CSDO 3336 - Speech Sounds Disorders
Spring 2025 Syllabus, Section 201, CRN 26055
Instructor Information
Laura Narvaez, M.S., CCC-SLP
Adjunct Professor
Email: blanca.narvaez@tamiu.edu
Office: TBD
Office Hours:
by Appointment only
email me to schedule an appointment.
Times and Location
Course Description
Additional Course Information
Content Outline:
Chapter 1: Concepts in Phonetics and Phonology
Chapter 2: Phonological Development
Chapter 3: Assessment
Chapter 4: Diagnosis
Chapter 5: Treatment Planning
Chapter 6: Input-Oriented Approaches
Chapter 7: Output-Oriented Approaches
Chapter 8: Phonological Approaches
Teaching Strategies: Modified Flip classroom; blended learning; interactive lecture; directed lessons; speaking, listening and transcribing exercises; group learning; peer feedback; media (YouTube and Podcast); simulations, and project-based learning.
ASHA Website:
http://www.asha.org/pbublic/speech/disorders/SpeechSoundDisorders/
http://www.asha.org/policy/PS2007-00277/
YouTube videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Ben2yfksA&list=PLOZUTLsJbEAjW-Z9Bou0fPvPs8zdF79pJ&index=5&src_vid=0HeujZ45OZE&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_2586068509
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
Speech therapy (language disorders vs articulation disorders)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P4FjSS5_s0
Articulation Assessment on Sophia, Age 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqc92i_14FM
Interventions for Speech Sound Disorders in Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLuZdiX7Wrg
Speech Therapy Techniques for Toddlers and Preschoolers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AYdtI_pfUc
Speech Therapy Articulation Techniques and Materials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjvKT-AilIQ
Assessment of Phonological Skills in Bilingual Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5a1UrJUhTg
Phonological Treatment with Bilingual Individuals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6qdE7kD1fg
Minimum Technology Requirements: It is recommended that students meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the Blackboard, the learning management system (LMS) of the University. Below is information regarding orientation to Bb. Additionally, students can find assistance in Bb under the “Student Support” tab of Bb, information on technology support services, academic support services, student support services, and accessibility support services may be found there. Additionally, Atomic Learning training videos may be beneficial if any students lacking technology skills.
Students should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the TAMIU Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage.
Additional Software. You will need the following additional software: Microsoft PowerPoint for viewing lesson presentations and Microsoft Word for viewing course files and submitting assignments. 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. Additional skills required for this course may include knowing how to use TurnItIn. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of these technologies on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.
COURSE POLICIES:
College of Nursing and Health Sciences Policies for Communication Sciences and Disorders Courses
- CSDO Examination Policy and Guidelines for Exam taken in class and online:
In Class Exams:
- Students may not wear coats or jackets or bring food or drinks during the examination period. The faculty will determine what additional aids will be allowed or used during the examination.
- If the faculty member suspects any sharing of information during an examination, all students involved will receive a ZERO (0) on the Test, Examination or Quiz and are subject to Article 7 Violations of Academic Conduct of the TAMIU Honor Code Rules. This includes:
i. Students in possession of cell phones or any other electronic device during an examination.
ii. Students found obtaining or suspected of obtaining information from sources other than what has been allowed by the faculty member.
- Any student who must be absent from an examination must notify the faculty PRIOR to the examination. The weight of the missed exam may be added to the student’s final examination, ONLY upon faculty approval. Students who fail to notify the faculty before the examination period will receive a Zero (0) for the missed exam.
- Only one exam can be missed and allowed to count toward the final exam weight. Any other missed exam(s) will be assigned a grade of Zero (0).
Online Exams
**This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor (webcam) for online exams.
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:
- Start Respondus LockDown Browser.
- Navigate to your test.
- Complete the set-up process, which includes a payment screen for entering credit card information.
- 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
- 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.
- Students who have a computer that does not have a webcam or microphone can contact OIT for assistance.
Prior to the exam
- The student must show their face and TAMIU ID on camera.
- The webcam must be used to show a 360-degree view of the entire room as well as under the table and chair were the student will be sitting. (The door to the room must be kept closed at all times and any interruption to the exam by opening of the door or someone entering the room will result in an automatic zero on the exam.)
- Student must use a mirror to show that the monitor screen, laptop, and keyboard are free of any stickers, post it notes, etc.
- After the student uses their cell phone to sign in it must be powered-off and set it face down on the table where it can be seen by the video camera.
- No wristwatches or pendants may be worn. No long sleeve shirts or sweaters may be worn. Arms up to elbows must be visible.
- No caps or hoodies, earphones or ear buds may be worn.
- Absolutely no talking during the exam either to yourself or to someone else. No music can be played during the exam.
- Students must not leave the exam or view of camera until the exam is submitted.
- All tests will require a password that will not be provided until just prior to the exam.
- All tests will begin and end exactly at the time specified (it will automatically shut down at the end of the testing period).
- Student failure to follow these guidelines will result in an automatic zero on the exam.
II. CSDO Add, Drop, Withdraw, and Incomplete Policy:
- No CSDO course can be taken more than twice without earning a grade of “C” or better. This includes a withdraw or failure. See CONHS Student Handbook.
III. Cellphones and Laptops
- Electronic devices (Laptops, iPods, Ear pieces/Bluetooth, cell phones, pagers) will not be permitted for personal use in this course.
- Cellular phones must be placed on vibrate for the duration of the class. Students can be asked to leave the classroom if in violation of classroom rules. Cellular phones cannot be out on the desktops during class nor during tests/exams/quizzes as this WILL result in an automatic zero (0).
IV. Attendance and Class Participation
- Attendance in class is an expectation. One hundred percent (100%) attendance is expected! In case of an absence, the student shall assume all responsibility for obtaining class notes and handouts. No make-up Quizzes or Tests will be scheduled without a valid medical excuse.
- Attendance is an expectation, and two absences may lower student’s final grade by one letter grade, three absences will result in failure of the course. In case of absence, student will contact the instructor prior to the scheduled class time and assume all responsibility of obtaining class notes and handouts. Prior arrangements may be made for student to attend another lab session within the same week of the absence with prior notification and approval of faculty.
- Students who participate in social conversations, social networking, attempting to sleep in class, and/or causing disruption of class and/or faculty concentration, WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM. The faculty member reserves the right to dismiss anyone who is disruptive and/or disrespectful.
- Any student who leaves the learning environment, class or lab, prior to the end of class will be counted as being absent for that day. This includes leaving for any activity during scheduled session and returning for completion of class. A zero will be recorded on any in-class assignment and/or quiz for the day and student will receive a zero. The attendance roster for the day will indicate an absence.
- If a student arrives to class after the instructor begins distribution of any quizzes or assignments, the student will not be allowed to participate in the activity and a grade of zero will be awarded for the quiz/assignment.
- Students must read the assigned chapters prior to coming to class in order to actively participate in discussions and in class activities based on the material covered that day.
- To minimize interruptions, if a student must leave during a class session, they cannot return to the classroom until after the next scheduled class break. Verbal class participation is implicit. All students are expected to participate as active listeners and constructive verbalizers. The assigned readings which are to be completed prior to the scheduled lesson and lectures will be the foundation for each class. Desirable behaviors include: active listening attention, promptness, group participation, constructive comments and questions, defense statements (NOT defensiveness), sharing knowledge in group interaction and participation in course activities.
V. Assignment Due Dates
- Absolutely NO Late work will be accepted. ALL assignments are due at the beginning of class; once lecture begins, the student will receive a grade of “0”, even if the student has completed every section of the assignment. In addition, the student must remain for the entire class in order to receive full credit of the assignment turned in on time.
- Computer or internet problems or problems with Blackboard do not constitute valid reasons for late work. Students should keep this in mind when completing assignments and plan accordingly. Blackboard problems should be referred to OIT.
VI. Communication
- Open communication between students and course faculty is encouraged. Each student has continuing access to a faculty member regarding individual needs and/or student’s concerns. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the course faculty.
- Text messages are not an acceptable form of communication between student and faculty.
- Contact faculty Monday through Friday via e-mail, between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm. Any messages sent left after 5 pm will be considered as submitted the following day.
- Email messages should only be sent via Uconnect and Blackboard course mail. Messages will be responded to within 3 working days.
AI USE: Use prohibited
Students are not allowed to use advanced automated tools (artificial intelligence or machine learning tools such as ChatGPT or Dall-E 2) on assignments in this course. Each student is expected to complete each assignment without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools
Program Learning Outcomes
-
Explain the normal aspects of speech-language and hearing as they relate to human communication.
-
Analyze trends in discipline specific professional practice and research principles.
-
Observe and critically evaluate clinical practice in communication disorders.
-
Develop effective discipline specific oral and written communication skills.
-
Apply foundational principles required to justify a basic knowledge of assessment and treatment of disorders related to speech-language and hearing.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- describe the difference between articulation and phonological disorders, assessments and therapeutic approaches (objectives 3, 4, 5)
- identify phonological processes used in monolingual and bilingual children's speech (objectives 2, 5)
- develop appropriate treatment plans, at a basic level, from assessment results of children and adults with articulation or phonological disorders (objectives 3, 4, 5)
Important Dates
Visit the Academic Calendar (tamiu.edu) page to view the term's important dates.
Textbooks
Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
Required | Introduction to Speech Sound Disorders | Brosseau-Lapre, F. & Rvachew, S. | 9780133347951 |
Optional | Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology: A Resource Manual (7th Ed) | Shipley, K.G. & McAfee, J.G. |
Grading Criteria
GRADE | PERCENTAGE |
A | 90-100 |
B | 80-89 |
C | 75-79 |
F | Below 75 |
Description of Assignments
Final Grades for this course are calculated as follows:
Assignment/Quizzes: 25%
Assessment& Intervention Report: 20%
Therapy Bag: 25%
Exams: 30%
Assessment & Intervention Report: Student’s will complete an articulation and phonological assessment and intervention. Each student will submit an individual detailed assessment and intervention report. *It will include case history information, assessments used and rationale, assessment results, diagnosis, description of intervention approach, goals to be targeted, description of two therapy activities to be utilized and the actual therapy activities. The CDC assessment report and lesson plan formats will be used to plan and implement the assessment and intervention. Assignment grade will be calculated as follows: Assessment report 50% and intervention portion 50%.
Therapy bag: The therapy bag will contain: Oral Mech kit (hand held mirror, tongue depressors, gloves, hand sanitizer, bubbles, etc.) and therapy materials. This is an individual project. Students will create a therapy activity for each articulation and phonological approach discussed in class for a total of 10 (Focused stimulation, Ear Training, Dialogic Reading, Vocal Play, Sensorimotor Approach, Traditional Articulation Therapy, Phonological Approach, Core Vocabulary Approach, Cycles Remediation Approach, Minimal Pairs)
Students will present the therapy activity along with a written description of how the activity will be implemented in a therapeutic setting (the CDC lesson plan format will be used). This will be discussed in detail in class. This assignment will be submitted via Blackboard drop box (for written therapy activity description). Assignment grade will be calculated as follows: 50% discussion of each intervention approach, 50% oral mech kit and therapy activities.
Individual Assignments and Quizzes: Some class activities will be completed individually. Assignments are due at designated times stated in the course schedule below via Blackboard or in class, failure to do so will result in a grade of “0” for the assignment. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED, unless there is a valid excuse. (If a late assignment is approved a date and time will be agreed upon). It is the Student’s responsibility to complete and submit in class assigned tasks before the end of class. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class, students who arrive late to class will not be given an opportunity to complete the quiz; students who are absent for the lecture must present a valid/medical excuse in order to take the quiz before the next schedule class meeting. It is the Student’s responsibility to complete readings and assigned tasks prior to class. Assignments will be graded as follows: 75% completed with detailed information and in the students own words. Any information used from any source should be cited and referenced, 25% grammar/mechanics. Quizzes will be graded on 100-point scale.
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
Day | Date | Agenda/Topic | Reading(s) | Due |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wed | 1/22 | Review syllabus, Meet and greet | Acknowledge syllabus | |
Fri | 1/24 | Review of Phonetic Concepts | Chapter 1 pages 1-11 | |
Mon | 1/27 | Describing articulatory knowledge | Chapter 1 pages 11-20 | |
Wed | 1/29 | Describing perceptual knowledge Phonological concepts |
Chapter 1 pages 20-29 | |
Fri | 1/31 | Phonological Concepts | Chapter 1 pages 29-41 | |
Mon | 2/3 | Speech Perception | Chapter 2 pages 41-46 | Chapter 1 Assignment Due via Blackboard 11:59pm CST -Exercise 1.2 and 1.4 |
Wed | 2/5 | Preschoolers & school aged children | Chapter 2 pages 46-50 | |
Fri | 2/7 | Early speech production development & Phonological Development | Chapter 2 pages 50-63 | |
Mon | 2/10 | Phonological process norms | Chapter 2 pages 63-78 | Chapter 1& 2 Assignment Due in class Graphic diagram on phonological processes and phoneme acquisition Norms |
Wed | 2/12 | Purpose of Evaluation & Review Assessment Assignment format | Chapter 3 pages 79-82 | |
Fri | 2/14 | Types of measurement tools | Chapter 3 pages 82-86 | QUIZ 1: OPEN BOOK in class Handout 2.2 |
Mon | 2/17 | Planning the assessment; components of the speech assessment | Chapter 3 pages 86-96 | |
Wed | 2/19 | Components of the speech assessment | Chapter 3 pages 96-102 | |
Fri | 2/21 | QUIZ #2 | QUIZ 2: (chapter 1 & 2) | |
Mon | 2/24 | Components of the speech assessment | Chapter 3 pages 102-109 | Chapter 3 ASSIGNMENT DUE: Assessment plan graphic diagram due in class |
Wed | 2/26 | Components of the speech assessment | Chapter 3 pages 110-1120 | |
Fri | 2/28 | Classification of SSD and Linguistic classifications of SSD | Chapter 4 pages 121-131 | QUIZ 3: OPEN BOOK in class Handout 3.4 (5 way scoring) |
Mon | 3/3 | Speech disorders classification system | Chapter 4 pages 131-136 | Assessment & Intervention Report DUE: Intervention report (case history information, assessments used and rationale sections only) due via Blackboard at 11:59pm CST |
Wed | 3/5 | Psycholinguistic Approach Epidemiology of SSD |
Chapter 4 pages 136-150 | |
Fri | 3/7 | MIDTERM Chapter 1-4 | Chapter 4: Study Questions due via Blackboard at 11:59pm CST | |
Mon | 3/10 | No Class | ||
Wed | 3/12 | No Class | ||
Fri | 3/14 | No Class | ||
Mon | 3/17 | OBSERVATION VIDEO | ||
Wed | 3/19 | Deciding whether to provide an intervention | Chapter 5 pages 156-160 | |
Fri | 3/21 | Service Delivery Options | Chapter 5 pages 160-165 | |
Mon | 3/24 | Intervention Goals | Chapter 5 pages 165-175 | Assessment & Intervention Report DUE: Intervention report (Assessment results and diagnosis section) due via Blackboard at 11:59pm CST |
Wed | 3/26 | Monitoring treatment progress | Chapter 5 pages 175-182 | QUIZ 4: Chapter 5 OPEN BOOK in class Handout 5.4 (Goal writing) |
Fri | 3/28 | Input-Oriented approaches | Chapter 6 pages 183-189 | |
Mon | 3/31 | Ear Training | Chapter 6 pages 189-194 | |
Wed | 4/2 | Dialogic Reading | Chapter 6 pages 194-198 | |
Fri | 4/4 | Vocal Play | Chapter 7 pages 199-203 | THERAPY BAG DUE via Blackboard at 11:59pm CST Therapy activities: focused stimulation, Ear Training, and dialogic reading |
Mon | 4/7 | Sensorimotor Approach | Chapter 7 pages 203-217 | |
Wed | 4/9 | Traditional Articulation | Chapter 7 pages 217-226 | |
Fri | 4/11 | Traditional Articulation | Chapter 7 pages 226-232 | THERAPY BAG DUE via Blackboard at 11:59pm CST: Therapy Activities: Vocal Play, Sensorimotor Approach, Traditional Articulation Therapy |
Mon | 4/14 | Rationale for phonological approach and Core vocabulary | Chapter 8 pages 232-244 | |
Wed | 4/16 | Rationale for phonological approach and Core vocabulary | Chapter 8 pages 232-244 | |
Fri | 4/18 | No Class | ||
Mon | 4/21 | No Class | ||
Wed | 4/23 | Cycles remediation approach | Chapter 8 pages 244-248 | |
Fri | 4/25 | Meaningful minimal Pairs | Chapter 8 pages 248-252 | |
Mon | 4/28 | Metaphonological knowledge | Chapter 8 pages 252-261 | |
Wed | 4/30 | Presentations | ||
Fri | 5/2 | Presentations | THERAPY BAG DUE via Blackboard at 11:59pm CST: Therapy Activities: Phonological Approach, Core Vocabulary Approach, Cycles Remediation Approach, Minimal Pairs | |
Mon | 5/5 | LAST DAY OF CLASS -REVIEW | Assessment & Intervention Report DUE: COMPLETED Intervention report (case history information, assessments used and rationale, assessment results, diagnosis, description of intervention approach, goals to be targeted, description of two therapy activities to be utilized and the actual therapy activities) due via Blackboard at 11:59pm CST | |
Wed | 5/7 | No Class | ||
Fri | 5/9 | No Class | ||
Mon | 5/12 | FINAL EXAM 8:30am | ||
Wed | 5/14 | No Class |
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.
TAMIU E-Mail and SafeZone
Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU E-mail (tamiu.edu or dusty email) 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 their TAMIU e-mail accounts regularly, if not daily. Not having seen an important TAMIU e-mail or 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 download the SafeZone app, which is a free mobile app for all University faculty, staff, and students. SafeZone allows you to: report safety concerns (24/7), get connected with mental health professionals, activate location sharing with authorities, and anonymously report incidents. Go to https://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/police/safezone/index.shtml for more information.
Copyright Restrictions
The Copyright Act of 1976 grants to 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 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.