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Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: ITSC-1401 (Section: 2H, CRN: 93213) Introduction to Computers |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Kenneth Ballou | ||||||||
| balloukw@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6418 | ||||||||
| Office | Umphrey Industrial Technology Center - Room: 201A | ||||||||
| Office Hours | None | ||||||||
| Additional Contact Information | Office Hours: Monday - Thursday Noon - 2:00pm Monday and Wednesday - 8:00 - 9:50am Tuesday and Thursday - 3:30 - 5:00pm. | ||||||||
| Course Information | |||||||||
| Description | Overview of computer information systems. Introduces computer hardware, software, procedures, and human resources. | ||||||||
| Required Textbooks |
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
ISBN: 9780357882870 Technology for Success and Illustrated Microsoft Office 365 & Office Authors: Jennifer Duffy, Cengage, Carol Cram, Lisa Friedrichsen, Rob Wilson | 1st Edition | Copyright 2025 |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites | None | ||||||||
| Learning Outcomes |
Identify the components of a computer system Use common applications Explain the impact of computers on society Identify computer careers Identify fundamental programming structures Identify ethical use of computers Use basic operating system functions. |
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| Program Student Learning Outcomes |
•Utilize basic software development terminology and concepts. •Apply a software-development process to develop and troubleshoot a software product. •Create computer graphics for inclusion into a software product. •Explain ethical practices within the computer field. •Identify procedures for security risk management in the computer field. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
Introduction to Course-Syllabus review, Blackboard, Self Service Banner training, and book options. Computer Concepts--Impact of Digital Technology; The Web, Computer Hardware; Operating Systems and File Management; Software and Apps; Cybersecurity and Safety Word 365--Creating, Illustrating and Modifying a Report; and Creating a Business Letter Excel 365--Creating a Worksheet and a Chart; Formulas, Functions, and Formatting, and Working with Large Worksheets; Charting, and What-if Analysis. PowerPoint 365--Creating and Editing Presentations with Pictures; Enhancing Presentations with Shapes and SmartArt; and Inserting WordArt, Charts, and Tables Adobe .pdf documents and Outlook email Review and Final Exam Schedule subject to change |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1: Course introduction; Online Learning Survey and schedule access. Week 2: Assignments and quiz over Computer Concepts Module 1- Role of Technology in the Workplace. Week 3: Assignments and quiz over Computer Concepts Module 2-conducting Online Research. Assignments and quiz over Computer Concepts Module 3-Cloud based storage. Week 4: Assignments and quiz over Computer Concepts Module 4 & 5-Features of Productivity Week 5: Assignments and quiz over Computer Concepts Module 6 Computer Safety and Risks; and Exam 1 Modules 1-6. Week: 6: Word; Assignments and Quiz Report Module 1 Week 7: Word; Assignments and Quiz Report Modified Module 2 Week 8: Word, Assignments and Quiz Business Letter Module 3 and Exam 2 Word Modules 1-3. Week 9: Excel; Assignments and quiz over-Creating a Worksheet and Chart Week 10: Excel; Assignments and quiz over-Formulas, Functions, and Formatting Week 11: Excel; Assignments and quiz over-Large Worksheets and What-If Analysis and Exam 3 Excel Modules 1-3. Week 12: Power Point; Assignments and quiz over- Editing Presentations with Pictures; Power Point 2019; Assignments and quiz over- Shapes and SmartArt Week 13 and Week 14 Adobe .pdf and Outlook email assignment. Week 15: Review and Exam Schedule subject to change |
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| Final Exam Date | December 8, 2025 - 8:0 AM Through December 10, 2025 - 11:59 AM | ||||||||
| Grading Scale |
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| Determination of Final Grade |
Tests\Exams - 30% Assignments - 30% Final - 40% | ||||||||
| Course Policies | |||||||||
| Instructor Policies |
Assignments are due on the dates provided in Blackboard. Students are responsible for completing any assigned readings, unit exercises and projects, and video viewings. Office 365 software and reliable Internet access are required for this course. You MUST have this software available to you to complete your work. You can also use the open lab provided in the Gates Library and the Madison Monroe building if needed. Do not complete assignments, quizzes, or exams on a phone or Chrome book as they will not submit properly. If you have a MAC computer, it will be difficult to complete this course the book is formatted for a windows computer because that is what industry uses. DO NOT wait until the last minute to complete class work or exams. Every student MUST have their own copy of the required textbooks by the end of the first week of class. The student will still be responsible for any assignments given. There is a in house copy of the textbook in the Gates Library. You will also need supplies to take notes. This course recognizes that AI tools are increasingly part of the academic and professional landscape. You may use AI tools like Microsoft Copilot for brainstorming, outlining, or getting unstuck in your thinking process. However, the final written product must be substantively your own work. When you use AI in your process, you must include a brief appendix to your assignment that explains: 1) which tool you used, 2) what prompts you provided, and 3) how you incorporated or modified the AI-generated content. Using AI without this documentation will be considered an academic integrity violation. |
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| Attendance Policy |
To be successful in this course, the student MUST purchase the assigned textbook and log into Blackboard at least 2-3 times weekly. Regular, reliable access to Blackboard via Internet is required for this course. Attendance is monitored via Blackboard reports of logins and interaction with face-to-face course. Students are responsible for completing all assigned homework and for being prepared for each class face to face or online meeting. This applies even if you were absent for the previous class meeting. |
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| Additional Information | |||||||||
| Institutional Policies | |||||||||
| MyLSCPA | Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA. | ||||||||
| Academic Honesty | Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. | ||||||||
| ADA Considerations | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241. | ||||||||
| COVID 19 Information | The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website. | ||||||||
| Facility Policies | No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited. | ||||||||
| HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. | ||||||||
| Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect | As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual. | ||||||||
| Title IX and Sexual Misconduct | LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website. | ||||||||
| Clery Act Crime Reporting |
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website. |
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| Grievance / Complaint / Concern | If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair. | ||||||||
| Department Information |
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