Credit Hours: 3

Hours per Week: 2hr 40mins

Laboratory Hours per Week: 50mins

Course Description: Overview of computer systems—hardware, operating systems, and microcomputer application software, including the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and databases.  Current issues such as the effect of computers on society, and the history and use of computers in business, educational, and other modern settings are also studied. This course provides the required computer literacy core competencies that all students need to attain by graduation.

This course provides the required computer literacy core competencies that all students need to attain by graduation.

Pre-requisite:  Reading – R. Keyboarding and mouse operation skills recommended.

Instructional Methodology: This is a Distance Learning course therefore the student is responsible for reading the material and completing the assignments by the specified due dates found via the course Blackboard website. The software required for this course is the Microsoft Office 2021 suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Course Rationale:  This course meets the Computer Literacy course requirements as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This course is included in several degree plans and certificates including:

• Associate of Applied Science – Computer Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Web Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Local Area Network Administration
• Associate of Applied Science – User and Computer Support
• Associate of Applied Science – Game and Visualization Programming
• Associate of Applied Science – Information Technology Application
• Associate of Applied Science – Security Administration
• Associate of Applied Science – Software Testing

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

The students will learn to “use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information”. Students will have an “understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and acquire the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available”.  After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
 

1.         Define and describe the hardware used in information technology (IT).

2.         Define and describe the types of software used in IT.

3.         Delineate and discuss societal issues involving the use of IT and networks.

4.         Demonstrate the ability to create and use documents, spreadsheets, presentations and databases in order to

            communicate and store information as well as to support problem solving.

5.         Use IT to acquire, differentiate and evaluate information and technology.
 

SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills):

The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

Approved Course Texts:

Technology for Success Computer Concepts, SAM 365/2021, the New Perspectives Collection Assessments, Trainings and Projects with 1 Mind Tap Reader Multi-Term Printed Access, ISBN-13: 978-0-357-02622-9.

All the materials are included in the tuition (eTextbook, SAM 2021 Assessments, Trainings and Projects) and accessed via your Blackboard account. 

Grade Policy:

Grade will be assigned based on both concepts and practical application. Exams, quizzes, homework and projects will be a part of the grade.  An overall grade will be assigned on the following grading scale:

90%  - 100%         A

80%  -  89%          B

70%  -  79%          C

60%  -  69%          D

0%    -  59%          F
 

Each student’s grade for this course consists of non-comprehensive exams on concepts (Chapters 1-6), chapter homework on Windows 10 OS and Microsoft Office 2021 applications (Chapters 7-22), Microsoft Office 2021 project exams, enrichment assignments and a comprehensive final exam. The exams for this course are completed online.

Homework assignments are located via the Mind Tap link on Blackboard. Assignments and exams are due on the day and time outlined on Blackboard. Some assignments may be submitted one day late with a 20% deduction in points.  Those assignments have been notated accordingly.  No assignments will be accepted after that date. Scheduling of computer time is the student’s responsibility.

Availability of computers, internet access and or technical issues (including interruption to your internet service) is NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment unless the interruption is associated with the tool provider which may occasionally occur and will be communicated by the instructor, so start early and give yourself enough time to complete assignments. There are no makeup EXAMS in this course. If you miss an exam, you will receive a grade of ZERO for that exam.

d give yourself enough time to complete assignments.  There are no makeup EXAMS in this course. If you miss an exam you will receive a grade of ZERO for that exam.

Absolutely under no circumstances are assignments be accepted via email.
 

Course/Class Policies:

The instructor may receive over 200 homework assignments per class. To keep these organized; the instructor has adopted a file naming convention that can be found within the instructions for each assignment

Failure to follow this naming convention may result in your file being misplaced, not graded or reduced points. It is the student‘s responsibility to submit files with the correct file name.

There are no make-up exams for this course.

Students are responsible for comprehension of the schedule and syllabus content. Please check the syllabus and Blackboard before emailing questions to ensure the topic has not already been addressed. Questions already addressed by the course material are considered rhetorical and the student will likely be referred back to those resources to answer those questions. Instructors have multiple courses consisting of multiple students therefore it is important that you carefully utilize the course material to your advantage.

Students can expect to have feedback a minimum of one week after the due date of an assignment. This does not include resubmitted or late assignments. Grades are recorded in Blackboard and may be accessed via the Grades link.

Under normal operating conditions, ACC students can expect the instructor to view and respond to email messages within 24-48 hours, Monday through Thursday. In addition, students can expect the instructor to respond to voice mail messages within the same timeframe, within 24-48 hours (when face to face courses resume), Monday through Thursday. Please be reminded that email is the most expedient method of contact. Keep in mind from time to time, that normal operating conditions may be affected by weather, technology-related interruptions or some other unforeseen circumstance. Do not wait until the last minute to ask questions or complete your assignments. Failure to plan on your part does not and will not constitute an emergency on my part. Please note that emails received during the weekend and outside of the above-mentioned timeframe will be addressed the following week.

Academic Integrity:
A student is expected to complete his or her own projects and tests.  Students are responsible for observing the policy on academic integrity as described in the current Student Policies Handbook. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and will be punished by failure on an exam, paper or project, and/or failure in the course.

The penalty accessed will be in accordance with the current ACC Student Handbook policy. See http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.php for more information. For this course, the penalty for scholastic dishonesty is a grade of ‘F’ in the course.

Incomplete:

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:
 

1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstances beyond their control.
2. The student must have earned at least half of the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.
3. The request for the grade must be made in person at the instructor’s office and necessary documents completed.
4. To remove an “I”, the student must complete the course by two weeks before the end of the following semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.
    

Freedom of Expression Policy:

It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Tutoring:

Free tutoring is provided for this course.  For schedules and details, please refer to http:://www.austincc.edu/cit.

Attendance / Withdrawal:

Students are expected to attend classes and will be held responsible for all material covered in class.  Regular attendance helps ensure satisfactorily progression towards completion of the course.

It is the student’s responsibility to complete a Withdrawal Form in the Admissions Office if they wish to withdraw from this class.  The instructor may withdraw students from this class if their absences exceed 10% of the total number of class meetings or if the student fails to attempt four graded assignments by the last date to receive credit.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is Monday July 15, 2024.  It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the student from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above listed circumstances.

ALERT:  New state law for new students. No more than six course withdrawals throughout your undergraduate education, regardless of how many colleges you attend.  Students who entered college before Fall 2007 are not affected.  Ask a counselor for details.

If the withdrawal is not completed by 5 PM on the last day of withdrawal, the student will receive a performance grade (A, B, C, D, or F) that they have earned.  It is not the responsibility of the instructor to withdraw the students from their class even though the instructor has the prerogative to do so under the above-listed circumstances. After reading this, email me a picture of a rattler. Subject line four letter course identifier and synonym; with the word rattler in the body of the email.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.”

Attendance/ Late Arrivals: The final course grade may be reduced for students who are repeatedly late or not present to class. It is disrespectful to self, other students, the professor, and the institution to disregard class start times.

Student Files – Privacy:

The information that a student stores in his/her student volume in the Computer Studies Labs may be viewed, but not changed by his/her instructor for educational and academic reasons. Instructors have read-only access to the students’ files.

Students Accessibility Service & Assistive Technology:

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students Accessibility & Assistive Technology on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to make this request three weeks before the start of the semester.  (Refer to the current ACC Student Handbook).

Communication:

Instructors will only use the ACC online Blackboard system http://acconline.austincc.edu  or equivalent and the ACCmail accounts as the official communication systems during this semester. Instructors can post lecture notes, handouts, changes to course schedule or assignments and your grades on Blackboard and can send all email communication via the ACCmail accounts. Instructors will expect all students to check both Blackboard and their ACCmail accounts on a regular basis. Instructors/Lab Technicians will conduct a brief lab orientation during the first lab visit.

For information on how to log onto Blackboard and ACCmail please visit the following sites:

http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php and http://www.austincc.edu/accmail.

Use of Electronic Devices:
The use of cell phones and personal electronic devices (recording, Google glasses etc.) are not allowed at any time in the class or lab. The use of a laptop computer in class or lab is restricted to instructor-approved activities. Please turn off ALL phones, i.e. put them on vibrate, upon entry into the class, failure to do so will result in a deduction of points from your overall grade.

Classroom Discipline:

Students who listen to the lectures tend to score highest on the exams.  Therefore, all students are asked to respect the right of others to listen to the lecture.  Also, please model business professional conduct in speech and behavior. Refer to the current ACC Student Handbook under “Student Discipline Policy, Section A” for student responsibilities.

Safety Statement:

Each student is expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency-notifications.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and or barred from attending future activities.

Concealed Handgun Policy: The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

 It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

Tentative Course Schedule for COSC 1301:

NOTE:  The instructor has the prerogative to change the course schedule as required or needed. A current schedule will be maintained in the Course Schedule link on Blackboard. Each week starts on a Monday with assignments due by the end of the week Sunday.

The above schedule is for those students that are new to distance learning and require guidance to stay on track with completing assignments week to week. If you are a self-starter then feel free to use the course calendar to help craft your personal schedule to keep up with assignments in the course as it displays the absolute last date to submit an assignment. Any changes or updates to the schedule will be reflected on the course Blackboard calendar.

ALWAYS CHECK THE COURSE BLACKBOARD CALENDAR TO VERIFY ALL DUE DATES.