Contemporary Mathematics Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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:

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

MATH-1332-LC2 Contemporary Mathematics

Prerequisites

Prerequisite:Scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level math skills Corequisite: MATH 0332  

Course Description

Intended for Non STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors.  Topics include introductory treatments of sets and logic, financial mathematics, probability and statistics with appropriate applications.  Number sense, proportional reasoning, estimation, technology, and communication should be embedded throughout the course.  Additional topics may be covered.

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

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Thinking Mathematically, 7th Edition
Author: Robert Blitzer
(Pearson Education, Inc.)

Note:  The physical textbook for this course is optional.  Daily homework will be completed online using MyMathLab, where an electronic version of the text is accessible. 

Supplies

Calculator:  You will need a graphing calculator for this course.  The recommended calculator is a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus.  Other forms of Texas Instruments or Casio graphing calculators or graphing calculator apps will be permitted at the instructors discretion.  

Internet:  You need access to reliable internet service to access the class on a daily basis.  (If your internet service is interrupted, it is also a good idea to have a back up plan for accessing the internet elsewhere so that you can complete your school work!)

Electronic Devices:  You will need a working laptop, computer, tablet, or phone with a functioning camera to access the class, watch video lectures, and complete and submit online homework and tests.  You will also need access to a reliable printer to produce class notes and other materials.  (Computers and printers are available for student use in the Underground in the WARE Building on the Washington Street Campus.  Every student has $20 pre-loaded onto their student ID to cover printing costs!)

Helpful Apps:  Please download the Amarillo College Health Plus app for COVID-19 safety.  If you plan to attend remote meetings using your phone, please download the Zoom app.  Also download the free CamScanner app to use to convert pictures of your handwritten work to pdf form.

MyMathLab:  Students must have access to MyMathLab by purchasing the student access kit from the Amarillo College Bookstore. 

Student Performance

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

First Day of Class:  Due to the COVID-19 situation, this class will meet remotely on MTWR using Zoom promptly at 9:00AM.  To access the meeting, please go to https://actx-edu.zoom.us/j/86279462920. 

Zoom Class Etiquette:  

1. DO turn your camera on – at least to say hello!  You may turn it off during instruction if you prefer. 
2. DO mute your mic during instruction.  Turn it on to respond to questions.
3. DO use the chat room to talk to each other, answer questions, and share files. 
4. DO use emoji buttons to react to instruction and discussion in class.
5. DO bring your pets to class.  Furry faces decrease stress and make class fun! 
6. DO let your family members pop in and say hello!  (But turn your mic off if they get too noisy in the background!)
7. DO stay in the Zoom Room when class is over if you have a question or need to speak with me individually.
8. DO turn your camera and mic on when you join the Breakout Rooms.
9. DO wear appropriate clothing to class.
10.  DO NOT leave the meeting prior to dismissal unless you have special permission from me.

 

Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:  Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated in any math course at Amarillo College.  
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from another student’s paper or using any unauthorized sources of information while taking an exam or quiz.  On the first day of class, you will be required to sign and date a Course Contract. Included in the contract is the following statement: "I fully understand that if I cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course.  This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed.  Cheating includes the use of cell phone calculators, the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones, and copying. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test."   You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file in your instructor's office.   Please Note: NO CELL PHONES in the Testing Room. If we see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!

Grading Criteria

Your course grade (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, below 60 F) will be calculated using the following weights:

Grading Policy	Percentages
MyMathLab Homework (Drop 2 Lowest Grades)	15%
Attendance	5%
Lecture Notes (no drops)	5%
MyMathLab Reviews (5 Reviews, no drops)	5%
MyMathLab Unit Exams (4 Exams, no drops)	50%
My MathLab Comprehensive Final Exam*	20%

 

Lecture Notes:  Prior to attending class each day, you will be required to watch lecture videos and complete guided notes printed from Blackboard. Notes will be submitted on Google Classroom for a grade.   (Take a clear picture of each page of your notes using the CamScanner app.  Convert the pictures of your work to a single pdf document, and upload to Google Classroom.  Don't worry!  I will walk you through this process step by step on the first week of class.)  You will receive a 100 if your notes are complete, a 50 if anything is left blank, and a zero if you do not submit notes.  Due dates and times are posted on the class schedule in Blackboard and also on Google Classroom.  Five points per day will be deducted for late notes.

Online Homework:  All homework will be completed online using the MyMathLab website.  Help buttons will be available for each problem in MyMathLab, and you may rework problems multiple times until you get the correct answer.  You may continue working on all the assignments for the week until Sundays at midnight.  No late homework will be accepted. These MyMathLab Due dates will be posted on the class schedule in Blackboard and also on the MyMathLab website.  Though this homework will be submitted online, I strongly recommend that you keep an organized log of written work to accompany each homework assignment to better learn the process of solving problems.  

Online Test Reviews:  Reviews will be assigned on MyMathLab before each major exam.  Each review functions as a practice exam.  Expect your grade on the exam to be similar to your grade on the review.  Keep in mind that you may work the review problems multiple times to keep improving your grade and to better prepare for the exam.  No late reviews will be accepted.

Exams:  Four chapter exams will be given on MyMathLab.  In addition to entering your answers on MyMathLab, you will be required to show work for each test problem.  MyMathLab will automatically score your answers, and then you will need to upload your written work to Google Classroom.   Due dates for exams are posted in the class schedule in Blackboard and also on MyMathLab, and no late exams will be accepted.   If you do not submit written work for any unit exam, you will not have access to the next exam until you submit the required written work.  

Mandatory Tutoring:  If you score below a 70 on any unit exam, you will be required to complete and submit a test corrections and complete one hour of tutoring before taking the next exam.  Tutoring may be completed on campus in the Academic Success Center for Math or remotely by joining https://zoom.us/j/541139851.  Use the Meeting ID:  541 139 851.  Test corrections will be due 2 days after the test is due.  Note that you will not have access to the next exam unless your written work and corrections have been submitted for the previous exam.        

Comprehensive Final Exam:  The final exam is comprehensive, covering all five chapters.  It will be completed on MyMathLab, and there will be a similar review to help you prepare for this exam.  If your final exam grade is higher than your lowest chapter exam score, it will replace that grade in addition to counting 20% for the final exam grade.  If your final exam is your lowest test grade, it will only count 20% for the final exam grade.  The comprehensive final exam must be completed by Wednesday, May 12 at midnight.  No extensions will be offered for this due date. 

Extra Credit: Extra credit will not be given.

Note:  Math 1332 and Math 0332 are linked together and known as a co-requisite pairing.  Successful completion of both courses is essential.  One course cannot be dropped without dropping both which might have serious financial aid consequences.  There are no extra credit opportunities in this course.  To earn credit, you must pass with a “C” or better average in both courses.  Each of the two classes will have course specific requirements; however, because Math 0332 and Math 1332 are fully integrated major test grades from Math 1332, including the conditional final, will count in both course gradebooks.

Teamwork: These co-requisite courses require team work.  We will all work together as a team to be successful.  My part is to present the material to you in an organized manner and to teach you.  My part is to also work closely together with your Math 0332 instructor who will build foundational skills to help support the materials presented in our Math 1332 class.  Your part is to come to class, do your homework, focus problems, and reviews, and come to tutoring or to my office for help.  I look forward to working together this semester.      

Attendance

Attendance:  Attendance will be taken every day at the beginning of each remote class, so please be on time.  If you are late or you leave the meeting early without prior permission, you will be counted absent for the day.  You are allowed to miss one day without penalty.  For every absence after the first, 5 points will be deducted for your attendance grade.

The deadline to drop this course is Tuesday, May 4, 2021.  To complete the drop process, you must submit your drop form to me by noon on May 4 and submit it to the Registrar that day.  If you stop attending class and your average drops below a 60 due to missed assignments and you do not officially drop the course by this deadline, you will receive an F for the course.  

Note:  Late drops will NOT be given under any circumstance.

Calendar

Additional Information

BLACKBOARD

Students will be required to login to Blackboard via the AC Connect portal on a regular basis to check e-mail, course announcements, grades, and course materials. To get into Blackboard, go to www.actx.edu and click the AC Connect portal.  Log in to Blackboard.  Once you have logged in, you should see our class listed on your home page. If you need help logging into the site, contact Ask AC at (806) 371-5000 

GETTING STARTED WITH GOOGLE CLASSROOM

To register for Google Classroom, where you will submit your notes for a grade, do the following:
     1.)  Go to classroom.google.com
     2.)  Click the plus (+) in the upper right hand corner.
     3.)  Select the option to "Join class."
     4.)  Be sure to log in with your official amarillocollege.com email address.  (You will not be able to join the class if you are logged in with any other email address.)
     5.)  Enter the class code rdztd77.  You're done!

GETTING STARTED WITH MYMATHLAB

1. Log into your Blackboard course.  
2. Click the MyMathLab link at the left of the page.
3. Review the license agreement and privacy policy and click I Accept.
4. If you already have a Pearson account, log in with your username and password.  If not, click Create and follow the instructions.
5. Select an access option:
   • Enter the student access code from your MyMathLab kit purchased from the AC Bookstore,
   • Pay for access directly online,
   • Or, choose to obtain temporary free access for 14 days.
6. From the You’re Done page, click Go to My Courses.  You'll also get a confirmation email.

TUTORING:  Tutoring may be completed in the Academic Success Center for Math in person on campus (Durrett Hall Room 104) or virtually by Zoom.  To join an ongoing Zoom Meeting for tutoring, go to  https://zoom.us/j/541139851.  Use the Meeting ID:  541 139 851

Outreach Tutoring Center Hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday
8:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday
9:00am - 8:00pm
371-5119