Course Outline UPDATED 8/21/02

 

CS 4830 (ID:)      Social Implications of Computing       Fall Semester 2003

Wednesday at 1pm in TE202S

 

 

Instructor

Name: Dr. David L. Ferro

Email: dferro@weber.edu

Web: http://icarus.weber.edu/home/dferro

Phone: 626-8095

Office: TE110c

Hours: MTWTh at 10-11am and Th at 9-10am 

 

Name: Dr. Eric Swedin

Email: eswedin@weber.edu

Web:

Phone: 801-395-3553

Office:

Hours:

Texts

The Transparent Society by David Brin and Unlocking the Clubhouse – Women in Computing by Jane Margolis and Allan Fisher.

 

 

Tentative Class Schedule, Topic Guide, and Assignments

Week

Starting

Topic

Chapters due

Work

1

Monday, August 25

Introduction to Class

 

 

2

Tuesday, Sept. 2

 

Brin -

Chapter 1

 

3

Monday,  Sept. 8

 

Brin -

Chapter 2

 

4

Monday, Sept. 15

 

Brin -

Chapter 3

 

5

Monday, Sept. 22

 

Brin -

Chapter 4

 

6

Monday, Sept. 29

 

Brin -

Chapter 5

 

7

Monday, Oct. 6

 

 Brin -

Chapter 6

 

8

Monday, Oct. 13

 

 Brin -

Chapter 7

 

9

Monday, Oct. 20

 

 Brin -

Chapter 8

 

10

Monday, Oct. 27

 

 Brin -

Chapter 9

 

11

Monday, Nov. 3

 

Brin -

Chapter 10

 

12

Monday, Nov. 10

 

Brin

Chapter 11

 

13

Monday, Nov. 17

 FERRO and Swedin at COMDEX Wed, Thu.  NO CLASS

Margolis/Fisher

Chapter intro, 1,2

 

14

Monday, Nov. 24

 

Margolis/Fisher

Chapter 3,4,5

 

15

Monday, Dec. 1

Wrap-up

Margolis/Fisher

Chapter 6,7,8

 

FINALS

Monday, Dec. 6

NO Final Exam

 

 

 

 

Class Objective

To introduce students to perspectives on the interaction between Computer Science and society.

Class Organization

Class will consist of lecture and discussion on topics assigned through this outline and class assignments.  The instructor will expect the students to have read the covered chapters prior to classroom instruction.  The instructors will engage with the class to assure that learning occurs.

 

Emailing the professor: whenever you do this you must include in your subject line “class-name-subjectmatter”.  For example: “cs4830-davidferro-question about stephenson”.  This is very important for me to stay organized and I will ignore your emails if you persist in not satisfying this reasonable request.  I will respond that I have received your email.  Save my responses as they may be useful in the event of a conflict of opinion on whether you have sent me an email or not.  DO NOT SEND multiple copies of the same email.

Exams, Projects, Homework, Class Participation

This course is discussion-based.  There are no tests, quizzes, written paper, programs or other objects that must be turned in. 

Grading Policies

Based entirely on participation.  You must come to class prepared to discuss and potentially present the material in line with requested topics and your own ideas.  You will be well served – often – to take the time to have notes and do some additional research and reading.

 

Final letter grades given final scores:

>= 94

A

90–93

A-

87-89

B+

84-86

B

80-83

B-

77-79

C+

74-78

C

70-73

C-

67-69

D+

60-66

D

<60

E

Note on Special Needs

Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center.  SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

WSU Student Code

Students are expected to be familiar with the WSU Student Code and abide by it.  The Code may be reviewed on line at http://www.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm (pay specific attention to Section 4D).  All necessary steps will be taken to enforce the Student Code to guarantee fairness to all students.