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Syllabus
Consumers And Technology
CSM 101 Section 990
Summer 2016, Lecture
Juanita McMath
Office Hours and Contact Information
Hello class. Virtual office hours by use of SKYPE, email, and departmental cell phone are Tuesday through Thursday 9 am - 11 am & 2 pm - 3 pm Central Time. We can also meet other times by appointment. Email your questions, comments and issues directly to the class email csm101@ches.ua.edu, also noted in Blackboard.
Our departmental cell allows students to leave a voice mail for the individual professor, with that message forwarded to email and as an mp3 file. Speak slowly, clearly and leave your name, class, Crimson email and why you are calling. All faculty have Blackberry access to email accounts and monitor their class emails during the day. If you have a SKYPE account, you can also see when faculty are online. For items not related to the class, my office email is jmcmath@ches.ua.edu
Prerequisites
Course Description
This course features the use of basic applications of the computer, including word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentations, Internet searching, Internet safety, fundamental computer operations and an introduction to Cloud applications, UA BOX and Twitter.
Student Learning Outcomes
Course Goals and Student Outcomes: The goals for this course and their associated student outcomes are:
1.0 Understand the role of computer-mediated communications in today’s society, especially the workplace.
1.1 construct a signature file in Crimson
1.2 demonstrate the ability to use email as a professional correspondence tool, including email etiquette
1.3 demonstrate ability to use Skype including adding contacts and using call and text features
1.4 demonstrate the ability to post comments on a class blog
2.0 Understand the concept of cloud computing as evidenced in tools and applications in their lives
2.1 demonstrate ability to use Google Earth to find businesses, get directions and employ email features
2.2 participate in Twitter for class activities and information
2.3 participate and use UA Box for class activity
3.0 Be aware of specific components typically associated with Internet safety and computer use
3.1 describe general Internet Safety procedures
3.2 identify Phishing and Pharming as specific aspects of safety
3.3 identify preventative as well as repair strategies associated with phishing and pharming in internet safety
3.4 demonstrate strategies for how to examine their own virtual (web) presence
3.5 demonstrate the ability to set/change Internet security settings as well as update anti-virus, browsers, software
4.0 Understand search and retrieval of information for academic and career purpose
4.1 demonstrate ability to use Search Engines and search strategies
4.2 demonstrate ability to use UA’s online library resources
5. 0 Understand basic operations associated with one or more suite of computerized tools, such as Microsoft.
5.1 write a professionally formatted document in MS Word
5.2 construct and use MS Excel spreadsheets for analyses and reports
5.3 create an MS PowerPoint product related to career goals and/or coursework
Required Texts
NONE. NO TEXTBOOK REQUIRED.
Other Course Materials
- Computer with internet connectivity and Microsoft Office with the following programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- USB (1 Gb minimum) for external back up of all work
- Headset with mic if a student does not already have this
Attendance Policy
Attendance & Credit Hour Equivalency: Attendance is considered important in any class because of the focus placed on reaching mastery of the skill sets. This class is an asynchronous, web-based class, with all of the materials online on the course web site. Attendance is required. Students need to plan to spend at least as much time at the computer reading the web site as would spent sitting in a three-credit course for 3 hours each week, in addition to the time required to complete activities and the assignment products. For a typical class students would be expected to go to class 150 minutes per week; in addition, the rule of thumb is 2 or 2.5 or even 3 times as much time for study and preparation. Therefore, students should plan to spend 6 to 9 hours in preparation in addition to the 3 hours of attendance per week on this course in order to maintain regular progress. Students have to take the time to read the instructions, complete activities and produce the products. Attendance is defined as the time spent at your computer, working on the course content spending sufficient, prescribed time to master the content and submitting assignments. Students are also expected to check the class Announcements several times a week. Class communications for the course are completed with the announcements feature in the Blackboard Learn portal. Individual contact is conducted with the official UA Email and is also expected to be checked on a regular basis.
Exams and Assignments
There are quiz assessments and assignments that require other skills such as producing products. Each student is expected to complete cognitive activities on course content or to demonstrate skill acquisition through product development. There is no final exam in the course.
No group work. In this class there are no group assignments, therefore each student will work on their assignments individually. Students are expected to complete the assignments on their own.
All assignment products have due dates located in the Tasks Area and also in the Calendar. All assignments are due before 11:59 PM Central Time by the specified due date with one submission per assignment. Late work is not graded unless there is an approved extension or excuse submitted (see Policy on Missed Exams or Coursework Section). It is the student's responsibility to check due dates and stay current on assignments. Please do not hesitate to email the class email for any questions.
Policy on Missed Exams & Coursework
The course has all assignment items with the associated due dates in the Tasks area as well as on the course Calendar. All assignment products and quiz items are due before 11:59 PM Central Time. No late work is accepted unless (1) the student made prior arrangements with instructor before the due date or (2) medical excuse received within 7 days of return to school date (no diagnosis), or (3) an assignment extension requested before the due date/time. Prior arrangements would include items such as a student is moving and Internet access will be down for a week or a religious holiday, etc. Student travel on official university activities requires submission of the letter of travel dates.
Medical Excuse. If the student is unable to complete the assignment product by the due date because of illness, provide a doctor's excuse within 7 days of the return to school date on the excuse for missed/late work to be graded. The excuse only needs the dates the student was not able to attend school and must be on the medical caregiver's letterhead form. No diagnosis, only dates unable to attend school. Fax the excuse to Mrs. McMath at 205.348.8721 within the required 7 days. If the student has extenuating circumstances other than illness, there is also an extension request opportunity in my classes.
Extension Request Policy. For this class, I have an extension request policy. This extension offer is for unusual occasions when a student has an issue unrelated to illness, jury duty or military duty or prior arrangements. No extensions are granted after the due date/time. An extension request is approved for three (3) days automatically. For example, an assignment is due on Friday the 1st before midnight Central Time, the student requests an extension at 10 pm on that Friday; the extended due date is now on Monday the 4th before midnight. Extensions are for three days only. There are no extensions on an extension.
To request an extension, the student will email the class email csm101@ches.ua.edu prior to (before) the due date/time of the published due date. The email must include in the Subject Line Extension Request for Assignment and give the specific assignment name. For example, Extension Request Word 1 and the student sends the request with no explanation needed, just as long as it is before the due date/time and the subject line notes Extension with the assignment name. If the policy is abused, an extension can be denied.
Grading Policy
The grade for each assignment product will be based on explicit criteria in the grading rubrics for each assignment. Students have access to the rubrics to review and it is recommended students review the rubrics before submitting an assignment. Grades will post no later than 7 days after the due date of an assignment. No late work is graded (see Missed Exams and Assignments for exceptions). Note: If a student has a question about an assignment grade, this must be addressed within 7 days of the grade being posted in the grades area. Please check all assignment grades in a timely manner and contact me at the class email within 7 days about any grading questions.
In the course grades area, students can view each assignment grade, the grading rubric, and cumulative points to total points possible. The cumulative points are a running total of points earned so students can keep up with their overall class grade to assignments submitted and graded. Students are expected to review their grades regularly and ask questions within the 7 day period after posting. Please do not hesitate to email the class email for questions.
Below is the scale of grading for the class. Mid-semester and final grades will use this grading scale.
Grading Scale
A+ = 97-100% A = 94-96% A- = 90-93%
B+ = 87-89 B = 84-86% B- = 80-83%
C+ = 77-79% C = 74-76% C- = 70-73%
D+ = 67-69% D = 64-66% D- = 60-63%
F = 59% and Below
Stopped Attending - F, and Never Attended - F Grade Reporting
Please be reminded that it is your responsibility to drop a class that you never attend or stop attending. If you fail to drop a class that you never attend or stop attending, you will be assigned a grade of “F” (or “NC” if applicable) for that class, the grade will be part of your permanent academic record, and it will impact your GPA. The Office of the University Registrar does not adjust student registration based on the assignment of failing grades with a reason of Never Attended or Stopped Attending. The student will bear the responsibility of dropping a course within the published guidelines. No tuition adjustments will be made for students who receive a failing grade for reasons of Never Attended or Stopped Attending.
Following the last day to drop a course with a “W” for the term, any midterm grades of “F” of “NC” that have been submitted with a reason of Never Attended or Stopped Attending will be reflected on the transcript as the student’s final grade for the class. Likewise, grades of “F” or “NC” submitted during final grading with a reason of Never Attended or Stopped Attending will be reflected on the transcript as the student’s final grade for the class. Whether submitted during midterm grading or final grading, the reason for the “F” or “NC” grade will not appear on the transcript.
For a more detailed explanation of the new procedure, please visit the Non-Attendance Grading Information Page of the University Registrar. Please note that grades of "NC" can only be assigned in freshman composition and introductory math courses. For any additional questions, please contact The Office of the University Registrar at 205-348-2020 or by email at registrar@ua.edu.
Academic Integrity Policy
Review the Student Handbook at https://studenthandbook.ua.edu/academic-policies/academic-integrity-policy/ for the Academic Integrity Policy.
Severe Weather Guidelines
The guiding principle at The University of Alabama is to promote the personal safety of our students, faculty and staff during severe weather events. It is impossible to develop policies which anticipate every weather-related emergency. These guidelines are intended to provide additional assistance for responding to severe weather on campus.
UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.
When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take.
The Office of University Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:
- Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
- Weather advisory sent out through UA Alerts to faculty, staff and students
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA-TV/WUOA-TV, and on the website at http://wvua23.com/weather.
In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.
Policy on Academic Misconduct
All students in attendance at The University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University of Alabama expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. At the beginning of each semester and on examinations and projects, the professor, department, or division may require that each student sign the following Academic Honor Pledge: “I promise or affirm that I will not at any time be involved with cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation while enrolled as a student at The University of Alabama. I have read the Academic Honor Code, which explains disciplinary procedure resulting from the aforementioned. I understand that violation of this code will result in penalties as severe as indefinite suspension from the University.”
See the Code of Student Conduct for more information.
Disability Statement
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary.
If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call (205) 348-4285 (Voice) or (205) 348-3081 (TTY) or visit 1000 Houser Hall to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 1000 Houser Hall, before receiving academic adjustments.
UAct: Ethical Community Statement
The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility. The UAct website (http://www.ua.edu/uact) provides a list of reporting channels that can be used to report incidences of illegal discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, retaliation, threat assessment or fraud.
UAct: Ethical Community Statement
The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility. The UAct website (http://www.ua.edu/uact) provides extensive information on how to report or obtain assistance with a variety of issues, including issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX violations, illegal discrimination, harassment, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat assessment, retaliation, and ethical violations or fraud.