Course Syllabus

EDUC 2301.310 - COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Name: Introduction to Special Populations

Semester & Year: Spring 2017 Internet

Catalog Description:An enriched, integrated pre-service course and content experience that provides an overview of schooling and classrooms from the perspectives of language, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic and academic diversity, and equity with an emphasis on factors that facilitate learning; provides students with opportunities to participate in early field observations of P-12 special populations; should be aligned as applicable with State Board for Educator Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities standards; must include a minimum of 16 contact hours of field experience in P-12 classrooms with special populations. 

Required Texts & Materials: *Smith, Deborah D. & Tyler Naomi C. (2010) Introduction to Special Education: Making a Difference 7th Edition
ISBN-13:978-0-205-60056-4
*Active NCTC Student e-mail account

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to: 
1. Describe the characteristics of exceptional learners (e.g. Learning Disabilities, Gifted and Talented), including legal implications.
2. Describe and analyze characteristics of diverse learners (e.g. language, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity) and how diversity impacts learning.
3. Describe the impact of socio-economic status on learning and creating equitable classrooms.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and challenges of racial, ethnic, and other types of cultural diversity in the classroom.

Instructor’s Name: Sara Martin, M.Ed.
Corinth Campus

Office Phone: 940-498-6296
(leave message with Isidra Molina)

Instructor’s Office Hours: By appointment

Online Office Hours : Mondays 8:00 am - 10:00 am

E-Mail Address: sjmartin@nctc.edu
                            smamusic@aol.com

Grading Policy & Procedures:

Grading will be based on a 1000 point system

Participation                                    225 points
• 15 Discussion Questions (DQs) 
And Replies (2 per DQ)
@15 points per discussion forum

Class Activities                                125 points 
• 5 @ 25 pts.

Quizzes                                             300 points 
• 4 Vocabulary @ 25 pts. 100 points
• 4 Unit @ 50 pts. 200 points

Research Paper/Power Point         100 points 
• Biography 75 points
• Power Point 25 points

Field Experience                             250 points
• Field Experience Summary
  25 points
• Field Experience Class/Lesson Observation forms
(5 @ 40 points) 200 points
• Field Experience Time Log
  25 points (if submitted on time)

The point breakdown for the final course grade is:

A                                                          900 –1000 points
B                                                           800 – 899 points
C                                                           700 – 799 points
D                                                           600 – 699 points
F                                                           Below 600 points

You must complete and pass your Field Experience Assignment in order to pass this class. 

Modules:

This course is divided into 4 Modules; I) Overview of Special Education and Programs/services II) Less Severe Disabilities/Disorders III) More Severe Disabilities/Disorders IV) Low Incidence Disabilities and Giftedness. Each Module covers certain chapters in the text book, and corresponding assignments. The Module assignments will open at 12:00 AM on Monday and closes on Sunday at 11:59 PM. Each week you will have assignments that must completed by the end of the week. Information located in your module, syllabus and calendar will keep you informed on each assignment and due date.

Posts and Replies:

In each each Module you will be required to make a post answering the Discussion Question for that week. Your DQ post needs to be between 150 and 200 words. In your original response you need to cite something from the chapter reading to support your thoughts and ideas. You will also need to reply to 2 other posts made by your classmates. You must add something of "substance" in your replies-adding "substance" would be like adding new ideas, your perspectives, pointed follow up questions, personal experiences - things of this nature. These replies should range from 50 - 75 words in length. This is what your participation grade is based on and you must make both the DQ response and the 2 substantive replies in order to get full credit. Feel free to make as many additional replies. But remember that the DQ forum for each week will be open for 1 week only.

Field Experience:

Students must complete 16 hours of field experience in order to pass this course. This is designed to give you the opportunity to observe, firsthand, the concepts that will be discussed in class. Background checks must be completed before students are assigned a field experience location. After students are assigned to cooperating teachers, they are to contact the teacher and schedule their hours as quickly as possible. A schedule should be created in such a way for you to observe in two or four hour blocks of instruction. Your field experience visits need to be documented in journals that are in a word processed format (you will need to do 5 of these), which include your personal inspirations and reflections. The topics for these journals are located in the Field Experience folder. You will also need to do a 500 word summary discussing your overall experience. A verifiable Time Log is also required.

Scholastic Integrity: Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” page 146-148 of NCTC Catalog.

Withdrawal Date: Students wishing to withdraw must notify the Registrar’s Office by completing a Petition for Course Drop. The last day to drop a class with a grade of “W” is  April 17th.

Disability Services OSD: The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

Tobacco Free Campus: NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products. We would like to "thank you" for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free. For questions or concerns please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at 940.668.4240.

Additional Resources: North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

TRIO Programs: TRIO Programs are federally funded programs which offer services designed to assist students in achieving their academic goals. Services include educational workshops, academic advising, tutoring, personal counseling, career counseling, cultural enrichment, and financial aid information. Students may be eligible for TRIO if they are currently enrolled at North Central Texas College, have academic need, and meet at least ONE of THREE criteria which include: 1) first generation status – neither parent has a degree from college, 2) income level is within federal low income guidelines, and/or 3) has a documented disability. TRIO is located in Room 170. Contact Jessica DeRoche, TRIO Coordinator at jderoche@nctc.edu 940-498-6212 on the Corinth Campus for more information.

Student Success Center: The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. Students can attend free interactive workshops about Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration, and much more. This program also links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab and free online tutoring. All students are invited to visit the Student Success Center located in Rooms 160, 170, 183 and 188. Contact Tracey Fleniken, Student Success Coordinator at tfleniken@nctc.edu 940-668-4209 in room 114 on the Gainesville Campus for more information.

Early Alert and NCTC CARES: The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail toCARESTeam@nctc.edu. As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook