Courses

This course focuses on behaviors that enhance the quality of life. It stresses the connection between the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of the whole human being. Emphasis is placed on self-analysis and personal responsibility in selecting a holistic approach to health and wellness.

This course continues in the development of behaviors that enhance general well-being. Developing a supportive system in sharing information and activities among individuals and groups that have a common interest will be encouraged. Networking strategies introduced will reinforce physical and mental and sexual health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging.

This course provides students with an opportunity to expand on successful interpersonal relationships with research and review of effective social interactions and skills. The expectations are that these aptitudes will apply to present and future life endeavors including quality friendships and successful co-worker connections. Critical thinking skills can be exercised while students consider their own values.

Field experience required. Students will participate in a field experience/internship based on interest, employer availability, and supervision with the Career Development Coordinator. This course may be repeated for credit.

Students will develop and practice various skills associated with learning the fundamental Career paths via decisionmaking, vocational interests, and aptitude assessments. Students will continue to broaden their knowledge and experience through participation in class activities, discussions, and research. This course is offered during J-Term only and may be repeated for credit.

This course is designed to introduce students to various skills and resources that can help them be successful in college. The activities in this class will help students become more aware of their abilities and challenges and teach them how to be more independent on campus and in their studies. Students will gain knowledge and experience by participating in class activities and taking an active role in the day-to-day life on campus. Topics of discussion will include: how to set and implement short-term goals for the first semester of ELSA, individual learning styles, study skills, getting involved on campus, organization and time management skills, future job considerations on campus (or in the community), navigating the campus including the cafeteria, bookstore, library, and fitness center.

This course is designed to introduce students to various skills necessary in learning about career paths, fundamental career/academic decisions and discover more about vocational interests and aptitudes. Students will gain knowledge and experience through participation in class activities, discussion, research, and occupational laboratories experiences in the community. Topics of discussion will focus on career paths, employment, and the world of work.

This course is designed for students to continue to develop various skills necessary in learning about career paths, fundamental career/academic decisions and discover more about vocational interests and aptitudes. Students will gain knowledge and experience through participation in class activities, discussion, research, job observations, and internships on campus. Topics of discussion will focus on career paths, employment and the world of work. Students will participate in an on-campus field experience consisting of different job shadow experiences, under mentoring of student workers and supervision of the career development coach. Out-of-class on-campus internship of 5-10 hours per week is required. Out-of-class on/off campus informational interviews and job shadows required.

This course is designed for students to continue to develop job placement, job maintenance skills, and community involvement by utilizing their interpersonal, workplace and/or career skills. Students will gain knowledge and experience through participation in class activities, discussion, research and internships in the community. Topics of discussion will focus on career paths, civic engagement and volunteerism utilizing your career skills, Students will participate in informational interviews and job shadows on campus and within the community.

This course is designed to continue the process of exploring careers, developing communication, intra/interpersonal, writing, and computer skills necessary for employment. Students begin a block experience within a department on campus or community based.

Prerequisite: ELS 021.

This course is designed to include areas of preparation for graduation and transition into independent living. Students will learn how to use the principles of Person-Centered Planning to plan for their future. Students will reflect on their learning in ELSA and develop an electronic portfolio showcasing their growth throughout the program.

This course provides students with information about the basic principles and competencies of leadership and will allow students to participate in a variety of activities used to instill leadership qualities. Students will discover their potential for leadership by exploring personal strengths, talents, experiences, weaknesses, and styles. Students will learn about the power of effective leadership and how to work with others in groups to accomplish positive change.

This course involves the study of thinking, speaking, and writing skills within the framework of issues dealing with the community and citizenship. Students will advocate to secure volunteer positions in their home community.

This course is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need to assume control and responsibility for a variety of life activities. Students will learn an array of strategies needed to self-advocate and communicate needs and wants. Students will also learn how to identify problems and develop solutions. Students will explore relative social issues and develop citizenship skills. This course will assist students in identifying and accessing various community, state, and federal resources. Students will participate in a variety of activities which will help them to develop mini-Person-Centered Plans and Personal Resource Guides.

This course will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and share information while exploring the issues and importance of service learning. Students will take theories learned in class and practice them through participation in a group service learning project. Active participation and self-reflection are integral to this course.

This course is the “capstone” for ELSA students. Building on their experiences in Social Issues, Community and Citizenship and Service Learning, students link classroom learning with active citizenship. Reflecting on their experiences helps the students learn more about themselves and explore opportunities within the community and workplace. An independent service learning opportunity with a minimum of 20 hours is required. This will require weekly journaling, activities, and community involvement. Active participation and self-reflection are integral to the course.

This course will provide students with the fundamentals of interpersonal communication. Students will identify and distinguish effective and ineffective communication skills including those used in different context such as electronic vs. face-to-face. They will explore strategies and techniques the can use to improve their communication skills, as well as determining when and how to adapt to a variety of situations. Through observation, modeling and practice, students will build the skills needed to interact in a variety of situations including daily living, workplace and personal relationships.

This course is designed to continue building the interpersonal communication skills students need to define, establish and maintain healthy human relationships including setting boundaries and managing conflict. Students will further their knowledge and understanding of interpersonal communication skills including identifying their current personal skill and comfort levels and those to which they aspire. Discussions, reflecting on past and present behaviors and experiential exercises will provide the students with numerous practice opportunities to help them achieve their interpersonal communications goal.

Reading and writing skills are essential for all courses. In this course, specific strategies are explored while interacting with, and responding to, a variety of short texts. These strategies include the use of assistive technology tools that support literacy skills. Students will be provided a choice of materials based on their personal academic needs, interests, and background. Students are encouraged to apply the strategies from this course to their other coursework.

This course focuses on the importance of continually reading and using comprehension strategies to complete college coursework . Strategies to read complex text to attain new information will be discussed and practiced. Students may use RWG or other technology as needed. Additional targeted skills may include clarity and expansion of details, sentence style and variety, and use of mature vocabulary. Students will create goals to address writing challenges and will identify what strategies will work for them.

Writing skills have become increasingly important for employment and participation in a global society. This course focuses on understanding the nine general purposes of writing found in modern society. Students will identify and apply this knowledge to their personal interests. This process includes learning skills needed for logical, organized and fully developed responses to writing tasks. A range of authentic activities supporting the needs and goals of each student are considered.

This course explores basic literacy skills needed for any work environment. Students are provided with an overview of the terminology, information, and format of texts commonly related to employment. This includes the job-search process, becoming employed, and maintaining employment.

The purpose of this course is to have the student develop an effectively written communication style in the workplace. This course will present students with opportunities to enhance grammar and writing skills as related to professional documents. Emphasizes the preparation of a variety of written documents such as business letters, e-mails, texting, LinkedIn and other business communications.

Computer Application in the Workplace is an introductory class using Microsoft Office 2013 Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This class will include discussion of the ribbon and tab system and use these tools to create documents, worksheets, and presentations. The class will also work with dialog boxes, shortcuts, Live Preview, and Backstage View.

.50 credit

This course is designed to introduce and reinforce math skills needed for everyday living. The students will demonstrate and apply knowledge to experience that deal with money, measurement, time, estimation, and the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Problem solving and critical thinking skills will be integrated into the lessons to improve the students’ decision making skills.

This course helps students develop digital literacy skills to be able to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment. Literacy includes the ability to read and interpret media, to reproduce data and images through digital manipulation, and to evaluate and apply new knowledge gained from digital environments.

This class is designed for students to develop their multimedia skills. Students will learn the elements of good visual images, lighting, exposure and composition while exploring digital photography.

This course is designed to build on basic math and problem-solving skills while also developing and reinforcing interpersonal communication skills. Students will use and practice cooperative group skills to solve problems with applications for independent living.

.50 credit

This course is designed to provide the individual with a survey or introduction to the financial aspects of everyday life. One of the keys to success not only means having the “know-how,” but to make the right financial decisions based on knowledge. The focus of the course will be the basic elements of budgeting, determining costs and expenses, check writing, financial planning, and learning the skills needed to be a better consumer while protecting yourself from financial fraud and scams. An attempt will be made to make every class informal to allow for a free form discussion of the subject material. Students will be encouraged to discuss applicable solutions or problems that they have encountered.

This course is a continuation of Financial Smarts 1.

Prerequisite: ELS 082.

This course is a continuation of Financial Smarts II.

Prerequisite: ELS 083.

Students will develop targeted skills such as listening, conflict management, self-concept, organizational techniques, and use of visual aids. Students will be expected to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will aid in becoming effective communicators adding value in all potential “communication venues” including the classroom, the workplace and at home.

Students will develop targeted skills such as listening, conflict management, self-concept, organizational techniques, and use of visual aids. Students will be expected to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that will aid in becoming effective communicators adding value in all potential “communication venues” including the classroom, the workplace and at home.

Students will select and design a game based on the clients’ area of interest. Students will integrate professional communication skills to work with clients to develop the final product. Students will create a game website to show the client the final product.