Course Syllabus: Essential Information Technology, Desktop Publication and Media Design


SPRING 2012
Lyn Belisle, Instructor		 Catalog Description

Computer Skills Designated in Common Curriculum

Instructor/Office Hours

Text

Hardware, Software

Class Web Page

Grading and Evaluation

FAQs

Academic Integrity

　Essential Information Technology: Emphasis on Desktop Publication and Media Design (CSCI 1300 Sections 4, 5, and 6 -Document Layout, Digital Images, Advanced Presentation Techniques)

This 3-credit course is designed to satisfy Trinity's computer skills requirement and, as such, may not be taken pass/fail or by students who have already received credit for CSCI 1321.  It prepares students to collect, organize, analyze and communicate information in an academic environment.  Classes are held in a computer lab with each student having hands-on experience.  The course is recommended for first year students. Students who have not satisfied the computer skills requirement must take the course by the fall of the sophomore year. Other courses that satisfy the computer skills requirement are: CSCI 1304, CSCI 1320, and ENGR 1382.

 

Catalog Description: Introduction to computer skills. Computing hardware, software, files and formats. Text processing.  Numbers and quantitative analysis. Information structure and retrieval. Graphics and visualization. Communication, networking and the World Wide Web. Computer ethics, privacy and legal use of software and data. Solution of several problems illustrating each of these skill areas. Prerequisites:  none.

 

 

Instructor:

Ms. Lyn Belisle
 lyn.belisle@trinity.edu  

Office Phone: 210-999-7426
Cell/Text: 210-860-9468

 

Office: Halsell 201G (across the hall from our lab)

Office Hours: T-TH 10:00-11:00, 3:30-4:00, M 1:00-4:00 WF 11:00-4:00 and by appointment

 

  

Texts: There is currently no specified textbook for this class - you will be expected to use the assigned tutorials and outside links as you would a textbook, completing all assignments and research using these resources. Most of the tutorials will come from the Lynda.com website. You will need to set up a Lynda account on the first day of class. This resources is provided free of charge to Trinity faculty and students.


Hardware, Software, Equipment:

Supported Hardware - details given online
     PC with WIN 7 (used in the HAS 227 Lab), Windows XP or Vista OR
     Mac OS X 10.3 or higher

NOTE TO MAC USERS: I love my Mac and I know you love yours, too. Most of the assignments this semester can be done on either platform. If there is a particular assignment that needs to be done with Windows software, you are responsible for completing it on one of the many available machines on campus. Windows PC is still the preferred business standard and you will have a great advantage over your competitors if you can use both Mac and PC. You are always welcome to bring your laptop to class as long as you are following the agenda.

Student Resource Page  

Computers available on Campus
 
     The Coates Lab - Coates University Center, Room 238
     Library - Information Commons - 3rd floor
     The Halsell Lab - Ewing Halsell Building, Room 227, Lab 200 by appointment
     CLT - First floor of the library

Software Used in Class

Microsoft Office 2010 - Can be downloaded from Trinity network if you are connected on the campus. OR
Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac - Can be downloaded from Trinity network if you are connected on the campus
Blogger.com - online
del.icio.us - online
Google Docs - online
Anti-Virus Software/ Anti-Spyware Software Symantec software required and provided by Trinity
Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download)
Photo Editing Software
      Adobe Photoshop Elements 6/7 - trial version (free for 1 month) available for download for Windows & Mac OR
     Gimp for Windows or Mac - free download from the Internet

Class Web Page: http://www.cs.trinity.edu/~jbelisle/cs1300 and TLEARN

 Evaluation:

You will receive grades for projects, blogs, class wiki, assignments, class work, quizzes, tests, and final exam. All class work, blogs and assignments are subject to being graded as determined by the instructor. Students will not necessarily know ahead of time which blogs, class work and assignments will be graded.

Performance in class:

Part of your final grade will be based on adequate class preparation and participation, as well as being on-task.
 

Attendance Policy:

This lab class meets twice a week and you are expected to attend all the classes. If you miss a class, you are responsible for the work assigned before the scheduled deadline.

 

If you are a member of a Trinity University team or organization, school-sponsored activities may cause you to miss class during the semester. If this is the case, bring me your request to be excused from the athletic department or other group as soon as you know you are going to miss class. You are responsible for the work missed before you leave for the event if possible.

 

Assignments :
Assignments must be turned in on or before the due date and in the manner specified to get credit. There is no "partial credit" for late work.

Quizzes may be unannounced. Generally, no make-up quizzes.


Midterm:

TBA

 

Final Examination (comprehensive): 

TBA      

 

Grading Scale

A     93% - 100% 
A-    90% - 92.9% 

B+     87% - 89.9% 
B       83% - 86.9% 
B-      80% - 82.9%

C+     77% - 79.9% 
C       73% - 76.9% 
C-      70% - 72.9%

D+     67% - 69.9% 
D       63% - 66.9% 
D-      60% - 62.9% 

F     0% - 59.9% 

 

FAQs

What if the Computer Network is down?
Plan to complete assignments before they are due. Unforeseen computer problems sometimes occur. Due dates will be changed if the server is down for a significant period of time. Due dates will not be changed for personal computer problems.

What if you don't have a computer or your personal computer isn't working?
Computers are available for you to use in many locations on campus. Anticipate problems and complete your work well before deadlines.

How should you send e-mail to your instructor?
Use your Trinity University e-mail address. Use a subject heading which briefly describes the contents of the email. Use grammar and language appropriate for an academic setting. Please use the spelling checker. Please discuss grades in person.

Can I work with other students on my assignments?
Students can learn from each other and are encouraged to do so. However, each student should complete his/her own assignments. Group assignments will be specified. Do not lend any assignment or project to another student or allow any other student to use your password. Penalties will be accessed according to the Trinity University Policy on Academic Integrity. First year students should adhere to the Academic Honor Code. For the differences, read the Academic Integrity and the Honor Code section.

What is the policy on using previous exams? To be fair to all students, you may not use exams, quizzes, and assignments from other students from previous semesters. If I choose to provide materials from previous semesters, I will provide them online for all students.

What computer applications should be open during class?
Please do not check your email, surf the Internet or use any other application that is not part of the classroom instruction. Otherwise, you may be asked to leave the classroom.

What if I have a hard time keeping up during class?
Computer skills are like a foreign language. You have to keep practicing what you have learned. Reading the agenda in advance of the class can also be helpful. Print any items from the agenda and bring it to class. Make a list of questions you might have. You can add comments to the printed materials during the lecture.

What if I have a learning problem that entitles me to have extra time on tests?
Please let me know ahead of time so I can make arrangements for you.

Where can I get help with computer-related problems?
Information Technology Services (ITS) is available to assist you. Email ITS Helpdesk at helpdesk@trinity.edu or call Helpdesk at x7409.

What are the rules of conduct for class?
Improper conduct will result in a deduction from the Participation Grade. Continue disregard for class rules could result in dismissal from the class. The following behaviors are distracting to others and can be disruptive:

o   Using the computer for playing games

o   Surfing the Internet when such surfing is not part of the class lesson

o   Checking Facebook (or other social networking site) during class. It is best not to have the site open during class.

o   Checking email - when not part of the class lesson

o   Using a cell phone, including text messages - when not part of the class lesson

o   Watching television or movies over the Internet

o   Listening to music or other unauthorized audio - at time instructor will authorize the use of personal listening

o   Doing homework that is past due, or doing work for another class.

 

For specific questions related to the course, contact your instructor.

 

Information Literacy

Computer Skills designated in Common Curriculum (left column)

Aligned/Integrated Info Literacy Goals (right column)

 

Computer Skills designated in Common Curriculum:

  • Introduction to Computing (hardware, software, files, and formats).

  • Computers and Text (the uses of word processing software).

  • Computers and Numbers (quantitative analysis using spreadsheet software).

  • Computers and Information Retrieval (structuring and retrieving data using database software).

  • Computers and Graphics (visualizing and illustrating data using graphics software).

  • Computer Communications (using Local Area Networks, electronic mail, and the World Wide Web).

  • Computer Ethics (issues of privacy and the legal use of software and data).

Aligned/Integrated Info Literacy

 Goals:

 

• Understand the varieties of information sources available
(UNDERSTAND)

 

• Access information efficiently and effectively (ACCESS)

 

• Understand the concept of intellectual property and the economic, legal,
and social contexts of information, and use information ethically (USE
ETHICALLY)

 

• Evaluate information and its sources (EVALUATE)

 

• Incorporate and synthesize information to create individual and group
products (CREATE)

 


Academic Integrity and the Honor Code
All students are covered by a policy that prohibits dishonesty in academic work.  The Academic Integrity Policy (AIP) covers all students who entered Trinity before the fall of 2004.   The Academic Honor Code covers all those who entered the fall of 2004 or later.

The Integrity Policy and the Code share many features:  each asserts that the academic community is based on honesty and trust; each contains the same violations; each provides for a procedure to determine if a violation has occurred and what the punishment will be; each provides for an appeal process.

The main difference is that the faculty implements the AIP while the Code is implemented by the Academic Honor Council.   Under the Integrity Policy, the faculty member determines whether a violation has occurred as well as the punishment for the violation (if any) within certain guidelines. Under the Code, a faculty member will (or a student may) report an alleged violation to the Academic Honor Council.  It is the task of the Council to investigate, adjudicate, and assign a punishment within certain guidelines if a violation has been verified.

Students who are under the Honor Code are required to pledge all written work that is submitted for a grade:  “On my honor, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized assistance on this work” and their signature.  The pledge may be abbreviated “pledged” with a signature.

 

Excerpts from the Faculty and Staff Handbook

IX. DISMISSAL  FROM A COURSE

 

A student may be dismissed by the instructor from a class roll with an “F” in any course when      

A.     The student has consistent unexcused absences and has not notified the instructor, department, or Vice President for Student Affairs; or

 

B.     The student engages in behavior inconsistent with membership in a scholarly community as outlined in the section on Academic Integrity.    

 

XI. DISMISSAL FROM A CLASS AND STUDENT ATTENDANCE

 

The University expects regular class attendance by all students. The instructor in each course is expected to state an attendance policy in the course syllabus. Each student is expected to familiarize himself or herself with this policy at the beginning of each course.

 

Instructors then have the prerogative of informing the Registrar to drop or withdraw a student from a course for nonattendance within the published deadlines for such actions. After the last date to withdraw, a student dismissed from the class roll for excessive absences will receive an F in the course.

 

Absence from class does not constitute official withdrawal from the class or from the University. A student must initiate withdrawal from the class or from the University in the manner prescribed for “Withdrawal from a course” or “Withdrawal from the University ” in the Courses of Study Bulletin.

 

When a student is excessively absent from class, the instructor should assume responsibility to notify the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Curriculum and Student Issues (AVPAA:CSI), who will write the student and invite him/her to discuss the reason for the absences. The student’s faculty advisor and the Vice President for Student Affairs will receive a copy of the letter. The AVPAA:CSI will later inform the instructor, the faculty advisor, and the Vice President for Student Affairs of the outcome of the conversation with the student.

 

XII. POLICY REGARDING DISRUPTION OF CLASS

 

Students will not be permitted to behave in such a manner as to disrupt the orderly conduct of classroom activities. When such behavior occurs, it is the responsibility of the instructor to discuss the matter with the student involved, warning the student that continuation of such behavior may result in dismissal from the class. If the behavior continues, the faculty member may drop the student from the class. Notification of such action shall be communicated in writing to the student, the student’s faculty advisor, the departmental Chair, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This notification must include a statement of the reasons for the decision and a summary of the appeal procedures. The student has a period of two school days in which to file a written appeal with the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the student files an appeal within the time specified, the matter will be referred to the Committee on Academic Integrity for action in accordance with the procedures set forth in the University’s Academic Integrity Policy (Chapter 6D) A copy of the dismissal notification will remain in a file created for this purpose in the Office of Academic Affairs; the copy will be destroyed when the student is graduated. If the dismissal from class occurs before the published deadline for withdrawal from a class, the student will receive a grade of “W” in the class; if it occurs after the deadline, the grade will be “F.”

 

 

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