Course Description

Computer technology and related social issues. Hardware, software, applications in diverse areas. Problems concerning computerized services, data banks, governmental controls. Problem solving using software packages (such as hypertext, spreadsheets, word processing, database, presentation graphics, etc.). Credit not applicable toward a major in computer science. Prerequisite: one year of high school algebra or MATH 0950. Extra fee. Approved for Distance Ed.

Course Objectives

• To gain familiarity with an integrated desktop application
• To understand the types of problems for which the applications (word processing, spreadsheets, databases) are to be used. What constitutes a good software solution to these problems? What constitutes a bad software solution to these problems?
• Understanding the types and impact of today's decisions about the information superhighway on tomorrow's society, taxpayers...
• Ability to convert between binary and decimal. Addition and subtraction in binary.
• What are the issues that drive hardware? What are the historical solutions? What are the solutions of the future likely to be like?
• What are the issues that drive system software? What are the historical solutions? What are the solutions of the future likely to be like?
• To gain familiarity with the Internet and Internet applications
• Why are user interfaces important? What are the key questions?
• How does technology affect our culture?

Course Syllabus

1. Functional Literacy (50% of the course)
   1. Operating System Navigation (User Interface, File Hierarchy,..etc)
   2. Applications Software
      1. Word processing
      2. Spreadsheets
      3. Database
      4. Graphics and/or Integration
      5. Internet - Usenet, E-mail, and WWW
2. Conceptual Literacy (30% - 35% of the course)
   1. * Hardware concepts - CPU, RAM, ROM, Secondary Storage, I/O
   2. * Computer Types - Size, Cost, Processing Power
   3. * History
   4. * Telecommunications and Networks
   5. * Operating Systems
   6. * User Interface (Command, Menu, Form Filling, and Graphical)
   7. * Binary Representation and ASCII
   8. Reliability and Interpretation of Computer-Generated Data
   9. Artificial Intelligence
   10. Virtual Reality
   11. * Shopping for a Microcomputer
   12. Ergonomics
   13. Multimedia
3. Societal Issues (5% - 10% of the course)
   1. Personal Privacy Issues
   2. Computer Crime
   3. Impact Upon Employment
   4. Computer Ethics
   5. Computer Viruses
   6. Ways Computers are used in Our Society
4. Instructors discretion (10% of the course)

It is mandatory that these topics are covered.

General Policy

• At least one project should be given for each of the major types of application software.