Note: This is a sample syllabus. The real, updated syllabus is located at wu.granneman.com, which is password-protected and is available for students and guests only.
U82 CIM 280—Using Everyday Technology
Washington University University College
Fall 2006
Tuesdays 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
??? Room ???
Instructor: Scott Granneman
- Adjunct Professor
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Webster University
- Author
- Don't Click on the Blue E!: Switching to Firefox (O'Reilly: 2005)
- Hacking Knoppix (Wiley & Sons: 2005)
- Linux Phrasebook (Sams: 2006)
- Columnist for SecurityFocus & Linux Magazine
- Professional blogger for The Open Source Weblog
- Full list of publications at /writing
- Consultant
- Partner, WebSanity
- Contact Info
- scott@granneman.com
- www.granneman.com
Course Description
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.
Required Texts
Readings will consist of articles, analyses, & ephemera from the Internet. If you ever want to pursue a topic further, you can look up further readings using Search (also located at the bottom of every page) or the Article Index.
Grading
Your grade will be based on the following factors:
- Class attendance and participation in discussion (20%): You are expected to attend class prepared to discuss the readings with your fellow classmates. During class we will also discuss how the readings relate to current news, so you should be prepared to extend the readings to new situations and participate in the discussions.
- One short paper (20%): You will research and prepare a short (3-5 page) paper. While you will have broad discretion to determine your paper topic, I need to approve it first.
- One project (30%): You will prepare a project which will act your final for the course. This project cannot be a paper; in fact, it can be anything but a paper.
- In-class presentation (10%): You will make a 10-minute presentation to the class corresponding with an issue in the syllabus. Your presentation will be based on the readings for that class date in addition to some additional essays which I will provide to you, and should include your perceptions, analysis, and critiques of the readings. In addition, your presentation should include questions to the class designed to facilitate a discussion of the issue. On particular subjects, two students can sign up to present the issue in the form of a debate examining competing perspectives on the topic. A sign up sheet will be distributed in class.
- Online discussion group (20%): This Web site has a discussion group that we will use for questions, thoughts, and discussions outside of class. Students are expected to comment on class readings prior to, and after, each class. However, students are free to start new discussions related to the topics discussed in class but not necessarily related to our readings. You should try to make 5 posts a week for full credit.
Grades will be based on an average of the above as follows:
100 A+
94-99 A
89-93 A-
86-88 B+
83-85 B
79-82 B-
76-78 C+
73-75 C
69-72 C-
66-68 D+
63-65 D
59-62 D-
0-58 F
Accommodation of disabilities: If you have a disability that might affect your ability to complete the required assignments, please contact me during the first week of class to discuss an accommodation.
Academic Integrity
Policy regarding academic dishonesty: This course will follow Washington University's policies concerning academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty may result in failure for the assignment in question and/or referral to the college's Academic Integrity Office, which has discretion to impose a stricter penalty. While academic dishonesty includes cheating on exams and quizzes, it also includes plagiarism in written assignments. Plagiarism is not only passing off someone else's work as your own, but also giving your work to someone else to pass off as their own. It also includes submitting work from another course. While I strongly encourage you to discuss your work with each other in and out of class, and while you may research issues together, your writing should be your own. The papers you submit must be your work alone, and must include citations to all references in your work. Please include the URL, or Web address, for articles and resources found on the Internet.
Netiquette
It is paramount that we respect each other online, in both email and the discussion group. Follow this simple rule: disagree with the idea, but not the person. In other words, it's OK to say "That's a bad idea, because …", and it's not OK to say "You're a bad/stupid/inconsiderate person, because …". If you have an issue with a classmate's behavior online, please bring it to me privately by emailing me at scott@granneman.com. If you'd like to find out more, please feel free to read The Core Rules of Netiquette, by Virginia Shea.
Tentative Schedule
Infrastructure
5 Sept. ~ Introductions. How computers work.
12 Sept. ~ How computers work (con't).
19 Sept. ~ How networking works.
26 Sept. ~ How the Internet works.
3 Oct. ~ How web sites work.
10 Oct. ~ How operating systems work.
Applications
17 Oct. ~ How office software works.
24 Oct. ~ How office software works (con't).
SHORT PAPER DUE
31 Oct. ~ How web browsers work.
7 Nov. ~ How email works.
14 Nov. ~ How Internet communication software works.
21 Nov. ~ How security works.
Multimedia
28 Nov. ~ How Peer2Peer works.
5 Dec. ~ How digital music works.
12 Dec. ~ How digital video & imaging works.
19 Dec. ~ In-class presentations on final project. Goodbyes.
FINAL PROJECTS DUE