Concepts in Computing

CAPP-300 (3)

 UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Electronic Distance Education Heidelberg, Germany

 DE Term 2, 1999-2000

2 Nov. 1999- 3 Mar. 2000

(3 semester hours via Electronic Communications)

Preview Syllabus

How better to move into the new Millennium than to straddle New Year's with a course on computing.  

  Instructor/Tutor/Lecturer

(If you have specific questions about the course, contact me by email.)

Course Goal:- Majors and non-majors in computer science will

understand current concepts in computing,

comprehend in a broad, realistic way what computer scientists do and how they do it,

relate computing to different disciplines (arts and sciences, humanities, social sciences, business and management included) and key global issues, and

develop their computing skills sufficiently to be able to use computers to learn more about computing as well as other subjects.

Course Description:

An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of computing. Discussion deals with the effects of computerization on individuals, government, business, and industry; social and ethical issues; concepts of problem solving; and computer hardware.

Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 101, CAPP 300, IFSM 201, or TMGT 201.

Let's have some FUN practicing what we preach.

Your text offers us an exceptional opportunity to reinforce our learning of principles and theory with hands-on exercises. It is very well suited for Internet delivery.

 Required Text:

Decker, R & S. Hirshfield.
The Analytical Engine: An Introduction to Computer Science Using the Internet.
PWS Publishing. Boston: 1998.

With CD-ROM and The Analytical Engine Online (updates reference in Text)

 In ten modules, the authors of our text take us from the past to the future of computing. We will use a complementary CD-ROM, in conjunction with on-line labs, to help us delve into some of the necessary, concrete details and, later, appreciate the broader, abstract view of computing.

While this is not a programming course, students will be exposed to the elements of HTML and JavaScript programming, and will have the opportunity to conduct several laboratory experiments involving the use of computing, equipment and computer software.

I find the author's approach very appealing for we need to view each academic discipline in context. We practice our skill in the wider world and learn from those around us both good and bad uses for computers as well as good and bad procedures. The link with the arts and humanities as well as the social sciences provides a welcome environment in which to explore the wider implications of computing. I am convinced you will enjoy and thrive on the approach.

Course Requirements

  • Weekly small group assignments as shown in the Schedule and Assignments Sheet, discussion and comments to be shared in small groups (via WebTycho and email).
  • Weekly individual assignments as shown in the Schedule and Assignments Sheet.
  • An informal Journal (Letter to Phil) on your reactions to and progress through this course submitted twice monthly.
  • Web pages and site design and construction.
  • An on-line, take-home, open-book and -personal notes (but no other person) final exam.
  • Additionally, you will serve as small group discussion leader and Recorder at least once during the course.

The Flow of the Course: 

We will spend the first week practicing procedures and making sure we are all comfortable with UM WebTycho, our first home on the Web for this class.

In the next six weeks we will cover the first half of the text. That includes

  • history of computing,
  • local applications (those on your desktop),
  • global applications (those that link you with the world outside),
  • systems design issues including some HTML and Web page creation, and
  • easing our way into simple programming by examining Web page scripts. (Yes, you get to write some too! We will show you how.)
 
We pause for a longish break (18 Dec. 1999 - 14 Jan. 2000).
In the second half of the course, we will
  • continue with our examination of Web page scripts and building a simple demonstration web site, and add ...
  • program translation (so we know a bit more about how a computer treats our program and data),
  • the workings of computer hardware,
  • the abstract ideas behind a computer including a Turing machine,
  • exploration of what computers can do, and
  • major trends for our computing future.

Your On-Line, Take Home, Open Book Final Exam will be completed within a 48-hour period during Week 14 of our course (which essentially coincides with Week 7 of Term 3 of the UM classroom courses).

This UM Distance Education course is delivered on the UM WebTycho site on the WWW and a group Web site on the UMUC Heidelberg Student Server, augmented as needed by email with attachments exchanged directly between class members. All course documentation and policies can be found on my web site (right here). Just follow the "Yellow Brick Road."

I NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHEN YOU HAVE PROBLEMS either with the delivery method or the course content. Speak up early so you do not get behind in your work.

Dr. W. Edwards Deming echoed the often stated belief that work should be fun. How many of us find it anything but fun? I want you to enjoy this course because you will both learn and remember the lessons much better. I hope this course does sound like fun to you. Let's enjoy the exploration together. (For more details see the full course syllabus.)

Evaluation

 Weekly Small Group Assignments:

 20%

 Individual Assignments including Journal Reports:

 25%

Web Pages and Web Site Exercises :

 20%

 Final Exam:

 35%

 Total:

 100%

Learning Methods: This distance learning course has very broad guidelines. It is offered in asynchronous format so that you can study on your own and join the class as and when you can. But this does not mean you can skip a month -- or even a week or two -- and make it up later. Remember, CONSISTENT, QUALITY participation and effort are essential if both you and the class as a whole are the reach our goals. I intend to spend most of my time answering your questions and engaging in both small and large group discussion on assigned questions and some of the less obvious concepts in the readings. But you will control this.

We spend the first week to ten days establishing reliable communications, allowing for books to get to students who registered late, and practicing class procedures on WebTycho, our group web site, and email. If you have your text, get acquainted with it. Survey the holdings of your library < whatever facilities you have> and email me the grim news. Check out the author's and publisher's resources on-line; Use your Victor barcode and visit the UM library and database resources on-line. Check out other on-line libraries and review their holdings; see Useful URLs / Links. Start your journal and make weekly or more frequent entries which chronicle your journey through this course.

Within broad guidelines, you are in control of this course. Also during the first week of the course, I will need you to consider and share with each other what is needed for this course to be a high quality learning experience for you. In addition, I need you to share with the group what your personal and professional goals are in taking this course. To the extent possible, I wish to arrive at a consensus on these goals and determine how you and I can, with relative objectivity, know you have achieved these goals. Where the class can demonstrate a need, I will adjust the assignments and evaluation instruments.

Bring your questions to our electronic discussion on WebTycho. We will share them and get you answers.

If you are interested in this course, familiarize yourself with the full syllabus and course documents.

Instructor / Lecturer Contact Information

  • Elsewhere on this site

    •  

    Revised 25 September 1999

    Phil Richardson; prichard@faculty.ed.umuc.edu