CORE 1140 SUMMER I 2011
TENTATIVE SYLLABUS FOR
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
JUNE 2 - 10

Instructor: Dr. Fay A. Riddle
Office: Smith 305
Phone: 706.880.8279
Email: friddle@lagrange.edu
Website: http://home.lagrange.edu/riddle/summer
Class Time: 9:30-11:20 AM
Office Hours: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Available by appointment at other times.

Optional Text: Mathematical Applications with Excel Guide, custom published for LaGrange College.

Course Description: Mathematical techniques and computer methods with spreadsheets will be used in the development of quantitative reasoning skills. These techniques will be examined in the contexts of business and economics and of sustainability through managing one's personal finances. Prerequisite: Mathematics 1101 or higher.

Learning Outcomes: Students will become better critical thinkers and more effective problem solvers. Students will demonstrate fluency in the terminology of finance using Excel as the tool for solving said problems.

Assessment: Using in-class exercises, take-home exams, and the final exam, students will be given real-life scenarios and will think through the scenarios, using their understanding of the terminology of personal finance and Excel skills, to solve problems.

Homework: Homework will be assigned daily and students will be responsible for all problems assigned. Homework will not be a percentage factor in the student's final grade.

Attendance: According to LaGrange College policy, absences will be excused for documented participation in a LaGrange College sponsored event and for medical reasons documented by a healthcare professional. This instructor’s policy is that one undocumented absence for an illness will be excuses as long as you email me or voice mail my office by 5 PM on the day you are ill. Reasons for absences not mentioned above must be discussed with the instructor and will be excused or not excused at the discretion of the instructor and, in such a situation, only if the student has communicated with the instructor within 24 hours of the absence. The instructor reserves the right to count two instances of tardiness (as defined by being 10 or more minutes late) as equivalent to one unexcused absence.
     Because this class only meets for 7 days, it is essential that students attend all class meetings. For that reason, any student missing more than one class meeting may be withdrawn from the course by the instructor. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to go to the website and work the exercises for that day.

Make-up Exams: Take-Home Exam 1 is due by 9:30 AM on June 6. It will be accepted after that time with a 20 point penalty if submitted by 9:30 AM on June 7, after which a grade of zero will be assigned to the exam. Take-Home Exam 2 is due by 9:30 AM on June 9. Due to the fact that we need to go over the correct answers to Take-Home Exam 2 on June 9 prior to the final exam on June 10, a grade of zero will be assigned to any Take-Home Exam 2 submitted after 9:30 AM on June 9.The final exam is in-class. If you are absent that day, the rules for attendance above apply as to whether or not I allow a makeup.

Testing and Grading: Your grade for the course will be determined as follows:
(1) Two 100-point take-home exams (each counting 25% of your grade):
Exam 1 distributed on Friday June 3; due on Monday June 6 (9:30 AM)
Exam 2 distributed on Wednesday June 8; due on Thursday June 9 (9:30 AM)
(2) These exams are to be taken under the following conditions. Once you begin an exam, you may use your books and/or your notes, but no other sources may be used. In particular, this means that you cannot give assistance to anyone else or receive assistance from anyone else other than Dr. Riddle on these exams. This will be emphasized in the directions on each of these exams.
(3) A 100-point in-class, one-hour comprehensive exam (counting 50% of your grade, open book, open notes) will be given on Friday June 10 from 9:30-10:30 AM.
(4) To determine your average, compute the following: 25% times first take-home exam grade + 25% times second take-home exam grade + 50% times final exam grade.

Note:
(1) Take-home exams and the final exam will be comprehensive.
(2) Exams are to be done in Excel and submitted via email as Excel attachments. In addition, all answers are to be appropriately labeled.
(3) Final grades will be computed as follows:
97-100 = A+ 87-89 = B+ 77-79 = C+ 67-69 = D+ Below 60 = F
93-96 = A 83-86 = B 73-76 = C 60-66 = D
90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 = C-
(4) The last day to drop this class with an automatic W is Thursday June 9.
(5) The last class day for this course is Friday June 10 plus the final exam on that day.
(6) The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments in the course outline, as deemed necessary.
(7) The student is expected to refrain from smoking and/or unnecessary conversation in class. Also, the use of foul language and the wearing of inappropriate clothing will not be tolerated. Violations of these policies may result in the student being asked to leave the classroom. Repeated violations may result in the student being withdrawn from class by the instructor.
(8) Students who are having difficulties with any of the material are encouraged to make an appointment to meet with the instructor at a mutually convenient time.
(9) It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor ASAP if he or she cannot be in class or cannot complete an examination on time.
(10) Students are expected to abide by the LaGrange College Honor Code.
(11) In case of an emergency requiring evacuation of the classroom, follow your instructor.
(12) In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, LaGrange College will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities. If you have a disability and would like the College to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify Ms. Pamela Tremblay, Director, Counseling and Career Development Center, located in Smith Hall (X8313).

Schedule:
Day 1 (6/2) Excel, Section 6.1 (all except credit card problem)
Day 2 (6/3) Sections 6.2, 6.3, Take-Home Exam 1 distributed
Day 3 (6/6) Credit card problem, Section 6.4, Take-Home Exam 1 due by 9:30 AM
Day 4 (6/7) Section 6.5
Day 5 (6/8) Section 6.5, Take-Home Exam 2 distributed
Day 6 (6/9) Review, Take-Home Exam 2 due by 9:30 AM
Day 7 (6/10) In-class final exam