This document provides information for students taking the Computer Applications - MIS 213 course at Alabama A&M University in Fall 2013. It outlines the course prerequisites, schedule, instructor contact information, technical support contacts, required and recommended course materials, teaching methods, expectations, policies, grading breakdown, and course outline/schedule. The course covers Microsoft Office 2010 applications including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook as well as the open-source LibreOffice suite. Students will complete weekly assignments, quizzes, a midterm exam, and a final exam.

1. Computer Applications – MIS 213
Student Course Guide
Prerequisite: None
Quarter: Fall 2013
Professor: Dr. Maurice Dawson Jr.
Instructor Phone: 256-372-4801
Instructor E-mail: maurice.dawson@aamu.edu
Instructor Office Hours/Location: Tues & Thur 1300-1700hrs/314B
Second Life User Name: engineer Fazuku
Resume/CV: www.visualcv.com/drdawson
Twitter: www.twitter.com/drmauricedawson
Blog: http://securecybersecurity.blogspot.com
Linkedin.com: www.linkedin.com/in/mauricedawson
Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/drdawson
TECHNICAL SUPPORRT CONTCT INFORMATION – Important
Alabama A&M University General Hotline: 256-372-5000
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL - Supporting
The following resources provide additional background and supporting information for this course. There is no
need to purchase these items for the course however each student is required to obtain own storage media.
LibreOffice may be downloaded for free at http://www.libreoffice.org/download/
INSTRUCTOR PERSONAL POLICIES - Informational
All assignments must be written according to APA guidelines. All late assignments will be deducted 10 points per
day and after four days assignment shall not be graded unless there is a special circumstance. In the case of this
event the decision to grade assignment shall occur on a case by case basis. All papers must be submitted using
Microsoft Word. File extensions can be in .doc or .docx. When emailing instructor ensure the subject line includes
course number to include course section, full student name, and subject. Also in the body include the same
following items as in the email subject line.
Important: Submission of files must be in this format: MIS213_LastName_FirstName_Assignment
Course Description:
This course provides an overview of microcomputer applications including Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Office
2010, Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, Microsoft Access 2010, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010. Also
covered is LibreOffice, which is a freely-available, full-featured office suite that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac
OS X computers.
Text: Microsoft Office 2010: Brief
ISBN-13: 978-1-4390-7842-6 / ISBN-10: 1-4390-7842-4
Online Companion: scsite.com/office2010

2. Text: Getting Started with LibreOffice 3.3
ISBN-13: 978-1-921320-12-5
Free PDFs of Book: http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/documentation/
Teaching Methods:
1. Lectures: Important material from the text and outside sources will be covered in class. Students should
plan to take careful notes as not all material can be found in the texts or readings. Discussion is encouraged
as is student-procured outside material relevant to topics being covered.
2. Assignments: End of chapter activities and online activities will be assigned weekly to reinforce material in
the text. These assignments may require the application of various software packages.
3. Quizzes: Occasional unannounced quizzes will be given to help ensure students stay up with assigned
material.
4. Exams: Three exams will be given. The exams will be open book/notes and will test assigned readings and
material discussed in class. Review sheets will be provided prior to the exam day. The final exam may not
be comprehensive in nature. However, the instructor reserves the right to retest on material that was not
appropriately comprehended. These items will be noted on exam review sheets.
5. Participation: Student participation will be graded by the level of class participation and attendance.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Bonus Points and Extra Credit Work
From time to time the professor may assign or award bonus points and/or extra credit work. These extras are
intended to reward the student that conducts him/herself by the citizenship policy and wants to improve their grade.
These extras are awarded solely at the discretion and whim of the instructor and may be awarded through extra
questions on exams, pop quizzes, projects, and performance points.
Discussion Attendance Policy
You are responsible for all material covered on live chats, discussion boards, and/or bulletin board review is
mandatory, and is expected. All students are expected to take an ACTIVE part in chats or contribute to bulletin
board topics
You are responsible for all material presented and assignments made. You are expected to review all posted
material a minimum of twice per week. Unannounced quizzes may be given at the discretion of your instructor and
will add to the possible point total.
Scholastic Honesty Policy
Academic Dishonesty (Cheating), in any form, will result in an automatic grade of "F" in the course, the removal of
the student from the course, and immediate reporting of the student's actions to the Office of the Dean of Students
and to the Office of the Dean of the School of Business. Cheating includes but is not limited to, collaboration on
any outside assignments, which might be made on an individual basis for a grade, including regular homework
assignments and the preparation of case materials for submission. It also includes plagiarism, unauthorized
preparation of notes for use on examinations, use of such notes during an examination, looking at another student's
examination answers, allowing another student to look at your own examination answers, the requesting or passing
of information during an examination, or the acquisition, without permission, of tests of other academic material
belonging to a faculty member or staff of the university. This policy is intended to protect the honest student from
unfair competition with unscrupulous individuals who might attempt to gain an advantage through cheating.
Students who become aware of suspicious activities on the part of others are asked to promptly notify the professor
so that immediate corrective action can be taken.

3. Grading:
Total points will be computed as follows. The total points for quizzes, cases, and assignments may vary.
Microsoft Word Quiz: 80
Microsoft PowerPoint Quiz: 80
Microsoft Excel Quiz: 80
Microsoft Access Quiz: 80
Microsoft Outlook Quiz: 80
MidtermExam #1: 150
Libre Quiz #1: 80
Libre Quiz #2: 80
Libre Quiz #3: 80
Final Exam #2: 150
Weekly Discussion Board: 65
Total: 1000 Points
Point System: 1000 total assigned points
A >= 900
B >= 800
C >= 700
D >= 600
Course Policies:
Missed Classes: The student is responsible for obtaining material distributed on class days when he/she was absent.
This can be done through contacting a classmate who was present or by contacting the instructor during his office
hours or other times. Missed or late quizzes can not be made up under any circumstances but with good cause and
adequate notice, an early quiz may be given.
Assignments: All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date due. Late submission of assignments will
be assessed a penalty of 10% per day up to 2 days in which a 0 is given. No exceptions are made.
Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on exam, paper
or project; failure in course; and or expulsion from the University. For more information refer to the "Academic
Dishonesty" policy in the University Undergraduate Catalog. For this class, it is permissible to assist classmates in
general discussions of computing techniques. General advice and interaction are encouraged. Each person, however,
must develop his or her own solutions to the assigned projects, assignments, and tasks. In other words, students may
not "work together" on graded assignments.
Need for Assistance: If you have any condition, such as a physical or learning disability, which will make it difficult
for you to carry out the work as I have outlined it, or which will require academic accommodations, please notify me
as soon as possible.
Internet Support: Check the class Web page for additional information or to post a question about this course.
Posting of Grades: Final grades will not be posted. If you wish to have your final grade sent to you, please bring a
self-addressed, stamped envelope to the final exam.
Incomplete Policy: Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and
documented evidence as described in the Student Handbook. In any case, for a student to receive an incomplete, he
or she must be passing and must have completed a significant portion of the course.

4. Course Outline
Assignment Descriptions:
Learn It Online (LIO): Learn It Online is a series of online exercises that test students’ knowledge of chapter
content and key terms.
Apply Your Knowledge (AYK): Apply Your Knowledge is an assignment that helps students reinforce their skills
and apply the concepts learned in a chapter.
Extend Your Knowledge (EYK): Extend Your Knowledge is an assignment that challenges students to extend the
skills learned in a chapter and to experiment with new skills. Students may need to use Help to complete the
assignment.
Make It Right (MIR): Make It Right is an assignment that asks students to analyze a document and correct all
errors and/or improve the document’s design.
Cases and Places (CP): Cases and Places is a series of assignments in which students apply creative thinking and
problem-solving skills to design and implement solutions.
In the Lab (Lab): In the Lab is a series of assignments that ask students to design and/or format a document using
the guidelines, concepts, and skills presented in a chapter. The labs are listed in order of increasing difficulty.
Quiz(es): All Microsoft Quizzes are immediately followed after the completion of the lecture of that particular
section e.g. Microsoft Word.
Week(s) Assignment Software Package
1 Introduction Office 2010
Read Office 2010 and Windows 7:
Essential Concepts and Skills
LIO Office 2010
2-4 Word Office 2010
Read Chapters 1 - 6 EYK, AYK, MIR Office 2010
5 PowerPoint Office 2010
Read Chapters 1 - 6 AYK, MIR, EYK Office 2010
6-7 Excel Office 2010
Read Chapters 1 - 6 Cases and Places Office 2010
8 Midterm Exam Office 2010
9-10 Access Office 2010
Read Chapters 1 - 6 EYK, AYK, MIR Office 2010
11-12 Outlook Office 2010
Read Chapters 1 - 5 EYK, AYK, MIR Office 2010
13 Google Docs & Introducing LibreOffice LibreOffice 3
Read Chapters 1 and 2 Quiz LibreOffice 3
14 Getting Started with Writer & Impress LibreOffice 3
Read Chapters 4 and 6 Quiz LibreOffice 3
15 Getting Started with Draw and Base LibreOffice 3
Read Chapters 7 and 8 Quiz LibreOffice
16 Final Exam Office 2010
LibreOffice 3
ASSIGNMENT OUTLINE AND GRADING
Grades
Students can access their grades online by visiting https://aamu.blackboard.com and logging into their
blackboard accounts. Grades are located under the “Tools” menu then clicking on the “myGrades” icon. If
you cannot access your account please contact your instructor using the information on the first page of this

5. syllabus.
CLASS FORMAT
Course Communications
Students are required to have a current email account. This email account will be used to by the
instructor to send course announcements. Students are encouraged to communicate with others in
the course through the use of email, discussion board and online messages. Students are required
to access the course online a minimum of twice per week to review announcements and check
online messages.
Citizenship Policy
You are expected to conduct yourself in a courteous and professional manner. Please don’t send or post distractive,
rude, lewd, or unprofessional messages. Only students that adhere to the citizenship policies may participate in
Bonus Point/Extra Credit activities.
Examination Policies
The schedule which exams are administered is indicated on the course syllabus. No test will be
re-given once the exam date has passed. Exams will generally be provided/administered through
Blackboard. Please arrange to have that time available. All exams are timed and students must
complete that work within the timeframe.
Computer Projects
The Office 2010 workbook includes a Video Companion DVD/CD which provides a suite of illustrative videos
designed to help students learn the most important and challenging topics in Microsoft Office 2010. The Video
Companion contains information videos tied directly to the tutorials in the workbook, giving students extra
reinforcement of key concepts and skills, as well as a helpful study tool. Students can simply insert the DVD/CD
into their computers and start learning.
Projects due on the assigned week’s due date and shall not be accepted late without penalty. Late projects must be
submitted within one week of the original due date to receive appropriate credit. No project will be accepted after
one week without penalty. A second late project will result in a 20-50 point penalty. (Advice: You are only allowed
one late project. Use it wisely for an emergency. While you may use it for any reason, you should save it for illness,
family emergencies or events out of your control. Furthermore, no help is provided for late or extra credit work. No
help is provided after the due date.)
General Assignments and Project Rules
A score of zero (0) will be recorded for assignments and projects not submitted or turned in. Always keep and
maintain two (2) backup copies of all of your work. USB drives infected by a virus and/or failed home computers or
printers will not be considered to be valid excuses. Your instructor will announce the due dates for each project.
Keep a written record of when each project is due.
All work must be submitted as instructed. Work not turned in as instructed may not be accepted. Your instructor will
provide you with details for submitting assignments and projects. If you are going to miss a chat please review them
before contacting instructor. If you would like to discuss a grade received on a project, assignment or exam, you
must do so within one week of the return or posting of that work. Your instructor is not responsible for storing
returned work. (e.g., Items placed under my office door without prior permission will be graded at 80% of value.
Items emailed to me without permission will be graded at 80%)
All computer-related projects are designed for completion with the School of Business Laboratory resources. It is
permissible for you to work on projects at home, with your own resources, but be aware that the required results
must be the same. It is your responsibility to see that you precisely adhere to the project requirements. It is not your

6. instructor’s responsibility to solve hardware or software problems, which may occur at home. You are responsible
for completing the requirements of each assignment, or project including the use of the file names and data files
specified. These files are also to be stored on your back-up data disk after completion. Your instructor may request
to inspect your USB drive at any time to verify your work. You will be required to produce this work within three
hours or other agreed on time. If the proper files cannot be produced within the specified time, you will not receive
credit for the project. Leave all project files on the USB drive for the entirety of the semester. Remember to check
your flash drive files to be sure you have saved the appropriate information before you leave the computer.
Each student will supply his or her own USB drive. Both your original work and your back-up disks must contain
copies of all assignments completed.
Computer projects and homework are to be done individually and are not group projects. If there is any evidence
that work has been performed by someone else, or is a group effort, you and all members of your group will receive
a zero on the work and may receive a failing grade in the course. Cheating on any work is regarded as academic
dishonesty. The consequences for dishonesty are viewed to be sufficient for a recommendation for immediate
dismissal from the class.
If there is sufficient doubt regarding a grade on any graded work, the student(s) in question may receive a grade of
zero (0) until the situation is resolved. It is the instructor's responsibility to inform the students(s) of the question,
the action taken, and the appropriate steps, should a grade appeal be requested.
SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The University provides environmental and programmatic access for persons with documented disabilities as
defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Any
student who desires information or assistance in arranging needed services for a disabling condition should contact
the Director of Special Students Services, Student Center, Room 203, (256) 372-4263.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
A student is permitted one (1) unexcused absence for each credit hour generated by the
class. For example, three (3) absences are allowed in a three-hour class.
TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE
Tutorial assistance for undergraduate courses can be obtained from the Tutorial Assistance Network
(TAN), a subsidiary of the Office of Academic Support Services. TAN is located in Room 100C Buchanan
Hall. The telephone number is 256-372-5487.