Welcome Letter

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Welcome to Acct 201A: Financial Accounting at Cuesta College!

My name is Diane Stevens, and I will be your instructor for Acct 201A, CRN 74788 and 74792, for Fall 2020.

Contact information

Email Address: dstevens@cuesta.edu

Office Hours: Daily email and Zoom conferences

Instructor Contact Expectations: 

The best and fastest way to contact me is email.  I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response. There will be optional opportunities to meet on Zoom, and I also encourage you to email me with any questions you have. I want you to succeed in this class, so don't hesitate to contact me with questions.

Course Environment:

This class will be asynchronous meaning that assignments will be due on a specific date, but you will not have to be online at a specific time each day. Lectures, along with PowerPoint slides, will be recorded for you to view at a time during the day that is convenient for you. This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

Class begins / Accessing Canvas:

Class will begin on Monday, 8/17/20 and end on Friday, 12/18/20. Assignments will be due on a regular basis. This is not a self-paced course.

Prior to the Monday that classes start, you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content.

You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the Canvas site after you login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the Canvas log in directly.

If you are not familiar with logging into Canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the directions on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after 8/17/20 and need assistance please email technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu. 

Online Learning:

If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings. Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class.

IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU? 

First, go to the Online Readiness ResourcesLinks to an external site. to take a "self-assessment”. There are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)

Regular Effective Contact policy:

Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.

Course Description

  • This course explores what financial accounting is, why it is important, and how it is used by investors and creditors to make decisions.
  • It covers the accounting information system and the recording and reporting of business transactions with a focus on the accounting cycle, the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the classified financial statements, and statement analysis.
  • It also includes issues relating to asset, liability and equity valuation, revenue and expense recognition, cash flow, internal controls and ethics.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate understanding of accounting terminology, principles and procedures.
  2. Prepare accounting information following generally accepted accounting principles.
  3. Analyze accounting information.
  4. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication. This includes demonstrating professional and ethical behaviors and using technology effectively.

Text Book and Materials

  • To enhance your learning experience and provide affordable access to the right course material, this course is part of an inclusive access model called First Day™. You can easily access the required materials for this course at a discounted price, and benefit from single sign-on access with no codes required in Canvas.
  • Cuesta College will bill you at the discounted price as a course charge for this course. Your course materials may be accessed digitally through your Canvas account either on or before the first day of class. Although an optional print copy of the book is available at the campus bookstore, NO other purchase is necessary. Your course material charge is included in your student registration fees and guarantees the lowest cost available for your required materials.
  • It is NOT recommended that you Opt-Out, as these materials are required to complete the course. You can choose to Opt-Out on the first day of class, but you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials at the full retail price and access to your materials may be suspended.
  • For more information and FAQs go to bncollege.com(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

 

Mandatory Comprehensive Problem & Proctored Final Exam

The following items are required to pass the course. These requirements are necessary for the course to be eligible to transfer to CSU's.

Comprehensive Problem: The Comprehensive Problem is mandatory. It will be similar to the homework, but one large continuation problem that covers multiple topics from the entire course. If you fail to complete the mandatory problem, you will receive an automatic “F” in the course, even if you have earned a passing grade through completion of all other assignments and exams in the course.

Final exam: The final exam is mandatory and proctored. It will be an electronic exam. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The Proctoring is done via an online proctoring service. You will be required to present your ID for verification. If you fail to take the mandatory final exam and complete the Comprehensive problem, you will receive an automatic “F” in the course, even if you have earned a passing grade through completion of all other assignments and exams in the course.

Technical Support

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site.

Accommodations:

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources, please contact me as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site. at 805-546-3148.

College & Course Policies:

Academic Honesty Policy: Each student is responsible for being aware of and complying with Cuesta College's Academic Honesty Policy. This policy especially pertains to our class in relation to submitting another student's work as your own. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conductLinks to an external site..

Add / Drop Policy: I will drop you if you do not login to Canvas the first week of class. It is your responsibility to drop the class if you decide not to complete it. Failure to do so may result in an F grade. In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops



 

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