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.

Pre-requisite:  Reading – R.

Keyboarding and mouse operation skills recommended.

Instructional Methodology:  This course will have both lecture and lab each class day. If students are unable to finish the assigned lab work within the lab time, they will need to visit the CIS open labs to complete their assignments.

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/Desktop Support

·    Associate of Applied Science – Game programming

·    Associate of Applied Science – Microcomputer Application Support

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):

Refer to http://www.austincc.edu/cit/courses/scans.pdffor a complete definition and explanation of SCANS.  The following list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course:

Approved Course Texts/Readings:

First Day Access – Book cost included in tution – You do not need to purchase again

Mindtap for Caable/FREUND/Momk/Sebok/Starks/Vermaat’s The Shelly Cashman Series

Collection, Microsoft-Office 365 & Office 2021

ISBN- 13:9780357676677

Grade Policy:

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

Course Requirements

Each student’s grade for this course consist of non-comprehensive exams on concepts. Lab exams, and chapter homework on Microsoft Office 2021 applications.

Each Microsoft Office 2021 lab is due no later than 11:59 pm on the posted due date. Late assignments will be accepted for 24 hours, after assignment date, with a late penalty of 20%. No credit will be given for exercises received after 24 hours from assignment due date.  Scheduling of computer time outside of regular lab time is the student’s responsibility. The availability of computers is  NOT an excuse for being late with any assignment.

The Concept exams are based on the lectures for chapters 1-6.  The lab exams are SAM based and cover Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access

THERE ARE NO MAKEUP EXAMS IN THIS COURSE.     If you miss an exam you will receive a grade of ZERO  for that exam.

Students are expected to READ –and  study the assigned material, per course schedule, BEFORE each class.

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 ACC Student Handbook, under “Student Discipline Policy, Section C”.

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’ for 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 4 graded assignments by the last date to receive credit.  The last date to withdraw for this semester is Nov 21st .  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.

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.

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 with Disabilities

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

Communication

Instructors will use the ACC online Blackboard system http://acconline.austincc.eduand the ACCmail accounts as the official communication system 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. For information on how to log onto Blackboard 9.0 and ACCmail please visit the following sites: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.html  http://www.austincc.edu/google/.  Instructors/Lab Technicians will conduct a brief lab orientation during the first week of class.