NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

 

Course title:  INTRO TO SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Course prefix, number, and section number:  EDUC 2301.310

Semester/Year of course:   SP/2024

Semester start and end dates:   01/16/24 – 05/11/24

Modality: Asynchronous online

Class meeting location, days, and times: Online

Lab meeting location, days, and times:  There is not lab for this course

Semester credit hours:  3

 

Course 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. The course provides students with opportunities to participate in early field observations of P- 12 special populations and 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 population.

 

Course prerequisites:

None

 

Required course materials:

Textbook: Introduction to Special Education: Making a Difference, 7th Edition.

By Deborah Smith & Naomi Tyler   

Published by Pearson

ISBN:  9780132582148 Loose-leaf

 

Name of instructor: Sara Martin

Office location: Online

Telephone number: 940.668.7731 ext. 4423

E-mail address: sjmartin@nctc.edu

Office hours for students:  Monday 8:00 am – 10:00 am

 

 

 

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

 

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

 

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

 

List of graded assignments:

 

15 Discussion/Replies                         225 points

 

5 Class Activities/Los                           125 points

 

8 Quizzes – 4 Vocab/4 Module           300 points

 

1 Biography Research Paper               100 points

 

4 Field Experience Journal Entries      200 points

 

1 Field Experience Summary               50 points

 

 

Final grade scale:   

 

A = 900 – 1000 points

 

B = 800 – 899 points

 

C = 700 – 799 points

 

D = 600 – 699 points

 

F = 0 – 599 points

 

 

Late work policy:

 

No late work will be accepted.  There may, however, be certain extenuating circumstances that may warrant a deadline extension.  This is strictly up to the discretion of the instructor.  It is extremely important to notify your instructor as soon as possible should these events occur.

 

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

 

 

COURSE POLICIES

 

Academic Integrity Policy:

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct
([FLB(LOCAL)]”.  

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
1. Receiving an F on a specific assignment or in the course. 
2. Being reported to the Chair/Dean for disciplinary action. 

Attendance Policy:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  Attendance in an online course is measured by submitted work. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or
emergencies.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are also excused absences.  The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reason given for an absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the
Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

 

Withdrawal Policy:

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

 

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is:  APRIL 1, 2024.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

  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, and 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.

 

Associate of Arts in Teaching Programmatic Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of multicultural perspectives in education including special education, English as a Second Language (ESL), cultural differences, socioeconomic differences and issues dealing with urban, rural, and suburban schools.
  2. Categorize methods of teacher/parent communication into two distinct categories, one-way communication and two-way communication.

 

 

COLLEGE POLICIES

 

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

 

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.


STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

 

The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class.  If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division.  If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:  Danelle Wolf

Office location:  Gainesville Campus, 1300 Building, Room 1306B

Telephone number:  940-668-7731 Ext. 4423

E-mail addressdwolf@nctc.edu

 

Name of Instructional Dean:  Debbie Huffman

Office location:  Gainesville Campus, 2100 Building, Room 2106

Telephone number:  940-668-3357

E-mail address:  dhuffman@nctc.edu