WELCOME!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF COMPUTERS! As the third millenium progresses, we are being bombarded with the promise and danger which computer-driven technology poses. This course is designed to explore the impact of that technology on our modern world. To do this, we must first understand some of the basics of the technology itself. To this end we will be looking at the basics of hardware, software, the Internet, and use of the World Wide Web. Then we will apply our powers of critical thinking to understanding the balance between technology and humanity, between societal needs and individual rights, and to other issues. Classes will be run as lectures, with discussion, audio-visual material, and guest speakers where appropriate. Assignments will consist mostly, of research into the technical and societal aspects of computing.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?

This course is for the student, with little or no previous computing experience, who genuinely wants to explore these issues. Others with extensive technical background, should register instead for "Legal and Social Issues in Computing," CGS3065. Students looking to learn programming should look elsewhere (CGS2414 for intro to JAVA, CIS3020 for intro to CIS major, CGS3460 for C, CIS4930 for C++). Students looking for a class only teaching web pages (HTML, scripting) should consider CGS3066.

This course is offered both with, and without, Gordon Rule credit. Students who wish to take this course without writing a term paper should register for one of the Non Gordon Rule section. Section changes need to be handled as soon as possible (by the end of the first two weeks). Section changes after drop add must be approved by the instructor. The section numbers for Gordon and Non-Gordon rule sections are available under the course info. Here are instructions on how to change sections after drop add (during the first 2 weeks, but after drop add).

THE TERM PAPER

For those students in a Gordon Rule section of this class, you will be required to satisfactorily complete a research paper dealing with some current social controversy in computers. This gives you a chance to explore in depth a topic within your area of interest. Early in the term, you will provide us with a topic on which you would like to write. Under Term Paper Info we provide information as to what the paper should cover and how we grade it. A few sample topics are also given. You should CAREFULLY study the term paper guide, as well as all other materials provided, as they are essential to a good grade on the paper. The term paper topic proposal must be submitted no later than Thursday Sep 17 at 12:00pm noon. Instructions for submitting your topic are provided under the above link. You will receive an email accepting or rejecting your proposal. If your proposed topic is not accepted, you must resubmit a proposal by the following week. We recommend that you come talk to us if you are having problems deciding your topic or researching it.

COMPUTER ACCOUNTS

You should visit the class homepage frequently to read the messages. These messages carry important information for which you will be held responsible. Beginning with the first week of class, all "handouts" such as the "Term Paper Guide," reading assignments, computer assignments, general announcements, and specific messages will be communicated ONLY via this web page. You are expected to check it regularly. Check the links on the main page, there is a lot of information.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

Students will benefit most from this course, if they take part in class activities. Therefore, COURSE PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY, and is defined as:

1. class attendance (no more than 3 unexcused absences)

2. compliance with "class rules" set forth in this document

3. successful (70%) completion of at least 7 computer assignments (8 for non-Gordon Rule students)(NOTE: This is a minimum, you must do all 10 for full points)

4. Daily viewing of the messages on the class homepage

Failure to meet ANY of these requirements will result in a minimum one letter-grade penalty.

REQUIRED TEXT

Beekman, “Tomorrow’s Technology and You”, 9^th edition, PrenticeHall.

GRADING

Grading Distribution			Letter Grade	Percentages
Assignment or Exam	Gordon-Rule	Non Gordon-Rule	A	91-100
Assignment or Exam	Gordon-Rule	Non Gordon-Rule	B+	88-90
Exam #1	30%	40.5%	B	81-87
Exam #2	30%	40.5%	C+	78-80
Research Paper	25%	N/A	C	71-77
Assignments*	15%	19%	D+	68-70
			D	61-67
			E	0-60

Grading factors

* Assignments: Computer Assignments will be scored from 0-10 points each.
Exceptional participation in classroom discussion may improve the final grades of borderline students at the Professor's/Instructor's discretion.
Grades will be available online as soon as possible following each exam and assignment. You MUST check those postings and resolve any missing or incorrect grades within one week of the posting. No changes will be made to grades once this deadline has passed.
The average grade in this course is a "C". If you are concerned about the grade which you may receive, take advantage of all extra credit offered, such as the early term paper and assignment points, attend class, and study hard. If you need help studying for exams, writing the paper, or doing the assignments then contact the TAs. We are here to help you.
You have many opportunities to control your final grade. We will not alter the grade you have earned because you "need" to keep your scholarship, to stay off probation, to maintain your student status, to get into your college, or for any other reason. DON'T ASK. You earn your grade, we don't give it to you.
Exams 1 and 2 are non-cumulative. They cover material from the lectures and from the homeworks. They have 33, 3 point multiple choice questions and 1 True/False question worth 1 point. These are done on Scantron bubble sheets. It is closed book, closed note.
The makeup is cumulative and given at the end of the semester. You may take the makeup to better an earlier exam score.

Grade Computation:

To compute your own grade use the following formula

Gordon Rule Students:
(Exam1 * .3) + (Exam2 * .3) + (PaperGrade * .25) + (Total Assignment Points * .15)
NON Gordon Rule Students:
(Exam1 * .405) + (Exam2 * .405) + (Total Assignment Points * .19)

OTHER INFORMATION

Offices

Instructor

Dr. G.Haskins CSE 570

CSE 309

Office hours will be posted online under Teaching Staff
The Important Dates link will have current dates as they become available.
Come to class. If you miss class, borrow someone's notes. The lecture material is not in the text.
TA's have been assigned to advise you regarding your papers, assignments, and studying for exams. Generally, you should consult with a TA, before meeting with your professor. If you have questions regarding the assignments, the quiz, or the term paper talk with a TA. If you have a question about material from lectures, talk to the professor or the instructor.

GENERAL CLASS RULES

Don't bring a newspaper to class.

Don't carry on a conversation during class.

Don't leave during class unless you have received prior approval from the professor.

Turn off cell phones, beepers, alarm watches, games, etc during class.

Do not act aggresively with the TAs. They are there to help you, and to answer questions. They will not change your grade without consulting the professor.

Compliance with these rules is considered as a factor in course participation, thus failure to comply may result in failure in the course.

POLICY CONCERNING DISHONESTY

Occasionally, a student may attempt to cheat in this course. This usually takes the form of either plagiarism on the paper (failure to give proper credit for quoted or paraphrased material) or in copying/giving/receiving unauthorized assistance on out-of-class assignments. ALL assignments (unless otherwise specifically noted) are individual assignments. You MUST do them alone. The TAs are the ONLY people you can ask about the assignments. Do not ask other students, friends, parents, or CIRCA about your assignment (questions related to connecting to the Internet or finding Netscape can be directed to CIRCA but the assignment questions must be your own work.) In any case cheating is highly unfair to the vast majority of honest students. Therefore be advised that if we become convinced that someone has cheated, we will fail that person in this course, notify student judicial affairs, and testify as to the student's misconduct. These proceedings will become part of that student's permanent record. We also will inform Judicial Affairs as to the source of the information so both the giver and receiver of the information will be affected. Note that Judicial Affairs has the power to remove you from UF.

In other words, don't even consider cheating; it's not worth it!

LECTURE SCHEDULE

This is a rough outline of where we will be going this semester. Check the Important Dates link on our main page for specific due dates and times for assignments, the paper, and the exams. This is just a rough outline and is subject to change.

Week	Topic	Misc	Readings from text	Term Paper
1	Explanation of Course / Policies and Expectations
1	Predicting the Future
2	Computer Misuse & Vulnerability		Chapter 1
2	Information Age & Computer Overview
3	History of Data Processing	Assignment #1
3	Electronic History, Generations
4	Oz Syndrome/ Anthropomorphism		Chapter 2	Topics Due
4	Info Imperative/ economics of EDP	Assignment #2
5	Hardware Basics	Assignment #3	Chapter 3	PAPER +12
6	Hardware and Peripherals	Assignment #4	Chapter 4	PAPER +10
7	Software	Assignment #5		PAPER +8
8	Networking	Assignment #6	Chapter 8	PAPER +6
9	Review	Exam#1 10/22		PAPER +4
10	Internet & WWW	Assignment #7	Chapter 9	PAPER +2
	Ethics, Net neutrality
11	Risks of Technology: Loss of Privacy	Assignment #8	Chapter 7 (pp249-263)	Papers Due 11/5
11	1^st Amendment Issues
12	Censorship	Assignment #9
12	Intellectual Property
13	Intellectual Property (cont)	Assignment #10
14	Computer Crime/Hacking		Chapter 10
14	DMCA
15	Computers & Modern Society
15	Cybersquatting/ Review	Exam#2 12/3
16	Computers & Modern Society	Make-up Exam 12/8
16

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