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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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0382
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 2021
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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
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Name of Instructor:
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Charles Cooper
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Campus/Office Location:
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Weds 10am-Noon
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Telephone Number:
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Email via Canvas Please, not my @nctc email please
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E-mail Address:
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ccooper@nctcedu
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OFFICE HOURS
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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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8am-10am
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)
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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
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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7
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Exams *Any discussions, debates, or issues presented “in class” may be included in an exam.
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30%
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1
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Graded Written Assignments – The two assignments will all be written and submitted into Canvas. There will be at least one research paper. Please take care to cite your sources.
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20%
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14
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Book Smart - The quizzes will open on Mondays and will be due by midnight Friday. Quizzes will review that particular chapter's content only. Quiz contents will likely show up in the Unit Exams.
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25%
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14
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Weekly Discussions – Two posts due per chapter: one is your original reflection with citations from the textbook or a reputable online news source and the second is a response to another student’s reflection.
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25%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
Exams - All exams will be online. They will be multiple choice exams. Your exam average will constitute 30% of your final course grade. There will be no extra credit (on the exam or elsewhere) and no make-up test dates. You will get two chances per exam and the grades will be averaged. If you get a grade you're happy with on the first attempt, you DO NOT have to take the exam a second time.
GWAs - Your graded written assignments (GWA) average will constitute 20% of your final course grade. Any graded written assignment not completed (ie. Not submitted in the appropriate manner) will be calculated as a zero. Whether the assignment (any assignment) has been completed on your side does not matter if it is not submitted before the due date. No make-up grades or extra credit grades will be offered for any missed GWA’s. Citations within the body of the paper (not just a works cited page) are mandatory!
Discussion Forums - Your discussion board participation grade average will constitute the remaining 25% of the final course grade. If you do not participate in the discussion boards a zero will be placed in the grade book for that particular “absence” for that particular assignment. No make-up grade or extra credit grades will be offered for these missed assignments. To get full credit for discussion forums you will need to complete two tasks:
- First, fully address the prompt at the top of the forum (this will be due by midnight each Wednesday). You will need to either cite a page number in the textbook or add a link to a reputable online news site that supports your statement or comment.
- Second, you will need to reply to another student’s initial post (this will be due by midnight each Sunday). In your reply to another student (your second post), your reply will need to be as academically sound as your first post. In other words, you will need to build upon another students first post, not simply “agree” or “disagree” with them. Please email me with questions if this is unclear. I will also clarify further in my first video post to the class. Each of these tasks is worth 50% of the 100% possible points. Posting only once will get you 50% of the total points. All students are expected to participate in each discussion forum. Your first post will be due before midnight Wednesday of each week. Your second post will be due before midnight Sunday of each week.
Smart Book - As you access your online textbook, you will see the Smart Book exercises. These are adaptive questions that help you process and understand the content that you are reading. Adaptaive questions means that the questions levels up or down according to how you answer them . This is a useful tool to ensure that you are understanding what you are reading. Smart Book open up Monday morning and are available until Friday night at midnight. Smart Book will make up 25% of your semester grade. They also help prepare you for the Unit Exams.
Calendar
Unit I
October 18th to October 24th
- Chapter 1
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above! Two posts are due for each chapter each week.
- Chapter 1 Book Smart- Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Chapter 2
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 2 Book Smart - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Unit I Exam (Chapters 1 and 2) - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday of this week. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
Unit II
October 25th to October 31st
- Chapter 3
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 3 Book Smart- Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Chapter 4
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 4 Book Smart - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Unit II Exam (Chapters 3 and 4) - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday of this week. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
Unit III
November 1st to November 7th
- Chapter 5
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 5 Book Smart- Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Chapter 6
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 6 Book Smart - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Unit III Exam (Chapters 5 and 6) - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday of this week. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
Unit IV
November 8th to November 14th
- Chapter 7
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 7 Book Smart- Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Chapter 8
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 8 Book Smart - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Unit IV Exam (Chapters 7 and 8) - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday of this week. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
Unit V
November 15th to November 21st
- Chapter 9
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 9 Book Smart- Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Chapter 10
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 10 Book Smart - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Unit V Exam (Chapters 9 and 10) - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday of this week. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
Unit VI
November 22nd to November 28th (Student Holiday)
November 29th to December 5th
- Chapter 11
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 11 Book Smart- Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Chapter 12
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 12 Book Smart - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due December 4th
- Unit VI Exam (Chapters 11 and 12) - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday of this week. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
Unit VII
December 6th to December 10th
- Chapter 13
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 13 Book Smart- Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Chapter 14
- Discussion Forum - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 14 Book Smart - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Unit VII Exam (Chapters 13 and 14) - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday of this week. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and punctual 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:
In this online course, attendance is based on access to the course resources. If you do not access the course resources on a weekly basis, then you will be considered absent for that week (two day's seat time).
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 18th.
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
o Communication
o Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
X Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
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)]”.
Syllabus Addendum – Spring 2021
NCTC Student Services and Resources
Affinity Groups
Staff and faculty representing the Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), along with academic advisors, counselors and success coaches, serve as mentors for NCTC’s student-centered Affinity Groups.
An Affinity Group is a population of students who have specific needs, barriers or systems they are needing to navigate not only within college, but within life. Providing mentorship, support and resources for identified Affinity Groups such as Black/African American students, veterans and active military, single parents, students with disabilities, adult learners, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness, enables us to make more impactful, meaningful connections with students who are in dire need of equity and understanding.
Career Services Center
In need of employment? NCTC Career Coaches meet one-on-one to provide training in writing resumes, job searches, interviewing, and more. The Skills to Succeed Academy is also a free interactive, online employability training program focused on building the skills and confidence you need to find the best career.
Completion Center
The Completion Center provides a variety of services for first-time in college students. These include academic success coaching, goal setting, course planning, student resources, career development, and job placement services for all new college students. Free online Success Seminars are also available through Student Lingo and new students will also enroll in a First Year Experience (NCTC 1001) course to get started on the right track!
Counseling and Advising
Academic Advisors and Counselors help students explore majors and programs offered, how to take the best combination of classes to meet your goals, assist with questions related to university transfer, and guide students towards academic and personal success, and more. At NCTC, you are assigned to a specific advisor or success coach based on your major or career interests. You can locate our advisors and their majors, along with contact information on the Meet Your Advisor page-and even schedule an appointment with them through their online calendar!
Early Alert and CARES
The NCTC Early Alert program assists students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Faculty and staff may refer students through the Early Alert process at any point in the semester in an effort to provide appropriate intervention and access to support services. Examples of behaviors that could prompt an Early Alert referral could be missing assignments, failing tests, excessive absences, or personal circumstances impacting academic performance. A student submitted as an Early Alert will be contacted by an academic advisor or success coach through text, phone, and/or via their NCTC e-mail address to discuss any current challenges as well as helpful resources and success strategies-we want our students to finish strong and know that education is a partnership!
The NCTC CARES Team is concerned not only about our students' academic success, but also their emotional and physical well-being. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student, such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. Visit the NCTC CARES site to also locate campus and community resources, or email counseling@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.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
EDI partners with the entire campus community to create, maintain and demonstrate NCTC’s commitment to an equitable, diverse and inclusive learning environment where NCTC students succeed. NCTC defines equity as encompassing the practice of acknowledging individual differences and systemic disparities when developing new programs and resources for our campus community, which may sometimes challenge our own beliefs and assumptions, in order to ensure balanced educational opportunities toward completion. Everyone Included. Everyone Belongs. Everyone Valued. Everyone Inspired.
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid provides students with information and guidance with applying for eligible types of financial assistance, such as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students who have any types of exemptions or tuition waivers will also work with the Financial Aid Office to have these funds applied to their accounts. Additionally, the Scholarship Office provides local scholarship opportunities through an online application process, and tips on how to secure other types of scholarship awards which can help finance educational goals.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring. Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, and a Math Lab to assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized services.
Testing Services
The mission of NCTC Testing Services is to provide high-quality testing services that adhere to the professional standards and guidelines to meet the needs of students, faculty, and community members.
Syllabi Statements Spring 2021 - COVID-19 Specific
Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: 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 as conditions 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.
Students should:
- Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
- Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
- Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
- Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
- Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
- Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
- Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.
During the spring 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.
Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html
QUESTIONS, COMPLIMENTS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Donna Hooper
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Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 208
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6266
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E-mail Address:
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dhooper@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Sara Flusche
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Roo 1312
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-3321
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E-mail Address:
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sflusche@nctc.edu
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