Course Syllabus ~ NCBR
The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):
- a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination;
- the learning objectives for the course;
- a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and
- any required or recommended readings.
Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students.
Course Name & Number: NCBR 0100 (Non-Credit Based Reading)
Semester & Year: Fall 2018
Catalog Description. Development of reading and higher order thinking skills necessary for college readiness.
Instructor's Name: Gerriann Martinez
Office Phone #: English Department (leave message) 940.668.3343
Instructor's Office #: Faculty Workroom
Email Address: gmartinez@nctc.edu; best way to reach me is through Canvas Inbox
Office Hours: Before and after class in addition to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings via Canvas Inbox
Class Hours:
Our class meets for 50 minutes one time a week.
Textbooks & Materials: CP CONV 3E NCT&LPSACS6M&DEL&ENV
- Package Components
- Custom Textbook--Joining the Conversation
- Custom LaunchPad Solo for Readers and Writers (with eBook) Access Code
- Unnaturally Delicious, Jayson Lusk
- Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist, Paul Kingsnorth
- ISBN-13: 978-1-319-22941-2
- Additional Materials that are recommended for this class
- Notebook paper: Recommended spiral at the top with wide left margins and a space to summarize on the bottom of the page
- Folders with pockets: Recommended 2 folders with 2 pockets or a trifold folder
- Highlighter: recommended 2 yellow
- Colored pens or pencils for marking and taking notes
- Note cards: Recommended 5 x 8 colored
- USB drive
- Laminated Grammar Guide, Writing Guide, or ESL Guide
COURSE AND COLLEGE INFORMATION
Learning Outcomes. At the successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and describe, analyze, and evaluate the information within and across multiple texts of varying length.
- Comprehend and use vocabulary effectively in oral communication, reading, and writing.
- Describe, analyze, and evaluate information within and across a range of texts.
- Identify and analyze the audience, purpose, and message across a variety of texts.
- Describe and apply insights gained from reading a variety of texts.
TSI Compliance. At North Central Texas College, students who test but do not meet the passing scores in ALL sections of the TSI Assessment or any other THECB approved testing measurements are required by state law to obtain TSI advising and continuously enroll in a formal college preparatory studies (developmental) program every semester until all TSI requirements are satisfied. TSI program attendance is mandatory. Non-compliance with the rules of attendance may result in a student being withdrawn from the college preparatory course. Withdrawals are subject to college policies as set forth in the college catalog.
In the long term, a student that twice receives an F or W in a College Prep course based on non-attendance will be placed on academic hold and blocked from enrolling in any courses other than the required College Prep course.
Institutional Learning Goals. A quality general education curriculum in all associate degree programs.
- Quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences which parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities.
- Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees.
- Quality programs and services in support of adult literacy and basic skills development as a mean of workforce enhancement and expanding access to higher education.
Program Purpose Statement. NCTC seeks to implement its goal of providing quality freshman and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences that parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities by offering a coherent sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare a student for transfer to a university.
Departmental Purpose Statement. The Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Language provides quality instruction to students pursuing their academic and career goals.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
College 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)
The instructor should describe here his/her attendance policy based on the discipline, the course, and the pedagogical techniques. Per NCTC policy, ALL INSTRUCTORS are required to take attendance every class meeting for reporting purposes.
Disability Accommodations: North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs. The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department. Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance. Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and psychological disorders are eligible for services.
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness, or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction-reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.
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 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.
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/student-services/disability-services/index.html
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.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Veterans Services: The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering a variety of programs for students who need assistance in financing their education. The first step for financial aid is to complete a FAFSA. For more information, please visit your nearest Financial Aid Office: http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html.
Last day to Withdraw: Last day to drop a class with grade of “W” is November 8, 2018
Scholastic Integrity – Plagiarism: Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18.
Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, #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)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and 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.”
Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs, includes the following student actions:
- Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
- 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;
- Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
- Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
- Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
- 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.
Please be aware that I take plagiarism very seriously. You may not have another person write, type, edit, or revise any parts of your Writing Assignments. You may not use someone else’s Writing Assignment or buy one from a “professional” source. You may not use the material on the internet or in print sources without documenting it. Failure to follow the proper guidelines for documentation constitutes plagiarism.
Considering the severity of the issue, if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding plagiarism, please consider this an open invitation to visit with me about the issue. If I discover that a student has committed intentional plagiarism, the Writing Assignment that has plagiarized materials will receive a zero, and I will recommend to the English Department Head that the student fails the course.
Student Rights & Responsibilities: NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct. These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct.
Student Success: The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. This program also links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free 24/7 online tutoring and helps new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. All students are invited to visit the Student Success Center on the Corinth Campus, rooms 170, 182, or 188; on the Gainesville Campus, rooms 114 or 111; on the Flower Mound Campus, room 111; and on the Bowie Campus, room 124.
For Success in this Class:
- Attendance is required for this class
- Engage in class discussions, activities, and partner/group work
- Study notes taken during class
- Engage in class discussions, activities, and partner/group work
- Arriving late or leaving early will be considered tardy and noted in Canvas gradebook
CLASS RULES and EXPECTATIONS:
- Treat the classroom as a professional environment
- Be courteous and respectful to your instructor and class mates
- Arrive on time with everything you need for class: assignment, textbook, pens/pencils, that includes colored marking pens or pencils), paper and/or note cards for taking notes
- Turn off electronic devices prior to class. Your phones, earbuds, laptops, iPads should not be out during class unless I give directions to use them
- Plan your time accordingly for assignments and attendance. It causes a disturbance if you arrive late or leave early
Calendar or Course Outline
A hard copy of the calendar will be provided the first day of class and will also be available on Canvas in the ANNOUNCEMENT tab and in MODULES
Tobacco-Free Campus. NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students, which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second-hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, 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.