NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Federal Government
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2305
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Section Number:
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390
391
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Semester/Year:
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Fall
2020
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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3
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Lab Hours:
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0
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Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties, and civil rights.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required Course Materials:
Patterson, Thomas E. We the People. 13th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access)
ISBN 978-1264031919
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name of Instructor:
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Kathy Corley
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Campus/Office Location:
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Bowie 130
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Telephone Number:
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940-872-4002 ext 5216 select follow me or leave message
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E-mail Address:
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kcorley@nctc.edu prefer use of Canvas as primary email
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I do not have a problem with you calling me through the method above, just not on Sunday Mornings or after midnight. If I am available, I will answer.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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9:00 am-12:pm
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9:00 am-12:pm
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9:00 pm-11:pm
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12:00pm-5:pm
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5:pm
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We are not meeting on Fridays, but I will check in about 5:00 pm
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)
At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
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Analyze the election process.
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Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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Analyze issues and policies in U.S. Politics.
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GRADING CRITERIA
# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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Pre-Course Requirements
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Required to stay in class due first week of class
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17
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3 modules Smartbooks
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30-35/100
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2
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APA Format Saved/References
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20/40
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3
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3 Quizzes over the 17 chapters
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100*120*120/360
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2
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Short paper using APA Format
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50/100
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1
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APA Paper Political Innovation
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100/100
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1
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Final if not exempt
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100/100
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Total Possible Points – must complete Smartbook and Final. To be exempt from the final you must have an 80% average (minus SmartBooks) on all assignments before the week of finals. If you have to take the final, your final exam grade will count, as well as your SmartBooks. If you do not need to take the Final Exam, your SmartBooks grade will count as the Final Exam grade as well as your SmartBooks grade
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
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Due Time is always 11:59 pm.
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Tuesday or
Wednesday
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Week
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Assignment
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Due Date
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Points
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Register to Vote now if you want to vote early. Oct. 19-30
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Sept. 2
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August 24-Sept. 2
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Pre-course Requirement Module
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Sept. 2
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0/0 Must complete to stay in class
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Sept. 3-9
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Read, watch, or lookup
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Sept. 9
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US Constitution
On Primaries, selection/election of Senate and House of Representatives
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Sept. 10-16
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Turn in Template of APA Paper
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Sept. 16
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20/40
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Sept. 17-23
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Short Paper 1 Turn in Paper on Selection/Election of Congress in 1789
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Sept. 23
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50/100
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Sept. 24-30
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SmartBooks Chapters 1-5
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Sept. 29
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30/100
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Quiz over SmartBooks 1-5
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Sept. 30
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100/340
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Oct. 1-7
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Work ahead
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Eighteen and older, living in Texas, that are not felons at this time, register no later than today to Vote in Nov. 3. Election. Early Voting starts Oct 19-30.
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Oct. 3
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Oct. 8-14
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Watch Read about changes in election of Senators/Primary selection processes and changes that are still happening
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Oct. 15-21
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Short Paper 2 Turn in Paper on Changes in election of senators, types of primary selection and coming changes.
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Oct. 21
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50/100
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Oct. 22-28
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Smartbooks Chapters 6-11
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Oct. 27
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35/100
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Quiz over Smartbooks 6-11
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Oct. 28
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120/340
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Oct. 29-Nov. 4
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Read pdf on The Politics Industry and watch video as Gehl and Porter explain thoughts
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Nov. 5-11
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Work on Paper adding at least two new academic sources On Political Innovation
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Turn in Reference Page with at least four References of which two are new.
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Nov. 11
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20/40
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Nov, 12-18
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Turn in APA Paper on Elections and Primary Innovation to break partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy
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Nov. 18
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100/100
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Nov. 19-25
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Work ahead to have Thanksgiving Free
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Nov. 26-Dec. 2
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Thanksgiving Break
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Nov. 25-27
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Smartbooks Chapters 12-14
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Dec. 1
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35/100
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Quiz over Smartbooks 12-14
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Dec. 2
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120/340
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Dec. 2-9
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Post-Course Quiz
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Dec. 9
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20/20
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Dec. 9
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Final (if not exempt)
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Dec. 9
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100/100
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Total Points
A=716-800
B=636-715
C=556-635
D=476-555
F=,475
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800
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Total Possible Points – must complete Smartbook and Final. To be exempt from the final you must have an 80% average (minus SmartBooks) on all assignments before the week of finals. If you have to take the final, your final exam grade will count, as well as your SmartBooks. If you do not need to take the Final Exam, your SmartBooks grade will count as the Final Exam grade as well as your SmartBooks grade
Within the First Week of Class it is expected that you complete the Pre-Course Requirement. If you do not Complete these Requirements by Monday after the start date, you will be dropped from the course. If you do not complete an assignment for the week it is due, you will be considered absent. Late assignments are not accepted. If you miss a due date for an assignment on the third time, you will be dropped from the course.
Since this is an online course, turning in assignments on time is considered punctual attendance. Therefore, because the internet can be unreliable on some days, watch the weather. Turn assignments in early. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO DO THE ASSIGNMENT. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING, GO AHEAD AND TURN IT IN. THE DROP BOX WILL ACCEPT A LATER SUBMISSION AND UPDATE THE BOX SO I SEE THAT ASSIGNMENT FIRST.
Regular attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the 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)
Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is __November 2, 2020_____________.
DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).
Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.
For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321. Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______
o Communication
o Mathematics
o Life and Physical Science
o Language, Philosophy & Culture
o Creative Arts
X Government/Political Science
o Social and Behavioral Sciences
o Component Area Option
o American History
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
X Critical Thinking
X Communication
o Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
X Social Responsibility
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
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)]”.
Plagiarism includes using others thoughts as your own. Make sure you use proper citations within the paper and list those at the end of your paper. I do grade for how you use APA style of writing. It is required.
If I catch you cheating on quizzes or exams. I will report you.
COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Fall 2020
North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.
Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.
Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.
Faculty will:
•Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Adam Ramsey
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 814
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-7731, ext. 4925
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E-mail Address:
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aramsey@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Dr. Bruce King
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Office Location:
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316 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201
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Telephone Number:
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940-380-2504
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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Anything stated in this syllabus is subject to change during the course of the Fall 2020 Semester!