COMP 380 Computers and Society Fall 2006

Comp 380-03: Computers and Society
Fall 2006

Fatal Error Cartoon

Contact Information:
email: pozefsky@cs.unc.edu
office phone: 962-1817
Instant Message
    AIM and MSN: dianepozefsky
    Yahoo: dianepoz24

Office Hours:
     Monday and Wednesday 11:00-12:00 and by appointment
     Walk-ins welcome
     Sitterson 356
     Sitterson Hall is open 7:30 - 5:30

Time and Location: Monday and Wednesday 9:30-10:45, Sitterson 011
Beginning November 15, the class will meet in Venable 207
(Note: One evening time slot on Tuesdays will be reserved for guest lectures and a “movie night” during several semester weeks. Therefore, some of our normally scheduled classes will be cancelled.)

Overview: COMP 380 is a philosophical perspective course. Through readings, lecture, writing, and discussion, we will identify and explore many cultural, social, philosophical, and economic effects of information technology on individuals, groups, and society.

This course is directed toward undergraduate students* who wish to understand the impact, in particular, of computer technology, and, in general, of what has been termed high technology, on the institutions, beliefs, values, tastes, activities, ideals, paradigms, and processes of our society.

This survey course is designed to introduce you to a wide variety of relevant topics. Some topics will be covered in more depth than others—for the latter, we hope to expose you to just enough information to entice you to explore on your own.

Course Objectives: The goal of this seminar is to teach students how computers have affected society and how those uses have changed computers. The course will feature hands-on experience with using computers to address a problem of interest to the student as well as research into the computer industry and its achievements in changing the world. While no programming experience is required, student projects may include producing a web page that shows the type of solution they envision for their problem. Teams and projects will be adapted to the skills and interests of students.

When the course is completed, the student will be able to explain in non-technical language how computers actually accomplish such tasks as managing an eBay transaction and why there are tasks that computers can’t do. The student will have learned basic skills that will allow him or her to produce a web page, and will have learned how to distinguish popular press hyperbole from reality.

*IMPORTANT: COMP 380 is designed specifically for non C.S./IT-related or technical majors/specialists and for those who have not already taken a similar course. It starts from scratch and assumes little to no background knowledge. While C.S. and other IT-related majors can enroll, they are hereby warned that we will not cover the more in-depth issues that are of concern specifically to computer scientists and information specialists (for example: industry standards and standards bodies; problems with securing a network; etc.). However, the Department is currently designing a similar philosophical course intended for the more technically inclined. Prerequisites may include COMP 411 or SILS equivalent.

Grading:
35%      papers
              10% short paper
              25% long paper
20%      oral presentation
40%      tests
          20% midterm
              20% final
(if pop quizzes given, they can count up to 4% and the midterm and final will be adapted)
5%        attendance, participation, homework assignments

Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course. Readings and materials will all be available electronically.

WEB CHANGES:
    30 August: Calendar updates
    6 September: Due time for electronic submissions changed to 7:00 pm
13 September: Late penalty assessment based on first deliverable, either paper or electronic
    24 September: Presentation dates posted
    16 October: Posted readings and status report
    13 November: New class location

Syllabus

Calendar (includes lectures, test and assignment dates)

External Speakers

Guidelines: Important Documents

Assignments:

Readings

Short Paper
Speaker Write-ups
Gattaca Assignment

Term Paper
Presentations

       Rehearsal times
       PowerPoint and Windows Presentation Tips
       Sitterson 011

       Guidelines
       Peer evaluation form
       Team evaluation form

Status Report

       Team Assignments
       Team Meetings
       Outline Information for Team Meeting
       Topics
       Assignment

References

Just for Fun

"Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place."

Bastiat

" Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind..."

Thomas Jefferso

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

                                                                                                                                           Benjamin Franklin

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

                                                                                                                                                           Thomas Paine

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

                                                                                                           Evelyn Beatrice Hall, The Friends of Voltaire

"Technology is driving the future...the steering is up to us."

                                                                                                    Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility