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CISM 1130, Spring 2008: syllabus
by Robin Snyder  ,  robin@RobinSnyder.com , source: I1130-IA/sylla&01 [NV/asp]
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1.0 CISM 1130, Spring 2008: syllabus


2.0 Context information


3.0 CISM 1130: Computer and its applications

    SSU catalog description: An introductory course specially designed to help students become computer literate. The course covers the history of computers, hardware, software, and use of the state-of-the-art technology. Another unique feature of this course is that students use internet, MS OFFICE applications using word processing, spreadsheets, and HTML language to create home pages. Cross-listed as CSCI 1130 (3 credits) Prerequisites: none


4.0 Prerequisites

    COBA policy: Students who are enrolled in this course are advised with this notice that they must have a grade of C or better in the above-listed prerequisite courses, prior to enrollment in this course. With your continued presence on the official roll on the DATE THAT IS THE SECOND CLASS MEETING, you are certifying that you have satisfactorily completed all of the required prerequisites prior to enrolling in this course. Students further acknowledge that, should the instructor, or the administration, subsequently determine, at any time hereafter, that this certification is incorrect, violator(s) will be subject to administrative withdrawal from this course. Should such administrative withdrawal occur, after the official date to withdraw without a grade penalty, the grade assigned will be a "WF". Should the violation not be discovered until after a final grade is reported, the student by his or her continued presence on the official roll as of the DATE THAT IS THE SECOND CLASS MEETING, acknowledges that the reported grade is authorized to be changed, at any time after discovery, to a grade of "WF".

    The course will emphasize general and enduring principles for future needs while including specific and practical necessities for present needs. Assignments will be practical in nature.


5.0 Textbook



6.0 Approximate point breakdown

    The following is an approximate point breakdown. Any points not appropriated by the end of the course will be apportioned to class requirements not scored yet such as the final exam, projects, etc.

    Here is a typical point breakdown. As this is a new course for me, the actual point breakdown will be determined sometime before the start of the semester.

    Note: If lack of technology support (e.g., lack of Internet access in the classroom) precludes accomplishing any of the above (e.g., in-class on-line exams, assignments, topic evaluations, etc.), those points will be added to the final exam.

    For full credit on class requirements, you must follow all specified directions. Failure to do so for a class requirement will result in you receiving less than full credit for that class requirement.

      Any exception to any stated policy must be obtained in writing from the professor specifically stating the exception. Verbal exceptions are not permitted, allowed, or accepted.

    Taking an exam, quiz, etc., during class is a serious matter that requires professional behavior. During such time, you must immediately comply with any reasonable request from the exam proctor without resistance or argument. Failure to do so will result in an earned zero for that class requirement. Talking during an exam, except to the proctor with approval, for any reason, will result in an earned zero for that class requirement. In such situations, you must immediately leave the classroom if asked to do so.

    Exams are composed of various types of questions (i.e., multiple choice, short answer, essay, problems, etc.). The final exam is cumulative. Any exam (i.e., not quizzes, assignments, etc.) whose average is below the final exam average is effectively raised to the final exam average. There are no makeups for missed exams, for any reason. Instead, if you miss an exam, your final exam average will be the missed exam average. There is no makeup for the final exam.

    Online homeworks are done before you get to class and are intended to motivate you to study the lesson before you get to class. There are no makeups for missed homeworks, for any reason. Instead, a certain number of homework scores are dropped. You should make sure that you complete the maximum number of homeworks to avoid penalty.

    Quizzes are short exams and may or may not be pre-announced. There are no makeups for missed quizzes, for any reason. Instead, a certain number of quiz scores are dropped. You should make sure that you attend class sufficient times to take the minimum number of quizzes to avoid penalty.

    Assignments consist of submitted work done outside of class. Assignments are submitted electronically and are due even if you are not in class the day the assignment is due. Note that short in-class assignments done in a closed lab setting fall under the category of quizzes.

    A project consists of various requirements (e.g., design, implementation, documentation, communication, presentation, etc.) that effectively solve some problem. The actual type of project will vary from course to course. Often, assignments are used to help get started with aspects of the project.

    Your class participation is determined as follows.

    • At the end of the semester, your class participation score starts out as your average for the semester of all other scores combined.
    • If you have added to the class, inside or outside of class, your class participation score is adjusted up. You can receive up to 50% more than the maximum class participation score in the form of bonus points, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
    • If you have detracted from the class, inside or outside of class, your class participation score is adjusted down.
    • If you have done nothing to appreciably add or detract from the class, then your class participation score is left as it is.


7.0 Approximate undergraduate grading scale 


       A   90.0% or better    Excellent work that exceeds the course expectations
   B   80.0% up to 89.9%  Above average work.
   C   70.0% up to 79.9%  Average work, meets expectations.
   D   60.0% up to 69.9%  Below average work.
   F   below 60.0%        Failure to meet expectations.

    Your grade will be determined by how well you complete the class requirements. Extra credit work is not an option.

    An incomplete grade is the exception and not the rule. Only under very unusual and extenuating circumstances will an incomplete grade be given. In such cases, a specific contract concerning completion of the course must be agreed to by both the instructor and the student.


8.0 Student responsibilities

    Student Responsibilities:

    • 1. Meet all financial obligations as scheduled by the University.
    • 2. In PAWS, check to verify course registration.
    • 3. Verify with instructors that your name is listed on class roster
    • 4. After the seventh day of classes, confirm with instructors that your name is listed on the roster
    • 5. Do not rely upon faculty to submit "NA" to drop your classes
    • 6. Dropping classes is your obligation
    • 7. Consult with advisors before you drop or add courses
    • 8. To withdraw from the University, student must complete withdrawal forms located in the Office of Academic Affairs
    • 9. Check Mid-term and Final grades in PAWS
    • 10. SSU's correspondences will be disseminated using SSU's student email only
    • 11. Check your email account regularly


9.0 Policy disclaimer

    Disclaimer: My policies are intended to extend and clarify, rather than limit or restrict, the policies of the institution. In any case where my stated policy conflicts with official University policy, the minimal adjustment to my policy will be made to bring it into compliance with official University policy.


10.0 Academic misconduct

    University/COBA policy: ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: If academic dishonesty (as defined in the Code of Student Conduct) is established, then the minimum penalty for the offending student will be a grade of ZERO for the assignment (as per university policy). However, students should be apprised that the instructor may well assign a penalty grade of F for the semester and request that the student be expelled from the university. In all cases, students are apprised that all incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of the Dean of the COBA, the COBA Student Services Office (for inclusion in the student's academic record) and to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

    Course policy: Any case of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the course and a request that the student be expelled from the university.


11.0 Electronic devices

    University/COBA policy: Electronic Devices (CELL PHONES, PAD'S, BLUE TOOTH, IPODS, MP3 PLAYERS, ETC.): No electronic devices are to be seen or heard during regularly scheduled class time, quizzes, tests, or examinations -- (note that this includes earpieces and ear buds). If any are observed or heard during class, the student will be excused from class; and should such devices be observed or heard during assessment periods, there will be the presumption of academic dishonesty. Those found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to the consequences for academic dishonesty under the College of Business Administration Policy on Academic Dishonesty.


12.0 Computer usage

    This course requires you to make extensive use of computers. You are required to abide by the computer usage policy of the institution. Misuse, abuse, theft, destruction, or unauthorized use of hardware or software will be grounds for sanctions against the violator. Sanctions can include revoked computer privileges, course failure and suspension or expulsion from school. Any class requirements that cannot be completed and/or submitted because of revoked computer privileges will be scored as if you failed to complete and/or submit the assignment. The same penalties hold for invasion of others privacy, obstruction of computer use by others, or violations of software copyrights. Each student must safeguard access to any applicable computer accounts through proper password protection and common sense. Do not let friends use your computer account(s).


13.0 Class requirements submission policy

    Unless specifically and explicitly permitted in writing by the instructor, all submissions of required work must be done electronically according to the submission method specified for that requirement. Submission by any other method, such as printed hardcopy, files on floppy disks, etc., will not be accepted and will result in a score of zero (0) points for that requirement. I have used this policy from 1984 to 1990 on a mainframe system and since 1998 on microcomputer systems. Late submissions are either not accepted or assessed a point penalty, at the discretion of the instructor. A submission is late if it arrives at the server after the due date and time. The server time is periodically synchronized every few hours to the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) official United States time, using the ITS (Internet Time Service). You can see this time at http://nist.time.gov .


14.0 Required email account

    Each student is responsible for obtaining an email account and using it on a daily basis.
    Note: You might consider obtaining another email account and setting this email account in PAWS as your preferred student email account. Information on free email accounts is at Free email accounts .


    There are many sources for an email account. Here are a few.

    • The email account can be a company email account (provided by your employer).
    • The email account can be an ISP (Internet Service Provider) email account (you usually pay the ISP a fee to connect your computer to the Internet)
    • The email account can be a free email account such as Hotmail , Yahoo mail , etc.
    • The email account can be an University email account (i.e., provided by the University). (see above restriction)

    Important note: You should set your preferred email account from your "Personal Page". Until you do, you will not be able to complete certain class requirements (for which you are still responsible).



15.0 Attendance policy

    Students are expected to attend classes and are responsible for the academic consequences of absences. In particular, the student is responsible for all requirements of the course regardless of absences. Instructors are not obligated to provide makeup opportunities for students who are absent.


    Students are expected to be on time for class, and stay until class is over. If you arrive late or leave early, you have missed class. If you arrive late or leave early, you should do so as quietly as possible so as not to distract the instructor or other students in the class.


    Students are expected to be prepared for class. The study assignment will be announced at least one lesson in advance on the on-line class calendar.

    Students are expected to read/study the assigned reading/study assignments and work assigned homework problems, regardless of whether the homework problems are graded or ungraded.


    Students who withdrawal from class are expected to follow and be bound by University rules (e.g., filling out the proper paperwork and making sure that it is processed in a timely manner). A student who does not get a written statement before the drop deadline from the teacher agreeing to an instructor withdrawal will receive the grade determined by their score in the class. A student cannot just stop attending class and expect to get an instructor withdrawal from the course.


    If you miss all or part of a class, then, within one week of the absence, you are required to submit, via your "Personal Page", a reason why you missed class. Otherwise, you will lose up to 5 class participation points per absence. If you walk in after the time that class is scheduled to start, leave before that class is over, or leave and return during class, then you have missed part of that class.


    If your cell phone rings during class, then you have volunteered to be called on to be asked questions during that class.


    The time used to start class is official U.S. time, available at http://nist.time.gov . My computer clock is automatically synchronized to official U.S. time just before each class starts. For details on the mechanics of responding with the required email message, see Policy for class attendance .


16.0 Students with disabilities

    University/COBA policy: Disability Accommodations: If a student has a documented and declared disability, reasonable accommodations will be provided if requested by the student according to the recommendations of the office of Counseling and Disability Services (CDS). Contact number(s) (912) 356-2285 / (912) 303 1650.

    Any accommodations must be arranged at least two weeks before the class requirement is due/scheduled.


17.0 Clarifications

    • Assignments are announced at least one week in advance and appear on the on-line calendar.
    • Exam dates are announced at the start of the semester and appear on the on-line calendar.
    • Reading assignments are announced at least one lesson in advance and appear on the on-line calendar.
    • The final exam is cumulative. Everyone must take the final exam. The date and time of the final exam is announced by the Registrar. Since grades are determined, in part, by curving scores, if the Registrar requires letter grades for graduating seniors before the class has taken the final exam, then it may be necessary to schedule the final exam during regular class hours during the last week of class.


by Robin Snyder  ,  robin@RobinSnyder.com , source: I1130-IA/sylla&01 [NV/asp]