Desktop Publishing for the Office Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

POFI-2331-001 Desktop Publishing for the Office

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: POFI 2301 -minimum grade of C or demonstrated competence

Course Description

In-depth coverage of desktop publishing terminology, text editing and use of design principles. Emphasis on layout techniques, graphics, multiple page displays and business applications. This course is designed to be repeated multiple times to improve student proficiency.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

Hours

(3 sem hrs 2 lec 4 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

All content is guided by in class lecture or the Affinity Publisher for Beginners video series; no textbook or access code required.

Supplies

Affinity Revolution: Affinity Publisher for Beginners

• To assist you in your learning, you will be watching tutorials from Affinity Publisher for Beginners.
  You can use the coupon code ACTX-30 to get 30% off the course.

  Here is a link to the course: https://courses.affinityrevolution.com/p/affinity-publisher-beyond-the-basics 

  From there, the you can go to the checkout page and apply the coupon code at the top right of the page. Alternatively, here is a link to the checkout page with the coupon code already applied:

  https://sso.teachable.com/secure/106381/checkout/4095198/affinity-publisher-for-beginners?coupon_code=ACTX-30 

Affinity Layout (formerly Affinity Publisher)

• Available on the computers in BYRD 214.
• See "Course Materials" in Blackboard for how to access and download the software to your personal device for free.

Computer/internet access

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes

1 - Students will learn the basic functions of Affinity Layout and apply this knowledge to creating flyers, brochures, reports, and other products for businesses.

2 - Students will determine appropriate fonts, images, and color schemes for products.

3 - Students will evaluate and determine, by engaging in the weekly lecture and gallery walk activities, how to make publications accessible and appropriate for their audience.

4 - Students will learn the basics of the other 3 applications that are part of the Affinity family

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Your participation in class and online helps you learn more and makes the class more interesting and meaningful.

Honesty, integrity, and respect will guide this course. You are expected to treat all participants with respect at all times.  In discussing any issues, it is important that students feel comfortable expressing their opinion, yet it is imperative that students refrain from using derogatory or offensive language.

Students should be prepared to put in  time at home working on the Assignment. Students should expect to put in at least 5-10 hours work per week at home/lab 

Grading Criteria

Grade Distribution:

Attendance/ Participation       5%
Quiz                                      15%
Assignments                         50%
Final Project                         30%

Course grades will be assigned based upon the following criteria:

>89.5 = A
>79.5 = B
>69.5 = C
>59.5 = D
<59.5 = F

All work must be turned in on time. If work is submitted late, it is subject to point or percentage deductions. Late assignments will have 5 points deducted for being late with 10 points deducted for each week it is late. If you contact the instructor prior and have been approved for an extension, the late deductions will be waved. This is for cases of emergency.
Assignments will remain open for 2 weeks past the due date.

Students need to email/call the instructor prior to any absence to develop arrangements for classwork or homework submission.  It is at faculty discretion, to what is reasonable or acceptable absences and timeliness of absent work submission.  As soon as you know you must miss a class session, please contact your faculty member.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. 

Class will be held in person in BYRD 214 each Monday from August 24 - October 12 at 5:30 PM CST.

Students will be given a weekly participation/attendance grade. Participation/attendance is worth 5% of the overall grade.

If you are unable to attend class, please follow these guidelines to begin a conversation with your instructor.

1. Email your instructor as you as you are able.  In your email, give your instructor a timeline for returning to the classroom.
2. If a personal issue is keeping you from attending class, please let your instructor know.  
3. If you would prefer to call your instructor (instead of emailing), and you receive the instructor's voicemail, please leave the following information:

a. Name

b. AC ID Number

c. Course (POFI 2331)

d. Call back number

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Students need to print their Module and Grader Projects and bring to class.

Color printing is available in The Underground (Ware Basement) and in Lynn Library (Ware 3rd floor).

Each student begins the semester with $20 on their PrintHub Account. Color copies cost 25 cents per page.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting
Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu.  Reports and additional information are available at www.amarillocollege.net/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.