http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~johnca/sylla165.htm

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN COMMUNICATION

COMM 165 MWF 8:00-8:50  Computer Lab: ED-165
DR. JOHN A. CAGLE Fall 2009
California State University, Fresno

Office Hours: MW 9:30-11:30 & by appointment
Office: MUSIC-189 Telephone: 278-5103
E-mail: johnca@csufresno.edu

Course Description

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN COMMUNICATION: COMM 165 provides an introduction to the use of computers in the communication professions in the modern world. Students will get "hands on" experience using microcomputers for word processing, database management, spreadsheets, presentation visuals, creating movies, electronic mail, and using the Internet (including development of home pages). Selected software for communication applications will be examined.

Objectives

  • To learn basic concepts of computer literacy, including ethical standards, applicable to the communication professions
  • To become familiar with operating environments of both IBM and Macintosh systems
  • To become familiar with the various kinds of software and their applications in communication research and professional work
  • To develop at least beginning-level proficiency in the use of representative software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Netscape, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Dreamweaver CS3, and iMovie); in the use of e-mail, library and Internet resources; in development of webpages for the Internet; etc.
  • To develop skills in using computers as a tool for developing professional presentations

Recommended Resources and Software

All students must have a university e-mail account and should have a CVIP account.  

Software:  Microsoft Office program should be gotten from CVIP [disks obtainable from CVIP Office at Barstow & Cedar, or bottom floor of the University Bookstore] and installed on your computer:

USB Flash Drive.  Each student must have a USB Flash Drive for storing files used in this class. 1 or 2 GB recommended.

FrontPage or Dreamweaver is recommended for web design.  A free alternative is:
Download and install KompoZer for use on your home computer!
http://kompozer.net/download.php

Free FTP Programs for PCs and Macs: http://security.csufresno.edu/fresnostateftp.jsp

FTPVoyager Instructions for Home Use
FTP Voyager download:  http://www.ftpvoyager.com/

Research in Library books and periodicals and on the Internet. 

Computer Laboratory and Lab Printing Card

Our classroom is a recently upgraded computing facility in the Education Building, normally in ED-165. You will be able also to use your own computer, if you have one, whether it is an IBM-type or Macintosh computer; with a modem you can use it to connect to the University resources, too.  It will be best to store your class files on your Lennon account in your public_html folder, uploading and downloading using an FTP program as needed.  Floppy disks are not reliable and are not recommended.  USB Flash Drives are now widely and inexpensively available.

Each student will need to purchase a lab printing/copy card to print in the labs.  These cards can be used in the Library as well as in any computer lab on campus.

University Computer Accounts

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION! All students must have a student account (on the Lennon computer); registration is free--go to the CVIP office in the bottom of the Bookstore or go to the  CVIP office at the NE corner of Barstow & Cedar. You will be assigned a user name and a password. Keep these secure, but do not lose this critical information! You will be able to put your own home pages on the Internet with this account. Access to these resources from campus computer laboratories is free. You can sign-up on line, get a new password, an/or check your e-mail at http://email.csufresno.edu/ from any browser with an Internet connection.

All students are strongly encouraged to sign up for a CVIP Internet Account at either location (downstairs in the Kennel Bookstore or the new CVIP Office at the NE corner of Barstow & Cedar). Further information is at the CVIP website: http://www.cvip.net/. 

Computer Projects

While specific information on these assignments will be forthcoming later, each student will complete several computer projects. The emphasis in these projects will be facilitating mastery of the computer concepts and the appropriate software to accomplish the tasks. It will be acceptable to work on assignments for other classes in completing these projects; for example, in doing a research paper assignment (e.g., "term paper") for another class, you may use that paper as the basis for a word processing assignment in this class; ethically, you should inform the other instructor in such cases that you are doing this. The projects are posted on the class homepage.

Examinations and Projects

There may be one midterm examination [to be determined]. The final examination is a project based assignment built upon material gathered on a "client."

Attendance

Attendance and class participation are required. My policy is that more than three unexcused absences will result in lowering the course grade, and six or more absences will result in a grade of U.  Your professor may modify or adjust these penalties for good reasons. Legitimate absences (such as a forensics or athletics trip) must be arranged for in advance.

University Syllabus Policy Statements

A number of university policies govern academic classes.  Please read this material carefully.