CSDO 3325 - Phonetics
Fall 2024 Syllabus, Section 101, CRN 14172
Instructor Information
Times and Location
Course Description
Additional Course Information
DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS:
Course activities will include lectures, textbook readings, workbook exercises, small group discussions and activities, video observations and discussions, class participation and presentations, board work and homework assignments.
Student will be required to transcribe. This will consist both of individual and small group work. There will be both board work and seat work. Students will be called on randomly to work at the board. The professor will be present to assist during transcription practice. Student will be required to transcribe live speech and will also be provided with recorded samples of both normal and disordered speech.
For additional practice in both transcribing and becoming familiar with the phonetic symbols (IPA), a series of workbook exercises will be completed throughout the semester.
Each student will be expected to practice transcription on their own. Frequent practice is absolutely essential to develop the auditory sensitivity and transcription skills taught in class. Practicing in short periods several times during the week is most beneficial.
ASSIGNMENTS: These are to be submitted via the Blackboard drop box. Assignments must be complete and it is the responsibility of each student to ensure the correct assignment is submitted. Incorrect submission ill result in 10 point reduction in grade. Some class assignments will be completed individually. It is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit assignments at the designated time. Students are to complete ALL chapter exercises in each assigned chapter in the workbook. This textbook/workbook bundle was selected for its use of comprehension/practice exercises throughout the chapters. It provides students with many opportunities to learn and practice phonetic transcription.
Quizzes/In Class Transcription: will be given via paper/pencil tasks as most will be based on transcription. Assignment grade will be calculated as follows: Students will complete all assignments on time. Late work will not be accepted.
Workbook exercises: These assignments will be completed by the designated day and scan and uploaded to appropriate Bb drop box. These assignments are important as they provide the necessary practice of concepts learned and transcription practice. Assignment will be graded as follows: 100% completion of assigned exercise, student will lose points for missing work and incorrect responses.
TRANSCRIPTION PROJECT: Students will collect a speech sample from an individual. This project may be completed in English or Spanish. Students will be given a list of words, phrases and brief reading passage that will be used to collect the sample. The student will submit a voice recording of the participant and phonetic transcription of the sample. The completed product: typed using New Times Roman font 12 double spaced; participant’s responses will be transcribed using IPA; and voice recording. Assignment grade will be calculated as follows: 90% transcription; 10% format.
Phoneme/Vowel Pages:. Groups will be assigned by Professor. Each team will complete a phoneme page and present work to the class for peer feedback. All members are to participate equally and submit an individual project at the designated time. The phoneme page assignment will consist of an informational sheet for each phoneme (vowels and consonants of the English and Spanish language). Format: 1: For each phoneme (consonant & vowel) a figure showing articulator placement and written description of how the phoneme is produced (for client/parents to understand). 2: the following information: phonetic symbol; grapheme symbol, distinctive features/vowel description. 3: 10 sample words with a picture in each position of words in which the phoneme occurs. Assignment grade will be calculated as follows: cards containing all elements will earn a grade of “A”; incomplete submissions will earn a grade of “B” and must be resubmitted with complete information; work not submitted will earn a grade of “F”.
Teams will be assigned phonemes in which they will be responsible for creating the PHONEME PAGE(S), upload the page(s) onto Blackboard and create a presentation and activity in which phoneme production is taught. Individual participation is of the utmost importance. Team members will complete peer feedback forms for each member throughout the semester. Assignment grade will be calculated as follows: 50% completed assigned task; 50% individual participation.
COURSE PORTFOLIO: This is an individual product that will be composed of group work; Web based information collected throughout the semester; and any other pertinent information related to the course subject. The binder will consist of terminology with definitions; handouts; graphic organizers; and phoneme pages. The information will be presented in a binder in a presentable and creative manner. This is an individual project. Assignment grade will be calculated as follows: 75% terms/outlines/discussion of each phoneme, 20% presentation/creativity, 5% neatness.
Instructional Material(s)/Websites/Apps:
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-phonetics.htm
Sounds: The Pronunciation App
Sounds of Speech App
IPA Phonetics App
AVPhonetics App
SpeakingFit Pro App
Program Learning Outcomes
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
CO1 identify the parts of the vocal tract and their roles in speech production.
CO2 demonstrate knowledge and the application of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
CO3 describe the processes involved in speech perception.
Student Learning Outcomes
[Enter Student Learning Outcomes here. Please don't forget to remove these instructions.]
Important Dates
Visit the Academic Calendar (tamiu.edu) page to view the term's important dates.
Textbooks
Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
Required | Phonetic sciences for clinical practice 2nd edition | Jakielski, K.J. & Gildersleeve-Neumann | |
Required | Phonetic sciences for clinical practice: A transcription and application workbook 2nd edition. | Jakielski, K.J. & Gildersleeve-Neumann |
Other Course Materials
*Hand held mirror, a box of face masks, box of gloves, box of tongue depressors, pen light, disinfecting products and hand sanitizer.
*Bring a laptop, smartphone, iPad, etc. for classroom participation
Grading Criteria
GRADE | PERCENTAGE |
A | 90-100 |
B | 80-89 |
C | 75-79 |
D | 74 and below |
Open Boilerplate
ASSIGNMENT | VALUE |
Transcription Project | 15% |
Phoneme/Vowel Pages | 20% |
Course Portfolio | 10% |
Assignments: In class assignments, Independent Workbook Assignments, In class Transcription/Quizzes | 35% |
Exams (Mid Term/Final | 20% |
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
Day | Date | Agenda/Topic | Reading(s) | Due |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mon | 8/26 | Review Course Syllabus Review Blackboard tools | ******** Acknowledgment of Syllabus and Policies of the Course and University In discussion board section of Bb Due 08-27-2024 by 11:59pm via Bb | |
Wed | 8/28 | View the following YouTube videos: Accent Expert Gives a Tour of U.S. Accents-3 videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1KP4ztKK0A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsE_8j5RL3k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw7pL7OkKEE The Pink Panther (9/12) Movie CLIP - I Would Like to Buy a Hamburger (2006) HD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6oeAdemFZw Joey trying to speak French https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqwzvtjeYBQ | View the following YouTube videos: Accent Expert Gives a Tour of U.S. Accents-3 videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1KP4ztKK0A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsE_8j5RL3k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw7pL7OkKEE The Pink Panther (9/12) Movie CLIP - I Would Like to Buy a Hamburger (2006) HD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6oeAdemFZw Joey trying to speak French https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqwzvtjeYBQ Class discussion Explain why you think it was difficult for the characters to imitate speech sounds and words. | |
Fri | 8/30 | Read: Chapter1: Introduction to Phonetic Science Pages 1-4 View the video: What is Phonetics? http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-phonetics.htm Watch YouTube video Fun Tour of American Accents | ||
Mon | 9/2 | Read: Chapter1: Introduction to Phonetic Science Pages 4-12 | In class assignment: Did you get it: 1-3 | |
Wed | 9/4 | Read: Chapter1: Introduction to Phonetic Science Pages 13-17 | In class assignment: Did you get it: 1-5 & 1-6 | |
Fri | 9/6 | In class assignment: Workbook pgs. 7, 9, 10, 14 | Workbook Assignment: Due 09-6-24 by 11:59pm via Bb | |
Mon | 9/9 | Read: Chapter 2: Articulatory Phonetics of Consonants Pages 24-30 | Bring to class: Search the Web for IPA/transcription sites and/or APPS used for IPA. In class you will discuss 2 you found most interesting Groups Assigned in Class -be aware there may be some changes. (2 students/group) | |
Wed | 9/11 | Read: Chapter 2: Articulatory Phonetics of Consonants Pages 30-41(bilabials, Labiodentals, Interdentals, Alveolars) | In class Transcription | |
Fri | 9/13 | Read: Chapter 2: Articulatory Phonetics of Consonants Pages 30-41 (Post-Alveolar, Palatal, Velar, Glottal) Transcription PRACTICE | In class Transcription | |
Mon | 9/16 | Read: Chapter 2: Articulatory Phonetics of Consonants Pages 41-51 | In class Transcription | |
Wed | 9/18 | Read: Chapter 2: Articulatory Phonetics of Consonants Pages 41-51 | Workbook Assignment: Workbook pages 22,23, 24,26, 27, 28 scan & upload Due 9/18/24 by 11:59pm | |
Fri | 9/20 | No Class | ||
Mon | 9/23 | Presentations: each group will present their completed phoneme page (consonants) | SEE TEAM ACTIVITY in Syllabus | |
Wed | 9/25 | Presentations: each group will present their completed phoneme page (consonants) | SEE TEAM ACTIVITY in Syllabus | |
Fri | 9/27 | No Class | ||
Mon | 9/30 | Read: Chapter 3: Articulatory Phonetics of Vowels Pages 55-58 | Workbook Assignment: Workbook pages 29-32, scan & upload Due 9/30 by 11:59pm Vowel assigned to groups in class. | |
Wed | 10/2 | Chapter 3: Articulatory Phonetics of Vowels Pages 58-61 | In Class Transcription | |
Fri | 10/4 | Read: Chapter 3: Articulatory Phonetics of Vowels Pages 61-65 | Workbook Assignment Workbook pages 40, 41 (3-8& 3-9), scan & upload Due 10/4 by 11:59pm | |
Mon | 10/7 | Read: Chapter 3: Articulatory Phonetics of Vowels Pages 66-76 | In Class Transcription | |
Wed | 10/9 | Practice transcription and Review Consonants & Vowels | Workbook Assignment Workbook pages 43-44 (3-12), 46-47 (3-15), and 47-48 (3-16), scan & upload Due 10/09 by 11:59pm | |
Fri | 10/11 | Mid Term | In class transcription and exam. | |
Mon | 10/14 | In class Practice: Oral Motor Exams | ||
Wed | 10/16 | Presentations: each group will present their completed phoneme page (Vowels) | SEE TEAM ACTIVITY in Syllabus In assigned groups add phoneme description and production to phoneme page for assigned Vowel | |
Fri | 10/18 | Read: Chapter 4: Broad and Narrow Phonetic Transcription | In class Transcription pg. 159-161 | |
Mon | 10/21 | Read: Chapter 4: Broad and Narrow Phonetic Transcription | In class Transcription pg. 162-164 | |
Wed | 10/23 | Transcription Practice/Review | In class Transcription pg. 165-167 | |
Fri | 10/25 | Transcription Practice/Review | Workbook Assignment Workbook pages 50, 53, 55, 57 scan & upload Due 10/25 by 11:59pm | |
Mon | 10/28 | Read: Chapter 5: Suprasegmental Features of Speech In class Transcription: will be done at the beginning of class only and will be turned in via written format. View videos: Teaching the production of /f/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xAoIxsyj38 Teaching the production of /k, g/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhIZHh4oJpg Teaching the production of /r/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXsf6k5F2l0 Teaching the production of the /s/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1juKhiqReU | Workbook Assignment Workbook pages 59, 61 scan & upload Due 10/28 by 11:59pm | |
Wed | 10/30 | Read: Chapter 5:Suprasegmental Features of Speech | Workbook Assignment Workbook pages 83-89 scan & upload Due 10/30 by 11:59pm | |
Fri | 11/1 | How to teach phoneme production | In class Assignment | |
Mon | 11/4 | Transcription Practice/Review | Workbook Assignment Workbook pages 63, 65, 67, 69scan & upload Due 11/04 by 11:59pm | |
Wed | 11/6 | Read: Chapter 6: Acoustic Phonetics | In class Transcription pg. 168 | |
Fri | 11/8 | Read: Chapter 6: Acoustic Phonetics | Discuss Transcription Project In class Transcription pg. 169 | |
Mon | 11/11 | Read: Chapter 6: Acoustic Phonetics | In class Transcription pg. 170 | |
Wed | 11/13 | Read: Chapter 7: Linguistic Phonetics and Phonology of Consonants *relationship between phonetics and phonology *coarticulation *minimal pairs | In class Transcription pg. 171 | |
Fri | 11/15 | Read: Chapter 7: Linguistic Phonetics and Phonology of Consonants *study of syllables *onset, rime, nucleus and coda *allophonic patterns *clinical uses of phonological patterns | In class Transcription pg. 172 | |
Mon | 11/18 | Read: Chapter 8: Linguistic Phonetics and Phonology of Vowels *typical phonological patterns of vowels *allophonic patterns Class Transcription: Phonetic Transcription | In class Transcription pg. 173 Please complete COURSE EVALUTION (NOV 18-24) | |
Wed | 11/20 | Read: Chapter 8: Linguistic Phonetics and Phonology of Vowels *discuss patterns | In class Transcription pg. 174 | |
Fri | 11/22 | Chapter 9 Beyond General American English *languages around the world *dialects *speech mechanism in other production of other languages *VOT | Workbook Assignment Workbook pages 145 scan & upload Due 11/22 by 11:59pm | |
Mon | 11/25 | Chapter 9 Beyond General American English *Discuss dialects observed *Discuss transcription assignment Review the website: IDEA: International Dialects of English Archive https://www.dialectsarchive.com/ Class Transcription: Phonetic Transcription | In class Transcription pg. 175 | |
Wed | 11/27 | No Class | ||
Fri | 11/29 | No Class | ||
Mon | 12/2 | Last Day of Class | ||
Wed | 12/4 | Finals Week Dec 4-11 |
University/College Policies
Please see the University Policies below.
COVID-19 Related Policies
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please refer to the Student Handbook, Appendix A (Attendance Rule) for instructions.
Required Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend every class in person (or virtually, if the class is online) and to complete all assignments. If you cannot attend class, it is your responsibility to communicate absences with your professors. The faculty member will decide if your excuse is valid and thus may provide lecture materials of the class. According to University policy, acceptable reasons for an absence, which cannot affect a student’s grade, include:
- Participation in an authorized University activity.
- Death or major illness in a student’s immediate family.
- Illness of a dependent family member.
- Participation in legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a student’s presence.
- Religious holy day.
- Illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class.
- Required participation in military duties.
- Mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school which cannot be rescheduled.
Students are responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to faculty members within seven calendar days of their absence and return to class. They must substantiate the reason for the absence. If the absence is excused, faculty members must either provide students with the opportunity to make up the exam or other work missed, or provide a satisfactory alternative to complete the exam or other work missed within 30 calendar days from the date of absence. Students who miss class due to a University-sponsored activity are responsible for identifying their absences to their instructors with as much advance notice as possible.
Classroom Behavior (applies to online or Face-to-Face Classes)
TAMIU encourages classroom discussion and academic debate as an essential intellectual activity. It is essential that students learn to express and defend their beliefs, but it is also essential that they learn to listen and respond respectfully to others whose beliefs they may not share. The University will always tolerate different, unorthodox, and unpopular points of view, but it will not tolerate condescending or insulting remarks. When students verbally abuse or ridicule and intimidate others whose views they do not agree with, they subvert the free exchange of ideas that should characterize a university classroom. If their actions are deemed by the professor to be disruptive, they will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action (please refer to Student Handbook Article 4).
TAMIU Honor Code: Plagiarism and Cheating
As a TAMIU student, you are bound by the TAMIU Honor Code to conduct yourself ethically in all your activities as a TAMIU student and to report violations of the Honor Code. Please read carefully the Student Handbook Article 7 and Article 10 available at https://www.tamiu.edu/scce/studenthandbook.shtml.
We are committed to strict enforcement of the Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code tend to involve claiming work that is not one’s own, most commonly plagiarism in written assignments and any form of cheating on exams and other types of assignments.
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work as your own. It occurs when you:
- Borrow someone else’s facts, ideas, or opinions and put them entirely in your own words. You must acknowledge that these thoughts are not your own by immediately citing the source in your paper. Failure to do this is plagiarism.
- Borrow someone else’s words (short phrases, clauses, or sentences), you must enclose the copied words in quotation marks as well as citing the source. Failure to do this is plagiarism.
- Present someone else’s paper or exam (stolen, borrowed, or bought) as your own. You have committed a clearly intentional form of intellectual theft and have put your academic future in jeopardy. This is the worst form of plagiarism.
Here is another explanation from the 2020, seventh edition of the Manual of The American Psychological Association (APA):
“Plagiarism is the act of presenting the words, idea, or images of another as your own; it denies authors or creators of content the credit they are due. Whether deliberate or unintentional, plagiarism violates ethical standards in scholarship” (p. 254). This same principle applies to the illicit use of AI.
Plagiarism: Researchers do not claim the words and ideas of another as their own; they give credit where credit is due. Quotations marks should be used to indicate the exact words of another. Each time you paraphrase another author (i.e., summarize a passage or rearrange the order of a sentence and change some of the words), you need to credit the source in the text. The key element of this principle is that authors do not present the work of another as if it were their own words. This can extend to ideas as well as written words. If authors model a study after one done by someone else, the originating author should be given credit. If the rationale for a study was suggested in the discussion section of someone else's article, the person should be given credit. Given the free exchange of ideas, which is very important for the health of intellectual discourse, authors may not know where an idea for a study originated. If authors do know, however, they should acknowledge the source; this includes personal communications (p. 11). For guidance on proper documentation, consult the Academic Success Center or a recommended guide to documentation and research such as the Manual of the APA or the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. If you still have doubts concerning proper documentation, seek advice from your instructor prior to submitting a final draft.
TAMIU has penalties for plagiarism and cheating.
- Penalties for Plagiarism: Should a faculty member discover that a student has committed plagiarism, the student should receive a grade of 'F' in that course and the matter will be referred to the Honor Council for possible disciplinary action. The faculty member, however, may elect to give freshmen and sophomore students a “zero” for the assignment and to allow them to revise the assignment up to a grade of “F” (50%) if they believe that the student plagiarized out of ignorance or carelessness and not out of an attempt to deceive in order to earn an unmerited grade; the instructor must still report the offense to the Honor Council. This option should not be available to juniors, seniors, or graduate students, who cannot reasonably claim ignorance of documentation rules as an excuse. For repeat offenders in undergraduate courses or for an offender in any graduate course, the penalty for plagiarism is likely to include suspension or expulsion from the university.
- Caution: Be very careful what you upload to Turnitin or send to your professor for evaluation. Whatever you upload for evaluation will be considered your final, approved draft. If it is plagiarized, you will be held responsible. The excuse that “it was only a draft” will not be accepted.
- Caution: Also, do not share your electronic files with others. If you do, you are responsible for the possible consequences. If another student takes your file of a paper and changes the name to his or her name and submits it and you also submit the paper, we will hold both of you responsible for plagiarism. It is impossible for us to know with certainty who wrote the paper and who stole it. And, of course, we cannot know if there was collusion between you and the other student in the matter.
- Penalties for Cheating: Should a faculty member discover a student cheating on an exam or quiz or other class project, the student should receive a “zero” for the assignment and not be allowed to make the assignment up. The incident should be reported to the chair of the department and to the Honor Council. If the cheating is extensive, however, or if the assignment constitutes a major grade for the course (e.g., a final exam), or if the student has cheated in the past, the student should receive an “F” in the course, and the matter should be referred to the Honor Council. Additional penalties, including suspension or expulsion from the university may be imposed. Under no circumstances should a student who deserves an “F” in the course be allowed to withdraw from the course with a “W.”
- Caution: Chat groups that start off as “study groups” can easily devolve into “cheating groups.” Be very careful not to join or remain any chat group if it begins to discuss specific information about exams or assignments that are meant to require individual work. If you are a member of such a group and it begins to cheat, you will be held responsible along with all the other members of the group. The TAMIU Honor Code requires that you report any such instances of cheating.
- Student Right of Appeal: Faculty will notify students immediately via the student’s TAMIU e- mail account that they have submitted plagiarized work. Students have the right to appeal a faculty member’s charge of academic dishonesty by notifying the TAMIU Honor Council of their intent to appeal as long as the notification of appeal comes within 10 business days of the faculty member’s e-mail message to the student and/or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement. The Student Handbook provides more details.
Use of Work in Two or More Courses
You may not submit work completed in one course for a grade in a second course unless you receive explicit permission to do so by the instructor of the second course. In general, you should get credit for a work product only once.
AI Policies
Your instructor will provide you with their personal policy on the use of AI in the classroom setting and associated coursework.
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Copyright Restrictions
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Students with Disabilities
Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal education opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Office of Student Counseling and Disability Services located in Student Center 126. This office will contact the faculty member to recommend specific, reasonable accommodations. Faculty are prohibited from making accommodations based solely on communications from students. They may make accommodations only when provided documentation by the Student Counseling and Disability Services office.
Student Attendance and Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy
As part of our efforts to assist and encourage all students towards graduation, TAMIU provides
LOA’s for students, including pregnant/parenting students, in accordance with the Attendance Rule (Section 3.07) and the Student LOA Rule (Section 3.08), which includes the “Leave of Absence Request” form. Both rules can be found in the TAMIU Student Handbook (URL: http://www.tamiu.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook1.shtml).
Pregnant and Parenting Students
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, harassment based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions, is prohibited. A pregnant/parenting student must be granted an absence for as long as the student’s physician deems the absence medically necessary. It is a violation of Title IX to ask for documentation relative to the pregnant/parenting student’s status beyond what would be required for other medical conditions. If a student would like to file a complaint for discrimination due to his or her pregnant/parenting status, please contact the TAMIU Title IX Coordinator (Lorissa M. Cortez, 5201 University Boulevard, KLM 159B, Laredo, TX 78041,TitleIX@tamiu.edu, 956.326.2857) and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office, U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600). You can also report it on TAMIU’s anonymous electronic reporting site: https://www.tamiu.edu/reportit.
TAMIU advises a pregnant/parenting student to notify their professor once the student is aware that accommodations for such will be necessary. It is recommended that the student and professor develop a reasonable plan for the student’s completion of missed coursework or assignments. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (Lorissa M. Cortez, lorissam.cortez@tamiu.edu) can assist the student and professor in working out the reasonable accommodations. For other questions or concerns regarding Title IX compliance related to pregnant/parenting students at the University, contact the Title IX Coordinator. In the event that a student will need a leave of absence for a substantial period of time, TAMIU urges the student to consider a Leave of Absence (LOA) as outlined in the TAMIU Student Handbook. As part of our efforts to assist and encourage all students towards graduation, TAMIU provides LOA’s for students, including pregnant/parenting students, in accordance with the Attendance Rule and the Student LOA Rule. Both rules can be found in the TAMIU Student Handbook (https://www.tamiu.edu/scce/studenthandbook.shtml).
Anti-Discrimination/Title IX
TAMIU does not discriminate or permit harassment against any individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity in admissions, educational programs, or employment. If you would like to file a complaint relative to Title IX or any civil rights violation, please contact the TAMIU Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity/Title IX Coordinator, Lorissa M. Cortez, 5201 University Boulevard, Killam Library 159B, Laredo, TX 78041,TitleIX@tamiu.edu, 956.326.2857, via the anonymous electronic reporting website, ReportIt, at https://www.tamiu.edu/reportit, and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office), U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600.
Incompletes
Students who are unable to complete a course should withdraw from the course before the final date for withdrawal and receive a “W.” To qualify for an “incomplete” and thus have the opportunity to complete the course at a later date, a student must meet the following criteria:
- The student must have completed 90% of the course work assigned before the final date for withdrawing from a course with a “W”, and the student must be passing the course;
- The student cannot complete the course because an accident, an illness, or a traumatic personal or family event occurred after the final date for withdrawal from a course;
- The student must sign an “Incomplete Grade Contract” and secure signatures of approval from the professor and the college dean.
- The student must agree to complete the missing course work before the end of the next long semester; failure to meet this deadline will cause the “I” to automatically be converted to an “F”; extensions to this deadline may be granted by the dean of the college. This is the general policy regarding the circumstances under which an “incomplete” may be granted, but under exceptional circumstances, a student may receive an incomplete who does not meet all of the criteria above if the faculty member, department chair, and dean recommend it.
WIN Contracts
The Department of Biology and Chemistry does not permit WIN contracts. For other departments within the college, WIN Contracts are offered only under exceptional circumstances and are limited to graduating seniors. Only courses offered by full-time TAMIU faculty or TAMIU instructors are eligible to be contracted for the WIN requirement. However, a WIN contract for a course taught by an adjunct may be approved, with special permission from the department chair and dean. Students must seek approval before beginning any work for the WIN Contract. No student will contract more than one course per semester. Summer WIN Contracts must continue through both summer sessions.
Student Responsibility for Dropping a Course
It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course before the final date for withdrawal from a course. Faculty members, in fact, may not drop a student from a course without getting the approval of their department chair and dean.
Independent Study Course
Independent Study (IS) courses are offered only under exceptional circumstances. Required courses intended to build academic skills may not be taken as IS (e.g., clinical supervision and internships). No student will take more than one IS course per semester. Moreover, IS courses are limited to seniors and graduate students. Summer IS course must continue through both summer sessions.
Grade Changes & Appeals
Faculty are authorized to change final grades only when they have committed a computational error or an error in recording a grade, and they must receive the approval of their department chairs and the dean to change the grade. As part of that approval, they must attach a detailed explanation of the reason for the mistake. Only in rare cases would another reason be entertained as legitimate for a grade change. A student who is unhappy with his or her grade on an assignment must discuss the situation with the faculty member teaching the course. If students believe that they have been graded unfairly, they have the right to appeal the grade using a grade appeal process in the Student Handbook and in the Faculty Handbook.
Final Examination
All courses in all colleges must include a comprehensive exam or performance and be given on the date and time specified by the Academic Calendar and the Final Exam schedule published by the Registrar’s Office. In the College of Arts & Sciences all final exams must contain a written component. The written component should comprise at least 20% of the final exam grade. Exceptions to this policy must receive the approval of the department chair and the dean at the beginning of the semester.
Mental Health and Well-Being
The university aims to provide students with essential knowledge and tools to understand and support mental health. As part of our commitment to your well-being, we offer access to Telus Health, a service available 24/7/365 via chat, phone, or webinar. Scan the QR code to download the app and explore the resources available to you for guidance and support whenever you need it. The Telus app is available to download directly from TELUS (tamiu.edu) or from the Apple App Store and Google Play.