TECHNOLOGY AND TIME REQUIREMENTS

Computer Hardware and Software

• Link to the Technology Requirements provided by the NCTC helpdesk for complete and up-to-date information.
• Students are REQUIRED to have access to a working computer with Internet access and word processor throughout the semester. You should also make a backup plan for when problems with the computer occur, as they surely will. NCTC has computer labs. Area libraries offer free access to computers. Perhaps you have friends or family members who will be able to help out.
• MS Word or another word processing program (Windows open documents or Google docs are both free programs). Whatever program you use, you MUST be able to save documents with a doc or docx file extension. These are the only extensions accepted in this class -- unless otherwise stipulated on a specific set of assignment instructions.
• A webcam and/or headset for online conferencing (optional)

Respondus Lockdown

When you need to access an exam or quiz in this course, you will need first to download Respondus Lockdown. You will be prompted to do so when you click on the quiz. From the helpdesk are the following links to information on downloading and using Respondus:

• IMPORTANT: Respondus LockDown Browser (Instructor activated 5/31/2018)

Required Skills

• Basic Computer skills (how to format, type, and save documents, how to copy and paste text, how to convert file extensions, how to open documents). You will save files throughout the semester with doc or docx file extensions -- unless otherwise stipulated on a specific set of assignment instructions.
• Basic Internet navigation skills. Make sure you choose a browser compatible with Canvas: Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox should work.
• Basic facility using email (originating email with an appropriate RE [subject] line, opening, reading, writing, attaching documents, and sending emails)
• Basic Canvas navigation skills (using Canvas's internal email, writing and editing discussion posts, taking online tests, attaching documents to drop assignments and/or email, checking grades, locating materials, using links, etc.)
• Ability to READ and FOLLOW written instructions.

Required Time

• Fall and Spring terms—The rule of thumb in college is 2 hours of outside study time per week for every hour a course is worth. This is a three-hour course, so 6 hours per week would be your "outside" time, and 3 hours per week would be your "in class" time in a long semester. Even though we don't meet as a class, you still have to read assigned works and my lectures, complete discussions, write papers, and take quizzes and exams. Doing all of this independently is going to require a significant time investment. Realistically, you should expect to devote 6-9 hours per week to this course. If you do not have time to take this course, you should withdraw from it.
• Summer terms—In summer school ONE CLASS DAY is the equivalent of ONE WEEK of classes in a long semester. Another way to understand this time compression is that ONE WEEK of summer school is the equivalent of ONE MONTH of the long semester. I do NOT reduce the number of assignments you are required to complete during the summer semester. I compress them into the time allowed. If you were taking this course in the classroom, your time commitment would be 2 hours and 20 minutes per day (9 hours and 10 minutes per week in a five-week semester (M-R). In addition, you would be expected to complete readings and "homework" assignments on your own time–easily another 9-18 hours per week dedicated to your summer course. Realistically, you should expect to devote 9-27 hours per week to this course. If you do not have time to take this course, you should withdraw from it.

ENGL2327 OVERVIEW

Course Description

A survey of American literature from the period of exploration and settlement through the Civil War. Students will study works of prose, poetry, drama, and fiction in relation to their historical and cultural contexts. Texts will be selected from among a diverse group of authors for what they reflect and reveal about the evolving American experience and character. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENGL 1301, with a grade of D or better, or its equivalent

[Rev. THECB Spring 2014]

Core Objectives

Foundational Component Area: Language, Philosophy, and Culture

1. Critical Thinking Skills (CT)--to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information 
2. Communication Skills (COM)--to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
3. Social Responsibility (SR)--to include intercultural competency, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
4. Personal Responsibility (PR)--to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making

[Rev. 5-2014 THECB]

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete English 2327 will be able to

1. Identify key ideas, representative authors and works, significant historical or cultural events, and characteristic perspectives or attitudes expressed in the literature of different periods or regions.
2. Analyze literary works as expressions of individual or communal values within the social, political, cultural, or religious contexts of different literary periods.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the development of characteristic forms or styles of expression during different historical periods or in different regions.
4. Articulate the aesthetic principles that guide the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
5. Write research-based critical papers about the assigned readings in clear and grammatically correct prose, using various critical approaches to literature.

[Rev. 1/19/2015 KW] 

Required "Participation

Students are accountable for their behavior. Students are expected to check announcements daily and stay abreast of any changes made to class assignments or requirements. Students should also check email daily—especially within a day of submitting assignments. If problems occur with student files, I will notify students as soon as I discover said problems. Students then have 24 hours from the time I send an email to contact me and make arrangements to fix the problem. If students fail to contact me within that 24 hour window, I will not accept the assignment, and the grade will record as a zero.

Required "Attendance"

To be successful in this online course, students must be regular and active participants. Students who do not complete assignments for two or more weeks in the fall and spring semesters (two days in summer school) will be blocked from further participation in this course. Students who are blocked MUST contact the registrar's office and withdraw from the course, or they will receive a semester grade of F.  

Course Concerns or Complaints

Students who have concerns/complaints about this course or the instructor should make an appointment with the instructor to discuss those concerns. Very often, "issues" that arise are simple misunderstandings that with additional dialogue and clarification can be easily resolved. If we cannot satisfactorily resolve the issue, the student should then contact the department chair. Students who try to circumvent this process will be redirected to the instructor as NCTC has a clearly stated protocol for dealing with student dissatisfaction.

Course Disclaimer

This SYLLABUS and the work outlined in the WEEKLY SCHEDULE serve as a guide. At any time at the discretion of the instructor, readings, assignments, materials, due dates, and/or grading criteria may be modified. Further, COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS take precedence over all other materials.

Gentle Reminder

1. Students are REQUIRED to check ANNOUNCEMENTS daily for updates, corrections, clarifications and/or changes.
2. Students are also REQUIRED to check EMAIL daily.

GRADE CRITERIA 

Letter/Numerical Grade Values

• A = 90-100
• B = 80-89
• C = 70-79
• D = 60-69
• F < 59

Weighted Values for Determining Semester Grade 

• Reading Quizzes = 20%
• Discussions = 10%
• Four Unit Exams/Essays (each is 10%) = 40% (LOs1,2,3,4, CT & COM)
• Social Responsibility Discussion/Essay = 5% (SR)
• Personal Responsibility Discussion/Essay = 5% (PR)
• Research Activity = 20% (LO5; CT & COM) 

ABOUT REQUIRED ACTIVITIES

• Reading Comprehension Quizzes

1. Reading quizzes are intended to check your literal reading comprehension. They may ask questions about information in the introductions, headnotes, footnotes, and the assigned texts. Make sure you read all materials that are assigned BEFORE you take the quiz.

2. These quizzes are objective (most often multiple choice).

3. These quizzes are usually timed. The goal is not to measure what you can look up given enough time. It is to check what you understood/retained after you have completed close reading. 

Students, please note: You will complete these quizzes independent of your text or other books, online lectures, notes, or people, unless instructions indicate otherwise. 

• Discussions and/or Journals 

Students, please note: In order to receive full credit, the content of your discussions/journals MUST meet the following criteria:

1. respond directly to the prompt

2. base discussion on thoughtful analysis of the text

3. support ideas about the text with specific reference to details in the text (quote, paraphrase, summarize, AND document)

4. meet the minimum required word count (RWC) for the specific assignment 

In the Resources module (the TAB "Aids for Reading Literature and Writing about It"), I have provided multiple examples of writing about literature. Specific pages to review for writing discussions include the following:

Distinguishing Summary and Paraphrase from Discussion and Distinguishing Response from Evaluation

How to Write Discussions + Grade Rubric 

Writing about Literature: Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis, Interpretation, Synthesis, Evaluation     

• Examination Policy

Students will take exams online at scheduled dates and times. It is the responsibility of students to make arrangements to be available for these exams. 

Grading Conferences

If you want feedback from me BEFORE you turn in your paper for a grade, you may schedule a "grading conference" any time while you're working on your assignment (except the day it is due). I will tell you the grade it would receive in its current condition and make suggestions for revisions to improve the paper and secure a high grade. You may choose to submit the paper with that current grade attached to it, or you may choose to revise with the intention of raising that grade and turning the paper in at its due date/time.

Conferences are conducted online and can be scheduled during or outside my announced office hours. To take advantage of a grading conference, you will need the following:

1. A g-mail address
2. A computer (please be sure the battery is fully charged if you are using a tablet, a laptop, or other device that runs on battery alone)
3. A phone/web cam (phone is fine; please be sure the battery is fully charged if you are using a cell phone)

We (student and instructor) will set up your paper in Google docs, where we will both be able to work on it. 

To schedule a conference, you may phone me or send me an email (phone call is quicker). 

Grade Posting and Feedback Schedule 

1. Objective assignments will be graded automatically when you submit them. You must notify me within 24 hours of completing the assignment of any issue; thereafter, the grade stands.
2. Written assignments (discussions, papers, exams, etc.) will be assessed as quickly as I am able. I will use Announcements to keep you apprised of my grading progress. Please follow Announcements closely and refrain from sending emails about grades, since all that does is slow me down. When I have completed grading an assignment, I will post an announcement that will tell you I have finished and ask you to review my comments on your work and check your grade in the gradebook. Once this Announcement has posted, you will have 24 hours to check your grade and notify me via Canvas email of any problems. Thereafter, the grade stands.

Grade Disputes

If you disagree with any grade you receive, you should take the following steps:

1. Verify, first, that a recording error has not been made (check feedback in the gradebook; then send me an email or call me).
2. To challenge a specific grade, you should first determine the grade you think your work should have received based on the assignment criteria. This means you must take the criteria for the assignment (the rubric) you wish to challenge and decide how, in fact, the work you submitted DOES meet those criteria.
3. Within 24 hours of receiving the graded work, you must make an appointment to speak with me via phone + Google docs. At the appointed time, we will review your work and discuss your concerns. I will then make a decision to keep or modify the grade.
4. Student alert: To ensure the grade you want, best practice is to bring your work to conference BEFORE it is due and get timely feedback you can apply BEFORE you submit the assignment. 

Grade of Zero

1. A paper, discussion post, or journal post not submitted or submitted late will receive a grade of zero.
2. A paper, discussion post, or journal post that fails to respond to the prompt and/or fails to follow instructions will receive a grade of zero because the assignment has not been done.
3. A paper, discussion post, or journal post that fails to do the assignment as prescribed (e.g., formatting, length, content) will receive a grade of zero because the assignment has not been done.
4. A research assignment that contains no research or insufficient/inadequate research will receive a grade of zero because the basic assignment has not been done.
5. A research assignment that contains a Works Cited page but no internal documentation will receive a grade of zero because the paper is plagiarized (information was not internally cited) AND the assignment (to write a research paper) has not been done.
6. A research assignment that is internally documented but contains no Works Cited page or a page that fails to conform to MLA standards (8th ed.) will receive a grade of zero because the paper is plagiarized (information is not completely/correctly documented) AND the assignment (to write a research paper) has not been done.

Students, please note: When I assess your papers, I gauge them holistically in terms of how successfully you have managed content, plan/pattern, style, mechanics, and the research component (if any). I also assess any assignment-specific criteria.

Students, please note: No credit is given for "trying hard" or investing "a lot of time" in an assignment. This is a college course. I expect you to be challenged and to invest the effort and time necessary  to complete assignments successfully. (If you are "trying hard" and spending "a lot of time" on assignments and not producing a successful outcome, you should seek help. Begin by scheduling a conference with me.)  

Assignment Submission

Unless otherwise specified on the specs for a particular assignment, all work must be saved with a doc or docx file extension.

Please note: I suggest you complete and save your work in your word processor and then copy and paste or attach (whichever the assignment directions say) your completed work to Canvas. This way, you will have a copy of your work when (not if) bad things happen.

Please note: All assignments should be submitted to their dedicated discussion forums or drop boxes as specified in assignment instructions.

• I do NOT accept assignments by email.
• I do NOT accept text copied and pasted to the Canvas text or comment box when instructions for that assignment state that it is to be ATTACHED.

Help ensure your success in this class by reading instructions closely and following them. Ask me if you are unclear. 

Make-up, Extra-credit, and Late Work

• College students are expected to work independently and complete assignments within the time allotted. It is important to look ahead in order to understand when assignments are due. Most successful students mark due dates on a planner or calendar.
• Please note--Make-up work: Make-up work is NOT accepted.
• Please note--Extra-credit assignments: As the words imply, "extra-credit" means to extend assignments -- to do more in terms of content and complexity than is assigned. If students are not able to keep up or be successful with course level assignments, they certainly are not candidates for "extra credit." When students request "extra credit," what they seem really to mean is that they want a "do-over" or "make-up" opportunity for an assignment they did not complete successfully or did not submit. This kind of "extra-credit" is antithetical to the stated purposes and goals of this course. Thus, "extra-credit" assignments are not available.  
• Please note: Late work is NOT accepted. Call me immediately if bad things begin to happen!
• Students must stay abreast of assignments and deadlines (announcements, emails, the course syllabus, and the course calendar) and submit their work as scheduled in order to receive credit and be successful in this online class. Ask for help in a timely manner when you need it. The worst possible strategy you can adopt is avoidance behavior.  

Scholastic Dishonesty

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See the NCTC Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes the following student actions:

1. Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
2. Unintentionally or inadvertently turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own as the result of failing to document sources both internally and in the Works Cited;
3. Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit;
4. Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
5. Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
6. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
7. Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of the student's work, whether or not the student gives credit.

Disciplinary Actions

1. [Student Handbook, p. 164, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)]
2. The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair. The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to the appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student, and, if necessary, take further action. This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.”

Please note: Scholastic dishonesty should be avoided at all costs. The consequences of scholastic dishonesty in this course may range from a zero on the assignment to expulsion from the course with a grade of F for the semester. Students MUST be diligent in avoiding scholastic dishonesty of all kinds. 

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT

	Instructor: Ms. Chris Bishop Office phone: 940-498-6241 Home phone: 940-381-0070 Office address: Online – Skype, Google+hangouts; phone Phone/Office hours: Online, Monday - Thursday noon - 8 :00 p.m. or by appointment on any day (including weekends) outside these hours.  Also, you can check the Chat button to see if I'm online in the class. NCTC e-mail: cbishop@nctc.edu (Students please note: Use Canvas email for course matters. Use NCTC email ONLY if Canvas email fails.) Google email: professorchris.bishop@gmail.com (Students please note: This address is to be used for scheduled conferences using Google docs or Google hangouts.) Be sure to schedule said conferences with me via a phone or Canvas email appointment.
Instructor communication and Response Times
Emails and phone calls received between noon and 8:00 p.m., Mon-Thurs will be answered the same day they are received. Emails and phone calls received on the weekend (Friday through Sunday) will be answered within 24 hours. If you would rather talk to me instead of waiting for an email response (frequently the fastest way to reach me), just pick up your phone and call me during my stated office hours (noon through 8:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday). If you need a conference with me at a time that is outside my declared phone/office hours, you are welcome to schedule a specific day AND time to meet online with me (email or call me).   Students, please note: Please look ahead at assignment specs at the start of each week and make sure you understand them. If you run into trouble hours before an assignment is due on Sunday, you may not have time to complete it as scheduled.

ENGL 2333 COMMUNICATION Canvas Announcements Students, you are required to check course announcements daily. You can use the Announcements button in the left course navigation pane or simply click the icon to the right.
Canvas Email Students, you are required to check course email daily. You MUST use the Inbox icon in the left blue Canvas pane to access your course email.

 Course Communication Policies and Etiquette

One of the disadvantages of an online class is students and instructors rarely get to meet each other. Although I have a liberal phone/office/Skype contact policy, not all of my students are willing to take advantage of it. Because we get to know each other dominantly through email, our impressions of each other are formed purely by writing. We should all take care in writing emails to avoid creating misunderstandings and hostilities. Following are a few guidelines to keep in mind as we exchange emails over the course of this semester.

• Communication is key to your success in this course. Students should make important issues known to me ASAP. If you miss assignments, then check with me as to your overall progress in the course and how best to proceed.
• Questions about an assignment or course policy. Make sure you have read carefully and thoroughly the course syllabus, the assignment specs/prompt, and the resources I have made available to help you complete an assignment. Usually, the answers you seek are in these materials. If, however, you still cannot find them, you should send me an email asking for what you need. If my response is likely to be lengthy, I will send you back an email asking you to call me. This doesn't mean you are in "trouble." It usually means that I've already put information in writing. If students don't understand it, writing more of the same is not going to help, so we need to talk. I welcome your calls. You are not "interrupting" me.
• Send Canvas emails to a specific person. When you send an email, be sure you choose the specific person before you send. If you send a global email to all classmates to get help on an assignment or to "rag" on your instructor, be aware that those emails arrive in my in box too.
• Email composition is a rhetorical act. Be aware of your audience, purpose, context, and goal when you send me an email. Provide specific information. Ask specific questions. It is unnecessarily time-consuming to send clarifying emails back and forth. If you are having trouble composing a clear and specific email, CALL ME.
• Email structure, content, font. Be sure to organize your thoughts. Use paragraphs. Use complete sentences. Use correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Use size 10/12 font, preferably sans serif (Arial, Verdana, etc.). DO NOT write in all caps. You might notice here that when I use all caps and bold, you may feel yelled at, though I intend just to be emphatic. An email composed in all caps (and bold) is offensive to look at and very difficult to read. Spell check and edit before you send. What I am saying here is that an email to the instructor is a formal writing occasion. It's more like writing an essay than texting a friend.
• Email during exams/quizzes/tests. If you encounter problems with an exam, quiz, or test, you should NOT send an email for help. Please call me immediately so that I can resolve the issue. The exception to this is, of course, if you are testing in the middle of the night – though usually I am up.
• Emailed assignments. I DO NOT accept assignments by email. When you are ready to ATTACH an assignment to a drop box, you can add a message with any concerns you may have in "comment" box. DO NOT use the message box to copy and paste your finished papers. DO NOT use email to submit your course work. If you are experiencing difficulties submitting assignments call or email me immediately.

Rules for Discussion Forum Participation

• Comments by users are not endorsed by NCTC. NCTC does not necessarily endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify, or agree with the comments, opinions, or statements posted on the Discussion Forums. Any information or material placed online, including advice and opinions, are the views and responsibility of those who post the statements.
• Use of the discussion forums. In this online course, your right to use the Discussion forum is limited to class activities. You may not give or supply your password or ID to others to use. You may not authorize others to use the Discussion Forum, and you are responsible for all use of the Discussion Forum in your name.You agree not to use any obscene, indecent, or offensive language or to place on the Discussion Forum any material that is defamatory, abusive, harassing, or hateful. Further, you may not place on the Discussion Forum any material that is encrypted, constitutes junk mail or unauthorized advertising, invades anyone's privacy, or encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or that otherwise violates any local, state, national or international law or regulation.

You agree to use the Discussion Forum only for lawful purposes of this online course, and you acknowledge that your failure to do so may subject you to academic, civil, and criminal liability. You are responsible for ensuring that any material you provide to or post to the Discussion Forum, including but not limited to text, photographs, and sound, does not violate the copyright, trademark, trade secret or any other personal or proprietary rights of any third party or is posted with the permission of the owner(s) of such rights. Music files etc. may not be distributed in this Discussion Forum or within this course. Material on the Discussion Forum is for your academic course use only.

The Discussion Forum contains copyrighted and other proprietary information. You may not in any way make commercial or other unauthorized use, by publication, re-transmission, distribution, performance, caching, or otherwise, of material obtained through the Discussion Forum, except as permitted by the Copyright Act or other law.

You agree neither to disrupt or interfere with the Discussion Forum, nor to alter of tamper with any information or materials on or associated with the Discussion Forum. You acknowledge that your Instructor may review and archive the content of all discussions and sites linked to and from this Discussion Forum and that you are responsible for the content or actions of any other sites linked to or from this Discussion Forum. Your linking to the Discussion Forum is restricted to sites pertinent your online course assignments.

• Use of material supplied by you. Postings to and communications with the Discussion Forum are not private. You grant NCTC the unrestricted right to use, reproduce, archive, translate, transmit and distribute any material you supply or communicate to the Discussion Forum.
• Materials posted by others.You agree that the Instructor is not responsible, and shall have no liability to you, with respect to any information or materials posted by others, including defamatory, offensive or illicit material.
• Indemnification. You agree to indemnify NCTC and its affiliates, agents and representatives, and to hold them harmless, from any and all claims and liabilities (including attorneys fees) which may arise from your submissions, from your unauthorized use of material obtained through the Discussion Forum, or from your breach of this Agreement, or from any such acts through your use of the Discussion Forum. 

NCTC POLICIES

EEOC Statement

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.

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 in the Administration Building (100) 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/Disabilityservices.aspx 

[Rev. 25 Aug. 2012, Brent Wallace/Mary Martinson; Updated: 23 Aug. 2014, Mary Martinson] 

Support Services 

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more. http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx 

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring (including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results) and assists new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. First generation students can also participate in TRIO, which offers specialized support services. http://www.nctc.edu/Academics/SupportServices.aspx > 

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students who qualify; visit the financial aid offices for more information. http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx  

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 adviser or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior that 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 that 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 to http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting/CARES.aspx. As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

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, accumulates unsightly tobacco litter, and interferes with ensuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to secondhand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, and 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.

HELP!!!

Questions about ENGL2327

• Course-related questions. For questions about course-related materials, course organization, the Course Syllabus, assignments or course protocol, contact the instructor directly using Canvas's internal email, NOT the instructor's NCTC email. Your email from Canvas email will automatically notify my NCTC email.

When Things Go Wrong

Sometime during the semester, you will undoubtedly encounter some kind of problem—a broken link, a discussion you cannot access, a grade that does not appear in your grade book, etc. If the issue is on my end, I will fix it as soon as it is discovered. Students will never be penalized for my mistakes.

While one requirement for this course is that students have access to a working computer throughout the semester, we all know that computers can develop problems at the most inopportune times. If you have an issue with accessing course content or with your own computer, contact me immediately. You may call me or send a respectful email alerting me to the problem. If something in the Canvas course is malfunctioning, be sure to notify me of the module/assignment/activity/discussion you were accessing, the specific action you took, and the result you got. I cannot troubleshoot without this detailed information. I will acknowledge receipt of your email, and I will notify you when repairs have been completed.

• Broken links. The dynamic nature of the Internet means that a course link that worked one day may not be working later the same day or same week. If you have tried a link in two different browsers and cannot get it to display, email me with a description of the problem.
• Videos removed. I have embedded videos from different sources in this course. Sometimes, however, online videos are removed without warning. If you try to watch an assigned video and cannot successfully access it, notify me at once. I will make a decision to replace the video, if possible, substitute a different element, or simply remove the requirement.
• Assignment specs, quiz, or exam not available. If a course item you are assigned is not available, take the following steps: (1) Check the due dates to make sure you have not missed the time period for availability. (2) Check the course schedule to make sure you are working in the current week and not working too far ahead in the course. If both of these check out correctly, notify me immediately so I can remedy the problem.
• Computer crashes, page closes, electricity goes out, etc. If a problem occurs that is an NCTC/Canvas system issue, you will not be penalized. Course content will be made available as soon as the issue is resolved. If, however, the technical issue you experience is not global, affecting the Canvas system or the electrical grid where you live and work, then it is not an excuse for missing assignments. You should have a backup plan for WHEN (not if) your PC stops working. Computers are available at NCTC campuses. They are available in public libraries. Most area colleges have "public" computers available for limited use. Consider friends, parents, or other relatives who may have a computer you can use temporarily. You are responsible throughout the semester for having access to a working computer. Also, remember that quizzes and exams are timed. They often shut down if there is no activity. They automatically submit when the time expires. They may malfunction if you try to use the back button or open other windows while you are actively testing.
• Canvas email. During the course of the semester, you are to use Canvas email to contact me. I will use Canvas email to contact you. If you experience ANY problems with Canvas email, these are likely conflicts created by the browser you are using or some security setting you have applied. You MUST immediately put in a ticket to NCTC help so that this issue can be resolved ASAP. You should notify me of problems you are experiencing, the actions you have taken to remedy them, and the time frame NCTC has given you in which to resolve the problem. 

Need Canvas Help?!

• Student Guide to Canvas: Training
• Canvas Student Guide 

• Direct access to Canvas.To access Canvas directly, type the following into your browser’s IP bar https://nctc.instructure.com/. Please note: If the NCTC website becomes unavailable, you are still required to complete course work in Canvas as scheduled. You should put this address in your browser's "favorites" so you can find it when (not if) you need it.
• Canvas Technical Problems
  • For technical support, contact the eCampus Help Desk at the following URL: http://www.nctc.edu/eLearning_Department/Support.aspx. The eCampus Help Desk Ticket System is the primary contact for eCampus support requests. Only support requests initiated through the eCampus Help Desk Ticket System will be processed.
  • Use your NetID and password to access the ticket system from off-campus. This is the same login combination used to access MyNCTC.
  • The eCampus Help Desk phone line is available for Canvas Orientation questions during enrollment periods and reporting top-level priority issues, meaning all or a portion of Canvas, Big Blue Button, or Turnitin is either offline or critical data loss occurred in one of these systems. Students or faculty experiencing an issue with an exam administered in Canvas, should call the eCampus Help Desk directly as well. The eCampus Help Desk phone number is 940-668-3335. 

[Updated 23 Aug. 2013, Michael Robertson] 

Access the NCTC Library

• Go to mynctc and log in. Choose the Tab "Student Services" from the top of the page, and then in the navigation pane on the left, select "Library Services." 

Online Tutoring

• Tutor.com is available through a link in the left navigation pane.

How to Drop a Course

• http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/AdmissionsRegistrar/DropCourse.aspx 

Grammar and Style

• Jack Lynch's Guide to Grammar and Style