CS 128 - Syllabus

(c) 1999 Charles Abzug

The course will cover basic computing skills including navigational skills among the documents and programs of the computer and basic aspects of controlling your computer and its environment, as well as specific use of JMU's email. Also to be covered are web browsing, connecting to and logging into remote host systems, file transfer between Internet systems, web page creation, and general knowledge of computers and computer terminology. The primary operating systems to be used will be Windows '95/'98/Windows-NT, with possibly some use of VMS and UNIX.

Students will also learn to use the principal programs in the Microsoft Office-97 package (specifically, Microsoft Word, Excel,PowerPoint, and Outlook). Skills in Word will include use of styles, templates, and frames. Several documents will be produced during the semester, including a term paper. Use of Excel will include basic entry of values and formulas, and the generation of charts. Skills in PowerPoint will include use of a Master Slide, and creation of self-operating presentations. Students will also learn to use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) to include documents of various types within a single compound document.

An important objective of this course is to enable students to identify and learn basic skills which enable them subsequently to succeed in a variety of computer environments that they are likely subsequently to encounter, both within and outside of JMU. In various environments that they may encounter, they will be able to learn to use new computer applications independently, using texts, reference manuals, tutorials, on-line Help, World Wide Web resources, etc.

Students will be evaluated on a number of criteria, to include:

• their performance as demonstrated in the laboratory as well as on their completion of a number of lab assignments,
• their grades earned both in an in-class test (both written and practical) and in a comprehensive final exam, and
• their performance on several projects, more elaborate than the lab assignments mentioned above.

Projects for this course will include the creation of:

1. a one-page newsletter about the student's campus activities;
2. a standard resume;
3. an information handout for a campus organization or office;
4. a research paper based mainly on information found on the World Wide Web;
5. an in-class PowerPoint presentation of that research; and
6. a personal web page.

• A grade of A on an assignment or for the semester indicates that your work is among the best in the class, demonstrating excellent understanding of the concepts covered, and possibly even including skills beyond those covered in class.
• A grade of B indicates that your work is very good and above my level of expectation for the class.
• A grade of C indicates that your work is satisfactory, demonstrating sufficient comprehension of the material to merit your receiving credit for having achieved the course objectives.
• A grade of D indicates work that is less than satisfactory, but is nevertheless sufficiently good to warrant your receiving credit for the class.
• A grade of F indicates a level of work far below satisfactory, usually due either to non-completion of significant assignments, or to assignments that demonstrate insufficient ability in the skills or knowledge required.

Grades are based only on assignments given to every person in the class. Extra-credit assignments will NOT be given to individuals.

Grades are based on the quality of the work submitted, not on the amount of effort expended. I will be pleased to provide extra help to students who request it, but you must take the initiative to see me if you feel you need help, and you are responsible for seeking help in a timely manner and for not waiting until the last minute, when the examination is imminent, to seek me out.

Makeup of overall grade for the semester will be as follows:

• 25%: Mid-Semester Test
• 35%: Final Examination
• 40%: Laboratory Exercises and Projects

Class Participation: Vigorous student participation in class discussions makes for a much more lively and interesting class for all. To encourage your participation in class discussion, I offer everyone the opportunity to earn up to 8 points towards the 100-percent total by participating actively and vigorously in class discussions (e.g., by offering an answer when I ask a question). This can conceivably make a one-level difference in your final course letter grade.

Completed and then revised 09 May 1999 (Charles Abzug). I acknowledge with gratitude the prior work of Stin Lenkerd, from which this document is derived.