Point Park University

Fall Term 2007 Track A

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM COURSE:   

 

CMPS 111 INFORMATION AND LITERACY

 

 

 

SECTION:      EA         

Room MAIN/TH/212                       

Evening:    Every other Tuesday 6:00 – 10:00 begining August 28, 2007      

 

COURSE WEB SITE: http://facstaff.pointpark.edu/ckitner/    This is a web enhanced class and instructions will be delivered separately.

 

 

PROFESSOR INFORMATION:

Charles S. Kitner
 Assistant Professor

Office Hours:  Prior to class or by Appointment

Mailbox:           9th Floor Thayer Hall

Email:             ckitner@pointpark.edu

        

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:       

·         Parsons, Oja.  New Perspectives Computer Concepts Intro,  Tenth Edition – ISBN: 1423906098

·         Zimmerman and Zimmerman.  New Perspectives Microsoft Office Word 2003 Comp. – ISBN: 0619206691

·         Rodrigues and Rodrigues, Optional - The Research Paper A Guide to Library and Internet Research , third edition –

 ISBN: 0131846825

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Leads the student into the world of information in its various forms and formats. Basic computer skills will be taught and incorporated in the search, organization, reporting and analysis of information.

(description from the college catalog) 3 Credits.

 

 

PHILOSOPHY OF THE CORE STATEMENT:

The philosophical foundation that supports the implementation of the Core Curriculum stems directly from the Point Park College Mission Statement. The purpose of the Mission and core is to prepare students to succeed in their chosen professions by providing them with an education to enrich their lives and enhance their careers. Therefore, the proposed Core Curriculum offers each Point Park College students the opportunity to be prepared to function as an independent learner, to work and live in society characterized by diversity and change, and to communicate correctly and effectively.

 

All core courses will emphasize the development of communications skills, either written or oral. In addition, core courses will provide students with an opportunity to focus on the integration of diverse academic subject areas. The pedagogical methods utilized in the Core Curriculum will encourage students to think independently and to be problem solv3ers throughout their academic experience and in the world in which they will live and work.

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment and Course Requirements

The degree to which the students have achieved the course objective will be determined based on tests, homework projects and class participation. The following assessment matrix will be applied:

Course Objective

Lecture

Self-Study

Tests

Assignments

 

 

Application of

 Oral and

Written skills

Application of Critical and Independent Thinking

 

·         Identify information needs.

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

·         Demonstrate fundamental operating skills with a microcomputer.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

·         Develop practical applications using Microsoft Word as a word processing program.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

·         Develop a basic understanding of how the Internet works and basic knowledge of how to use the Internet to research information.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

·         Demonstrate a basic understanding of information sources in all forms and formats.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

·         Develop skills to evaluate the quality and authenticity of information.

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

·         Develop skills to communicate information in written, oral, presentation form.

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

·         Develop an understanding of the interdisciplinary application of the concepts acquired in the course

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

ATTENDANCE:

Please respond when you name is called. If you are late it is your responsibility to let the professor know that you were present before you leave class that day, otherwise the professor’s record of attendance will be the official record of attendance. Students are held responsible for all material covered in the class lectures and labs. It is imperative that you attend every class since the computer related work done in class is difficult to make up. If you miss a session, it will be YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get caught up on the work you miss. Try to have a reliable friend or classmate take good notes for you and record any assignments.

 

ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments must be turned in at the BEGINNING of the class period (First 10 minutes) on the due date. Late assignments will be accepted with a 5% reduction in the grade per class period.   All assignments should will include your name, the section of the class, the due date, and title of assignment and page number and chapter number of the assignment on the upper left corner of the first page.  When you have multiple pages the pages must be stapled together in order.  Failure to follow these instructions will result in a 5-point reduction for each infraction.  Partial assignments should not be handed in until you want them graded. After a grade is given, no additional parts of the assignment will be accepted.  NOTE: All students are expected to do their own assignments on their own disk. Copying another student’s disk or paper is not acceptable. Copied assignments will be assigned a zero grade.

 

 

COMPUTER:  When an assignment requires that you use a computer, including a computer in one of the schools labs, you are encouraged to do the assignment as far in advance as possible.

 

GRADING AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

The student's final grade in this course will be determined by considering the student's performance on the exams, programs, assignments, quizzes and attendance according to the following procedure:

SECTION

Perc.

3 Written Tests covering (Internet, Research, Word )

150 possible points

Internet Web Page Project

500 possible points figured

Word Project

total points to be figured

Research Paper

700 points

Assignments and or a Pop Quiz

points to be figured

If a student’s grade is borderline Class participation will be considered.  Class participation includes cooperating with the Professor and other students by not disturbing the Professor or other students by using the computer for work other then directed by the Professor. For example, surfing the Internet or checking your e-mail during class unless directed to do so by the professor is not permitted, and could result in a zero for the class period.

 

All exams and the student's final grade will be determined in accordance with the following scale:

91-100   -A                             60-70       -D

81-90       -B                            0-59        -F

Example of final grade calculation:

Example Weight of Grade  Points   Total Quality Point Value

Test 1                     (B) .10 x                  3              =.30

Test 2                     (B) .10 x                  3              =.30

Test 3                     (B) .10 x                  3              =.30

Web Project          (B) .15 x                  3              =.45

Word Project        (B) .15 x                  3              =.45

Assignments        (B) .20 x                  3              =.60

Research Paper     (B) .20 x                  3              =.60

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 3.00 = B Final Grade                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 
71-80       -C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tests, all assignments, both written and oral, and all classroom participation by the students will include the following grading criteria:

1.     Substantive content

  1. Knowledge of computers and how they are used in various disciplines
  2. Use of proper grammar
  3. Use of proper writing techniques

        5.    Independent thinking and critical thinking

 

EXAMINATIONS:

There will be examinations covering the material in the texts, assignments and class.  The examinations will include one or all of the following: essay, true-false questions, matching problems, multiple choice problems, completion questions and computer usage problems.  Material covered on the tests will include class notes as well as material from the text(s) and lab sessions. Some tests will be hands-on computer tests.  The student is required to take the exams. If a student must miss any of the exams, the student must present in writing to the instructor the reason for missing the exam in order or by email, so to arrange for a make-up exam. 

                                                                                               

WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURE POLICY:

 Student's may withdraw from the class up to the 49th day of the term and receive a "W" grade.  After that date, it is the instructor's decision whether to assign a "W" or "F" grade. Refer to the course book for the written policy.)

 

INCOMPLETES:

An incomplete will be given only under extreme circumstances and with the mutual understanding that the final grade will be one letter grade lower that the student would have received. Student prior to the last class must complete incomplete form that he or she can obtain from the Registrar’s office.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR AND OFFICE HOURS:

The instructor of this course will be available for individual consultation with any student on matters relevant to the course material.  If you want an appointment with the instructor it should be arranged after a class meeting or by email ckitner@pointpark.edu.

 

DISCLAIMER:

The instructor reserves the right to change or modify any provision of this course syllabus but not limited to the right to change the time, order and content of the course schedule.