Instructor

Diane Pozefsky

Office

327 Sitterson Hall        .

Phone

962-1817

E-mail

pozefsky at cs.unc.edu

Office Hours

M & W 11 am - 12 pm & by appointment.  Walk-ins welcome.

Web site

http://www.cs.unc.edu/~pozefsky/COMP380_F06/home

Class times

9:30 am to 10:45 am        SN 011
Important Note:

Course 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.

Goals & Objectives

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.

*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. Pprerequisites may include COMP 411 or SILS equivalent. 

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

•     Have a very basic understanding of how computers are (logically) organized, what they do, and the general manner in which they do it. 

•     Identify a number of deleterious side effects of computer and I.T. use on social, psychological, philosophical, and political attitudes and institutions.

•     Analyze and evaluate arguments on multiple sides of a controversial issue, and write a well structured, logically coherent essay that takes a particular stance and argues for it successfully, with plenty of relevant and supporting evidence.

•     Work cooperatively and effectively as a team member, and deliver a well developed, informative, creative presentation.

Writing

You should be able to write an essay that is clear, well organized, and essentially free from most surface errors.  If that is not true of your writing, then this course may not be the best fit for you.  A large percentage of your final course grade will depend on how well you can write a philosophy paper; however, much guidance will be provided.  You should also have adequate skills in conducting library and Internet research, and in using at least the most basic functions of word processing, e-mail, and web browser software.

The following resources should be used as references for writing in this course:

The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White, 1996, and the MLA Handbook, available at the UNC Textbook Dept. (English section).  One of the original versions of the former is available on the Web.

The Student Guide to Freshman Composition, found under Eng 10.  Please study carefully pages 16 through 23 regarding plagiarism.  It is critical for this course.

Requirements
satisfied

Satisfies the Philosophical & Moral Reasoning Approach (and therefore the Philosophy Perspective requirement).

Web.  The web site will be kept up to date and will be the primary source for all information.  I will highlight significant changes in class and all web site changes will be posted on the home page.

Class format and

content

Much in-class time will be spent in a teacher-moderated discussion format and in small groups.

Please note:  Many of the topics we will discuss are controversial.  No one has all the answers to the questions we will raise.  With no agreed-on right answers, the best way for you to come to some coherent position is to understand the arguments on all sides.  We expect lots of people to disagree with each other; however, this disagreement should be rational, respectful, and non-confrontational.  This will be especially true during the student presentations.  Please read carefully the General Guidelines for Discussion.

 Attendance

Attendance is required and records will be kept.

Excused absences.  Students who are members of regularly organized and authorized University activities and who may be out of town taking part in some scheduled University event are excused during the approved period of absence.  The proper  procedure is that notification of such an absence must be sent by the responsible University official to the office of the student's dean, and a note should be provided as soon as possible.  However, I  would appreciate an email as soon as you know about the dates. 

All other absences for valid reasons are excused only by me.  Present an explanation as far in advance as possible, and not later than the next class meeting.  Advance notice is preferred.  Please do not simply tell me after class or in the hall.  I am apt to forget.  If you cannot reach me in person, send email or leave voice mail; both are checked daily.  Of course, you are responsible to find out what you missed. 

Late arrivals to and early departures from class should be avoided unless you have good reason.  But having said that, I would much rather have you attend some of the class than to skip it altogether.  A simple explanation before or after class is all that is needed. 

Reading assignments.  Check the web for daily reading assignments and respective due dates.

Basic workload

PARTICIPATE.  Participate in class discussions.  Everyone will be expected to participate actively.  Take good notes—the LEC slides should serve as an aid to help you to organize your note-taking efforts, not as a replacement.

READ.  Make sure that you have completed the assigned readings in time for class so that you may participate in our discussions.  If I determine that you are not prepared, I will institute the Dreaded Pop-Quiz Policy (see Testing). 

WRITE.  The bulk of your grade will depend on essays that you write, both in the form of assignments and exams.  You should expect your papers to be graded on substantive and appropriate content, and on organization, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style.  (See Writing above.)  Specific details and requirements for each written assignment will be announced during class and posted on the Web.  You should also consult carefully (and often) Written Assignments: Guidelines. 

Re-grading of an assignment or an exam question will be considered only up to one week after the item has been made available for return. 

Consult Strunk & White's The Elements of Style, and other helpful resources.  We also recommend the Grammar Hotline (962-4060) for grammar questions and the Writing Center (lower level of Phillips Annex, 962-7710; http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb) for more general writing help.  Take advantage of the Writing Center’s fine services.

PRESENT.  In addition to participating in informal class discussions, you will give a presentation (based on your term paper) as a member of a small team.  Complete details will be provided.  You must be ready to present on your assigned day—only an official University absence will be considered (see Attendance policies). 

IMPORTANT.  Some topics may be of a very sensitive nature.  Should you be presented with a reading or written assignment whose topic is too disturbing to you, please speak to me as soon as possible and we can discuss suitable alternatives.

Due dates and

Late assignments

Due dates.  A paper copy of each written assignment is due at the start of your class time unless otherwise noted (or pre-approved).  An electronic copy in MS Word format should be uploaded to the appropriate Web link, per our specific instructions, by 7:00 pm on the due date.  The assignment will be considered as complete when both paper and readable e-copy are received, although the PAPER copy is the most critical with regard to late penalties.

• First copy turned in after deadline (start of class) but during class time is docked a "third" of a letter grade:   A becomes A-,  A- becomes B+,  etc.
• First copy turned in after class and by 7:00 pm the SAME  weekday is docked as “two-thirds” late:  A becomes B+;  A- becomes a B; etc.
• First copy turned in by 7:00 pm the next weekday after the due date is docked one full letter grade:  A becomes B;  B becomes C, etc.
• Each additional weekday late reduces your grade by another full letter, until you reach D.  You will need permission to turn it in more than two weeks late during spring/fall semester (more than a week late during summer session).

You may bring your late assignment to our receptionist on level 1 and ask her to date and initial it and pass it on to me or you may turn it in electronically.  If you simply slide an assignment under my office doors, it will be counted as received when it is found—so obviously that’s only a good idea if you make specific arrangements with me first.

Simplify your life and ours:  be on time.  No fuss, no penalties.  Neither equipment failure nor “I got sick yesterday” excuses will carry weight in waiving penalties—plan for the unexpected and make sufficient backup copies of your hard work.

However, we are reasonable, and we know that everyone has a hell week now and then or a real emergency that interferes with your ability to attend class or to complete an assignment on time.  In that case, let me or the TA know as soon as possible and as far in advance as possible.  Do so before the actual due date, or we will likely be unable to offer you a time extension. 

Testing

Exams will include material from lectures, discussions, guest speakers, readings, videos, movies, and any other course experience.  You will use Securexam (details coming). 

You may bring one "crib sheet" to each exam:  It can consist of one 8.5" x 11" paper printed on two sides (or two sheets of paper with one side printed on each) upon which you can write, print, or type anything from the readings, class notes, etc.  Prepare your own: the learning and understanding come during the creation efforts. Preparing it with one or two of your classmates is fine, but you should participate fully.

There will be two written exams given, including the final exam.  Questions are guaranteed to be fat free and low carb.

NOTE:  Graded midterm exams will be returned during class and we will recollect them before you leave. You may come by my office most any time to examine your exam in more detail, ask questions, and so forth.

Exam dates are listed on the calendar.  Final exam dates are set by the University and cannot be changed.
 

Makeups.  It is to your advantage to take exams at the scheduled time.  The excused absences policy stated above will be followed for the midterm exam.  The University's policy for final exam makeup will be strictly followed; that is, I must have the signed slip from your Dean's office in hand before the final exam period begins:  no exceptions. 

For all other absences:  If you think that you must miss a scheduled exam for a very pressing reason, you must notify me prior to the exam date and as far in advance as possible.  I will determine if the forthcoming absence is excusable.

If necessary, a single makeup exam (with different questions) will be given—at my convenience (I will do my best to accommodate your schedule). 

The Dreaded Pop-Quiz Policy (DPQP).  If it is determined that our discussions are, ahem, less than inspiring, unannounced quizzes will be given.  Do not count on the same few students to participate.  I will expect everyone to participate fully.  I will not always pick on the first person whose hand goes up; I will often give you some think time—so that you may answer thoughtfully.  And I may call on you.

If the DPQP is adopted, then a portion of the percentage currently assigned to exams will be reassigned to quiz grades.  One additional quiz would be given, above those that will count toward your final grade (i.e., you could drop one), so there are no quiz make-ups.  Note:  Quizzes are not representative of the kinds of questions you will find on exams.  Rather, they are composed of simple and obvious content questions to determine whether or not you read the assignment.

Honor Code

The University Honor Code is in full effect.  If you need clarification, please ask.

• Pledge.  The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance requires that you sign a pledge on all graded work.  This includes all papers, graded assignments, exams, and quizzes.  When you sign the pledge, you are agreeing to the following:  "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this class work."  You may simply write the word "Pledge" and sign your name.
  
• Exams and quizzes.  You are encouraged to study with other COMP 380 students; you can learn much from each other.  All quizzes are to be taken without the assistance of books, notes, or other people.  Exams should be taken without the aid of books, notes, or other people—with the one “crib sheet” exception, described above.
  
• Written Assignments.  Please consult the Authorized Aid section of Written Assignments: Guidelines.

Grading

Weights:

The table below represents the percent of the final course grade that will be assigned to various activities.  These weights may be adjusted slightly, if necessary, and announced.  In sum:  35% for written papers; 40% for written tests; 20% for the presentation; 5% for other.

Short paper................................................................ 10%

Details TBA.

Term project:.............................................................. 45%

Oral .................................................. 20%

Written paper (8-12+ pgs)............ 25%

Tests:.......................................................................... 40%

MidTerm Exam............................... 20%

Final Exam...................................... 20%

Possible Quizzes........................... (up to 10% of Exams, if DPQP is implemented)

Other*:........................................................................   5%

TOTAL..................................................................... 100%

In-class participation and attendance:

*Besides homework assignments, your attendance, participation, and attitude during class can make a difference in your final grade, especially if you are on the borderline.  Too many unexcused absences and/or lack of participation will lower your final course grade, no matter what your course average is otherwise.

Participation in team project:

Because your team member(s) will rely heavily on you, sub-standard performance as a team member will result in an "F" grade for the entire course.

Letter grades will be assigned to all written assignments and exams, with a corresponding standard percentage recorded in the gradesheet, as follows:

Your final course letter grade will be assigned approximately as follows.  (An average that falls within the range on the left will receive the letter grade shown on the right):