MIS 3310 180: Management Information Systems

Students with different backgrounds will be able to engage and learn about Information Systems in a balanced approach of theory-technical format.

Learning Objectives:

CO1: Evaluate the role of information systems and technology (IS&T) in business.

CO2: Analyze the impact of IS&T on businesses.

CO3: Apply IS&T to help solve business problems.

CO4: Evaluate the use of components, characteristics, and terminology related to IS&T.

CO5: Examine current issues in IS&T.

CO6: Demonstrate adequate skills in business communication.

Visit for additional guidance on including Regular and Substantive Interaction: https://www.tamiu.edu/distance/faculty/regular-and-substantive-interaction.shtml

Online Courses and On-Campus Meetings

Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter J, Section 2.202, defines distance education as the formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical setting for the majority (more than 50%) of instruction. Distance education includes hybrid and 100% online courses and programs as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

• Hybrid Course - A distance education course in which more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations.

• 100-Percent Online Course - A distance education course in which 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a course from this category.

Course Structure

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to check Blackboard at least 5 days of the week for any class work or announcements. If you miss assignments/exams, you have a higher probability of failing this course. It’s your prerogative to check Blackboard periodically for this class if you want a passing grade and get the most out of your education.

Other course policies:

Please follow Practices of online etiquette in order to conserve a courteous communication among classmates. Assessments of any type are individual assignments. Please refer to the section titled TAMIU Honor Code: Plagiarism and Cheating.

 The course will be conducted 100% Online via BLACKBOARD. If assistance is required about BLACKBOARD please refer to https://elearning.tamiu.edu/default.asp

If you have any questions please contact me via Blackboard’s email service.

Please abide by the due dates specified in the Syllabus.

NOTE: NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Respondus LockDown Browser (Free) and Monitor ($15 fee) Requirement

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor (webcam) for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable.

Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor (the webcam feature). A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available.

Download Instructions

Click the Student Support top-middle tab located in Blackboard. Locate the Download Respondus LockDown Browser module, and click on the icon or link. You will be redirected to the information for Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Links to download the software for PC and Mac are listed Installing the Respondus LockDown Browser Download section. It is free to download and install the software (on its own).

Once Installed

Open LockDown Browser

Log into Blackboard Learn

Navigate to the test and begin

Note: You won't be able to access tests with a standard web browser.

 If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue.

 Cost for Respondus Monitor

There is a $15 fee for the webcam feature that's used with LockDown Browser (sometimes referred to as Respondus Monitor). This is a one-time fee, valid for 12 months (365 days) for all courses or exams that use Respondus Monitor. You will be prompted to make the purchase the first time an exam requires the use of LockDown Browser's webcam feature. Payment can be made with PayPal, Visa or Mastercard. To pay for Respondus Monitor:

 1. Start Respondus LockDown Browser.

 2. Navigate to your test.

 3. Complete the set‐up process, which includes a payment screen for entering credit card information.

 4. Payment and entering credit card information is only necessary one‐time per course.

Guidelines

 When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines: 

• Select a location where you won't be interrupted

• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted· sufficient time to complete it

•  Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers)  

•  Clear your area of all external materials — books, papers, other devices

• Remain at your computer for the duration of the test

• To produce a good webcam video, do the following:

  •  Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims

  • Ensure your computer or tablet is on a firm surface (a desk or table) — not on your lap, a bed, or other surface that might move  

  • If using a built‐in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete o Take the exam in a well‐lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window  

• LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

 Getting Help

Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser: 

The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar.

 Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. 

If you have problems downloading, installing, or taking a test with Respondus LockDown Browser, email· the TAMIU eLearning Team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

 Webcam Checkout for Personal Computer

 If students are unable to use personal or borrowed computers and equipment, students may stop by the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services office to check out webcams (with built-in microphones). The office is located at Killam Library 259 (down the hall from the HelpDesk) and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Checkout for a webcam is on a first-come, first-service basis. Speak with an eLearning staff member to checkout a camera. Students will sign an Equipment Loaner Agreement, making them responsible for the care of the camera. Webcams checked out must be returned within five business days of the checkout date.

• Exams will be up for 1 or 2 days depending on the schedule. You can take them at any time while they are up. Once you start an exam, you will have 2 hours (120 minutes) to take the exam unless the clock strikes 11:59 pm on the last day before you finish.

• Exams will consist of 40 Multiple Choice questions. These M/C questions will count for 40 % of the exam grade. 60 % of your exam grade will come from 6 essay questions. Each answer for these questions should be at least 5 to 10 sentences long, depending on the question. Diagrams may also be part of the answer. Your essay answers should include an APA cited peer reviewed source.

• A word of advice. Do not count on the fact that you can use your book and/or notes. You will not have enough time to hunt for the answers. This exam is administered under the assumption that you have read all the necessary chapters and learning modules, that you have participated in the class discussions, that you have done your assignments, and that you have watched the supplemental videos. If you do not complete it during that time frame you will receive a grade of "0". Note that you must finish the exam before 11:59 pm on the last day of that exam week.

 • Exams are open book and will be timed. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. No extensions will be given.

There will be no alternate exam times offered. Furthermore, no make-up exams will be given.

 You must take the exams when they are scheduled. If you miss an exam you will receive a grade of “0” For it.

Participation:

Participation in class means completing two substantive posts per forum. A substantive post is one that relates subject matter from the book or class discussion to a peer reviewed academic source from the library. Go to http://library.tamiu.edu/, click on “Databases A-Z”, choose ABI/Inform, login, restrict your search to full text and peer reviewed articles and use your search results to support any assertions or opinions you state. Use APA format to cite your source(s). Each of your two responses for each discussion forum should be 150 words or more, citations included.

BlackBoard Web Site

 Supplementary information for the course is available. The BlackBoard Web site for this course contains class notes, PowerPoint slides, class announcements, the course syllabus, test dates, and other information for the course.

Texas A&M International University

Course Policies

(To be attached to all university syllabi)

Class Attendance

Except for asynchronous online courses, students are expected to attend every class in person and to complete all assignments. If a student cannot attend class, it is his/her responsibility to communicate absences with professors.  The professor will decide if the student’s excuse is valid.  According to university policy, as listed in the Student Handbook, excused absences, which cannot affect a student’s grade, include:

• Participation in an authorized university activity at the request of university authorities.

• 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 days/days of obligation.

• A pregnant/parenting student must be granted a leave of absence (LOA) for as long as the student’s physician deems the absence medically necessary.

• Illness/injury that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class.

• Required participation in military assignment and duties.

• Mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school, which cannot be rescheduled.

Students are responsible for providing satisfactory evidence to professors within seven calendar days of theirabsence and are expected to return to class. If the absence is excused, the professor will either allow access to lecture recordings (if available), provide students with the opportunity to make up missed work, including exams, or provide a satisfactory alternative to complete the work 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 faculty with as much advance notice as possible. Students are responsible for all work assigned during their absence. Wheneverpossible, students should complete the work either before the absence or immediatelyafterward.

If an off-campus licensed physician provides evidence of a student’s illness, thewritten excuse, orders, or documentation must contain the date and time of thedoctor’s appointment, the prognosis of illness, doctor’s opinion, andrecommendations for the individual student. In addition, the notice should outlinewhether or not the student is able to attend class. If a physician determines that thestudent is not ill, the student will not receive an excused absence. If an absence is not anexcused absence, the faculty member will decide whether makeup work will beallowed.

In some courses, attendance and in-class participation are ongoing requirements andan integral part of the coursework. In other courses, occasional in-classassessments may occur, sometimes without advance notice. It is the responsibility ofthe professor to inform each class at the beginning of the semester of the in-classparticipation expected and the effect absences will have on the student’sevaluation of work in the course. It is the student's responsibility to abide by the professor’s instructions and rules in the course.

Leave of Absence (LOA) Rule

The Student Leave of Absence (LOA) Rule assists and encourages students to return and

graduate after an absence of two or more consecutive long semesters from TAMIU. Absences

during summer sessions are excluded, as continuous enrollment is not affected. Eligible

students are encouraged to take advantage of the benefits provided by a LOA, e.g., no needto apply for readmission to university and may participate in their regularly scheduledregistration/enrollment period upon return. Please note that re-admission to a college

program may be required.

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for a LOA, a student must be eligible to register for classes and meet thefollowing criteria:

1. Be a degree-seeking student.

2. Be registered during the semester immediately prior to the beginning of the LOA:

1. A student who was admitted as a new first-time freshman, transfer student, or graduate student but did not attend will not be eligible for a LOA. Instead, the student should contact the Office of Admissions. Graduate students should contact the Graduate School.

2. A student who was readmitted but did not attend will not be eligible for a LOA. Instead, the student should contact the Office of Admissions. Graduate students should contact the Graduate School.

1. Be in good academic standing or on academic probation with their college.

2. Have no holds (e.g., disciplinary, business, testing, etc.), which would restrict registration. Note: Students with Business Office holds may be given consideration for a LOA if authorized by the Bursar’s Office.

3. Have submitted any outstanding high school and/or transfer transcripts if prior                admission/readmission and continued enrollment was contingent upon receipt of        those transcripts.

Rulesand specific processes regarding LOA for undergraduate and graduate students can be found in the Student Handbook.

Classroom Behavior

TAMIU values academic freedom in the classroom and, thus, classroom discussion and academic debate are encouraged. 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 accept different or unpopular points of view, but it will not tolerate condescending, insulting, or discriminatory 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 the Student Handbook for more information) and professors may ask the student to leave the class.

TAMIU Honor Code: Plagiarism and Cheating

The university is committed to strict enforcement of the Honor Code. Students shouldconduct themselves ethically in all activities, in and out of the classroom. Ethical behavior also includes reporting violations of the Honor Code to the appropriate office. Please read the Student Handbook to review the university’s Honor Code.

There are several violations of the Honor Code that involve plagiarism and cheating.

1. Plagiarism: The act of passing off some other person’s ideas, words, or works as one’s own. It includes, but is not limited to, the appropriating, buying, receiving as a “gift,” or obtaining, by any other means, another’s work for submission as one’s own academic work. Examples include, but are not limited to:

   1. Failing to credit sources used in a work product in an attempt to present thework as one’s own.

   2. Intentionally, knowingly, or carelessly presenting the work of another as one’sown (i.e., without crediting the author or creator).

   3. Copying test answers or the words or phrases of another without crediting theauthor or claim credit for the ideas of another.

   4. Borrowing or lending a term paper, handing in as your own work a paperpurchased from an individual or off the Internet, or submitting, as one's ownany papers or work product from the files of any group, club, or organization.

   5. Submitting the same paper in more than one class without the permissionof the instructor.

Students must provide citations for facts, ideas, and opinions that are not their own. If students are unsure about providing proper documentation, they are encouraged to seek advice from professors or the Academic Center of Excellence (ACE). It is the professor’s prerogative to ask students to submit work to one of TAMIU’s Plagiarism detection tools: Turnitin or Blackboard’s SafeAssign.

Professors must report incidents of plagiarism to the Honor Council. It is the professor’s prerogative and/or discretion, to issue an “F” in the course should he/she discover that a student has committed plagiarism. The professor, however, may elect to give students, particularly freshmen and sophomore students, a “zero” for the assignment if he/she believes that the student plagiarized out of carelessness and not out of an attempt to deceive the professor to earn an unmerited grade. Serious cases of plagiarism, especially those that involve flagrant incidents of plagiarism by graduate or doctoral students, may lead to suspension or expulsion from the university.

1. Cheating: An act of deception in which a student misrepresents that he/she has mastered information related to an academic exercise. Examples include, but are not limited to:

   1. Copying from another student’s test, lab report, computer file, data listing,logs, or any other type of report or academic exercise.

   2. Using unauthorized materials during a test.Consulting a cell phone, text messages, PDAs, programmable calculators withmaterials that give an advantage over other students during an exam.

   3. Using crib sheets or other hidden notes in an examination or looking atanother student's test paper to copy strategies or answers.

   4. Having another person supply questions or answers from an examination tobe given or in progress.

   5. Having a person other than oneself (registered for the class) attempt to takeor take an examination or any other graded activity. In these cases, allconsenting parties to the attempt to gain unfair advantage may be chargedwith an Honor Pledge violation.

   6. Deliberately falsifying laboratory results, or submission of samples or findingsnot legitimately derived in the situation and by the procedures prescribed orallowable.

   7. Revising and resubmitting a quiz or exam for regrading, without theinstructor's knowledge and consent.

   8. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on a take-home examination.

   9. Facilitating academic violation: intentionally or knowingly helping orattempting to help another to violate the Honor Pledge.

   10. Signing in another student's name on attendance sheets, rosters, Scantrons.

   11. Submitting in a paper, thesis, lab report, or other academic exercise falsified,invented, or fictitious data or evidence, or deliberate or knowingly concealingor distorting the true nature, origin, or function of such data or evidence.

   12. Procuring and/or altering without permission from appropriate authority ofexaminations, papers, lab reports, or other academic exercises, whetherdiscarded or used, and either before or after such materials have beenhanded in to the appropriate recipient.

   13. Using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, soliciting, copying or possessing,the contents of an un-administered test, a required assignment or a past testwhich has, by the professor, not been allowed to be kept by their students.

   14. Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. Unless allowed by each professor, students are expected to complete each assignment without assistance from others, including automated writing tools.

It is important to note that professors may ask students to work in groups. However, if someone in a group commits academic misconduct, the entire group could be held responsible for it as well. Members of groups must clearly document who contributes what parts of the joint project and to know what group members are doing and how they are getting the material they provide. Ignorance is no excuse.

It is also important to be aware of group texts or chats. If another student is attempting to violate the Honor Code, it is your ethical responsibility to report him/her to the Honor Council. Again, membership in a group that attempts or engages in cheating may lead to all members of the group being subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Should professors discover that a student has cheated 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 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.”

Appeals of Academic Dishonesty

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 Handbookprovides more details.

Exam Monitoring

For online courses, professors may require students to use a proctoring service such as Respondus Monitor, Proctorio, or Examity. Students are responsible for signing up and paying the required fees. This information will be stated under the “Course Materials” section of your syllabus.

Use of Work in Two or More Courses

Students should not submit work completed in one course for a grade in a second course unless you receive explicit permission to do so by the professor of the second course.  In general, students should get credit for a work product only once.

Disputes over Academic Matters

Faculty members are responsible for determining course curricula, for developing appropriate methods of evaluating student learning, for evaluating fairly, for upholding academic standards, and for enforcing procedures concerning academic honesty. Decisions made by faculty members regarding the quality or integrity of student work, including decisions about course grades, are presumed to be fair and final (unless the student files a successful grade appeal). In cases of academic violation students may be subject to both grade sanctions and disciplinary action (see Student Violations of Academic Integrity below).

Students who believe that they have grounds for challenging faculty decisions regarding academic issues--excepting those pertaining to matters of academic freedom--may appeal using the procedure outlined below. Faculty members are required to report acts of academic violation to their chair, their Dean, the Provost, the Honor Council (through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement), and the Vice President for Student Success.

Grade sanctions may be imposed only by faculty members. Academic suspension or expulsion may be imposed only by the Provost. As with disputes about course grades, students may appeal grade sanctions imposed for academic violation only by following the procedure outlined below. Students should not attempt to persuade academic administrators to change a grade; they cannot and will not do it unless a student follows the grade appeal policy below and is successful in persuading either the faculty member for the course or an ad-hoc committee of faculty members that a change is warranted.

Student appeals of faculty academic decisions should be completed within 15 University business days after the student’s first meeting with the faculty member to question the faculty member’s decision.

1. The student must first meet with the faculty member and discuss the facultymember’s decision. This meeting should occur as soon as possible after the decisionhas been made, normally within one week of the student being notified of thedecision. The faculty member is expected to listen to the student, provide anexplanation for the decision, and change the grade or decision if the student’sargument is persuasive. To change final course grades, a faculty member must submita “Grade Change Form” and attach an accompanying memorandum justifying thedecision to change the grade. The faculty member’s department chair and Dean mustapprove the change.

1. If the faculty member declines to change the decision or grade, the student may thendiscuss the matter with the faculty member’s immediate academic supervisor(hereafter, “chair” will be used to mean either the department chair or the immediateacademic supervisor). If the chair believes that the student’s position has merit, thechair will discuss the matter with the faculty member.

1. If the student is not satisfied with the chair’s assessment of the issue or if the facultymember declines to change the decision after discussing it with the chair, the studentmay then request that an ad hoc committee of faculty members review the matter.This committee consists of three tenured faculty members within the same disciplineor department unless circumstances dictate otherwise. If the chair determines that atenured faculty member cannot be selected from the same discipline or department,then the chair may add a tenured faculty member from a closely related discipline. From the pool of eligible tenured faculty members designated by the chair, the faculty member, the student, and the chair will each nominate one faculty member to serve on the committee.

1. The ad hoc committee will hear from the student, the faculty member, and the chair and examine relevant documents. If the committee sustains the faculty member’s decision, the committee will provide the student with a written statement explaining the reasons for the committee’s decision. The student may request in writing that the committee reconsiders its decision and provides reasons for so doing. If the committee refuses to reconsider or if it reaffirms its original recommendation, thefaculty member’s original decision is final. If the committee finds in favor of the student, the committee will provide the faculty member with a written recommendation explaining the committee’s reasons. If the faculty member disagrees with the committee’s recommendation, the faculty member may request that the committee reconsiders its recommendation and provides the committee with a rationale for revisiting the recommendation. If after considering the faculty member’s rationale the ad hoc committee is still persuaded that the faculty member’soriginal decision should be reversed, the committee will recommend in writing to thechair that the faculty member’s decision be overturned. The committee may alsomake this recommendation to the chair if the faculty member fails to alter the originaldecision and also fails to respond to the committee’s original recommendation. Thefaculty member will receive a copy of the recommendation to the chair, allowing afinal opportunity to revise the original decision. If the faculty member fails to comply,the chair may override the faculty member’s original decision, and, as appropriate,revise the student’s course grade. In order to certify that the grade dispute processoutlined above has been followed appropriately, the Dean of the College or the Schooland the Provost will review all decisions by chairs to change grades against the willof a faculty member.

Incomplete Grades

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

WIN Contracts are offered only under exceptional circumstances and are limited to 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 Withdrawing from 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 the grade appeal process as described 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.

Extra-Credit Work

Professors may not give extra-credit opportunities to individual students. If they choose to give extra credit, professors must make it available to all students in a class. Professors are discouraged from giving extra credit for class attendance and/or attendance at university events. Professors should not give extra-credit opportunities after final grades for the semester are submitted. 

UConnect, TAMIU E-Mail, and Dusty Alert

Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU’s Uconnect Portal, TAMIU E-mail, and Blackboard Course Messages, are the official means of communicating course and university business with students and faculty –not the U.S. Mail and no other e-mail addresses. Students and faculty must check UConnect and their TAMIU e-mail accounts regularly, if not daily. Not having seen an important TAMIU e-mail or UConnect message from a faculty member, chair, or dean is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to sign-up for Dusty Alert (see https://www.tamiu.edu/oit/students/dusty_alrt.shtml). Dusty Alert is an instant cell phone text-messaging system allowing the university to communicate immediately with you if there is an on-campus emergency, something of immediate danger to you, or a campus closing.

Copyright Restrictions

The Copyright Act of 1976 grants copyright owners the exclusive right to reproduce their works and distribute copies of their work. Works that receive copyright protection include published works such as a textbook. Copying a textbook without permission from the owner of the copyright may constitute copyright infringement. Civil and criminal penalties may be assessed for copyright infringement. Civil penalties include damages up to $100,000; criminal penalties include a fine up to $250,000 and imprisonment. Copyright laws do not allow students and professors to make photocopies of copyrighted materials, but you may copy a limited portion of a work, such as article from a journal or a chapter from a book for your own personal academic use or, in the case of a professor, for personal, limited classroom use. In general, the extent of your copying should not suggest that the purpose or the effect of your copying is to avoid paying for the materials. And, of course, you may not sell these copies for a profit. Thus, students who copy textbooks to avoid buying them or professors who provide photocopies of textbooks to enable students to save money are violating the law.

Students with Disabilities

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation 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.  This office will contact the faculty membersto recommend specific, reasonableaccommodation.Faculty are prohibited from making accommodations based solely on communications from students.  They may make accommodation only when provided documentation by the Student Counseling and Disability Services office.

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. Ifa student would like to file a complaint for discrimination due to his or her pregnant/parenting status, please contact the Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance(Lorissa M. Cortez, TAMIU Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator; 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: 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 Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (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 Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/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.

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 Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance(Lorissa M. Cortez, TAMIU Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator; 5201 University Boulevard, KLM 159B, Laredo, TX 78041; TitleIX@tamiu.edu; 956.326.2857) or via the anonymous electronic reporting website, ReportIt, at 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.

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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:

1. 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;

2. 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;

3. The student must sign an “Incomplete Grade Contract” and secure signatures of approval from the professor and the college dean.

4. 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

WIN Contracts are offered only under exceptional circumstances and are limited to 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 Withdrawing from 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 as described 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.

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Support Services

To receive free tutoring in most subjects, including help with writing skills:

Academic Center of Excellence:                                             Cowart 203 and 204 (326-2723)

To receive academic advising for freshmen, transfer students, and select others:

Advising & Retention Center:                                     ZSC 222 (326-2886)

To receive academic advising for all other students, by college:

A. R. Sanchez, Jr., School of Business Advising:         WHT 204 C and 213 A (326-2483 / 2489)

College of Arts & Sciences Advising:                           ACI 3rd floor (COASadvisors@tamiu.edu)

College of Education Advising:                                    Pellegrino 3rd floor (326-2427 /3148)

College of Nursing & Health Sciences Advising:         CNS 111 (326-3269 /3110/ 3277)

University College:                                                      Advising & Retention Center (see above)

To receive personal counseling:

Student Counseling Services:                                     Student Center 128 (326-2230)

To receive health services:

Student Health Services:                                            Student Center 125 (326-2235)

Student-Instructor Communication Policy and Response Time

Announcements/Course Messages/Emails
[The instructor must provide information on the type of communication that will be provided to students on a regular basis, including the frequency of this communication (such as “Announcements will be posted regularly on Mondays.”). Also, information on the turnaround time for communication from course messages or emails sent to the instructor.]
Assignments and Assessments
[The instructor must list the turnaround time for providing feedback to students on their submissions of an assignment or assessment. Expectations on how students will receive feedback should be listed for each type of assignment.]

Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette)

There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. We must consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.

Accommodations/Accessibility Policy

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation 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 educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodation. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), via phone at 956.326.3086 or by visiting the staff at the Student Center, room 118. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.

Student Support Resources

The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page on University Resources and Support Services.

Computer/Technology Requirements

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.

It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.

Recently purchased laptops may have these built-in web cameras.  If you do not have this equipment, it is recommended to purchase a stand-alone webcam, microphone, or a webcam with a built-in microphone from your local electronic store or any online store.

NOTE: Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services may check out available webcams to students on a first-come, first-served basis. To check out a webcam, please stop by Killam Library, Room 259, and request an available webcam.

TAMIU Students may access online versions of this software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.

Note: Students, if you do not own the required hardware or software or do not have access to the Internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you in finding solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, classrooms, and available computer labs. Visit Media Services’ web page on the availability of on-campus computer labs. In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.

Learning Management System (Blackboard)

Students are provided with an orientation (*eLearning (Blackboard) Student Orientation*) and access to guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services' Student eLearning Tutorial Videos page or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Minimum Technical Skills Expected

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage.

Technical Support Services

Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.

Web Conferences/Synchronous sessions

If you would like to request a synchronous virtual meeting please contact me via Blackboard messages to schedule the meeting at least a day in advance. 

Grading Scale/Schema (after Grade Breakdown section)

In determining the final course grade, the following scale is used in percentage or point value.

90- 100%          A

80-   90%          B

70-   80%          C

60-   70%          D

Below 60          not passing

Rubrics will be included to provide guidance when completing assignments to provide better understanding on how you will be assessed for specific assignments.

Course Evaluation

At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link.

Turnitin Policy Or Other Types of Assignments in Other Systems

Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies

At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of the technologies used in this class on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.

In this class, we will utilize: Blackboard, Power Point,  YouTube videos and Word Processing Software.

Syllabus Subject to Change

While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.