Career Exploration Studies - Curriculum

The course provides incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing students admitted to NTID undergraduate programs with opportunities to develop/enhance academic skills, personal awareness, and community involvement in order to maximize their college experience. Students will have opportunities to explore and navigate the college environment, develop/reinforce academic skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities while establishing meaningful connections with faculty, staff and peers. The course promotes the development of plans for ongoing growth and involvement in class and in the RIT/NTID and/or broader community. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 2 (Fall, Spring).

This course sharpens students' ability to think clearly, logically and creatively and to communicate knowledge effectively in an academic setting. Students will learn critical thinking strategies for examining issues and solving problems. Course topics include solving problems using a six-step model; exploring problem solving tools and strategies using campus resources, professional and proactive communication behaviors, and personal attributes for success, and applying knowledge of students’ rights and responsibilities to facilitate effective problem solving for academic and personal/social problems. The importance of thinking critically across various communication contexts (i.e., face-to-face interactions, written correspondence, group discussions, and presentations) will be stressed. (Prerequisites: NTID supported student. Co-requisites: NENG-102 or NENG-103 or NENG-112 or equivalent course.) Lab 2 (Fall).

This course focuses on the information and skills needed to be a knowledgeable, effective participant in small groups and teams. Topics related to group dynamics and team building are addressed at the practical and theoretical levels. These topics include characteristics of effective teams, stages of group development, how groups operate for different outcomes, group versus personal goals, the role of diversity, and group decision-making and conflict management strategies. (NTID Supported Students.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).