Course Policies

Policies & Procedures:

1.    Submit Student Information Sheet:

 Every student on this course is expected to complete the student information in discussion 1 at the beginning of the semester.

2.    Course Content Structure: 

The course is divided into 4 parts.

Every part cover:

a.     online homework.

b.    several chapters,

c.     online discussion topics, and

d.    online test.

 You should read the textbook chapter first and then review the online power points provided. The power point will be summaries or elaborations of the textbook, and the homework is administered at the end of each chapter. After you have completed reviewing the power point, you should then log into “Discussion Tool” and post answers to the discussion question (specific to the part) posted by the instructor. You must also read other students’ posts and respond to two other students’ responses. Discussion posts must be made by the due date on the schedule to receive full credit. You should also complete the Test/Quiz, by the set dates.

 3.      Grading and Feedback:

 Most course activities will be graded within one week after the posted due date. You can review your scores and comments in the learning management system: D2L  Gradebook. If you notice any discrepancy, contact me as soon as possible so we can resolve it. I will provide individual and/or general feedback within one week of the due date to help you understand your performance and next steps for improvement.

4.    Cheating/Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty: 

 Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor or the attempt to commit such acts.

“Plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to the appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, other expression, and media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work being offered for credit.

NOTE: Students found plagiarizing or cheating will receive zero for course activity which could cause failure in the class, suspension and/or dismissal from the college.

5.    Discussion Board Participation:

 Each discussion board post is worth 5% of the grade.

For each discussion question, students must first respond to the question directly, then secondly, read and respond to other students’ posts and reply to at least two other students’ responses (not optional). You must ensure that the responses to the questions are meaningful, reflective, refer to personal experience and support your course readings. Avoid postings that are limited to 'I agree' or 'great idea', etc. If you agree (or disagree) with a posting, then say why you agree by supporting your statement with concepts from the readings or by bringing in a related example or experience.

You are expected to read all messages. You are responsible for reading all the messages that are posted in the online discussion. Not reading messages is the equivalent of sleeping in class.

Use a person's name in the body of your message when you reply to their message. It helps to keep all of us oriented. It helps us maintain a clearer sense of who is speaking and who is being spoken to. As we begin to associate names with tone and ideas, we come to know each other better.

Change the subject line when you introduce a new topic. The value of this tip will become apparent as the number of messages grows.

6.    Submission and Naming Convention of Course Activities:  

 Keep in mind the following standards/practices for naming and submission of assignments:

a.     All course activity files that will be submitted to the instructor should bear the name as follows:

First name + last name + the name of the assignment

Example: Jane Doe Homework 1 or Jane Doe Paper

b.     Be sure to put your name at the top of each page header.

c.     Always keep a copy of all the work you submit so that you won’t need to re-do it if it should get lost in cyberspace.

7.    Make-Up/Late Submission Policy:

All course activities must be submitted before or on set due dates.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities: 

Midwestern State University is committed to providing equal access for qualified students with disabilities to all university courses and programs, and by law all students with disabilities are guaranteed a learning environment that provides reasonable accommodation of their disability.

This guarantee is provided through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA reads: “No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subject to discrimination by any such entity.”

The Director of Disability Support Services serves as the ADA Coordinator and may be contacted at (940)

397-4140, TDD (940) 397-4515, or 3410 Taft Blvd., Clark Student Center 168.

 8.    Course Incomplete/Withdrawal/Grade Appeal:

All students are required to complete the course within the semester they are signed up. Incomplete grades for the course are rarely given and will only be granted if the student has completed at least 75% of the course with a grade of ‘C’ or better and provides a valid, documented excuse for not being able to complete the course on time and has contacted prior to the scheduled last class to request an extension. The student will sign a contract that includes the incomplete course activities and the new due dates.

9.    Netiquette:

          Anything you type in the discussion area is public – which means that every student in this class (including your instructor) will see what you write. Please pay attention to the language you use and adhere to the following guidelines:

a.     Do not post anything too personal.

b.    Do not use language that is inappropriate for a classroom setting or prejudices regarding gender, race, or ethnicity.

c.     Do not all caps in the postings (it is considered shouting)

d.    Be courteous and respectful to other people on the list.

e.     Do not overuse acronyms like you would use in text messaging. Some of the list participants may not be familiar with acronyms.

f.      If the posting is going to be long, use line breaks and paragraphs.

g.     Fill in the Subject Line

h.    Write your full name at the end of the post.

i.      Be careful with sarcasm and subtle humor; one person’s joke is another person’s insult.

NOTE: If you do not adhere to the guidelines for any posting, you will lose the points that would have been granted, and the instructor reserves the right to remove your posting and to deny you any further posting privileges.

10. Attendance and Class Participation:

Regular and active participation is an essential, unmistakably important aspect of this online course. The expectation of the instructor is that students will log on a minimum of three times every seven days. It is critical that you read all of the lecture and assignment materials as well as all of the public discussion materials. Your full participation ON A WEEKLY BASIS is not only a requirement; it is also an essential aspect of the online course process. All students are expected to do the work assigned, notify the instructor when emergencies arise, and make up assignments no later than the due dates.

 11. Tracking:

 Learning Management System: D2L  course platforms have a tracking feature. This feature quantifies how often students access different tools, pages, features, links, discussions, etc. in your course. 

12. Absenteeism:

All the course activities have set dates to be completed and submitted. After the due dates the activities will not be available for the students. Thus, if you are ill for a prolonged time and cannot complete the activities, you must contact me and update the situation. You are expected to log into the course every week.

If I am going to be out because of ill health, attending a conference, etc you will be notified by email. 

 Hardware/Software Requirements:

 Computer: Recent Windows or macOS system with sufficient memory to run a modern browser and Microsoft 365.

Browser: Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.

Software: Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat Reader, media player.

Internet: Reliable broadband connection.

Preparation for Computer Emergencies:

Computer Crash

 Not having a working computer or a crashed computer during the semester will NOT be considered as an acceptable reason for not completing course activities at a scheduled time. NOTE: Identify a second computer before the semester begins, that you can use when/if your personal computer crashes. 

Server problems

When the server needs downtime for maintenance, the administrator will post an announcement in your course informing you of the time and the date. If the server experiences unforeseen problems your course instructor will send an email.

Complete Loss of Contact

 If you lose contact with me completely (i.e. you cannot contact me via email), you need to call me at my office and explain the reason you cannot contact me and leave me a way to contact you.

Lost/Corrupt/Disappeared files.

 You must keep/save a copy of every project/assignment on an external disk or personal computer. In the event of any kind of failure (e.g., learning management system: D2L server crash or virus infection, student’s own computer crashes, loss of files in cyberspace, etc.) or any contradictions/problems, I may/will request you to resubmit the files. In other words, if you submit a document to me, and I either do not receive it (lost in cyberspace) or it is corrupted when I open it, it is incumbent upon you to resend it to me, corrected, with little or no “downtime” regarding the timeline for submission.

End-of-Course Evaluation & Instructor Evaluation:  

Every student must complete an end-of-course evaluation provided by MWSU.

Disclaimer & Rights: 

Information contained in this syllabus was to the best knowledge of the instructor considered correct and complete when distributed for use in the beginning of the semester. However, the instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of MWSU to make changes in the course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligation. The students will be informed about the changes, if any.

Schedule

A daily or weekly schedule is not required or requires addendum as part of the syllabus. It does, however, help keep the course on track throughout the semester. It helps the instructor from "running out of time" at the end of a course, enables students to see what is coming up, where classes fit into the plan, and shows evidence of good planning and organization. It also saves the instructor significant planning time during the course. It is particularly important for an Internet course, because students "attend" classes at different times, so it helps to eliminate the logistical problems caused by changing the subject matter or improvising "on the fly."

The expectation of the instructor is that students will log on a minimum of three times every seven days. It is critical that you read all of the lecture and assignment materials as well as all of the public discussion materials. Your full participation ON A WEEKLY BASIS is not only a requirement; it is also an essential aspect of the online course process. All students are expected to do the work assigned, notify the instructor when emergencies arise, and make up assignments no later than the due dates.

Professionalism and Engagement. Students are expected to participate consistently, complete assigned work on time, and communicate professionally in all course interactions. Plan to spend approximately 6–9 hours per week on readings, activities, discussions, and assignments for this 3-credit course.

Weekly Participation Standard. Regular and active participation is an essential component of this course. Students are expected to log in at least three times every seven days, review all posted lecture and assignment materials, and stay current with announcements and due dates in D2L.

Course Workflow Expectation. Each week, begin in Content → Module X → Overview, then complete the readings and open the assignments and discussions listed for that module. Read the textbook chapter first, then review the posted PowerPoint slides; the homework is administered at the end of each chapter/module. Complete the discussion prompt as assigned and submit quizzes/tests by the posted due dates in D2L.

Discussion Standards and Netiquette. Discussion posts must be respectful, course-related, and substantive. Because discussion posts are visible to the class, maintain professional language and classroom-appropriate tone; avoid all caps, avoid overly personal content, and use paragraph breaks for longer posts. You are expected to read classmates’ posts and provide meaningful replies that move the conversation forward (not only “I agree”).

Submission and Naming Convention. Submit all required course activities through D2L using the submission links provided. For any uploaded files, use the required naming format: First name + last name + assignment name (example: Jane Doe Homework 1), and include your name in the document header. Always keep a copy of everything you submit so it can be resent if needed.

Deadlines and Late Work. All course activities must be submitted on or before the posted due dates in D2L. After due dates, some activities may no longer be available. If illness, emergency, or other circumstances prevent you from participating for an extended period, contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss next steps.

Communication and Response Time. Use D2L and email to communicate questions or concerns, and include clear context (course, module, assignment name). Messages are normally answered within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on weekends. If you do not receive a response within that timeframe, please resend your message.

Academic Integrity. Students must complete and submit their own original work. Plagiarism, cheating, collusion, falsifying records, or submitting work attributable to another person is prohibited and may result in zero and additional academic consequences under university policy.

Technology Readiness and Responsibility. Students are responsible for having reliable internet access, a current web browser, and the ability to view and create Word, PowerPoint, and PDF files. D2L activity and engagement can be tracked, so plan ahead and maintain backups. Computer or connectivity issues are not considered an acceptable reason for missing scheduled deadlines; identify a backup device and save copies of all work.

Accessibility and Support. If you have a documented disability or believe you may need accommodation, contact Disability Support Services and notify the instructor early so we can coordinate appropriate support and ensure equal access. 

Regular and active participation is an essential, unmistakably important aspect of this online course. The expectation of the instructor is that students will log on a minimum of three times every seven days. It is critical that you read all of the lecture and assignment materials as well as all of the public discussion materials. Your full participation ON A WEEKLY BASIS is not only a requirement; it is also an essential aspect of the online course process. All students are expected to do the work assigned, notify the instructor when emergencies arise, and make up assignments no later than the due dates.

All course activities must be submitted before or on set due dates. 

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.

Pregnant and parenting students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive support and resources from the Student Engagement and Title IX Offices. Support and resources may include early registration, personal financial support, parenting development resources, lactation rooms, and healthcare resources. For more information, visit the  Parenting Students Website or contact the Parenting Liaison Ruby Garret at  ruby.garrett@msutexas.edu or call 940-397-4500.