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Class Syllabus
Table of Contents:
| Week One | Week Seven | Week Thirteen |
| Week Two | Week Eight | Week Fourteen |
| Week Three | Week Nine | Week Fifteen |
| Week Four | Week Ten | Week Sixteen |
| Week Five | Week Eleven | |
| Week Six | Week Twelve |
Course Title: Introduction To Computers
Course Description:
This course is designed to be an introduction to the concepts of information systems and use of computers in business and related fields. Topics covered include: history of computers, types of computers, data communications, file processing, computer careers, systems development and an introduction to personal computer applications software (word processing, electronic spreadsheets, and database management programs).
Text:
CSCI 2 - Course Kit (Getting Starting With The Illustrated Interactive Series (4 Small Texts with CD-ROMs -- Includes Concepts, Word 97, Excel 97, Access 97), copyright 1997 by Course Technology - ITP. This book is available at the campus bookstores (Ridgecrest, Southern Kern, Kern River Valley, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes)
Course Objectives:
To prepare students to enter the computer age, regardless of their respective levels of technical expertise.
To help students become effective and responsible end users and wise consumers of computer hardware and software.
To challenge students to think creatively about computer applications and to find solutions to computer related problems.
To measure students' knowledge of basic computer terminology.
To present the major components of hardware, software, and computing systems.
To evaluate common types of computer software packages available on the commercial market.
To develop an understanding of the social impact of computers, both present and future.
Evaluation:
You will be required to complete the following tests and assignments.
Assignment Points Total 14 Quizzes 10 140 2 Article Summaries 15 30 4 Applications Exercises 20 80 1 Online Library Search Exercise 10 10 3 Exams (70 pts. each) 70 210 Discussion Participation 100 100 1 Comprehensive Final Exam 100 100 Total Points 670
Grading:
Grades will be assigned by percentage of total semester points as follows:
90-100% = A
80-89.9% = B
70-79.9% = C
60-69.9% = D
below 60% = F.Note: The percentage is NOT rounded - 89.9999999 is a B!
Make-Up Exams And Late Work:
You will generally have a couple of days to take an exam and several days to turn in assignments. There will be NO opportunity to take an exam late but you can turn assignments in late. Assignments turned in late will be penalized 25% but must be turned in late before December 13, 1997.
Extra Credit:
There will be an opportunity to earn extra credit of up to twenty (20) points announced later in the semester.
NOTE: This syllabus is TENTATIVE and subject to change.
Week Four: The History of Computers
Welcome back or welcome for the first time. Judging from the fact that there were no postings to the CD ROM Installation Problems Q&A Discussion page, I'm assuming that there were no problems with the installation and running of the Concepts CD-ROM. That's good news.
I've had many questions over the past week regarding the discussion pages and what is your responsibility with them. Well, you should have posted to the pages and you should have read every post. I realize that it takes a long time to read the postings but you must do so. You also should respond when appropriate. What is appropriate? In general, something that is meaningful to the perpetuation of the discussion. If that doesn't answer your question that's okay; there are many ambiguous aspects of using computers and taking online courses. You do not have to respond to every posting; just respond where you feel you can contribute something to the conversation. You are not graded on number of postings, number of words, quality, etc. The discussion pages of the class are the substitute for class participation. You should give some thought to your responses but don't let it keep from responding. If this doesn't help please feel free to call me or send me an email message.
The lecture this week contains some information from my notes as well as a few links to other sites that do a much better job of explaining aspects of computer history than I could ever hope to. You will be held accountable (Yes, it may be on the test!) for all of the information presented. Above all, this should be a learning experience.
If you are behind this is the week to get caught up. Give me a call if you are having problems. Good luck and, have fun!
Objectives:
To become familiar with the different generations of hardware
To become familiar with the different generations of software
To become familiar with the important names and figures in computer history
To discover the amazing things that have happened in a very short period of time.
Lecture: The History of Computers
Assignments:
Discussion: You have a lot of reading to do this week and because of that we'll relieve some of the pressure from the discussion page. I know that many of you have been around computers all of your life or have seen many of the changes that have taken place during the 50 year history of computers. I would like you to post interesting anecdotes and experiences that you may have had (if you've had them) with computers in your lifetimes. I'll start it off you can add to it as you see appropriate.
Due Date: Monday, September 29, 1997
Research: It's included/embedded within the above mentioned lecture.
Quizzes: Quiz On The History Of Computers
Due Date: Monday, September 29, 1997
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04/09/98