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    Instructor: Anita Johnston      office: JM 250
                phone: 517.796.8504   email: JohnstoAnitaM@jccmi.edu  

Syllabus
Textbook: Prealgebra: Fifth Edition  by Elayn Martin-Gay

 1► Course Description:

MTH 098: Prealgebra   Review of arithmetic of positive and negative integers, fractions, decimals, percentages.  Covers measurement and geometric calculations and basic algebraic concepts include simplifying expressions and solving simple equations.  Prerequisite: MTH 095: Basic Mathematics or equivalent.

 2► Overview of Requirements for Successful Completion of MTH 098: Prealgebra

PART 1: There are three competency exams (integers, fractions, decimals).  You may use no notes and no calculators on the competency exams.  All students MUST pass all competency topics.  Any student who does not pass all competency exams will receive a 0.0 for his/her course grade, regardless of grades received on other required work.  For more information about the competency exams refer to page 3 of the syllabus.

PART 2:  Students must successfully complete required coursework in addition to the competency exams.  Your grade will depend on your success on required coursework.

  3► Course Goals:

• Increase your understanding of and technical skill with basic algebraic skills, concepts, and problem-solving techniques.

• Learn and use the “language” of algebra.

• Learn to analyze problems and document solutions.

• Use problem-solving techniques to analyze and develop solutions to real-life applications.

 4► Course Outcomes:  Students will be able to do:

• Arithmetic of fractions.

• Arithmetic of decimals.

• Mathematics of ratio/proportion/percentage.

• Mathematics of geometry/measurement.

• Graphs/statistics/signed number arithmetic.

• Algebraic operations/linear equations.

• Students will be able to use appropriate technology as part of their completion of course objectives.

The Board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in the college. The Associate Degree Outcomes are addressed in this class:
ADO 3 – Demonstrate computational skills and mathematical reasoning.

NOTE:  This course does not meet the mathematics requirements for graduation from JCC.

5► Appropriate Behavior

• Be Honest:  (Excerpt from JCC policy: contact Student Services for a copy of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.)  Academic Honesty is expected of all students. It is the ethical behavior that includes producing their own work and not representing others’ as their own, either by plagiarism, by cheating or by helping others to do so. Faculty members who suspect a student of academic dishonesty may penalize the student by assigning a failing grade for the paper, project, report, exam or the course itself.  If I suspect dishonesty, the student(s) involved will receive no credit for that assignment or test.
• Attend Class:  Attendance is required and will be taken each class period (either by roll call or quiz).  If you do not plan to attend class regularly, you are advised to withdraw.
• Be Prepared:  You are responsible for reading the text and completing the homework assignments prior to attending lectures.  The lecture periods will be used to discuss mathematics, clarify and re-emphasize previous material and introduce new material.  Completing “college work” assumes that for each hour spent in class, you spend at least two hours learning outside of class.  Most students find mathematics courses require more time than the “two” hours outside of class. 
• Be Courteous and Respectful:  Be on time, do not come and go from the classroom, actively listen when I am presenting information and/or other students are speaking, and turn off cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices.  Contribute to a learning atmosphere and show respect to each other.  It is my responsibility to foster a learning environment, so students exhibiting inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave the classroom and meet with me to discuss a plan for improved classroom behavior.

6► Available Help

• See me during office hours.
• Tutoring by mathematics personnel in McDivitt Lab, 2^nd floor of McDivitt Hall.  Hours are listed outside the Lab.
• Additional tutoring services (plus additional services for academic success) can be accessed by calling 796-8415 or by stopping by the Center for Student Success, Bert Walker Hall Room 123.
• Form a study group with other students in the course.
• Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act) should contact the Center for Student Success. This is the first step in acquiring the appropriate accommodations to facilitate your learning.

7► Other General Information

• Instructional Philosophy: Education is a self-initiated, active, goal-directed process, leading to a change and/or expansion of the students understanding of and ability to use the subject material. The student is expected to be accountable for the learning process. The instructor should be viewed as a facilitator and resource person to assist in the process.
• Academic Honesty: (Excerpt from JCC policy: contact Student Services for a copy of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.)  Academic Honesty is expected of all students. It is the ethical behavior that includes producing their own work and not representing others’ their own, either by plagiarism, by cheating or by helping others to do so. Faculty members who suspect a student of academic dishonesty may penalize the student by assigning a failing grade for the paper, project, report, exam or the course itself.
• Audits: Must be registered during the first week of class. You will not receive a grade or credit for the course.
• Withdraw deadline for this semester can be found on the JCC website by checking the academic calendar.  If you do not wish to complete the class and receive a grade, because you are not happy with your grade or for any other reason, you must withdraw by this date. The instructor may withdraw any student who does not complete assignments and/or tests in a timely manner. However, do not assume that I will withdraw you.
• Incompletes will be given only in accordance with JCC policy. (Excerpt from JCC policy; contact Student Services for a copy of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.)  A student may request an incomplete from the instructor. The incomplete will be granted only if the student can provide documentation that his or her work up to that point is sufficient in quality, but lacking in quantity, due to circumstances beyond the student’s control. Furthermore, a written plan for making up the missing work within one semester must be completed by the student. Final determination of whether an incomplete will be given is the instructor’s decision.
• General College Policies: Please read and aquaint yourself with the policies and procedures of the college as specified in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.