CSC 385 - Course
Description & Grading (
Computer
and information technology has pervaded modern society. With the introduction
of this unavoidable computing presence have come many important social and
ethical issues and concerns. This course will examine some of these issues and
concerns.
Class Format
The course format will be "led
discussions" where each student will be assigned discussion topics
relevant to the course to research and present. The student is required to do
independent research on the topic. A schedule will be generated at the start of
the semester outlining the general topic and dates of presentation for each student.
Details on the format of these presentations will be provided in
class.
You should meet with the instructor on Monday
or Tuesday the week before your presentation to discuss your plans and draft
slides. Your final slides must be emailed to the instructor by noon on the day
before your presentation.
Presentation Dress Code: Formal attire is required for all presentations
Participation
Regular class attendance is mandatory.
Completion of assignments will entail reading the textbook and researching various
topics germane to the course. Each student will lead class discussion
based on a presentation of the topic. Expect to spend several hours researching
and formulating your topics to lead the discussion group.
Outside of class, you will need to read the
course text, prepare three class presentations, and write a paper. There will
be many deadlines during the semester to help you write a high-quality paper.
The class schedule will list all the deadlines, as well as the topics for each
day's discussion and the relevant book chapters. There will be no final exam.
Chapter Summaries
Each week, each student must submit a two page summary of the discussion chapter for the week. The summary
should include:
1.
The basic points
presented by the author.
2.
An evaluation of
these points from the student’s perspective.
3.
A list of questions for in-class discussion.
Your summaries should highlight the main points made by the author and
the examples used by the author. You should also express your own thoughts on the
subject. For example, for each point made by the author, you could say whether
you agree or disagree, state the conditions for this agreement/disagreement and
say what you thing there are present and future implications of the points
made.
Format of Summaries
Name of student
Course number
Summary for Chapter<#>
//actual summary
Discussion Questions
Course Project
Each student must prepare and submit a
seven-ten page paper, analyzing and discussing an ethics-related topic of
interest to the student.
Deadlines
A due date will be specified for every
assignment when it is distributed. Late assignments will not be accepted.
If you have an emergency that interferes with
your ability to attend class or to complete an assignment on time, let me know
as soon as possible and as far in advance as possible. Do so before the due
date has passed. Once the deadline has passed, I will likely be unable to offer
you an extension.
Evaluation
- A
10-point scale will be used to compute your course grade. If your course
score falls just below a cutoff, a higher plus / minus grade may be
assigned.
|
30% |
|
|
30% |
|
|
Class Attendance
& Participation |
15% |
|
Course Project Resume |
20% 5% |
|
Total |
100% |
- Course Grade
A modified 10-point scale will be used to compute your course grade. If your course score falls just below a cutoff, the higher grade may be assigned. Factors that affect this judgment are the distribution of grades, improvement during the semester, and attendance
|
90 -
100 A |
|
80 -
89.5 B |
|
70 -
79.5 C |
|
60 -
69.5 D |
·
If your course
score falls just below a cutoff, a higher, + grade may be assigned
solely at the discretion of the instructor.
Honor Code
It is the responsibility of every student to
follow the UNCW Academic Honor Code (see Section V of your Student Handbook).
You violate the honor code when you represent someone else's work as your own.
Learning Strategies
You are expected to take an active role in
your learning in this course. This includes regular attendance, paying
attention in class, reading the textbook, and completing all course
requirements. You are encouraged to study with your classmates outside of
class.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a
disability and need reasonable accommodation in this course, you should inform
the instructor of this fact in writing within the first week of class or as
soon as possible. If you have not already done so, you must register with the
Office of Disability Services in Westside Hall (extension 3746) and obtain a
copy of your Accommodation Letter. You should then meet with your instructor to
make mutually agreeable arrangements based on the recommendations of the
Accommodation Letter.