Course Syllabus

Course Requirements

• Students must meet the requirements of the NWCC attendance policy.
• Students must take the proctored final exam. 
• Students must have a final average that is passing as defined by the grading scale listed in the Course Outline..

Methods of Instruction

The methods of instruction used for this course may include any or all of the following:

• Lecture
• Classroom discussion
• Audio/Visual presentation
• Classroom demonstration
• Classroom assignments
• Outside assignments

Assessment Methods

The assessment methods used for this course may include any or all of the following:

• Outside assignments
• Classroom assignments
• Quizzes
• Tests
• Midterm Exam
• Final Exam

Required Equipment/Materials/Supplies

You will need access to a computer with internet access and a productivity suite such as Microsoft Office or Google Office.

Grading Scale

Departmental Policies

To pass the course, you must take the proctored final exam. 

Academic Integrity

Upholding the highest standards of academic integrity means being honest, responsible, and ethical in all academic endeavors. Academic integrity promotes fairness, trust, and respect within the college community and ensures that earned grades and achievements reflect a student's true knowledge and abilities. Plagiarism is the presentation of another person’s ideas, words, or work as one’s own. Students are expected to cite sources correctly. Cheating involves any dishonest approach to earn academic credit. Some examples of cheating include copying from another person’s test; possessing, giving, or receiving copies of an examination or exam questions without the permission of the instructor; using or displaying notes or other information or devices inappropriate to the test conditions; allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the student and/or complete coursework in any manner. Artificial Intelligence (AI) should not be used to complete course assignments (e.g., by entering exam questions or assignment questions, writing prompts, etc.). These tools should only be used with explicit and clear permission of each instructor and only in the ways the instructor allows. Students unsure of policies regarding AI tools are responsible for seeking clarification from the instructor. The unauthorized use of AI tools to complete course assignments violates academic integrity. Violations of academic integrity may result in disciplinary action. These actions may include but are not limited to, retaking an exam or resubmitting an assignment, receiving a 0 on an exam or assignment, or receiving an “F” for the course.

In cases related to academic integrity:

If an instructor determines that a student has violated our academic integrity policy, they will inform the student of the decision regarding disciplinary action. Each department has established procedures for investigating and adjudicating allegations of academic integrity, which could result in disciplinary action, including course dismissal.

Appeal Procedure:

Students who wish to appeal the decision of their instructor with regard to academic integrity should notify the Associate Vice President for Academic Instruction, Associate Vice President of Workforce Solutions and Career-Technical Education, or Dean of the School of Health Sciences in writing within one (1) week of the formal decision by their instructor. The head of the appropriate school of instruction will, within a reasonable amount of time, convene an Ad Hoc Committee to hear the student’s appeal and notify the student in writing of the hearing's date, time, and location. The Ad Hoc Committee will be chaired by the head of the appropriate school of instruction and may consist of up to two (2) faculty members, two (2) students, and the campus dean if applicable. The Committee will review all supporting documentation and hear from the accused student in person. The accused student may submit any documentation and present witnesses in his/her defense. The Committee will render a decision following the hearing, and the Committee's decision is final. If the head of the appropriate school of instruction is the instructor, then the Vice President of Instruction will serve in that place in the above procedure.

Northwest Mississippi Community College believes academic integrity is a cornerstone of student success and professional development. We encourage all students to uphold these principles and actively engage in building a community of trust and intellectual honesty.

NWCC’S Official Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual attendance at all scheduled classes is expected of all students and is regarded as integral to course credit. There are times, however, when students must miss class. Nevertheless, if a student has an excessive number of absences before the course withdrawal deadline, based on the MCCB allowed absences chart provided here. In that case, that student will be withdrawn from the class with a grade of “W.” Online courses include additional information regarding class attendance in the instructor’s Course Outline. This requirement is required for licensure obtainment and supersedes the NWCC attendance policy. 

Please see the chart for the number of absences allowed for each class:

For On Campus Classes: Students are expected to attend class promptly. Arriving more than 10 minutes late to class will be considered an absence. Three tardies will be counted as one absence.

For Online Classes: Students are expected to actively participate in weekly class assignments. Failure to attempt at least one graded assignment within a given week will be considered an absence.

Each course has specific policies regarding absences and makeup work, which will be outlined in writing at the beginning of the term. Students are responsible for adhering to these policies and completing missed assignments. If a student has concerns regarding their attendance record, they should first discuss the matter with their instructor.

Students removed from this course for exceeding the allowed absences may appeal this decision. The Absence Appeal Form and instructions can be found under the "Student" menu on the college website. The completed form must be submitted within three days of the official removal date.

Additional Policies (Course Outline)

Individual instructors and specific programs may have policies and requirements in addition to those listed here. Any additional course information that is particular to a given teacher or program will be included in the Course Outline attached to this syllabus.

Note: The instructor reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the information provided in the syllabus and the course outline during the semester.

Graduation

Invest in your future by graduating! Earning a degree or certificate from Northwest will enhance your employability and increase your earning potential. Apply for graduation during the term you are enrolled in your final courses. The Graduation Application is under the Admissions tab on the college website.

Statement of Authority

The instructor reserves the right to remove from the classroom any student whose conduct is disruptive to the learning process.

Accessibility Statement

Northwest Mississippi Community College is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students. If you have a disability that may require academic accommodations, please contact Disability Services Office (DSO) at your campus.

• Senatobia: 662-562-3309
• DeSoto/Olive Branch/Ashland: 662-280-6193
• Lafayette-Yalobusha/Batesville: 662-238-7951

DSO will work collaboratively with you to determine appropriate accommodations based on your documented needs. Students are responsible for discussing their approved accommodation letter with their instructors at the beginning of each semester.

Faculty are expected to provide reasonable accommodations as outlined in the student's Accommodation Letter from DSO. Course materials will be made available in accessible formats upon request, such as electronic text, alternative formats, and captions for multimedia.

Students are encouraged to contact DSO early in the semester to ensure timely implementation of accommodations.

Affirmative Action

Northwest Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, gender identity, age, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran in all its programs and activities. Northwest Mississippi Community College prohibits sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence, regardless of sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.

The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:

• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990/Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Disability Support Services Coordinator, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 5555, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668. Telephone: 662-562-3309. Email the Disability Support Services Coordinator at mkelsay@northwestms.edu.
• Title II of the Age Discrimination Act: Vice President for Finance and Administration, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7017, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668. Telephone: 662-562-3216. Email the Vice President for Finance and Administration at jhorton@northwestms.edu.
• Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972/Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Associate Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 7010, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668. Telephone: 662-562-3409. Email the Associate Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management at trush@northwestms.edu.

Safety Statement

The safety and security of students, faculty, and staff is very important to Northwest Mississippi Community College. A copy of the Annual Security Report, published annually by the Campus Police Department, details Northwest policies and procedures regarding campus safety. A copy of the report, which contains the annual crime statistics report, is available online in the current Northwest Bulletin or under Health and Safety on the Consumer Information webpage, and in printed form upon request from the Campus Police Office (662-562-3314).

Course Calendar

Please see the Canvas calendar for due dates. Withdrawal dates and other important dates can be found on the Northwest Student Calendar

Personal Preferences In How Work Is Formatted, Handed In

Please do not turn in specific Mac-type files, such as .pages. 

Policies For Makeup And/Or Late Work

Additional Policies Regarding Student Behavior

The instructor reserves the right to remove from the classroom any student whose conduct is disruptive to the learning process.

Instructional Code of Conduct

1. Northwest Mississippi Community College is committed to providing an educational environment conducive to learning for all students. Students play a critical role in creating this environment, and this Code of Conduct addresses student behavior within the learning environment.
2. All electronics, including communication and listening devices, such as cell phones, iPods, etc., must be deactivated and stored during class time. Students enrolled in courses that utilize e-books may use their cell phones to access course information along with laptop computers, iPads, Kindles, or similar technology if they have the book downloaded on those devices. Any other exceptions must be approved in advance by the instructor.
3. All students must respect other people’s rights, opinions, and beliefs, even though they may be different from their own. Each student must understand that his/her rights end where other students’ rights begin.
4. No food, drink, vaping devices, or tobacco products are allowed in the learning environment.
5. Dress that disrupts the educational process is not permitted.
6. All dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly providing false information in oral or written form, is prohibited.
7. Language which is appropriate to the learning environment is expected of all students.
8. All students must do their own work, except where instructors state that group work is permissible.
9. Students are expected to take restroom and water breaks before or after class hours. Any student who leaves class once it has begun without the instructor's permission will not be allowed to return to that session and will be marked absent.
10. Students must attend class, arrive on time, stay through the entire period, bring all necessary materials, and come prepared.
11. Disruptive behavior, as determined by the instructor, may lead to removal from the learning environment. Students removed for disruptive behavior will be marked absent and may be required to meet with an administrator. Potential consequences range from warnings up to permanent removal from the course.
12. Students are expected to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct.

Note: Students in Career Technical Education or the School of Health Sciences should refer to their program handbook or course outline for specific course expectations beyond these guidelines.

Cheating Policy

Ethics are very important to any academic discipline.  Therefore, anyone caught cheating will receive a zero on that assignment.  A second offense will result in dismissal from the class. 

Cheating involves any dishonest approach to earning academic credit. Some examples of cheating include copying from another person’s test; possessing, giving, or receiving copies of an examination or exam questions without the permission of the instructor; using or displaying notes or other information or devices inappropriate to the test conditions; and allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the student and/or complete coursework in any manner.

The use of artificial intelligence is not prohibited. I encourage you to learn to use it intelligently. However, if you use artificial intelligence for discussions, you must give it credit and discuss any issues you had with getting a correct answer, if any. Failure to disclose the use of artificial intelligence is considered academic dishonesty in this course.

Academic Support and Student Organizations

Free tutoring services are provided at the Desoto Center. Brainfuse Online Tutoring, found in Canvas, is available free for all students 24/7.

Safety On Campus

Northwest values the safety of all campus community members. Students are enrolled in Ranger Alert, which will notify the campus of ongoing or imminent threats. 

Fire Emergencies: In case of a fire emergency, evacuate the building and move away. Do not attempt to re-enter until responders deem it safe to do so. Faculty will direct students to the approved Assembly Area where they will take roll. Approved assembly areas are listed in the Ranger Emergency Plan.

Severe Weather: If a tornado warning is issued, move to an interior room on the lower level of your building. Faculty will direct students, and an all-clear will be sent via the Ranger Alert system. In case of an earthquake, remain in the classroom and get under a desk or sturdy object with faculty guidance.

Active Attacker/Gunshots Reported: Ranger Alert will indicate a campus or system-wide lockdown; all lights should be turned off, and everyone’s cellphones and electronic devices should be silenced. All occupants should take shelter in the deep corners of the instructional space. All clear will be sent via the Ranger Alert system.

To report suspicious activity, call Campus Police at 662-562-3314 or, in case of emergency, call 911.

Continuity of Instruction

In the event of face-to-face class suspension (e.g., due to weather), instruction will continue in a manner that supports course content and student engagement. The college will announce any changes to instruction via social media. Instructors will then provide course-specific details via Canvas on how instruction, communication, and academic integrity will be maintained. Students unable to participate due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., health/safety, loss of power) should contact their instructor and advisor for guidance.