There are certain requirements that will be necessary for the successful completion of this class.  The requirements are mandatory and are explained fully in this syllabus.

1. Read the chapters; take good notes
2. Be on time and stay until the end
3. Study for the exams

You are responsible for keeping up with the assigned readings. The textbook readings are intended to provide background information to my lecture.  If for some reason I am unable to lecture on a particular topic in the book you are still responsible for knowing that particular section of the assigned reading. So, please be aware that you will be tested on what the book covers as well as my lectures.  The readings will be from the textbook listed above. Bring you textbook to every lecture.  In order to be successful in this class, you will need to devote equal study time to course lecture as well as the readings; therefore, class participation is expected.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS:

• This is a three hour course. An estimate of study time outside of class is 3 hours for every 1 hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least 9 hours per week studying for this class, outside of class.
• Read each chapter and take notes in class
• Study the vocabulary words for each chapter.  You can use Kahoot to create flashcards
• Form study groups with your fellow classmates

Behavior policy. 

In this class, students are expected to behave in a manner befitting adult, college students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the college. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.

Prohibited behavior includes, but are not limited to the following:

• Arriving late or leaving early from class
• Having a cell phone in class. (please refer to the separate cell phone policy page)
• Carrying on side conversations with classmates. Being loud, laughing, cussing, etc...
• Sleeping
• Doing other coursework, or reading the newspaper or other materials not related to the course
• Complaining during class about your dissatisfaction with the class or the material being taught. THESE BEHAVIORS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATICALLY BEING DISMISSED FROM THE CLASS.  If you have issues with anything regarding the class you need to see me during my office hours.
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to classmates
• Speaking rudely or forcefully to the instructor, questioning the instructor’s authority, expressing anger about a grade, or generally disrupting the instructor’s ability to teach. THESE BEHAVIORS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATICALLY BEING DISMISSED FROM THE CLASS.
• Dominating the class discussion by not allowing other students to speak
• YELLING AT THE INSTRUCTOR, AT ANYTIME, WILL RESULT IN PERMANENT EXPULSION FROM THE CLASS

PLEASE BE IN CLASS ON TIME! Class starts at 12:30 p.m. 

Scholastic honesty is not only assumed, but required, of all students in all coursework and exams as they relate to this course. This instructor maintains a zero-tolerance policy with regards to occurrences of scholastic dishonesty. Occurrences of scholastic dishonesty will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and will result in a grade of zero for the applicable assignment and/or removal from the course. Scholastic dishonesty is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as “…shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.” Determinations of scholastic dishonesty may be substantiated if a student engages in any of the following behaviors:

• Function as a substitute for another student in any assignment or exam, or utilizes a substitute in any assignment or exam
• Utilizes the assistance of others, including other students, or engages in “collusion” in relation to any assignment or exam to the extent the work is not characteristic of the student's capabilities. Collusion is defined in the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct as: “… the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.”
•  Affords excessive assistance to another student in relation to any assignment or exam, including the unauthorized use of camera phones, text messages, photocopies, notes or other means to copy or photograph materials used or intended for academic submission.
• Commits plagiarism; refer to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct which defines plagiarism as: “…the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.”
• Uses information and/or materials from the Internet or any other source without citing full and applicable credit
• Knowingly permits his or her work to be submitted by another student in connection with any assignment or exam
• Claims credit for or submits work done by another student

Exams:
Each student will be required to take six chapter exams and a mandatory comprehensive final during the semester. Your lowest test grade on the chapter exams will be dropped.

The chapter exams will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and/or essay questions. The final exam will be comprehensive and will consist of multiple choice questions.  

NO TABLETS ARE ALLOWED IN CLASS ON THE DAY OF EXAMS! If a student has one of these devices on the day of the test, the student will be asked to leave and will not be allowed to take the test.

Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom once testing has begun.  If a student leaves the room, then their test will be taken up and graded based on the questions they have answered up to that point.

All tests will begin at 12:30, if a student enters the class after 12:40 they will not be allowed to take the test.  If you arrive after 12:40 you will see this sign on the DOOR , DO NOT ENTER THE CLASSROOM IF THE ABOVE SIGN IS ON THE DOOR.

YOU will have one hour and 15 minutes to complete each chapter exam, you will have two hours to complete the final exam.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF A REVIEW SHEET OR AN IN CLASS REVIEW. PLEASE DO NOT ASK, IF A REVIEW IS TO BE GIVEN, I WILL LET YOU KNOW

Attendance and participation are required.  A role sheet will be handed out at the beginning of class and at the end, you will sign acknowledging you are present, both at the beginning of class and at the end. If you do not stay for the entire class you will be counted absent that day, no excuses.  If you come in after the sign in sheet has been passed around, you will not be allowed to sign in and will be counted absent for that day.  A student is allowed (2) two absences. Each additional absence will result in 10 points, per additional absence, being taken off of the attendance grade.  STUDENTS HAVE FAILED SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ATTEND CLASS!

It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course or withdraw from the college. Failure to drop the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”. The last day to drop is May 1, 2018, you must have my permission to drop.  

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• print out the Administrative Withdrawal Request form and complete it. The form requires the instructor’s signature.
• consult with their instructor to obtain instructors signature on the withdrawal request form
• 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.