Basic Academic Skills Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BASW-0301-SC3 Basic Academic Skills

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: A minimum TSI score of 310-350

Course Description

Basic Skills Course that develops and reinforces writing skills with special emphasis on writing to meet TSI requirements.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Access Code: StepUp Your Peformance: A Practical Approach to Learning Grammar

This access code is available in the Amarillo College bookstore.

Supplies

Pencil or pen

Spiral notebook

Flash drive

Student Performance

Basic Academic Skills Writing helps you build skill in writing well-developed paragraphs using standard English grammar. This is a competency-based course, which means that once you can demonstrate you have mastered the skills this course teaches, you will then have completed the course.  Mastery is demonstrated through ongoing evaluation of your learning. The last day of the course is March 9, 2017.

Three hours semester credit will be received.  (3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 2 lab)
These credits may not be applied toward an Associate Degree and are not transferable to another institution; however, this course prepares students to pass the TSI exam and/or to be successful in college-level classes.
If you receive financial aid, check with a financial aid advisor before dropping this course. If you fail this course, you may be placed on Academic or Financial Aid Suspension/Probation.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to be supportive of the learning environment within the classroom and the Success Center. Behaviors that are not supportive include but are not limited to:
• Cheating or Academic Dishonesty as outlined in “Students Rights and Responsibilities”
• Abusing  equipment 
• Using personal electronic devices
• Using language that is abusive, offensive, or disrespectful

Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or “Student Rights & Responsibilities” will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include but is not limited to:

• removal from the classroom
• consultation with the Success Center director
• withdrawal from the course

 

SUCCESS CENTER RULES

• Tobacco in any form is NOT allowed in the Success Center.
• Success Center computers are for academic use only – no YouTube or other videos (unless assigned); no music.
• Cell phones must be on silent.
• Children are not allowed in the learning center at any time.
• Students must be enrolled in an Success Center course to be in the Center.

Grading Criteria

You will earn your grade in this course based on the following criteria:

Course Requirements

40% Test Grades Average

20% Daily Work

30% Final Exam Grade

10% Attendance

 

If you stop attending class, you will receive an “F” in the course unless you drop the class by the withdrawal date.  It is your responsibility to contact your instructor if you wish to withdraw from the class, but if you are on Financial Aid, you need to visit with a Financial Aid counselor before dropping ANY college course.

 

Accessing Your Grades Online

To view your current course grades:

• Go to www.actx.edu, click on AC Connect, and then log in.  (If needed, ask an instructor for help.)
• Click on your course.
• Click on My Grades on the menu to the left. 

To view your Final course grades:

• Go to www.actx.edu, click on AC Connect, and then log in.
• Scroll down to Self Service on bottom right of the page, and click on Current Student.
• Under current student, click on Academic Profile and then click on Grades.

You will earn a letter grade based on the following:

A final grade of 90-100% = A (passing)

A final grade of 80-89% = B (passing)

A final grade of 70-79% = C (passing)

A final grade of 60-69% = D

A final grade of below 60% (Unsatisfactory) = F

To earn credit in this class, you must pass with a “C” or better average.

Attendance

Regular attendance is vital to success in any college course. You must be here to receive the instruction you need to build your basic grammar and writing skills. Building those skills is essential to your continued success in college.Therefore, it is your responsibility to attend class and to be on time. Arriving more than 15 minutes late or leaving class early will be counted as an absence.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

The last day to drop is February 28, 2017.