Course Syllabus

Assignment

Percentage

Grading Scale

Discussion

Quizzes

Midterm

Final Project

35%

15%

15%

35%

Your final letter grade will be based on the percentage you earn:

A = 100 – 90%  

B = 89 – 80%  

C = 79 – 70%  

D = 69 – 60%  

F = 59 – 0%

Attendance:

Those in the hybrid section of the course will be allowed TWO unexcused absences. Anymore than that, and your grade will be impacted.

Online sections will be required to check into the class a minimum of three times per week.  

You will get out of the course what you put into the course.  You will need to be a self-starter and control your own calendar in order to meet the deadlines for the course.

Canvas Down Time and Inclement Weather:

Due to the possibility of Canvas down time or lack of connection due to inclement weather, it is important that you not wait until the last minute to finish assignments, postings, or assessments.

Posting Assignments and Discussions:

Students are responsible for posting all discussions on the Discussion Board and all assignments to the Assignments posting area.  If you are having difficulty with this, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor so that s/he can get you the assistance you need to learn how to do this.

Informed Consent:

Some individuals may choose to disclose personal information during class.  Therefore, it is important that all classmates agree not to discuss or write about what others have discussed in class without their permission.

Professionalism:

Students are learning professional skills and are expected to engage in class discussions, complete reading assignments, and meet deadlines as befits professional behavior.

Scholarly Writing:

Use clear college-level writing with correct spelling and grammar for all assignments. If you need help with your writing consult a Smarthinking writing tutor at http://www.wnmu.edu/univ/smarthinking.shtml.

Communications policy statement regarding official e-mail:

WNMU's policy requires that all official communication with the University, other than your in-class Canvas communications, be sent via Mustang Express. Emails sent to you by various WNMU departments related to your registration, financial account balance, changes in schedule, etc., will be sent to your wnmu.edu email address.  It is very important that you access your Mustang Express email periodically to check for correspondence from the University.  If you receive most of your email at a different address, you can forward your messages from Mustang Express to your personal address. To forward your WNMU e-mail to a personal e-mail address:

1. Log in to Mustang Express.
2. From the My E-mail Inbox in the center of the screen, select the small E-mail hyperlink (beside the envelope icon).
3. Select Options.
4. Select Settings.
5. Below Mail Forwarding at the bottom of the screen, type in your personal e-mail address.
6. Select Save Settings

WNMU policy on email passwords:

WNMU requires that passwords for access to all protected software, programs, and applications be robust, including complexity in the number of characters required, the combination of characters required, and the frequency in which passwords are required to be changed.  Minimum complexity includes:

• Passwords shall contain at least six (6) characters
• Passwords shall contain at least one capital (upper case) letter, and at least one numeral.
• Passwords shall be changed at least every 90 days

Disability Support Services: 

Services for students with disabilities are provided through the Student Health Center’s Disability Support Services office. Some examples of the assistance provided are audio materials for the blind or dyslexic, note takers, readers, audio recorders, and special tutors. In order to qualify for these services, documentation must be provided by certified health care professionals. Disability Support Services information and forms are available by calling 575.538.6400 or emailing dss@wnmu.edu. The Disability Support Services office serves as Western New Mexico University's liaison for students with disabilities. wnmu.edu/studenthealth/dss/

Academic Integrity:

Each student shall observe standards of honesty and integrity in academic work as defined in the WNMU catalog.  Violations of academic integrity include any behavior that misrepresents or falsifies a student’s knowledge, skills or ability with the goal of unjustified or illegitimate evaluation or gain.

Generally violations of academic integrity include cheating and plagiarism. Refer to the WNMU catalog for definitions. Penalties for infractions are as follows:

For Plagiarism:  Intentional or unintentional representation of another’s work as one’s own without proper acknowledgement of the original author or creator of the work:

• 1st infraction:  Grade of 0 for assignment;
• 2nd infraction:  Dismissal from the class with grade of F.

For Cheating:  Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials and unauthorized collaboration with others, copying the work of another or any action that presents the work of others to misrepresent the student’s knowledge:

• 1st infraction:  Dismissal from class with grade of F.

Course Access:

Access to online course materials will be available to students between the start and end dates listed in the class schedule.

Course Evaluation:

You are expected to complete a course evaluation to give feedback to the instructor. Please make a point to offer honest and reasonable suggestions and comments.

Need Help?

• Post your question to the Discussion Board in your online course.
• Send a question via Canvas email to your instructor.
• For 24/7 Canvas Help call:  888.332.6994
• Contact the WNMU Help Desk at helpdesk@wnmu.edu or 575.574.4357.
• Register for IPS 010, Canvas Orientation.  This is a short, free, non-credit introduction to Canvas; no textbook is required.  Once you complete the orientation activities, you can re-enter the course at any time during the semester to get additional help from the instructor as needed.
• Consult Student Online Resources at http://learn.wnmu.edu/support/resstu.shtml for an online readiness assessment, Technical Requirements, Canvas tutorials and Canvas Student Guide.

Copyright:

The materials found in this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained by students in any electronic form or further disseminated or distributed to anyone not enrolled in this course without permission from the instructor.

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s education records. In order for your information to be released, a form must be signed and in your records located in the Admissions/Registrar’s Office.

Withdrawal

Students deciding to discontinue class attendance and/or online participation have the responsibility for formal withdrawal from class prior to the date published in the catalog. Students may withdraw by the deadline within Mustang Express. Failure to withdraw from a class in which a student does not participate will result in an F for the course.

Tips for Success

• Use time wisely. You will invest as much or more time online as in face-to-face courses.
• Use Chrome or Firefox browsers to access Canvas. Internet Explorer is not as compatible with Canvas.
• Log in to the course a few times a week to keep up.
• Ask questions often.
• Check your WNMU or Canvas mail often. Your instructor sends the most important announcements to you through announcements that go through Canvas and forward to you wnmu email.
• Bond with your peers. Getting to know others in the course can help you study, troubleshoot Canvas, or clarify course requirements.

Disclaimer

Information in this syllabus can be changed to reflect scheduling or assignment modification. The updated syllabus will become your learning contract, so stay informed.

Code of Civility

In order to promote a positive, professional atmosphere among students, faculty and staff, the following Code of Civility has been developed:

• Respect:   Treat all students, faculty, staff and property with respect and in a courteous and professional manner.  This includes all communications, whether verbal or written.  Let your actions reflect pride in yourself, your university, and your profession.
  
  
• Kindness:   A kind word and gentle voice go a long way.  Refrain from using profanity, insulting slang remarks, or making disparaging comments.  Consider another person’s feelings.  Be nice.
  
  
• Truth:  Exhibit honesty and integrity in your dealings with fellow students, faculty and staff members. Don’t lie, don’t cheat, and don’t steal.
  
  
• Responsibility:  Take responsibility for your actions. This includes gracefully accepting the consequences of your behavior.
  
  
• Cooperation:   Exhibit a cooperative manner when dealing with students, faculty and staff so we may all work towards our common goals and mission.
  
  
• Acceptance:   Accept differences in others, as they accept differences in you. This includes diversity in opinions, beliefs and ideas and everything else that makes us unique individuals.
  
  
• Professionalism:   Always conduct yourself in a manner that will bring pride to your profession, to Western New Mexico University, and, most importantly, to yourself.

Online Tutoring

WNMU provides Smarthinking, on online tutoring service. To access Smarthinking, go to the WNMU home page (wnmu.edu) and then open the Quick Links at the top. Smartthinking eTutoring can help with many topics.

Online Library Help

WNMU’s J. Cloyd Miller Library subscribes to many e-resources that are fully accessible to online students. Visit the Miller Library home page by selecting the library’s link from the Quick Links menu on the WNMU home page and use the Ask a Librarian or chat features. You can contact the reference desk at 575.538.6359. 

Tech Support (Helpdesk)

If you have a technical support issue, please visit this page. Begin by clicking on the Non-Employees section

(1). You can check the Knowledge base (2), submit a help ticket (3), or use the Live Chat (4) (if it is offline, you can send a message).