This course is designed for managers involved in making business decisions involving technology. Students are expected to know how to use a computer, but this course is not a hands-on tutorial. Instead, we discuss a range of issues focusing around modern technologies used by businesses around the world. Topics include networking, communications, open source software, content management systems, computer based training, Web services, Web site usability, wireless, productivity tools, and more.
M-F 8 am - 5 pm, 4-8 June (one week only, but 3 credits!)
Blogs to Wikis: Building Community in a Virtual Environment
Social software has been defined as "software that suppports group interaction." While not a new topic in technology, in the last few years social software has seen a renaissance of innovation as various factors - including the internet, broadband, wireless communications, and the rise of open source and open standards-based software - have coalesced to create exciting new possibilities for building communities in virtual environments. This course examines the growth of social software by first examining the trends that have contributed to its growth, and then focusing on a different type of social software each week (including hands-on use of blogs, wikis, virtual gaming worlds, and Web sites such as Friendster, Flickr, and del.icio.us).
Departments: Communication & Journalism; Computers & Information Management
Fall 2007
Practical Security
Internet users are at risk from viruses, worms, phishing, hackers, spyware, and identify theft. This course will help you determine if you or your business is vulnerable, and then teach you to safeguard your computer, your network, your business, your personal data, and even your identity. Topics include passwords, spyware, phishing, port scanning, vulnerability testing, packet sniffing, wi-fi protected access (WPA), secure sockets layer (SSL), and backup.
Wed 5:30 - 8 pm, 29 August - 17 October (8 wks only, for 3 credits)
Blogs to Wikis: Building Community in a Virtual Environment
Social software has been defined as "software that suppports group interaction." While not a new topic in technology, in the last few years social software has seen a renaissance of innovation as various factors - including the internet, broadband, wireless communications, and the rise of open source and open standards-based software - have coalesced to create exciting new possibilities for building communities in virtual environments. This course examines the growth of social software by first examining the trends that have contributed to its growth, and then focusing on a different type of social software each week (including hands-on use of blogs, wikis, virtual gaming worlds, and Web sites such as Friendster, Flickr, and del.icio.us).
Tues & Thurs 7:45 - 9:45 pm, 30 August - 18 October (8 wks only, for 3 credits)
Departments: Communication & Journalism; Computers & Information Management
Web Site Design and Development
This course covers Web site development using the three methods that have been used since Web design first began: hand-coding HTML using a text editor; building Web pages using a WYSIWYG editor like Dreamweaver; and using the most modern method, a Content Management System that separates design from content while making it easy for nontechnical users to update a site. We cover design principles, Cascading Style Sheets, server-side vs. client-side technologies, Web browsers, and Web servers. We conclude the course with a brief overview of the future of Web development: XHTML and XML.
Departments: Communication & Journalism; Computers & Information Management
Using Everyday Technology
This course provides an overview of key computer technologies that are useful in business and at home. Topics covered include computers, the Internet, networking, digital music, security, operating systems, Web browsers, e-mail, DNS, MP3, HTTP, Linux, Firefox, and BitTorrent. Additionally, we learn more creative and efficient ways of using standard office applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to improve work performance.
We are said to live in an information society and work in an information economy, but what does that mean? If we have indeed experienced a "paradigm shift" in what information means to society, then how do we adapt to these changes and what do they mean for the traditional ways society functions? This course examines how we think about, communicate, and use information in a variety of contexts, including political, financial, historical, ethical, organizational, educational, and technological. Guest lecturers from business, engineering, humanities, and social sciences provide these perspectives.
Tues & Th 7:45 - 9:45 pm, 30 October - 20 December 2006 (8 wks only, for 3 credits)