Computers & Society
Course Outline
CSCI 1304

Dr. Thomas E. Hicks
Computer Science Department
Trinity University

Overview

Computers & Society  is Trinity University's attempt to prepare graduates to (1) utilize the computer efficiently and effectively in the "academic world" and (2) be competitive and effective in the "real world" in whatever major they have chosen. This class is a three hour computer science course whose major topics are described below.

An examination of the impact of computer technology on issues of society and culture. The course will contain several components: an introduction to computing (software and hardware concepts); an introduction to problem-solving using one or more high-level languages/software applications to include information retrieval and processing (numeric, text, and graphics); computer communications; and discussions of the uses and ethical issues surrounding computers in our society. No credit after completion of CSCI 1300, 1302, 1303.

This course shall be an extension of each of the Essential Computer Skills concepts with emphasis on Societal Issues. 
 

Required Textbooks:

Web Multimedia Development
by David Miller

Optional Software:

Microsoft Office 97
Microsoft FoxPro (Version 5.0)

Grade Breakdown:

There will be two exams this semester.
Exam 1 - 200 points - 10/14/97
Exam 2 - 300 points - 12/4/97

There will be a brief (5 minute) quiz given each and every Tuesday this semester. This quiz (10 points) will be on the desk at the begining of lectue and collected 5 minutes after class begins. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped. There will be no make-up quizzes given! Questions on the quiz will pertain to reading assignments, labs, and lecture during the previous three weeks. If class is cancelled on a Tuesday, there will be no quiz that week! See Secedule on the Web!

Laboratory assignments will be assigned regularly throughout the semester. These labs will be collected in wire-band binders every almost every other Thursday. The wire-band binders will generally be kept 1.0 - 1.5 weeks for grading and then returned. See Secedule on the Web!

Projects and Labs generally total 400-500 points. Computer Science is a "participant sport". A sizable portion of your grade is related to your usage of computers! In order to do well in this course, most of you should plan on using the computer at least an hour each day.

Grading Scale
 

A     93% - 100%  A-   90% - 92.9%

B+     87% - 89.9%  B       83% - 86.9%  B-     80% - 82.9%

C+     77% - 79.9%  C       73% - 76.9%  C-      70% - 72.9%

D+     67% - 69.9%  D       63% - 66.9%  D-      60% - 62.9%

F     0% - 59.9%

Materials Needed:

Floppy disks (at least 12)
Letter Size Wire-Band Report Covers (1)
Disk Accessory Insert [3-ring binder zipper insert or 3-ring floppy disk pouch] (1)
Notebook dividers (10)

Lab Assignments & Projects:

It is essential that you do the assignments as scheduled. Collecting the binders every two weeks provides a little slack in the schedule in which you can get some help. Assignments are due when scheduled. I will periodically ask to see them in lecture, but the binders will only be collected every other Thursday. See Secedule on the Web!

The binders are to be left on the desk as you enter class (by  11:20) on the specified date. Binders submitted after 11:20 are late! Do not come to lecture late or skip a lecture because you are working on an assignment!

 There will often be several assignments in the folder at one time. These assignments may not be submitted in multiple binders; you may turn in only one binder! Late binders are to be left in Dr. Hicks' mail box (201P); do not give them to him in a lab, slide them under his door, give them to a secretary, etc.

No assignments will be accepted more than 4 days late! [Exceptions for Major Medical or University Sponsored Events] Binders submitted after 11:20 Thursday or on Friday will be pentalized no more than 15%. Binders submitted on Monday will be pentalized no more than 30%. No binders will be accepted after Monday!

Wire-band Folder Requirements:

All assignments will be professional in appearance and professional in quality! No assignments will be accepted unless they are bound in the wire-band binders. Each assignment will be punched and properly inserted into the wire-band binder. Make sure that you adjust the margins for the binder prior to printing; it is important to be able to read your materials without removing them from the binder.

Do not submit a pocket folder! Do not submit a three ring notebook! Think ahead; you have two weeks to get this together!

1. The wire band binder will have a label, with your name, on the outside.
2. The first item on the inside will be the disk accessory insert and any necessary floppy disks; all disks placed in this folder must be labed. Place your Name and MAC, IBM, UNIX on each disk!
3. A notebook divider will be immediately after the disk accessory insert.
4. Each lab must have the lab assignment sheet in the front; a copy may be available on the net!
5. The labs shall be inserted into the wire-band folder in the order that they apper on the schedule!
6. Remove all graded assignments from the report folders and keep the graded assignments until the end of the semester.
7. Some assignments will be team assignments. Most assignments will be individual assignments. Unless directed otherwise, each member of the team must turn in his/her own copy of the assignment.

Monday                  9:00 - 11:00 AM
Tuesday                  9:45 - 11:15 AM          12:45 - 2:00 PM
Wednesday             9:00 - 11:00 AM
Thursday                 9:45 - 11:15 AM         12:45 - 2:00 PM