Fall 2026
Business Computer Applications
Instructor: James Cammack
Email: cammackje@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 409-984-6386
Office Location and Hours: SC 405 MW: 8:00-9:00 & TTH 7:30-9:30
Introduces and develops foundational skills in applying essential and emerging business productivity information technology tools. The focus of this course is on business productivity software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, data analytics, and business-oriented utilization of the internet.
Textbook: Course content will be provided with handouts, videos, etc. There is no required textbook for this course.
Computer and Software: You must have access to a computer running Windows 10 or 11, and which has an acceptable version of the desktop version of Microsoft Office (Office is also called Microsoft 365). Other versions of Office may be acceptable with instructor permission. LSCPA students may obtain the desktop version of Office 365, at no cost through LSCPA. Details will be provided when we get to the Office 365 section of the course. Computers with Windows and Office 365 capability are also available on campus (see Lab Access below) and other places, such as public libraries.
Notes:
Materials: You will need access to a web camera with audio capability. Many laptop computers, tablets, and phones already have a camera installed. Some assignments require the use of a smartphone (either Apple or Android).
User Accounts: You will also be required to have user accounts for various services, such as Google, OneDrive, etc. These can be obtained at no cost to the student. The instructor will provide details when we get to that section of the course.
Lab Access: A computer lab is located in the Madison Monroe Building. If the software is not available on a lab computer, ask someone on staff if there is another computer with the appropriate software. A valid Student ID is required in order to use lab facilities available on the Lamar campus. You may also need to bring earbuds or headphones if you need audio capability. You may also check with the Port Arthur Public Library or other public libraries for computer access.
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.
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Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills – Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify conclusion.
PSLO 2: Communication Skills – Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task.
PSLO 3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
Identifies mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task; uses mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task; analyzes how to use the principles; and applies problem-solving skills in mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete task with correct informed conclusions.
Course Introduction
Video Conferencing Tools
Understanding Essential Computer Concepts
Creating and Distributing Multimedia Presentations
Working in the Cloud (Microsoft OneDrive, Office Apps)
Working in the Cloud (Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)
Windows & File Management
Microsoft Office
Word Creating a Document
Word Enhancing a Document
Word Adding Special Elements to a Document
Excel Creating a Worksheet
Excel Using Complex Formulas, Functions, and Tables
PowerPoint Creating a Presentation
PowerPoint Polishing and Running a Presentation
Microsoft Access & Database Concepts
Intro to SAP
Business Graphics
Understanding Social Networks
Additional Technology Topics
Course Introduction
Video Conferencing Tools
Understanding Essential Computer Concepts
Creating and Distributing Multimedia Presentations
Working in the Cloud (Microsoft OneDrive, Office Apps)
Working in the Cloud (Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)
Windows & File Management
Microsoft Office
Word Creating a Document
Word Enhancing a Document
Word Adding Special Elements to a Document
Excel Creating a Worksheet
Excel Using Complex Formulas, Functions, and Tables
PowerPoint Creating a Presentation
PowerPoint Polishing and Running a Presentation
Microsoft Access & Database Concepts
Intro to SAP
Business Graphics
Understanding Social Networks
Additional Technology Topics
The Final Exam will be taken on campus during the week of November 30, 2026.
90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 59 = F
Final course grades are based on two major components:
Proctored exams assess students' understanding, application, and synthesis of course concepts. Approximately three exams, including the Final Exam, will be administered in class during the semester. Exams are completed under proctored conditions. The Final Exam is not comprehensive.
This category includes instructor-assigned coursework completed throughout the semester.
No Assignments Accepted Late: Assignments for each week are due at the end of the day on Sundays unless otherwise directed in the assignment. New assignments for the next week should become available by noon on Monday. All assignments, quizzes, and exams must be completed and submitted before the due date. Because you have ample time to complete assignments, late work will not be accepted. You should start early enough so that if/when you experience problems, we can work them out prior to the due date. Working with technology can be challenging. You will have problems. Websites will go down, Internet connections will not work, devices will not charge, etc. If you wait until the due date, you risk not completing your work on time. When you have technical issues, contact me early. Technical problems on the due date are NOT an excuse for turning in assignments late. I do occasionally extend due dates if you have a good reason for asking for the extension, and if you have contacted me early.
Resubmitting Assignments: For most assignments, you are allowed two attempts prior to the due date (this does not apply to exams). If you submit two attempts, only the second attempt will be graded. You are not allowed to resubmit after the due date or after an assignment has been graded.
Missed Exams: If you are absent and miss an exam, you will receive a grade of zero. If you have special circumstances which require you to miss an exam, you may contact the me to see if other arrangements can be made. Requests for makeup exams or other arrangements are granted only if you have an exceptional reason for missing an exam, such as a medical emergency, or death in the family. It is your responsibility to initiate arrangements for a makeup or other arrangements. Approval should be cleared with me prior to the date of absence. If it is not possible to contact me prior to the exam, within 24 hours after missing the exam, you must email me and explain the reason you missed the exam. The format of a makeup exam may differ substantially from that of the regularly scheduled exam.Only one exam may be made up.
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. You are expected to complete all assignments yourself. All exams must be completed on your own, with no assistance from anyone else and without the use of notes or textbook or any other materials, unless specifically expressed in the exam instructions. This includes, but is not limited to, accessing previous homework, accessing websites, or communicating with others when taking the exam. You are also NOT allowed to share information about exams with others. Some exams may be password protected. You are NOT allowed to share passwords with anyone else for any reason. All electronic devices must be put away during your exam. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, electronic watches, headphones, ear buds, and electronic eyewear.
Accommodations: If you have accommodations from the Office for Disability, talk to your instructor about these during the first week of the semester. Students with accommodations should also check with teacher two weeks prior to exam(s) to arrange for any accommodations.
Exam Information: You will be required to take your exams in the classroom, during the regular class time and using a LSCPA computer (no laptops). You will be observed with a monitoring program while you complete your exam. You will have 1 hour to complete each exam. Your screen activity may be recorded during exams.
Confirm Arrangements: Always confirm any important arrangements or discussions with me by emailing me using your Lamar email. Verbal communication, phone calls, etc will not be “official” unless confirmed in an email.
Original Coursework All coursework must be original for this semester. If you took this course previously, or have done a similar assignment in the past (in another class, for example), you must recreate your assignments this semester.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and similar technologies is encouraged as a learning and study tool in this course. Students are encouraged to use AI to help them better understand course concepts, review material, ask questions, generate additional examples, practice applying concepts, and prepare for quizzes and exams.
However, AI may not be used to complete graded coursework unless the instructor specifically states otherwise.
Students may use AI to:
Students may not use AI:
Unless otherwise stated by the instructor, all work submitted for a grade must represent the student's own knowledge and work without AI assistance.
AI can be an extremely useful tutor, study partner, and learning resource. The goal of this course is to help students learn how to use these tools effectively while also ensuring that each student personally masters the required course content.
A useful rule to remember is:
Use AI to help you learn the material—not to do your graded work for you.
Students are ultimately responsible for knowing and understanding the course material. AI-generated information can be incomplete or incorrect, so students should verify important information using course materials and other reliable sources.
Additional Policies for In-person (Face-to-Face) Classes
Copyrights:
Some material in this course may be copyrighted. They may be used only for instructional purposes this semester, by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally. No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class, including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or painting or performing copyrighted material for public display.
Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties.
Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented.
If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor.
The instructor reserves the right to drop you from the class if you do not submit coursework regularly. Submitting coursework regularly means you submit coursework weekly. If you are inactive for more than one week and/or if you do not submit assignments for a week, and if you do not email the instructor with an explanation, the instructor reserves the right to drop you from the class. To be successful in the class, you are expected to exert sufficient effort.
If at any time you have failed to complete at least 50% of the weekly assignments, you may be dropped from the class.
Additional Attendance Policy: If you have missed more than 4 hours of class at the end of the semester, the instructor may assign you an F for the course. Every three times you are late for class will count as one absence. On any days you are tardy, you should check with the instructor after class to be sure you are counted present. If you do not do this on the day you are tardy, the tardy will be counted as an absence.
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 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.
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 Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
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.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
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.
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.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
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.