Mortuary Management I Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

MRTS-1342-001 Mortuary Management I

Prerequisites

<p>Corequisites: MRTS 1301 and MRTS 1310</p>

Course Description

Introduction to basic accounting and bookkeeping and processing of survivor benefits. Projects in generating forms and documents related to disposition of human remains utilizing computer software designed for mortuaries.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1.  College Accounting: Chapters 1-9 (21st edition), James A. Heintz, DBA, CPA and Robert W. Parry, Jr., Ph.D. --  ISBN 13:978-1-285-05545-9 ISBN 10:1-285-05545-4

2.  Funeral Directing and Funeral Service Management, Ralph L. Klicker, Ph.D -- ISBN 978-0-96479675-1

Supplies

TEXTBOOKS:  See textbooks on this syllabus.

COMPUTER or ACCESS TO A COMUTER:  You MUST have access to a computer with active internet service, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox (free download available & recommend), Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, RealPlayer and exhibit computer competency.

PRINTER:  You must have a printer or access to one.  It is recommended you print off your weekly materials and create a notebook for the class.  It will help you remain organized and better prepared for success in this class.

Student Performance

STUDENT PERFORMANCE:

• Regular  log-in and keeping current will all discussions, assignments, projects, quizzes and exams is necessary for satisfactory achievenment.  There is no foreseeable excuse for not being able to log on and complete any activity.  There are several libraries and numerous computer labs on the AC campus.  If your computer is inoperable, you should be responsible and make plans to access a computer at another location to do the work.  Incomplete work will result in a poor grade and may put you in danger of failing the course.
• Follow guidelines set forth by the Mortuary Science Program and Amarillo College.  www.actx.edu/mortuary
• Communicate with the instructor when you are having difficulty with course.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognize the language of business
2. Understand the basic principles of accounting
3. Recognize the importance of knowledge of accounting as an individual, as an employee, and as a future manager or employer
4. Develop an accounting proficiency in order to understand funeral service records
5. Understand how accounting is used by those in a managerial position
6. Define and discuss the role of the small business in the economy
7. Discuss the future trends of small business
8. Describe the composition of small business
9. Discuss the role of a small business as an economic contributor to society
10. Identify the purpose of the Small Business Administration (SBA)
11. Discuss the risks and problems involved with opening a small business
12. Explain why management in a small business is more demanding than in a large firm
13. Explain what a computer is and how it processes data to produce information
14. Identify the operations of the information processing cycle and explain how the operations of this cycle are performed by computer hardware and software
15. Explain the steps for selecting a computer system
16. Identify computer hardware and software components
17. Identify potential computer uses and applications
18. Explain the use of applications software packages in the solving of funeral service business problems

Students 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

STUDENTS SHOULD:

1. Log-in atleast two times per week. (Recommended: Once at the beginning of each week and once at the end of the each week.)
2. Read assigned text book material.
3. Read all other assigned material.
4. If in doubt, ask...
5. Actively participate in discussions (these are graded and are considered class participation).
6. Do not judge other students.
7. Respect each others opinions.
8. Respect deadlines and turn in assignments on time.
9. DO NOT procrastinate. (As the saying goes...a lack of planning on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on mine.)
10. *Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class or any other class and will result in a grade of on the exam or assignment involved that cannot be replaced or dropped. Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities for a specific description of academic dishonesty. Any cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students at Amarillo College.

Grading Criteria

• In this class, your Mid Term and  Final Exam WILL be proctored.   Please read the following information so if a proctor is needed you will know what to do.
• What is a proctored exam? A proctored exam is an exam that is administered by an individual who supervises the student while they are taking the exam. The proctor's function is to ensure the integrity and security of the exam in a secure environment.
• You will be given specific instructions on how to find a proctor. There will be certain requirements and information needed before the proctor can be approved.
• The COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM will be given during the week of final exams. It will be offered for two days only. The exact time and day will be announced during the semester. If you miss the Final Exam, NO make-up will be allowed and you will recieve a ZERO and most likely fail the course.
• IF you are within driving distance of Amarillo College's West Campus, you may set up an appointment with the instructor to take your final exam in the instructor's presence using your own laptop and the schools wireless internet access. If the instructor for THIS course allows, you may take a written version in their presence on a date set by the instructor.

Your grades for this class will be broken down into the following categories.  Each category will count a percentage towards your final grade.

• Discussions (2) / Assignments (11) - 5% of final grade
• Business Plan Project - 20% of final grade
• Quizzes (6) - 15 % of final grade
• Exams (2) - 25% of final grade
• Final Exam (Comprehensive) - 35% of final grade

Grading Scale

• A=92-100
• B=83-91
• C=75-82
• F=74 and below
• (To pass the State and National Board Exams, you must score a 75 or better.  Please note that we gear our grading policy towards that standard.  Be aware of this as you take this class and all other Mortuary Science courses.)

Each student is responsible for ensuring the integrity of his/her own work. Cases of academic dishonesty will result in either zero points or administrative withdrawal from the Mortuary Science Program.  There will be no tolerance for missed due dates, assignments, projects, quizzes or tests.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS AND SUCH TURNED IN AND ON TIME.  If you wait until the semester is over to resolve an issue with missing assignments, projects, exams, etc., then it will be too late.  ALWAYS KEEP COPIES OF YOUR WORK (projects, assignments, clinical paperwork, etc.).  Students should have a back up plan for computer problems.  Most public libraries have internet access for students' use.

ALL course work is expected to be typed with correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.  PROOF READ your work before submitting.  Failure to do so will result in a lower grade.

ALL EXAMS IN THIS COURSE WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE.

Class Discussions Participation Grading Scale (In addition to 100 word minimum; and correct grammar, punctuation and spelling): 

• Outstanding Contributor: Contributions in class reflect exceptional preparation. Ideas offered are always substantive, provide one or more major insights as well as direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and persuasively presented.
• Good Contributor: Contributions in class reflect thorough preparation. Ideas offered are usually substantive, provide good insights and sometimes direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and often persuasive.
• Adequate Contributor: Contributions in class reflect satisfactory preparation. Ideas offered are sometimes substantive, provide generally useful insights but seldom offer a new direction for the discussion. Challenges are sometimes presented, fairly well substantiated, and are sometimes persuasive.
• Non-Participant: This person says little or nothing in class. Hence, there is not an adequate basis for evaluation.
• Unsatisfactory Contributor: Contributions in class discussions reflect inadequate preparation. Ideas offered are seldom substantive, provide few if any insights and never a constructive direction for the class. Integrative comments and effective challenges are absent.

LATE WORK (ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS...THIS IS IMPORTANT !!!

If an assignment/project is not completed and turned in by 11:59 PM of the due date, you will receive a ZERO (0) for the assignment. No exceptions unless prior arrangements have been made with me IN ADVANCE OF THE DUE DATE

No quiz or exam make-ups will be given. You are given at least 3 days to take a quiz or exam. There is ample time given to plan ahead to take your quiz or exam. Remember to have a back-up plan in case of computer problems. Every assignment, quiz, exam or project has a due date clearly stated in the weekly checklist. Pay close attention to those due dates

Expect exam questions to be from lecture material, assigned textbook readings, handouts, etc. Expect multiple choice, True/False and essay questions. PRINT OFF ALL YOUR QUIZZES AND EXAMS AS MANY OF THE QUESTIONS FOR THE MID TERM AND FINAL COME FROM EARLIER

EXAM INFORMATION

• The COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM will be given during the week of final exams.  It will be offered two days only.  The exact time and day will be announced during the semester.  If you miss the Final Exam, no make-up will be allowed. You will receive a ZERO and most likely fail the course.
• In this class, your Final Exam is to be proctored. What is a proctored exam? A proctored exam is an exam that is administered by an individual who supervises the student while they are taking the exam. The proctor's function is to ensure the integrity and security of the exam in a secure environment.
• Within the first two weeks of class, you will be given specific instructions on how to find a proctor. There will be certain requirements and information needed before the proctor can be approved.
• IF you are within driving distance of Amarillo College's West Campus, you may set up an appointment with the instructor to take your final exam in the instructor's presence using your own laptop and the schools wireless internet access. If the instructor for THIS course allows, you may take a written version in their presence on a date set by the instructor.
• Always make copies of your exams an quizzes as questions used on the Mid Term and the Final often times come from previous tests.

MANDATORY SKILLS BUILDING/TUTORIALS

     In an effort to improve student retention, the following policy is in place for this course:

If a student fails an exam (excluding the final), they will be required to schedule a visit with the instructor (over phone or in person), complete an additional assignment and retake the exam.  All this must be done prior to being able to take the next assigned exam.  If you fail the second attempt, the higher of the two grades will be entered in the grade book.  Failure to complete the tutorial and retake the exam during the required time will result in not being able to take the next assigned exam.  This will result in a zero (0) on the next exam and place you in serious jeopardy of failing the course.  Exams, quizzes and assignments in this course deserve serious attention on your behalf, and the tutorial requirements are instilled in this program to help you succeed.

Attendance

ONLINE ATTENDANCE:  This is an online course and is intended to give you flexibility.  However, it is still the same time frame of a full 16-week semester.  You are expected to make an effort to log-in at least twice a week.  It is recommended that you log-in at the beginning of a week and at the end.  Often times, changes have to be made and are announced through course e-mail and announcements.  If you fail to log-in regularly, you may miss vital information concerning changes within the course.  Online learning requires the student to be disciplined to keep up with online participation, assignments, scheduled quizzes and exams.   IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ASSIGNMENTS AND SUCH TURNED IN AND IN ON TIME.  If you wait until the semester is over to resolve an issue with missing assignments, projects, exams, etc., then it will be too late.

COURSE COMMUNICATION:  The instructor will make announcements through course email and course announcements.  It is IMPORTANT that you log-in at least twice a week not only for course material, but for emails and announcements as well. 

Calendar

Additional Information

COURSE MATERIAL DELIVERY METHOD:

• This Spring 2017 semester is a 16-week semester.
• The course material will be divided into 8 Modules.
• Beginning with the 1st day of the semester, Module 1 will be opened.  It will contain Week 1 & Week 2 materials (readings, assignments, dates, etc.).  Once a Module is opened, it will remain open until the day of the final exam.
• Module 2 will be opened on the Monday of Week 3 and so on.  Sometimes things change, so it is important to log-in atleast two times a week as stated before.

NOTE:  The instructor may change materials, assignments, due dates, quiz/exam dates and such at his discretion. 

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:

If a student has a grievance with the course instructor, the following "due process" protocol will apply.  The student must follow the protocol steps in the order shown.

1. Make every effort to resolve the concern directly with the course instructor.  The instructor should be contacted by the student before the conclusion of the course.
2. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the course instructor, the student should seek satisfaction from the immediate supervisor of the instructor within one week of the student-instructor meeting.
3. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the Allied Health division chairperson, the student should seek satisfaction from Dean of Health Sciences within one week of the student-division chairperson meeting.
4. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the dean, the student should seek satisfaction from the Vice-President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) within one week of the student-Dean meeting.
5. If the concern cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student after meeting with the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, the student should seek satisfaction from the college President within one week of the student-VPAA meeting.  The decision of the President will be final.