NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:	First Year Experience
Course Prefix & Number:		NCTC1001	Section Number:	405	Semester/Year:	Fall 2017
Semester Credit Hours:		0	Lecture Hours:	1	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): The First Year Experience Course is a one credit, 8 week course designed to provide students with the tools needed to persist and succeed at North Central Texas College.  Topics covered in the course include: learning styles, study techniques, note-taking, test-taking, personal wellness and finance, time management, career and educational planning, and interpersonal skill development.  First time college students (excluding dual credit) are required to pass NCTC 1001.  The course does not satisfy requirements for any degree plan at NCTC, has no prerequisites, and is non-transferable.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Materials provided.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Stacie Stoutmeyer
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth, Room 339
Telephone Number:	940-498-6467 (Email is my preferred method of contact.)
E-mail Address:	sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9:00-9:30AM (FloMo, 107)	9:00-9:30AM (Corinth, 339)	9-9:30AM (FloMo, 107)	9:00-9:30AM (Corinth, 339)	10-11AM (Online)
11:30A-12:30P (Corinth, 339)	12:30-3:00PM (Corinth, 339)	11:30A-12:30P (Corinth, 339)	12:30-3:00PM (Corinth, 339)
And by appointment

 

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:

At the conclusion of the course a student will be able to: Think, Know, Act, and Go.        Identify and demonstrate the following: Time management strategies,

Apply relevant academic policies, processes and procedures related to academic planning and career exploration, and

Demonstrate how to effectively evaluate information sources and

Utilize NCTC resources and information systems for academic inquiry.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Point Values
1	Attendance/Class Participation	(100 pts)
4	Assignments (100 points each)	(400 pts)
4	4 Reflections (100 points each)	(400 pts)
4	TED Talks/Success Seminars	(100 pts)

A = 1000-900 pts, B = 899-800 pts, C = 799-700 pts, D = 699-600 pts, F = below 600 pts

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance and active, prepared participation of all students is essential. There are no excused absences. Students who miss more than 20% of the course (equivalent to two classes in an 8-week course) may receive an F. If you find yourself in this situation, please communicate with the instructor, however it is your responsibility to drop yourself.  Students are required to complete/pass NCTC1001 within earning 15 credit hours, those who drop must re-enroll in the next long semester (fall/spring) or a registration hold will be placed on your account.

Documents of accidents, court appearances, and other emergency type situations must be presented to the instructor for consideration. Appointments and making up tests in another class are not viable excuses. 

*Per NCTC policy, ALL INSTRUCTORS are required to take attendance every class meeting for reporting purposes. [Rev. 5-2014]

 

Last day to withdraw from a first 8-week course with a “W” is September 28, 2017.

 

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.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandmann (940) 668-3300.  Students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 111 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

o         American History

o         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

X         Institutional Requirement

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

X           Critical Thinking

X           Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

X           Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

X         Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

o        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.  http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2016-2017/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

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)]”. 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Amy Klohn
Office Location:	Corinth Campus room 108B/Completion Center
Telephone Number:	940-498-6416
E-mail Address:	aklohn@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Mary Martinson
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus room 1404/Student Success Center
Telephone Number:	940-668-4209 ext. 4377
E-mail Address:	mmartinson@nctc.edu

 

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 in the evening.  The program helps students acclimate to college by providing students free interactive workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center.

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/index.html

First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized services.

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/trio-student-support-services.html

  

Completion Center

The NCTC Completion Center is a comprehensive student engagement program that increases retention and completion rates of first-time, low income students. Services include:

Success coaching to address students’ academic and non-academic challenges and issues; Success Seminars, and a centralized career readiness and job placement program.

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/completion-center/index.html

 

Counseling & Testing

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/counseling-testing/index.html

 

CONNECT for Success (Early Alert) and 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 advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

 The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which 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 which 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 CARESTeam@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.

 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.   http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html

 

Library Services

NCTC Libraries provide over 45,000 items across five campuses to serve the research needs of students, faculty, and staff. Many of these materials, including media items, may be checked out for a period of time for use outside the library.

Students may have up to a total of 10 items checked out on their record, including only one media item.  http://www.nctc.edu/library/index.html

 

Tobacco-Free Campus          

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

NCTC1001. Schedule

(Schedule is subject to change)

NCTC1001- Fall 2017 Calendar

Date	Chapters/Content	Assignment/Due Date
Week One	Introduction To NCTC	Reflection/8-28
Week Two	Time Management/Goal Setting	Assignment /9-4
Week Three	Learning Styles/Study Strategies	Reflection/9-11
Week Four	Notetaking	Assignment/9-18
Week Five	Campus Safety/NCTC Resources	Assignment/9-25
Week Six	Financial Literacy	Assignment/10-2
Week Seven	Test Taking/Tutoring/Library Services	Reflection/10-9
Week Eight	Career Services/Final	Reflection/10-16

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is September 28, 2017.

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR:

Canvas email is my preferred method of contact. Click on your "Inbox" tab in Canvas, choose this class and instructor. You're welcome to use my NCTC email at sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu, but I prefer Canvas. I am not online 24/7. I check email twice a day at random times during the weekday, but I do not check email after 5PM on weekdays or on weekends. Please allow 24 hours for return emails during the week. Emails sent during the weekend will be answered the following Monday. Please identify yourself/class, and do not use text-speak.

 

I do not reply to the following emails:

1. emails asking for more extra credit to raise your grade.
2. emails asking me to take late work after unexcused absences.
3. emails asking me to fill you in on “anything important” or what you missed due to non-attendance.
4. emails asking me questions about an assignment less than 48hrs before that assignment is due; pay attention and ask earlier.
5. emails which in any way ask me to be unfair to my other students by offering you special favors/consideration.
6. emails asking me for special consideration due to "computer issues" without the required image/ticket/etc. as listed above.
7. emails asking me to be tech support for Canvas or your computer (call the NCTC HelpDesk).
8. emails which ask a question already addressed in this syllabus.

 

EMAILS, CANVAS, NOTIFICATIONS, and DUE DATES: 

Use Canvas to download/view lecture materials, read class announcements, track due dates and grades, and email me.

You might want to set NCTC emails and Canvas notifications to be forwarded to the email account you check most regularly.

 

A NOTE ABOUT WORK SCHEDULES:

The majority of students work while going to college, as did I and most of your instructors. Juggling school, employment, and care-giving is a reality for many students. At times, this is very tough, and I certainly empathize. However, I do not answer emails asking for special favors/consideration due to work schedules.

 

BEHAVIOR:

I pose questions to the class often and encourage discussions. I enjoy an engaging classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions. I have never had a behavioral issue; however, so we’re on the same page, I expect students to be respectful—to me when I'm lecturing and to other students if they're contributing or trying to listen. Specific action taken during and following a disruptive incident will depend on the nature of the incident, but it is possible to be removed from this course for scholastic dishonesty or behavioral issues.

 

EXPECTATIONS: I expect students to do the following:

...show up to class on-time and not disrupt others.

...read all that's provided.

...ask questions the minute you're confused about a policy.

...keep track of all due dates on your own.

...refer back to the syllabus often to stay on task.

...read all class announcements and emails.

...take responsibility for completing all work on-time.

...acknowledge the shared reality that most students work and have various challenges while going to school.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER:

Sign up to receive text messages on campus closings due to inclement weather or a campus emergency via the LionAlert system. If the campus closes due to inclement weather, you do not need to email me that you will not be in class. If the closure interferes with a planned exam or assignment, the date will be moved, and I will notify all students of the adjusted date via Canvas email/announcement. Info on LionAlert: https://my.nctc.edu/ICS/Safety/About_LionAlert.jnz.