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Curriculum
Master Syllabi
Textbook Adoption
Class Scheduling
Copyrighted Material
Catalog
The BRCC Catalog is the primary academic publication of the college and is published annually. Faculty members should become very familiar with the information in the college catalog as well as policies set forth in the student handbook. Policies specific to Academic Affairs can be found on the BRCC website.
The Curriculum Committee is the body responsible for curriculum review and oversight. All new courses, modifications to existing courses, and deletion of courses must be approved through discussion and specific action of the committee or the Curriculum Committee chair. Degree programs and courses are reviewed, discussed, and approved by the Curriculum Committee, and approved by the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development. Programs are forwarded to the LCTCS Board of Supervisors and then to the Board of Regents for review and approval. Please refer to the BRCC Curriculum Manual for more information on curriculum processes and procedures.
Determination of degree programs is the joint responsibility of faculty, academic administrators, the Curriculum Committee, the Chancellor, the LCTCS Board of Supervisors, and the Board of Regents. Degree programs consist of a specific sequence of college-level credit courses to be completed by students prior to awarding of the degree. Determination of degree requirements involves a review of state laws and rules, accreditation requirements, needs of the graduates, intended application of the degree after graduation, college requirements, and business and industry needs. It is the responsibility of the academic administration to ensure the proper college procedures are followed for all curriculum matters, and to provide supervision of the instructional process at the college.
Every credit course is broadly defined by a master course syllabus and outline which are developed and approved by the academic discipline. The master syllabus and the outline set the minimum competencies necessary for satisfactory performance in the course.
The master syllabus determines course content. Faculty members are required to implement the course content to achieve learning outcomes. Latitude is given to faculty, however, to add or emphasize specific content areas. Current and approved master syllabi can be found on BRCC’s web site.
Syllabus Policies
Faculty of record determine the assignment, grading, and attendance policies for their courses. The following policies MUST be copied and added to your syllabi.
- Military Absence Policy
- Baton Rouge Community College acknowledges and appreciates the important contributions of our students who have served or are currently serving in our military. To support these students, Baton Rouge Community College pledges to make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations for students who must be absent from class due to military obligations or required medical treatment for service-connected conditions.
- The policy will provide that students shall not be penalized for class absences due to military obligations or required medical treatment for service-connected conditions. Faculty will provide reasonable accommodations to make up missed work. These accommodations may include a selection of comparable coursework as agreed upon by the faculty.
- If all students have the right to drop a test/quiz grade, military-related absences will not constitute the dropped test and make-up tests unless the student chooses to use this option.
- Both student and instructor must agree that the length of the absence is reasonable given the type and structure of the course. Student and instructor will sign a plan which details expectations for successful completion of coursework. In situations where the length of absences is detrimental to the student’s ability to successfully complete the agreed upon plan and remain current with coursework, it may be within the students’ interest to withdraw.
- Procedures and Documentation:
The intent to accommodate military students absent due to orders or treatment and enable them to complete the academic term is accomplished through the following Procedures:
- The student must notify their instructor(s) via email upon receiving verbal notification of activation for military duty and;
- Submit BRCC’s Notice of Student Absence Form and provide military orders and leave schedule.
- Instructor(s) will collaborate with student to develop a Military Absence Agreement, outlining a plan for completing missed assignments. This agreement must be signed by both the student and instructor and filed with the Office of the Registrar and School Certifying Official (SCO).
- Military Absence Agreements expire and students are required to complete the course requirements within 90 days from the end of the term, as specified in Policy 1-7090 Incomplete Grade, to avoid receiving a failing grade for the course.
- If a student is unable to complete as a result of being placed on active duty status or excused absence, the student is permitted to drop the course(s) with no penalty. If elected, financial aid will be adjusted as required, and any financial aid refunds will be repaid by the student.
- Service members who cannot attend school due to military service will be readmitted with the same academic status they had when last attending the school or accepted for admission to the school.
- Student Athlete Absence Policy
- Baton Rouge Community College is committed to the success of our student athletes. To support these students, Baton Rouge Community College pledges to make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations for students who must be absent from class due to a scheduled athletic competition.
- The policy will provide that students shall not be penalized for class absences due to participation in athletic competition. Faculty will provide reasonable accommodations to make up missed work. These accommodations may include a selection of comparable coursework as agreed upon by the faculty.
- If all students have the right to drop a test/quiz grade, competition - related absences will not constitute the dropped test and make-up tests unless the student chooses to use this option.
- Procedures and Documentation: At the beginning of each semester the Assistant Athletic Director will provide each student athlete with a letter describing the travel and competition schedules for each team. The student athlete will provide this letter to each instructor. Prior to leaving on a trip for the Athletic Department, the student athlete will follow up with their instructor and remind them of the missed class dates. After the fact notifications are not accepted as excused absences.
- Student Behavior Policy
- Baton Rouge Community College is committed to providing an exceptional academic experience for students. In order to provide this, the classroom must be a safe and productive space for all students.
- The policy will ensure all students clearly understand the behavioral expectation of the classroom setting, thus allowing for optimal learning for all.
- Students exhibiting behavioral issues (including, but not limited to the following) will be subject to the consequences below.
- Persistently arriving late or leaving early,
- Talking constantly while the instructor delivers lectures,
- Loud and frequent interruptions to the flow of class,
- Belligerence when confronted about inappropriate behavior, or verbal/physical threats,
- Inappropriate romantics advances.
- First Level-encompasses any situation that can be handled informally between you and the student, leading to a prompt resolution.
- Second Level-involves an on-going problem or a more serious incident in the classroom. These situations will be brought immediately to the attention of the Dean of Students, Department Chairperson, and Division Dean. A report will be written and filed.
- Third Level-Immediate danger. These situations will require immediate contact of the BRCC Police Department at 216-8888 or use of the red phone. These situations will be brought immediately to the attention of the Dean of Students, Department Chairperson, and Division Dean. A report will be written and filed.
- Academic Accommodations (ADA Statement)
- Baton Rouge Community College seeks to meet the needs of its students in many ways. The Office of Counseling and Accessibility Services is committed to providing a variety of support services in compliance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans Disabilities Act.
- Counseling & Accessibility Services (CAS) facilitates the accommodations process for students with a psychological, learning, or physical disability.
- If you are not receiving services with CAS and would like to meet with a counselor to discuss accommodations, please complete the application for accessibility services and upload signed documentation (completed within the last three years) regarding your disability. Please visit the CAS website to complete the Application for Accessibility Services and upload documentation.
- If you are already receiving services with CAS, you must complete a “Semester Accommodation Request Form” (SARF) every semester to renew accommodations. Please click the link to complete the Semester Accommodation Request Form (SARF).
- The instructor is committed to accommodating every student who requests and receives official academic accommodations from the Office of Counseling and Accessibility Services.
Review and adoption of textbooks is an important part of assuring that information provided to students is current and of high quality. Since textbook companies typically produce a new edition every two years, it is vital that faculty remain apprised of new publications and publisher changes in content and edition. The adopted textbook is used for all sections of a course. Adopted texts may be required or recommended.
Faculty members of a particular discipline are responsible for the review and selection of textbooks and supplemental support materials used in classroom instruction for that discipline. If there is crossover of course content in more than one discipline, all effected disciplines should participate in the selection of textbooks. Individual faculty may not select different texts from those adopted by the discipline without approval from the dean and the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development. Generally, textbook adoptions will remain in effect for a minimum of two years, unless a new edition is made available.
Textbooks adopted by a discipline should:
- Support achievement of course learning outcomes
- Be adaptable to a variety of learning styles
- Be consistent with reading level appropriate for student use
- Promote high-order thinking
- Provide objectivity, free of bias and prejudicial content
- Represent a good value for the student
While the primary responsibility for textbook adoption rests with the department chair, a designee may be appointed to coordinate the adoption of all textbooks and course materials. Problems concerning texts and materials should be directed to the dean, not to the bookstore. The dean will approve adoption of new textbooks/materials and any subsequent changes/additions to the original orders in consultation with department chairs or designees.
Inclusive Access: Textbooks may be adopted as Inclusive Access books for a course. The course is set up with a fee to cover the cost of the text and students have access to the textbook from the beginning of the course. Since adopting a textbook with Inclusive Access adds a fee to a course, this must go through the Curriculum process to be approved. That way the fee can be applied to the course on the registrar’s end.
Academic Deans, with input from department chairs, are responsible for oversight of the class schedule within their academic division. Each Dean’s responsibility for oversight of the schedule includes:
- Establishing a schedule of class offerings
- Adding course sections as needed to maintain an availability of day, evening, weekend, and online offerings
- Arranging for quality staffing of scheduled courses
- Cancellation of classes
- Course overrides
- Management of student issues related to the schedule, Common Course Sending, adjunct/overload contracts to the PVCWSD, according to set deadlines
- Final approval of the schedule of classes and subsequent changes is the responsibility of the PVCWSD
Course Scheduling
Your department chair may ask you for your scheduling preference (days, times, classes, mode of delivery). However, this schedule request is a courtesy, and your final schedule will be determined based on intentional scheduling, student need/demand, and the needs of the department, division, and/or College. For more information about scheduling by department, please see the Policies and Procedures section.
Common Course Times and Days
Most face-to-face courses meet three hours per week at specified times depending on the schedule. Final exams may fall outside of the normally designated time slot.
- Fall/Spring
- M/W/F (16-weeks)
- 7:00-7:50
- 8:00-8:50
- 9:00-9:50
- 10:00-10:50
- 11:00-11:50
- M/W (16-weeks)
- 12:00-1:15
- 1:30-2:45
- 3:00-4:15
- 4:30-5:45
- 6:00-8:30 (M or W)
- T/R (16-weeks)
- 7:30-8:45
- 9:00-10:15
- 10:30-11:45
- 12:00-1:15
- 1:30-2:45
- 3:00-4:15 (Adjunct only)
- 4:30-5:45
- 6:00-8:30 (T or R)
- M/W or T/R (12-weeks)
- Meet for 1 hour and 45 minutes two days a week with start times that fit within the above 16-weeks schedule.
- M/W or T/R (1st/2nd 4-weeks)
- Meet for 2 hours and 30 minutes two days a week with start time that fit within the above 16-weeks schedule
- Summer
- M/T/W/R (1st/2nd 4-weeks)
- 8:00 to 10:30
- 11:00 to 1:30
- 2:00 to 4:30
- M/W or T/R (8-weeks)
- 8:00 to 10:30
- 11:00 to 1:30
- 2:00 to 4:30
Reading Your Schedule
M=Monday, T=Tuesday, W=Wednesday, R=Thursday, F=Friday, S=Saturday. If you are scheduled for a TR class, that class meets both Tuesday and Thursday. Synchronous online courses are labeled with “LIVE” and will also have designated days/times for meetings in Zoom.
Assignment of Course Instructor
BRCC reserves the right to change instructors listed in the course schedule due to course cancellation, or other conditions that might necessitate the reassignment of instructors. Students should be cautioned that the listing of an instructor’s name in the course schedule is no guarantee that the identified instructor will teach the course.
Schedule Modifications
Individual faculty members seeking modifications in scheduled classes should consult with the department chair for accommodations. If an accommodation falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please refer to this policy for correct procedures.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of the specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
This institution reserves the right not to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
Fair Use
The Fair Use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or by any means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism comment, new reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.
Public Domain
A work in the public domain can be freely used by anyone for any purpose. Works considered to be in the public domain include works whose copyright have expired, U.S. Government documents, works with forfeited or abandoned copyrights, and works that are not eligible to be copyrighted.
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