Technical Procedures I Syllabus for 2019-2020
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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.

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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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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

MRTS-2244-001 Technical Procedures I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: HITT 1305 Corequisites: MRTS 2260 and MRTS 2432

Course Description

Introduction to the fundamentals in the preservation, disinfection and restoration of human remains. Presentation of treatment planning and application in preparation for professional practice. If this course is offered online, it is an enhanced online course that requires students to come to Amarillo during the semester for an on-site lab. Students should be prepared to be in lab at their expense, M-F 8am to 5pm for one week. No exceptions will be made to the required lab.

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

(2 sem hrs; 6 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Embalming: History, Theory and Practice. Mayer, Robert G., Fifth Edition ISBN # 978-0-07-174139-2

 

Supplies

 

Student Performance

 

Students should:

1. Login to online classes on a regular basis. Attend Class
2. Keep up to date with due dates and postings.
3. Read and understand required readings
4. Read assigned text book material
5. Complete learning tasks for each module
6. Be honest  
7. Do not violate the AC academic integrity policy. (Do not cheat) * 
8. Ask questions
9. Actively participate in classroom/online discussion
10. Do not judge other students
11. Treat everyone with respect
12. Follow and respect all rules and policies of this class, department and Amarillo College
      *Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class and will result in a grade of 0 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.

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

Students should:

1. Attend class.  Will also be required to log-in to AC Connect.
2. Be prepared.
3. Read and understand required readings.
4. Read assigned text book material.
5. Be honest.
6. Do not violate the AC academic integrity policy. (Do not cheat).
7. Ask questions.
8. Actively participate in group discussions.
9. Do not judge other students.
10. Treat everyone with respect.
11. Follow and respect all rules and policies of this class, department and Amarillo College.
12. Remember the oath of confidentiality.

*Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class and will result in a grade of 0 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.

Due to unforeseen contingencies, some of the class policies may be derived on a case by case basis.  This is for face to face courses.

 If you desire to utilize micro-cassette recorders, you must obtain permission from the instructor.

1. Unnecessary class room disruptions (including pagers, cellular phones, digital watches, etc.) are not allowed and may have a negative effect on your final grade. Turn them off or put them on silent mode.
2. Do not answer your phone in the classroom. Walk into the hallway
3. Chewing gum will be allowed as long as I cannot hear you chewing it. Popping, rolling, cracking or any other obnoxious oral noises will not be tolerated
4. Sleeping in class is rude. For each occurrence, the student's grade will drop one letter and the student will be asked to leave the classroom
5. Reading the newspaper, working on assignments or studying for an exam for another class is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. For each occurrence, the student's grade will drop one letter grade and the student will be asked to leave the classroom.
6. No student should come to class under-the-influence of alcohol or drugs. If the odor of these substances are smelled upon your person will be asked to leave the classroom.
7. NOTE: Modifications or additions applied to this syllabus may be made by the instructor as needed.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy:

• Examinations = 35% of your final grade x 3
• Final Exam (comprehensive) = 25% of your final grade
• Quizzes/Short Assignments (Scheduled or unannounced) = 20% of your final grade
• Homework = 10%
• Short Assignment = 5%
• Discussion Questions = 5%

Any grade below a 75 is considered failing and the course will have to be repeated.  Two grades of 'F' within the program courses results in removal from the program.

Grading Scale

• A=93-100
• B=85-92
• C=84-75
• 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 MRTS courses.)

Each student is responsible for insuring 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 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. ALWAYS KEEP COPIES OF YOUR WORK (projects, assignments, clinical paperwork, etc.). Students should have a backup 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.

Class Discussions Participation Grading Scale - In addition to 200 word minimum on your original post and a 100 word minimum for  your replies to two other students' posts; correct grammar, punctuation and spelling will be considered:

• 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.
• 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.

QUIZZES/EXAM MAKE-UP POLICY:

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 ARE FROM EARLIER.

In this class, your Mid Term and Final Exam will be proctored.  Please read the following so you will be familiar with it.

· 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.     

 Concerning proctors... 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 school’s 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.

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 the 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 for ONLINE COURSES:  You are expected to log-in at least twice a week.  It is recommended you log-in three times a week (beginning, middle and end of the week).  You will be expected to submit assignments when due and take/complete quizzes and exams during the assigned times.

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

DEADLINE TO DROP THE COURSE*:  November 26^th, 2019.
*You must contact the instructor to approve your withdrawal request and sign your form PRIOR to this deadline.  The withdrawal form is posted in the class in Blackboard. https://acconnect.actx.edu/Student_Services/Student_Forms/Pages/default.aspx

Calendar

Additional Information

COURSE MATERIAL DELIVERY METHOD:

• The FALL 2019 semester is a 16-week semester.
• The course material will be divided into 8 Modules.
• Beginning with the 1st week 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 at least three 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 Mortuary Science Program Director, 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.

I have read the above information and I hereby am in accordance with the obligations set before me by signature________________________________________________.

 

Revised 8/11/2019