Course Information
Instructor Information
Office Hours
LCTC (Lubbock)
LCTC (Lubbock)
TC (Levelland)
LCTC (Lubbock)
Scheduling Meetings
The best way to meet with me is to book an appointment using my calendar scheduling tool during the fall and spring semesters. The link is available in my email signature and at: bit.ly/BookAStrawn. During summer, please contact me via email to schedule.
Course Details
Course Description
The fundamentals of managing and configuring local, network, and distributed network clients. Topics may adapt to changes in industry practices.
End-of-Course Outcome
Install and configure network clients; setup users, groups, policies, and profiles; configure hardware components and applications; setup and maintain logon security and security for files and printers; configure and optimize clients in multiple environments.
Required Materials
Textbook
Software
- Cengage Unlimited Access (1 Semester)
- Cengage MindTap — a required course component. Purchase MindTap on its own through the SPC Bookstore or directly from Cengage when you access the course through Blackboard, or access it through a Cengage Unlimited subscription, which provides an all-access pass to the full eTextbook and online learning catalog and the option to rent a print textbook.
Supplies and Equipment
- Reliable, high-speed internet connection (recommended: at least 10 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up) — Check at speedtest.net
- Reliable computer with Windows OS (recommended) or Mac OS (not a Chromebook), working speakers or headphones
- Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or another acceptable web browser
- Cengage Account (see Textbook section)
- Microsoft Office 365 Account (or compatible document and presentation creation tools)
- Microsoft Teams
- USB Drive, 32GB or larger
Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
This course will include:
- Required online reading assignments
- Required lecture videos, supplemental videos and/or reading and practice materials
- Class Participation and/or Attendance
- Assignments (Pre and Post Tests, Discussions, Assignments, Concept Questions, Material Completion, Practice Materials and Quizzes)
- Virtual labs online (Cengage, Ascend and/or TryHackMe)
- Hands-on materials, skill check-offs, and online labs
- Module and Review Exams
- Final and/or Certification Exams
Course Evaluation and Grading
Grade Distribution
Students will be evaluated by assignments, exams, and projects.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Online Attendance and Participation | 10% |
| Material Average | 40% |
| Quiz and Exam Average | 25% |
| Midterm and Final Exam Average | 25% |
Grading Scale
| Grade | Percentage Range |
|---|---|
| A | 90% – 100% |
| B | 80% – 89.99% |
| C | 70% – 79.99% |
| D | 60% – 69.99% |
| F | 0% – 59.99% |
Important
Final course grades will be determined by the exact percentage calculated by the instructor. No rounding up will occur at any level.
Course Policies
Attendance Policy
The student may be administratively withdrawn from the course due to excessive absences, as defined in the course syllabus, or for a lack of completion of course material. Attendance and completion of assignments are both calculated as part of your overall grade.
Class attendance, even online, is extremely important to meet the objectives of this course. Students are responsible for initiating their own withdrawal if necessary. If administratively withdrawn by the professor, the grade will be at the professor's discretion, either an 'X' or 'F'.
Withdrawal Criteria
Students who exceed more than 4 live lab or online check-in absences may be withdrawn from the program with an "F" at the instructor's discretion.
Administrative withdrawal may occur due to:
- Excessive absences
- Non-participation or incomplete coursework
- Two weeks of non-participation in the course
Students must log in to Blackboard every week (except holidays like Spring Break) and complete assigned coursework. As a courtesy, students should email the instructor regarding pending absences.
Online Classes/Meetings Policy
Class attendance is essential for academic success and constitutes a component of your final grade. Online meetings require the same level of professionalism as in-person classes. Students must attend from a quiet, stationary location without engaging in other activities such as work, driving, or shopping. Eliminate distractions by turning off televisions, silencing cell phones, and removing other interruptions. When required, keep your camera enabled throughout the entire session and mute your microphone unless actively participating in discussions, answering questions, or presenting. Students who violate these guidelines may be removed from the meeting and marked absent. Punctuality is mandatory. Students who arrive after the instructor begins will not be admitted and will receive an absence for that session.
Assignments Policy
Submit all assignments through Blackboard or the designated online platform as specified in the assignment instructions. Email submissions will not be accepted. Before submitting, verify that your document contains content and can be accessed on PC systems, as some Mac file formats may not convert properly. Any blank or unreadable files will be rejected, and it's your responsibility to ensure compatibility. I strongly suggest using trackable document applications like Microsoft Word for text-based assignments, as this allows you to recover your work if technical issues occur during submission.
Extra Credit Policy
Extra credit opportunities are not provided as substitutes for incomplete or overdue assignments. Course credit can only be earned by completing required coursework at a standard that demonstrates mastery of the material.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Students are expected to do their own work on all projects, quizzes, assignments, examinations, and papers. Failure to comply will result in an F for the assignment and can result in an F for the course.
Plagiarism violations include:
- Turning in purchased, borrowed, or downloaded papers
- Cutting and pasting information without proper documentation
- Using direct quotations (three or more words) without citation
- Missing in-text citations
Cheating violations include:
- Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create work
- Obtaining exams by theft or collusion
- Discovering exam content before it is given
- Using unauthorized sources during exams (notes, textbooks, text messaging, internet, apps)
- Entering an office or building to obtain an unfair advantage
- Taking an exam for another student
- Altering grade records
- Copying another's work during an examination or on a homework assignment
- Rewriting another student's work in peer editing so it is no longer the original student's work
- Taking pictures of a test, test answers, or someone else's paper
Drop Policy
You may be dropped with an X or F for any of the following reasons:
- Attendance: Not following the SPC or course attendance policy
- Participation: Missing several homework assignments, two or more exams, or multiple labs
- Academic Integrity: Cheating, plagiarism, or sharing work with others
Course Structure
Course Rigor
This course includes multiple assignments, hands-on labs, quizzes, and exams. To succeed, you must dedicate several hours each week to reading, studying, and completing assigned coursework.
Reading Assignments, Lectures and Supplemental Material
Students are expected to go through all reading assignments, online lectures, and supplemental materials each week. Revisiting previous weeks' content helps retain information. Good study habits are essential.
Coursework
Each week's coursework is available through Blackboard and organized into modules containing:
- Links to readings and lectures
- Assignment submission links
- Quiz and exam links
Important
No late work is accepted for any reason! You are expected to complete all homework assignments within the indicated due dates. Missing assignments may result in an administrative drop.
Start coursework early in the week. Do not wait until the due date to begin or report problems. If you report problems on the assignment due date, the instructor is not obligated to re-open assignments.
Exams
Exams cover material from multiple weekly modules and may include multiple-choice/answer, matching, essay, and other question types. Students should complete all coursework and study materials before taking exams. Exams will be open for several days and must be completed by the due date. No late exams will be given.
Final Exam
The final exam will be comprehensive. More information about the length and structure will be provided the week prior to the final exam.
Gradebook
Grades will be regularly posted and updated on Blackboard. Grades within other course materials like Cengage or Ascend are not weighted and should not be considered as overall or finalized grades.
Student Resources
Communication
All communication for this class will be conducted through SPC email. Students must check their SPC email accounts regularly for updates and announcements. All replies will be sent to the student's SPC email address.
Include in all emails: Your name, course name, and section number
Students may schedule meetings via the online scheduling platform. Online meetings may be conducted via Teams, Collaborate, or Zoom.
Student-Owned Computer Equipment
Students may use their own computers to complete coursework. SPC provides Microsoft Office to students for installation. Students are solely responsible for:
- Ensuring their system meets minimum requirements
- Maintaining computer systems in working order
- Keeping systems free of malware
Computer malfunction is not an excuse for late coursework. The instructor cannot troubleshoot student computers. For assistance, contact the SPC Help Desk.
SPC Help Desk
Counseling Services
If you find yourself having trouble with stress or depression, please visit a counselor. Counseling services are available at all campuses.
Student Code of Conduct
Any successful learning experience requires mutual respect between student and instructor. Neither should be subject to behavior that is rude, disruptive, intimidating, aggressive, or demeaning. Student conduct that disrupts the learning process or is deemed disrespectful or threatening shall not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action and/or removal from class.
Additional Information
Potential Changes
This syllabus and course policies are subject to change at the instructor's discretion. Students will be notified of any modifications, including significant changes, during the semester.
South Plains College Policies
For information regarding Intellectual Exchange, Disabilities, Non-Discrimination, Title IX Pregnancy Accommodations, CARE (Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation) Team, Campus Concealed Carry Statements, COVID-19 policies, and the SPC Artificial Intelligence Statement, access the SPC website at:
