Course Outline UPDATED 1/8/02

 

CS 4830 (ID:)   Social Implications of Computing         Spring 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: ET110a

Hours: MTWTh at 9-10am and M at 12:30-1:30pm

 

Name: Dr. Eric Swedin

Email: eswedin@weber.edu

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

Phone: 626-8097

Office: TE111B (north side of the UNIX Computer Bab

Hours: MTWTh at ? and M at 12:30-1:30pm

Texts

Neal Stephenson, In the beginning…was the command line.

Paul Freiberger and Michael Swaine, Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer.  Second edition.

 

 

Tentative Class Schedule, Topic Guide, and Assignments

Week

Starting

Topic

Chapters

Work

1

Monday, Jan 13

Introduction to Class

 

 

2

Tuesday, Jan 21

 

Freiberger, Chapter 1

 

3

Monday, Jan 27

 

Freiberger, Chapter 2

 

4

Monday, Feb 3

 

Freiberger, Chapter 3

 

5

Monday, Feb 10

 

Freiberger, Chapter 4

 

6

Monday, Feb 17

 

Freiberger, Chapter 5

 

7

Monday, Feb 24

 

Freiberger, Chapter 6

 

8

Monday, Mar 3

 

Freiberger, Chapter 7

 

9

Monday, Mar 10

 

Freiberger, Chapter 8

 

SPRING BREAK

Monday, Mar 17

No Class

 

 

10

Monday, Mar 24

 

 

Freiberger, Chapter 9

 

11

Monday, Mar 31

 

Freiberger, Chapter 10 & Epilogue

 

12

Monday, Apr 7

 

Stephenson, pages 1-60

 

13

Monday, Apr 14

 

Stephenson, pages 61-103

 

14

Monday, Apr 21

 

Stephenson, pages 104-151

 

15

Monday, Apr 28

Wrap-up

 

 

FINALS

Monday, May 5

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.