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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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TEXAS GOVERNMENT
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2306
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Section Number:
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401, 407, 414
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Semester/Year:
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SPRING 2019
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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 Texas constitution, structure and powers of state and local government, federalism and inter-governmental relations, political participation, the election process, public policy and the political culture of Texas.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas. 3rd edition. Norton. paperback w/eBook folder
ISBN: 9780393283679
Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas. 3rd edition. Norton. 2-hole punch w/eBook folder
9280393616477
** eBook only can be purchased directly through the Norton website (link posted in Canvas)
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Donna (Hooper) Smith
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth 209
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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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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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9:30-10:50am
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11am-12:20pm
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9:30-10:50am
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11am-12:20pm
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By Appt
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12:30-2:30pm
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2-3pm
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12:30-2:30pm
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2-3pm
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** appointments can be mutually scheduled outside of these time periods.
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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 the Texas Constitution.
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Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
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Analyze the state and local election process.
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Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens
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Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
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Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
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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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4
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Exams & Research Assignment
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40%
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20+
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Chapter Post Tests & Class Participation Assignments
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20%
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8
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Class Assignments
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40%
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** Class Participation Assignments can be given in class at any time**
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria—All due dates will be maintained in the Canvas Course Calendar. This schedule provides a tentative layout of the course; however, changes can be made at any time to ensure the best learning environment. As this is a government class, there are always current events that can guide the course. Students are expected to be in class and to monitor the Canvas Calendar throughout the semester.)
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Unit
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Scheduled Assignment
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Points
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Category
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Due Date
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For Students
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View required documents: Ebook Info, Textbook Info, Summer I calendar, Course Syllabus, Welcome to the Course Message, How to Contact E Learning with Canvas Problems, How to view Grading, How to set Notifications
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CP
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1/27** students who do not meet this deadline will be dropped from the course**
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Intro to the Course Quiz
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100
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CP
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1/27** students who do not meet this deadline will be dropped from the course**
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GOVT 2306 Course Pre Test
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100—will be changed to a completion grade after the assignment closes
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CP
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I
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Student Intro Essay
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100
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CP
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1/27
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Census Assignment
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100
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CA
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Analysis of Texsa BOR & Gun Laws
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100
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CA
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State Representatives Assignment
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100
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CA
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Ch. 4: Political Parties in Texas
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100
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CP
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Ch. 5: Voting in Texas
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100
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CP
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Chapter Post Tests (1-5)
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500
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CP
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*Sunday’s as posted
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Unit I Exam (Chapters 1-5)
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100
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EX
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**as posted
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II
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Follow the Money Assignment
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100
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CA
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Research Assignment: Texas House Member ** Counts as a Test Grade
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100
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EX
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Ch 8: By the Numbers
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100
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CP
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Ch 9 By the Numbers
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100
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CP
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Chapter Post Tests (6-9)
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400
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CP
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*Sunday’s as posted
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Unit Exam II (Chapters 6-9)
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100
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EX
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**as posted
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III
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Local Govt Assignment
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100
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CA
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Ch 11 By the Numbers: Public Finance
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100
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CP
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Ch12 Texas Policy
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100
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CP
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Exoneration Assignment
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100
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CA
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Chapter Post Tests (10-13)
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400
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CP
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*Sunday’s as posted
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Unit III Exam (Chapters 10-13)
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100
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EX
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**as posted
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Course Post Test
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100
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CP
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Final week
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Final Exam (Comprehensive)
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**as per final exam schedule
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Points Letter Grade Equivalent
90% or higher A
80-89.99% B
70 -79.99% C
60 – 69.99% D
59.99% or less F
** Grades are never rounded up in this course. The student will receive the grade earned. Every student has the ability to increase his/her grade with attendance extra credit, as well as local government & community service.
Unit Exams- Three unit exams and a comprehensive final will be given. There are no makeup exams. If a student misses an exam, he or she will take an extended Final exam that will count twice, to make up for the missed exam.
In Class Assignments: At any time during the semester, in class activities/assignments may be given. Students who are absent will not have the ability to make up the points.
Late Work – Late assignments will not be accepted. All assignments and post tests are submitted online, so even when a student cannot make it to class, assignments can still be submitted on time. Please manage your time wisely, and leave enough time to deal with any computer problems that might arise and keep you from completing your course work as required. Submitting assignments early is the best rule of thumb.
Chapter Post Tests/Class Participation Assignments- Students will complete a post test for each chapter, which is designed as a study tool. All post tests must be completed on or before the due date. Post tests will not be reopened for any reason. Students are fee to use the book/notes/assignments information to complete the post tests.
CANVAS ACCESS: All students must have complete access to Canvas for the entire semester. It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet at all times, as well as having all needed programs to complete an online course. Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas account. Students can be removed from the course immediately up violating this rule. Once a student has given another person access to his/her canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.
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)
*Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class with a sign in sheet. If a student comes in tardy, it is his/her responsibility to stay at the end of class and request to be changed from absent to tardy. Any student who fails to sign in will be counted absent. Attendance will count as an assignment grade, which will be a cumulative grade for the entire semester. Students are either present or absent. There are no excused absences, except those listed in the catalog where specific requirements have been met.
**ANY STUDENT WHO HAS 8 OR MORE ABSCENSES MAY, AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION, MAY BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE.
**It is always the student’s responsibility to drop the course if they no longer wish to attend the course.
**Students who miss 3 or less hours (2 classes) will be awarded 10 extra credit points, as well as possible final exam exemption.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 4, 2019. Dropping the course is the sole responsibility of the student.
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.
**Electronics Policy- Students are permitted to use electronic devices, such as computers, tablets, etc. for class purposes only, which includes accessing Canvas, note-taking, or class participation assignments in class. Students should not be using phones, computers, tablets for texting, social media, homework for other classes, etc. Inappropriate use of electronic devices will cause the student to be banned from bringing such devices and/or removal for the class and or/course at the discretion of the instructor.
**Students who display inappropriate or disrespectful behavior will be immediately removed from the course and reported to the Dean of Students.
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)]”.
**Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. All students will be held responsible for plagiarism, cheating and/or collusion. Students who do not follow the conditions of the instructor regarding scholastic dishonesty will have the appropriate documents filed with the appropriate Dean and may automatically receive an “F” in the course.
**Falsified Information- Any student who submits falsified information in this course, including community service/local government extra credit information will be given an automatic “F” in the course and scholastic dishonesty documents filed with the appropriate Dean.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Crystal R.M. Wright
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 824
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-7731, ext. 4320
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E-mail Address:
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cwright@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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1525 W. California St, Gainesville, TX
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-4267
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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