Approved by University Studies Sub-committee.  A2C2 action pending.

University Studies Course Approval

 General Course Outcomes:

The use of computer technology by students is a significant aspect of their lives -- not only at school, but at home, at work, and at play.  In addition, this use will only continue to increase in their lifetime.  This course deals with helping students understand the basics of computer technology and its social implications, so that they can use it more effectively.

To understand the societal  implications of computer technology, it is necessary to expose students to some of the basic scientific foundations of computer technology.  This includes addressing such questions as: What happens when you hit a "submit" button on a Web form?  What is going on when you "download" a file?  How does a Web-search happen?  From this technical perspective and understanding, the students then study the ethical, social, historical, and political implications of the technology.
 

Specific Course Outcomes:

a.  understand the scientific foundation of the topic

Students will learn how the internet was designed, how it works, and how to use it effectively.   Students will also learn how to use applications, specifically how to build a web page.  These activities, in the context of studying why things work the way they do, will give them the background to use, as well as understand the advantages and disadvantages of, technology.

b.  understand the social, ethical, historical, and/or political implications

Students will examine the tremendous growth in the internet since the 1970’s and the impact this growth has had on people, law, and ethics.  Political and legal implications become clear when we see how technology has outpaced the legal and political arenas.  Students will learn current laws pertaining to copyright, privacy, and accessibility.

c.  understand and articulate the need to integrate issues of science with social policy

Students will learn about historical and current cases of the abuse of technology.  Students will take what they have learned about issues and policies to write a  policy.  For example, students might be asked to write a privacy policy for an organization maintaining an electronic database, or an accessibility policy for a company's web site.

d.  evaluate the various policy options relevant to the social dilemmas posed by the science

Students will debate several social dilemmas presented in class.  These include such things as privacy, digital copyright issues, data mining, and material appropriate/inappropriate for the web.

e.  articulate, choose among, and defend various policy and/or scientific options to cope with the challenges created

To allow the students the opportunity to discuss and defend policies and scientific options, several mock trials will be scheduled.  These trials will allow for points of view to be presented and decided on in class.

Sample Course Syllabus 
Fall Semester - 2001

 
 Topics we will attempt to cover include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

Grading:

1. 4 one period exams (100 points each)
2. Homework  (100 points total).
3. Project (100 points total)
4. Each student's points will be totaled and course grades will be based on a curve defined by these totals.
5. Grading Scale: 90-100 A; 80-89 B; 70-79 C; 60-69 D; 0-59 F

Note:

1. You are responsible for all material covered in class.
2. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due day.
3. Late assignments or exceptions to a grading policy will not be considered except in cases of extreme emergency or when you have had prior approval from me.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Cheating is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated in CS210 or any other class that I teach.  Anyone who is caught cheating in this class will receive a grade of F for the class.  Note also that if you are caught cheating then you will not be permitted to withdraw from the class (i.e., the F will go on your permanent transcript).

University Studies Course:

This course qualifies as a University Studies Course satisfying the outcomes of the Science and Social Policy category of the University and Diversity category. These courses must include requirements and learning activities that promote the students abilities to:
a)  understand the scientific foundation of the topic

b)  understand the social, ethical, historical, and/or political implications

c)  understand and articulate the need to integrate issues of science with social policy

d)  evaluate the various policy options relevant to the social dilemmas posed by the science

e)  articulate, choose among, and defend various policy and/or scientific options to cope with the challenges created
 

Sample Course Plan 
Fall Semester - 2001

History & Impact

Using the Internet

Communication

Searching for Information

Web page Development

Multimedia

Legality and Ethics