MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
HON 1101 COURSE SYLLABUS

revised 1/8/2003

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: HON-1101-02
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Spring, January 13 - May 2, 2003
Course title: Humanities Honors II
College website: www.mansfield.edu

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 205 A
Instructor office hours: to be announced
Instructor telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu
Instructor website: www.programbetter.com

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

Continuation of HON 100. This section will focus on the History and Philosophy of Computing and Information Science. Prerequisite: none

Textbooks

CODE: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software, Charles Petzold, 2000, Microsoft Press, ISBN: 0-7356-1131-9.

In addition, we will make heavy use of materials from the Internet and from the school library.

Course Websites

www.programbetter.com for the syllabus and course information.

www.coursenotebook.com for the class discussion board.

Course Outline

1. The history and philosophy of computing overview
2. Symbols and codes
3. Binary numbers
4. Digital logic
5. Information representation
6. Pre-electronic computing
7. Vacuum tubes in the 40's
8. Transistors in the 50's
9. Integrated Circuits in the 60's
10. VLSI circuits and microprocessors in the 70's
11. PC's in the 80's
12. Internet dot com's in the 90's
13. Y2K, the dot bust, spam, hackers, E-business, and the present
14. Nano-computers, bio-computing, quantum computing, and the future

Class Schedule

MWF 2:00 - 2:50 PM

Equipment and Supplies

Access to the Internet is required either using your own computer or by using a computer in the school's computer lab. You should keep a backup copy of all work you do on one or more diskettes.

Grading Scale and Policy

(Refer to the Mansfield University Catalog for grades that can be awarded.)

A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%

In addition, the instructor may choose to further differentiate grades with plus and minus subdivisions as outlined in the catalog.

Quizzes are closed book and timed. You will be allowed a one-page (8.5 x 11 inch) handwritten and non-photocopied original note sheet that you yourself have created, i.e. it may not be copied from another student in any way. Neither early quizzes nor makeup quizzes will be given, however, your lowest quiz grade will be dropped to allow for an unavoidable or excused absence.

Late Work Policy

Any work that is late will lose one letter grade for each class day late. No excuses. Computer, server, ftp, and Internet problems will happen, therefore, make it a point to complete your work at least one day before the deadline.

Methods of Instruction

Material will be presented in lecture format and in group discussion format. You are expected to come to class prepared. Feel free to ask questions on any material you need clarified during the lecture.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all courses and course activities for which they are registered. Any class meeting missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity of learning and may adversely affect a student's achievement in the course.

Bad Weather Policy

On days that we have icy or snowy weather, the instructor may choose to hold class on-line. This will be announced on coursenotebook.com

Academic Integrity

It may be tempting to cheat in this class. Do not do it! You may be posting some of your work for all to view. Feel free to browse other students' posted work, on-line web sites, and other books for ideas. However, if you copy that work and you do not give credit for it, that is plagiarism. Likewise, if you discuss an exam you have taken with another student before they take it, that is cheating. You may not do anything that gives you or another student an unfair advantage. If you are in doubt then discuss the situation with your instructor.

Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses

The last day to withdraw from a College course with a "W" grade is published in the Academic Calendar. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course.

Syllabus Change Policy

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE