How to Study for
    ACC 7155
       
      Students in Prof. Spalding's ACC 7155 will find the following study regimen to be extremely helpful in maximizing their achievement of the course objectives (as well as their attainment of a higher grade in the course).  These suggestions are presented with the understanding that the student's assumption of personal responsibility for her or his own intellectual development is the first step in doing well in this or any other graduate level college course.  These suggestions are also presented with the understanding that grades are based on the student's output (exams,  participation, etc.), and not on the student's input (level of effort, hours spent studying, etc.).  Still, many students who do well find that a minimum of four to six hours of self-study per week, following the study regimen described below), are absolutely required. There are no short-cuts.

      Prior to Doing any Quiz, Discussion Board Assignment or other Task

      Thorough preparation BEFORE doing any quiz, Discussion Board assignment or other task is essential, both to understanding class discussion, and doing well on quizzes. Prior to these tasks, the student should have, at a minimum, read and outlined the assigned materials (including chapter materials and supplement materials) as well as any internet, Wall Street Journal, or other readings assigned in the Schedule of Assignments), and made handwritten notes of all of the above materials. All written homework assignments and other projects are due at the start of class.
       
    • First, view the introductory lecture, introducing the assigned unit, at least once. Be sure to print the notes pages and take notes.
    • Second, prepare the skeleton of a study outline of the assigned chapter material, starting with a skeleton outline derived from the text's detailed table of contents (or, better yet, starting with an outline comprised of the headings and subheadings of the chapter itself).  This will be your study outline, organized by chapters. Your study outline is best prepared in a looseleaf notebook format, because you will sometimes find yourself re-writing some pages, (including the insertion of pages containing extensive notes that augment your study outline).  On a separate piece of paper start a list of questions.
    • Third, read the assigned chapter(s) including supplement materials. As you read through the materials, fill in your study outline with brief phrases and notations.  You might find that high-lighting, or underlining, materials in your text to be of help, but rewriting the essential material into your study outline will prove to be a more reliable aid to your study and memory efforts.  If you still do not understant  anything  from the text, add to your list of questions, being sure to include the page number or other reference so that you can direct Prof. Spalding to the specific item in question.
    • Fourth, print and read any other assigned reading in the Schedule of Assignments.  Make notes as you read, and work these notes into your study outline.
    • Fifth, complete the assigned homework on the Discussion Questions section of the Blackboard site for this course.  These are done in a collaborative manner:  each answer takes into account any answers previously submitted for that particular homework question.
    • Sixth, and only AFTER you have completed the first four steps, above, but prior to the time and date for which a Quiz is due), take the Quiz for the assigned chapter(s) on Blackboard.
    • Seventh, email any questions that you might have, to Prof. Spalding at aspalding@wayne.ede.  Be specific, noting the specific page(s) and context(s) in the text or other reading if your question pertains to an assigned chapter or reading,

      • Your Study Outline

      Your study outline , developed pursuant to the study method described above, is the key to your success in this course, and is the key to your success on examination materials that refer to material in the textbook.  For example, Prof. Spalding is willing to review and reconsider examination scores of students who are prepared to submit their handwritten study outline and related materials as evidence of their efforts to follow the above recommended study method.  Only if the student's handwritten study outline, list of questions brought to each class, and other materials (developed as a result of following the above steps) are complete, can the student's questions as to the "quality" or "fairness" of an examination question be given the fullest consideration.
      Last revised:  8/01/08
      Copyright 2002 and 2008:  Albert D. Spalding, Jr.