COURSE SYLLABUS

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION - REAL ESTATE, RELE 1381 and 2381

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM

Fall 2009

Professor:       FRANKIE JEFFERSON

                        frankjeff@aim.com

                        (936 -228-0347) with voicemail

Class #:           16781,16783

Days:               Tuesday 5-6 p.m., Eastside  Campus     

                   This course meets one hour each week from  08/25/2009 to

                        12/08/2009

Office hours:   Tuesday  Eastside Campus 1pm-5pm  

Out of respect for the educational environment, and courtesy toward your professor and classmates, please turn off and put away any electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, email, etc.  If you are expecting an emergency call, please clear it with the professor in advance.

This course gives three semester hours of college credit and forty-five classroom hours of credit.

Audience:

Individuals who need hours as part of the requirements to acquire a real estate license, who need hours toward a degree or certificate, or to understand the basics of the real estate profession. The course assists the student in making the transition from classroom to the real estate industry.

HCCS Real Estate Department Website:  http://swc2.edu.rele

Textbook:  There is no required textbook for this course.

Course Description

Career-related activities encountered in the student’s area of specialization offered through an individualized agreement among the college, employer, and student.  Under the supervision of the college and the employer, the student combines classroom learning with work experience.  Includes a lecture component. 

End-of-Course Outcomes

As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry, and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Strengthen understanding of the field of real estate through actual work experience.

2. Deepen understanding of a variety of careers in real estate.

3. Demonstrate Speaking Competence (SCANS)

4. Display Self- Management Skills (SCANS)

5. Display Creative Thinking (SCANS)

6. Apply Time Allocation Skills (SCANS)

Evaluating  Students

The course grade will be based upon attendance of weekly classes, a minimum of twenty hours per week participation in real estate related activities, and satisfactory completion of written and oral reports on the student’s course project. If all of those required activities are completed satisfactorily, the student will receive an A in the course. Failure to complete any required activities may result in a lowered or failing grade for the course.    

Absences and Make-up Work

Weekly class attendance is required. Make-up work is for unavoidable absences. You cannot have more than two absences in a row, even if they are made up, unless arranged in advance with professor. All make-up is due one week before the end of the course. 

In accordance with Texas Real Estate Commission rules, all absences must be made up.

To make up absences, you may attend: the coop class on Thursday at Westloop (bring me a note signed by the teacher) designated field trips other acceptable real-estate related-activities, cleared in advance with professor. You must give your professor a written (email or hand-written) statement of what you attended and how many hours it lasted.

Written Make-Up Work:

You may turn in written make- up work as follow: select a real estate- related article from the newspaper, Internet, magazine, etc. Print out the article and attach it to at least a half page of your own explanation of the importance of this issue in real estate.

Attendance and Absences:

The College System policy an absences is stated in the Student Handbook and Faculty Handbook. Instructors may drop students with excessive absences.

NOTICE:  Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.  Please ask your instructor/counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to
considering course withdrawal, or if you are not receiving passing grades.

Tardiness

The Faculty Handbook states that the College System does not have a policy on students arriving late to class but that professors may impose any sanction they feel appropriate.  Since the Texas Real Estate Commission requires full attendance in approved courses, any tardiness will be considered similar to absence and will require make up as determined by the professor.

Students with Special Needs ADA Syllabus Statement

The Office of Students with Disabilities at HCC reminds faculty that they are required to include the following statement on all their class syllabi: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.

For questions, contact Donna Price at (713)718-5165 or the Disability Counselor at your college. To visit the ADA Web site, log on to www.hccs.edu, click Future Students, scroll down the page and click on the words Disability Information.

District ADA Coordinator- Donna Price- (713)718-5165

Central ADA Counselor- John Reno- (713)718-6164   /   Martha Scribner – (713)718-6164

Northeast ADA Counselor- Kim Ingram- (713)718-8420

Northwest ADA Counselor- Mahnaz Kolaini- (713)718-5422

Southeast ADA Counselor- Jette Friis- (713)718-7218

Southwest ADA Counselor- Dr. Becky Hauri- (713)718-7910

Coleman ADA Counselor- Dr. Raj Gupta- (713)718-7631

Exploration of Career Opportunities and Supplemental Instruction

Additional Resources:

Numerous pages of real estate-related websites, and various guest speakers who are industry professionals will provide supplemental instruction to assist students in their exploration of career opportunities.  The mentorship program will provide the student with the opportunity to enter the workplace environment and become acquainted with various companies and careers.

Academic Honesty

All grade material submitted in fulfillment of course requirements must be original work of the student claiming credit for it. Students guilty of knowingly using, or attempting to use, another person’s work as through that work were their own and students guilty of knowingly permitting or attempting to permit, another student to use their work, will earn a grade of “F” for the course There are several software programs that quickly detect plagiarism.

Sexual Harassment

It is a violation of HCC policy for an employee, agent, or student of the college to engage in sexual  harassment as defined in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidelines. Any student who has a complaint concerning this policy has the opportunity to seek resolution of such a complaint in accordance with procedures set forth in the Student Handbook. Report any complaints immediately to College Administration or call the Institutional Equity & Compliance Office.

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities

Each student is responsible for knowing the policies and regulations of the college. Information pertaining to student rights and responsibilities can be found in the most recent the Student Handbook at www.hccs.edu, “Current Students.”

Grievances

First, Attempt to work out the problem with your instructor. If you are unable to resolve the problem, contact the Real Estate Department.

Student Conduct:

Appropriate adult behavior is expected. Disruptive behavior or activities, which interfere with the teaching and learning, will not be tolerated, and may result in an administrative withdrawal without refund.

HCC Course Withdrawal Policy

The State of Texas imposes penalties on students who drop courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than Six total course withdrawals throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university.

To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which your professor may “alert” you and the counselors that you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. Contact your professor regarding your academic performance or a counselor to learn about helpful resources (e.g. online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc.).

In order to withdraw from your class, you MUST first contact your professor, PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “0” on your transcript. After the withdrawal deadline has passed, you will receive the grade that you would have earned. Zeros averaged in for required coursework not submitted will lower your semester average significantly, most likely resulting in a failing grade of an “F”. It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from the class; however, your professor reserves the right to withdraw you without your request due to excessive absences. If you do not feel comfortable contacting your professor to withdraw, you may contact a counselor. However, please do not contact both a counselor and your professor to request a withdrawal; either one is sufficient.

Please contact the HCC Registrar’s Office at (713)718-8500 to determine those withdrawal deadlines.

Student Services

Advising and Counseling Services

Counselors can assist students with admissions, registration, entrance testing requirements, degree planning, transfer issues, and career counseling. In- person, confidential sessions, can also be scheduled to provide brief counseling and community referrals to address personal concerns impacting academic success.

International Students

Please contact the International Student Office at (713)718-8520 if you have questions about your visa status.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT

Student in HCC courses are required to follow all HCC Policies & Procedures, the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, and relevant sections of the Texas Education Code when interacting and communicating with faculty and fellow students. Students who violate these policies and guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action.

Co-op Course Schedule and Assignments

1. The professor will provide a list of mentors who are professionals in various real estate-related careers such as real estate brokerage, mortgage lending, and appraisal.  Students may also provide their own mentors, for example their own sponsoring broker if the student is already licensed. 

2.  Complete and turn in by second or third class meeting:

            A. “Co-op Forms” signed by student and mentor:

            B.  Plan for 20 hours per week of real estate-related activities

3.  Spend at least 20 hours per week in real estate-related activities. 

4.  Attend weekly classes or arrange makeup work. 

5.  You will choose a Project to help move you toward your goals.  This learning project must expand your knowledge and understanding of your company, industry, or personal goals, and assist in your training, development, and career potential.  The project cannot be something you already know, and cannot cover just your current normal work assignments.  You will work on your project throughout the course, and turn in a typed three or four page paper due one week before the end of the course.  Please do the paper in Microsoft Word and print it out.  On a date assigned by the professor, you are to give a five minute oral presentation to the class covering what you learned through your project