Course Name & Number

Reading Techniques I

READ 0300

Semester & Year  Fall 2017

Catalog Description

Development of reading and higher order thinking skills necessary for college readiness. Reading  Techniques  I  is  a  course  designed  to  enable  college  students  to  become  more  aware  of themselves  as  readers  and  to  develop  strategies  and  skills  to  meet  the  demands  of  college  reading.  Emphasis is placed on comprehension strategies. This course does not count toward graduation at NCTC.

Course Prerequisite(s): Earn satisfactory TSI Assessment placement scores or earn satisfactory placement scores on another approved assessment.

Instructor’s Name

Gerriann Martinez

Office Phone #

940-498-6413

Instructor’s Office #

Flower Mound Faculty Offices 1^st floor

E-mail Address

gmartinez@nctc.edu; Canvas Inbox

Office Hours

Before and after class, evenings MW via email or Canvas Inbox

Textbooks &  Materials

Required / Recommended

Flemming, Laraine. Reading  Keys,  4th ed.,  2014,  Wadsworth  Cengage  Learning (book  bundle includes MyLabsPlus access code)

Required & Recommend Materials:

• Standard loose leaf notebook paper (no spiral paper for homework that is to be turned in)
• Folder with pockets (I recommend 2)
• Highlighters, preferably yellow
• Index cards, preferably colored 5 x 8 index cards
• Dry Erase board with markers

Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and describe, analyze, and evaluate the information within and across multiple texts of varying lengths.
2. Comprehend and use vocabulary effectively in oral communication, reading, and writing.
3. Describe, analyze, and evaluate information within and across a range of texts.
4. Identify and analyze the audience, purpose, and message across a variety of texts.
5. 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 Non-compliance with the rules of attendance may result in a student being withdrawn from the college preparatory course.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.

Grading Policy & Procedures

Grade Scale:

90-100%   = A

80 - 89       = B

70 - 79       = C

Below 70   = F

HOMEWORK, LATE WORK, AND MAKE-UP POLICIES

An important life skill is learning to read and follow directions.  This will be especially important for assignments for this class.

1)     Follow all directions carefully

2)     Turn work in on time

3)     Do all assigned electronic labs

4)     Take notes during class

5)     Study notes to make sure you understand the material

6)     Frequently review notes between classes

7)     Engage in class discussions/activities

8)     Contact me for help as soon as possible

I will verbally give assignments in class which is a very good time to ask clarifying questions.  I will also post assignments and handouts in Canvas.  Be sure to click on the ANNOUNCEMENT tab on the left side of the page for the most current assignments.  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what assignment is due and turn it in on time.

WRITTEN HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

1)     Must be typed

2)     Double spaced

3)     Use a standard font such as Cambria,  Calibri, Georgia, or Times New Roman

4)     Size 12 font

5)     Proper heading for my class is in the upper RIGHT hand corner:  Your name & class/date/assignment

ABSENT or LATE ASSIGNMENTS

1)     Due when you return from an absence

2)     Will be lowered one complete letter grade at my discretion (if there has been no absence)

3)     It is my prerogative to determine whether or not to accept homework that is more than one week late

4)     No late homework will be accepted the week prior to finals

5)     Work that is not turned in will receive a zero

TESTS AND FINAL EXAM

1)     I do not give make-up tests or re-takes.

2)     If you must miss a test because of an emergency or illness, notify me by email/Canvas Inbox to make arrangements to take the test in the testing center

3)     If you need to take a test in the OSD, be sure to contact me in advance so I can make arrangements to have your test ready for you

Scholastic Integrity

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 of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to 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.

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’s 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.   If you are absent from class equaling 4 class periods (that is 2 times in a semester when the class meets two times a week such as a Tuesday/Thursday class, )  the instructor has the prerogative to drop the student.  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)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _______________.

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class.  If you are not present when attendance is taken, you will be marked absent.  If you arrive late to class, it is your responsibility to request that I mark you as tardy rather than absent.   All students must sign in every time class meets.  If you leave class early, I will mark you as such.  Excessive tardiness or leaving class early will be noted as being absent from class.  Students arriving late or leaving class early will not receive an opportunity to make up material discussed or assigned in their absence.  

If you know in advance that you will be absent from class, be sure to contact me through email or Canvas Inbox as soon as possible,  Canvas Inbox is my preference. 

ADA Statement

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/or psychological disorders are eligible for services. 

Disability Accommodations

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/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices/DisabilitiesFacultyResources.aspx

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.

Calendar or Course Outline (REQUIRED)

A course calendar will be provided the first week of class. 

Name of Division Chair:

Rochelle Gregory, Ph.D.

Office Location:

Corinth 238

Telephone Number:

940.498.6297

E-mail Address:

rgregory@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dean Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth 3rd Floor Deans’ Suite

Telephone Number:

940.498.6222

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu

Other Pertinent Information

CLASS RULES

• Treat the classroom as a professional  environment
• Be courteous to your instructor and classmates
• Arrive on time and be prepared for class (homework will be due at the beginning of class.  It will be considered late if it is handed in any other time during the class.  Arriving late to class or leaving early creates a disruption to class (so don’t do it!)
• Turn off electronic devices before class begins

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.