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This
upper division multidisciplinary course utilizes a research model approach to
focus on the influences of information and communication technologies on our
society. We will begin with a consideration
of the development of communications systems in the later half of the 20th
century, focusing on the Internet and World Wide Web. The profound changes of the information age have a series of
social, political, economic, legal, and ethical implications, both positive
and negative. For example, the emergence
of information technologies has been promoted as a mechanism of empowerment,
capable of transforming the individual from a passive recipient of data and
knowledge into an active and creative information agent. It
has been advocated as having a dramatic democratizing influence, providing each
person with unfiltered access to the full menu of information sources and allowing
each individual to locate and interact with others who are like-minded and to
broadcast her/his own perspective and message to the world. The
marketplace of ideas has been rendered wide-open, unlimited, global. Similarly,
from her desktop the individual can interact with, become a player in, the economic
markets of the world. With the understanding
of the tools, applications, and concepts of the IT system and its infrastructure
obtained in the first two core courses, students in this class will be prepared
to address some of the underlying assumptions of these technologies. We
will explore some of the influences on the way we live, work, learn, and relate
to each other and to our community. Traditional
rules of politics, law, and economics are based upon activities in a physical
world with geographic boundaries. We
will explore how analogous activities in digital space challenges those traditional
rules.
Students
will complete a series of research modules, each beginning with an introductory
overview of the problem, using the standard instructor-centered format,
but exploiting the electronic interactivity environment of the modern classroom. To
complete each module, collaborative work-groups, each consisting of three-four
students, will be assigned a specific research project associated with
the general problem. Each group
will issue a report to the class with a brief presentation.
In addition, students will complete technology-mediated
collaborative research projects due near the end of the semester. Presentation
of semester project results will involve a variety of application skills, such
as standard text and hypertext manuscripts, power point presentations, webpage
design and authoring, graphic display of analytical results, audio and video presentations.
In this course we shall collectively assess some of these questions,
relying primarily upon information resources available on the World Wide
Web. Although some of the course work will be completed individually, you
will be grouped with several research partners to complete a series of
research exercises due at regular intervals and a major project that is
due at the end of the semester. For this reason, your active participation
in this class is both vital and required. Specific requirements
follow:
Read the remaining requirements thoroughly.
Books ( Most material will be online):
Available
at the bookstores:
Baase,
Sara. Gift of Fire.
(1997). Required.
Standage, Tom. The Victorian Internet. (1998). Required.
Hacker, Diana. A Pocket Style Manual (2d Ed.) (1997). Optional.
Computer Accounts:
Everyone must immediately make sure you have a valid computer account and e-mail capability. This will be essential to completion of the course. Students who do not currently have accounts must immediately log onto a campus networked computer to complete the on-line WAM registration process. See: http://www.helpdesk.umd.edu/firstaid/faqs/unix/wam/newwam.shtml Or, you may apply in person at the aITs Consulting Lab.
Suggestions:
The following two paragraphs are suggestions only - not requirements.
Word processing software: Given that you have virtually no book costs in this course, you should take the opportunity to upgrade your word processing software if necessary. For compatibility purposes, if you are using WordPerfect or Word (versions prior to 6.0), you should seriously consider upgrading to more recent versions. Also, if you are still running DOS-based programs, now is the time to migrate to Windows98/2000. If you are a Mac user with old software versions, think about moving to more recent ones. The latest software is downward compatible, so reading your old files will not be a problem, and they have much enhanced features that you will find useful.
Remote Access to University Networks: Access from your home computer to the university systems, the Internet, and WWW is available to all students with a valid account. Remote access is certainly not required, but if you do go this route you will need to install the appropriate communications software (available at no charge from the computer science center). If you live on campus, you will need a network card and cable to connect to the university system. If you live off campus, you will need a modem. Assuming that your word processing package seems to be in order, you should assess your modem needs. If your current modem speed is 28.8bps or less, you might consider upgrading to one with a faster transfer rate (56.6). This will allow you to navigate on-line (and download files if you wish) at a noticeably quicker pace. You can also access the university network and the WWW through a private Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is generally not free, but some do provide access via faster DSL or cable connections.
Help and Resources:
For all kinds of help, including good hardware and software deals and technical support, go to Information Technology Resources and Services at http://www.inform.umd.edu/CompRes/
Attendance:
Attendance is required. In fact, more than three absences will result in an automatic "F" for the course. If, for some reason, you feel that you will not be able to attend class sessions on a regular basis, please drop the course now to make room for someone who is willing to make the necessary commitment. Your regular presence is essential, both in the sense that it will greatly aid your learning and in the sense that the other members of your group will be depending upon your active engagement in all aspects of the course. There is also a "bottom line" sense that class participation counts rather heavily toward your final grade (see below). Finally, given the collaborative nature of this project, you must make a commitment to complete the course once you have decided to take it. No drops will be permitted after the first four weeks of the semester. Please take this seriously and, out of consideration to all involved, if you cannot make such a commitment, this is not the course for you.
Readings:
With the exception of the two required books, all reading assignments for this
course are in electronic form. Some are available directly on our Webpage;
the remainder, you will be asked to locate by conducting your own WWW searches.
You are responsible for all of the assigned readings. Although
there are no tests in this course, your careful and timely reading of assignments
and your understanding of materials will be reflected in weekly papers, and
in-class and electronic discussions. In order to facilitate discussion and understanding
you should, of course, read assigned materials prior to class.
Participation:
It is essential that everyone participate in class discussions. Again, if, for some reason, you feel that you will not be able to take part actively in all facets of this course including in-class and on-line sessions, please do not take this class.
Participation will take two forms: (1) in-class and (2) on-line (WebChat). Of course, much of this subject matter is highly controversial stuff, so we expect that everybody would want to get her or his two cents worth in. But, as an added incentive, regular, informed, and thoughtful participation will constitute 25% of your final grade. In-class participation will count 10%, and participation in our weekly online discussion will count another 15%.
As the Internet is still relatively new, changes are being made almost daily as society tries to understand and control this new medium. Part of the point of this class is to introduce you to some of the issues that are currently important in the realm of new technology. To that end, the following is a list of news sites and mailing lists which cover a wide variety of current events from a number of different perspectives. Choose a site or two from this list (or ask us about one you have found on your own), and start keeping up with the news. WebChat questions will typically be taken from top news items of the week.
News Sites:
Newsletters:
In-class discussion needs no explanation, except to say that irrelevant, off-the-subject commentary will not count. Participation also involves asking questions, so please take advantage of our format, and fire away. These caveats also apply to weekly Webboard sessions, where discussion takes a written form in response to questions posted by your instructors. The WebChat (and complete, easy to follow instructions) is located on the course website.
Written Assignments:
Through a substantial portion of the semester, you will be responsible for brief written papers in response to a set of questions provided by your instructor. Most of these will involve on-line research and off-line writing. Each document will be electronically transmitted to your instructor as an e-mail attachment. Papers must be neatly typed, with standard font and margins, and fully documented. Your answers must clearly reflect that you have read the assigned material. I will return the papers with comments electronically. These assignments will cumulate as 35% of your final grade. A missed assignment will result in an automatic "F" for the course.
If you require assistance with writing assignments the Writing Center offers individual assistance for all undergraduates.
Research Papers:
You will be asked to complete a formal research project with two or more colleagues. From the menu of research choices, you are to select four that are of special interest to you. These choices can be found as listed under Course Project Options We will, in turn, create teams who have indicated a compatible interest. It will then be your responsibility to work together in order to complete the research and write a coherent paper for class presentation. Week-by-week directives are available in the Course Syllabus. Paper drafts are due no later than November 27, 2001. Oral presentation of research projects will take place during the last three weeks of the semester, with final papers due no later than midnight December 11, 2001.
While we can be flexible about the precise format, the ultimate goal of the paper will be a more thorough examination of the topic than we are able to cover in class. Use of WWW sources is required, and you must be sure to document carefully. We will go over appropriate citation and documentation protocols in class, and they are thoroughly discussed and outlined on the course webpage. Plagiarism is unacceptable and anyone engaging in the practice may expect to fail the course. The papers must by typed in 12 pt. font, double-spaced (including between paragraphs), with one-inch margins. They should approximate 16 text pages in length, not counting the cover page and bibliography. This is a joint exercise, and the final paper should read as a whole. Grammar, style, and usage are very important and your instructors take this element of paper writing very seriously. Thus, your papers should be completely free of typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors. You should be sure to refer to Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual. You may also wish to make reference to the following two web sites: William Strunk, Jr., "Elements of Style," http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html and "Common Errors in English," http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/index.html (These sites may be directly accessed here by clicking the links or through the course homepage.
As part (10%) of your paper project, groups will be required to complete a set of supplementary and complementary exercises. The purpose of these exercises is to allow you to pursue a technical and/or substantive skill that, given our limited time, we were unable to fully explore in class.
1. Your group will develop its own web page that can be used to display your project.
2. Your group will develop and display a power point presentation of your paper for purposes of the course oral presentation.
You should plan to provide first drafts or verifications of your supplementary
exercises when you submit the first drafts of your papers on November 27,
2001.
The paper will constitute 40% of your final grade, as follows: 1st draft, 15%; group supplementary project, 10%; oral presentation, 5%; final paper, 10%.
Note on Research
Much of your research for your various papers will probably be done online. Try Search Engine Watch for tips on finding information on the Web.
All of the final papers generated by course participants will be published in electronic journal form. Because our journal will be broadcast to the world, a conscientious effort to produce high quality manuscripts is, of course, expected. Moreover, since this will be a first edition journal, we will need a name, and you will be solicited for suggestions. Finally, a good journal needs good editors. If you have an interest in this area, feel free to discuss it with your instructor.
Exams & Deadlines:
Because this course is constructed to promote development of research, writing, and communications technology skills, both individualized and collaborative, there will be no exams. Yes, you read that correctly! No Exams. However, this places extra emphasis on the central course components, and failure to keep up with class activities will be lethal to your success. All deadlines are firm. A late assignment will be met with substantial penalty, unless it is accompanied by a documented excuse that can be confirmed by your instructor.
Warning: Failure to complete any of the assignments will result in an "F" in the course.
Recap: Evaluation:
Extra-Credit: None!
Participation (25%)
In-Class .................................10%
Webboard ...............................15%
Brief Written Assignments (35%)
Research Project (40%)
First Paper Draft ....................... 15%
Group Supplementary Project......... 10%
Oral Presentation .............. 5%
Final Paper ....................... 10%
Grade Penalties:
In addition, please note that you may expect to receive substantial grade penalties for the following:
1. More than three unexcused absences from class.
2. Failure to respond to your partners over a prolonged period (more than 3 days) without explanation.
3. Failure to complete any given assignment.
4. Plagiarism
Students
With Disabilities
Students with a specific disability (permanent or temporary, physical or learning)
needing special accommodation during the semester should make an appointment
to meet with the instructor.
Academic Integrity
Along with certain rights, students also have the responsibility to behave
honorably in an academic environment. Academic dishonesty, including cheating,
fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Any abridgement of academic integrity standards will be referred directly to
the Assistant Dean and forwarded to the University's Office of Judicial Affairs.
Confirmation of such incidents can result in expulsion from the University.
Students who are uncertain as to what constitutes academic dishonesty should
consult the University publication entitled Academic Dishonesty and/or check
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Last Updated: 09/17/01