4901.265.01 Computers and Society (non-WI)

Instructor: Stewart M. Clamen

Office:

Computer Science Department, Robinson Hall, 3rd Floor

Phone:

(856) 256-4500 x3884

URLs:

http://elvis.rowan.edu/~clamen/
http://elvis.rowan.edu/~clamen/classes/C+S/

Office Hours:

Mon	14:00-15:00; 18:00-18:30
Wed	14:00-15:00; 18:00-18:30
Fri	11:00-12:00

Other times by appointment

Section Times

Section 1:

MW

11:00-12:15

Rob 225

Important Dates

Tuesday, January 22

First day of classes

Monday, January 28

Last day to add/drop

Monday, March 11

Last day to withdraw from class with signature of instructor

Monday, March 18 - Friday, March 22

Spring Break

Friday, March 29

Good Friday (no classes)

Tuesday, May 7 - Monday, May 13

Finals Week

Catalog Description

4901.265.01  3 s.h.
Computers and Society

This interdisciplinary course focuses upon the effects of computer systems on individuals and institutions. How computer systems are developed and operated will be related to an analysis of current trends in American society. A study of present and probably future applications of computers in such areas as management, economic planning, data collection, social engineering, education and the military will be followed by an exploration of the relationship of computer systems to problem solving orientations, bureaucratization, centralization of power, alienation, privacy, autonomy and peoples' self-concept. This course is open to students at any level who satisfy the prerequisite and have course work in computer science or sociology or permission of instructor.

Prerequisites

1501.112 College Composition II

Instructor's Description

A course studying how computers (more precisely, emerging computerized technologies) affect society and how society affects computers. Class work will consistent of reading (both scholarly and non-scholarly articles), group discussion (both in class and online), and independent writing. A certain amount of computer literacy is assumed.

Topics include (but may not be limited to):

• Safety and Reliability
• Privacy and Social Control
• Electronic Communities
• Organizations and Worklife
• Ethics and Professional Responsibilities

With the following ongoing themes (among many):

Blaiming the messenger

Faulting computer technologies for a particular problem without providing a substantive argument

Computer Illiteracy

Policies/decisions made out of ignorance

The "Information Revolution"

What is revolutionary about our times? Are new technologies just being treated as new variations of old things?

Grading

Homework and writing assignments	30%
Discussion assignments	15%
Quizzes	10%
Final	20%
Class Participation	25%

Ground Rules

1. Class participation (both in class and via the WebCT discussion bboards) is a major part of the work in this course and consequently, a major component in the calculation of your grade. As you cannot participate in classroom discussions without being present, attendance is mandatory. Further, participation in the online (WebCT) class discussion groups is mandatory.
2. At least twice during the semester (and with at least 10 days warning), students will be designated as "discussion leaders" for a particular reading (or part of a reading). This assignment will require studying the reading and preparing discussion points. Discussions from class that merit them will be continued online.
3. Homeworks will include both exercises and short (2-3pp) writing assignments.
4. There will be a number of short in-class quizzes (announced in advance) and one final exam. There will be no make-ups for quizzes.
5. If a student cannot make a scheduled exam or discussion assignment, they must notify me beforehand.
6. Students will be assumed to be checking the class's WebCT space regularly for new discussion topics and threads.
7. Students will be assumed to be checking their students.rowan.edu email at least every other weekday. Reading (particularly web readings) and some homework assignments are likely to be announced — and emergency announcements made — via email. If checking your students.rowan.edu emailbox is inconvenient for you, configure it to forward to a convenient emailbox.
8. Students who have been attending class regularly and have been making a serious effort are welcome to see me for additional help during office hours.
9. While it is alright to seek help on assignments from others, copying or plagiarizing assignments (or being an accomplice to it) will not tolerated. If you do not understand the difference between plagiarism and permissable help, please ask me for elaboration.

Texts

Kling, R. Computerization and Controversy. 2nd edition

 

Supplemental readings to be determined