this course, you are expected to abide by the following guidelines:

• You are expected to attend every class, arrive on time, and stay the entire session.
• You are expected to fully participate in in-class discussions and activities. You must read the assigned textbook chapters and complete any assignments prior to the start of class time.
• You are expected to respect the instructor and your peers by actively listening, staying engaged in class and treating the personal issues and feelings of others with great consideration.
• Be open-minded and accept diversity by respecting the ideas, views and beliefs of those who think differently from you.
• Confidentiality is also mandatory due to topics shared in class in class.

 ATTENDANCE: Your attendance is crucial to your success in this course. Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive to students, repeated (3 or more) instances will result in the deduction of Attendance/Participation points starting with 3points. Should you have the need to miss class, please email the professor and arrange a manner of receiving the information given in class from a colleague. No more than three (3) absences, during the semester, are allowed before a student is dropped from the course.

 ELECTRONIC DEVICES: All electronic devices (cellular phones, iPods, etc.) must be TURNED OFF and put away during class time.  No texting, checking Facebook/Instagram, tweeting, or watching YouTube during class. These items tend to distract the other students during class discussions and activities.   

 ABSENCE/DROP POLICY: It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from the course if you decide to drop the class.  Students may drop and receive a “W” grade up until May 06, 2018. However, the instructor may drop you from the course for excessive absences (see 2017-2018 SAC Catalog pg. 20 www.sac.edu).

 ASSIGNMENTS: All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date (see attached tentative schedule). Late assignments will receive a 15% point deduction and will not be accepted if they are more than one week late. Extenuating circumstances may warrant an exception to this rule if discussed with the instructor prior to the original due date. Documentation of such circumstances may be required. Emailed assignments will not be accepted. In-class work (e.g. presentations, quizzes, and group activities) cannot be made up if you are absent.

 All submitted assignments must be typed, unless instructed otherwise. You might want to consider using SAC’s Academic Computer Center (A-106) to avoid hardship on your own personal computer.

• In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date. If you are submitting more than one page, staple all pages together.
• Must be typed, Times New Roman, standard size 12 font, double-spaced with one inch margins.
• You are expected to problem-solve with the instructor if you experience anything outside of class that is hindering or preventing you from doing well in class.

 EXTRA CREDIT: Upon instructor’s approval, extra credit points may be earned by satisfactorily completing additional assignments or attending relevant workshops and/or conferences.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:  Academic dishonesty or cheating is defined as an intentional act of fraud in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization.  This includes assisting other students in acts of dishonesty, whether it is in coursework or on exams.  There is absolutely NO tolerance for academic dishonesty in this class.  Any student caught cheating or assisting another student in the act of cheating will receive an “F” grade for the course. Academic Honesty Policy available at http://www.sac.edu/StudentServices/AdmissionsRecords/Pages/Academic-Honesty-Policy-.aspx This policy defines academic honesty and policy and procedures associated with it.

You should be familiar with the Academic Honesty Policy at Santa Ana College. There is absolutely NO tolerance for cheating in this class. Academic dishonesty or cheating is defined as an intentional act of fraud in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization. This includes assisting other students in acts of dishonesty or coercing students into acts of dishonesty, whether it is in coursework or on exams. Any student caught cheating or assisting another student in the act of cheating, will receive a zero score for the assignment or quiz. If you have any questions regarding this policy or application of this policy, please let me know.

 ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABILITIES: Your success in this course is important to me. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your ability to do well in this course, I encourage you to speak with me as soon as possible. Also, please contact Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S) so that we can all collaborate on your classroom accommodations in a timely manner.  DSP&S is located in VL-203, and their phone number is 714-564-6295. The DSP&S office requires documentation of your disability in order to receive reasonable accommodations. If you do not have documentation, they will work with you to acquire it. I look forward to supporting you to meet your learning goals.

Semester Outline - please see syllabus