Department of Computer Science
CS 10 - Computers, Society, and Thought

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This course focuses on the many areas of social and ethical concern raised by the rapid evolution of computer technology, including privacy, security, computer crime, computer reliability, software piracy, and the effects of the computer on the workplace. Parts of the course are devoted to an exploration of specific computer applications, such as the Internet, graphics, and the prospects for artificial intelligence. Students should be prepared to do significant reading and writing in these areas. No particular technical background is assumed coming into the course, but students will be expected to become fluent in the use of certain technology, including the Internet and the World Wide Web, as a byproduct of the course.

PRIMARY TEXT:

Huff and Finholt, Social Issues in Computing: Putting the Computer in its Place, McGraw-Hill, 1994.

INSTRUCTOR:

Allen Tucker, 211 Adams Hall
Email address: allen@polar.bowdoin.edu
Web address for obtaining course materials: http://www.bowdoin.edu/~allen
Office Hours: MTTh 3:30-5:00, or by arrangement

MEETING TIMES:

MWF 9:00-10:00, Coles Tower 2 South

COURSE OUTLINE:
                                            Primary
Week of  Topics                             Readings       Assignment Due
-------  ---------------------------------  ------------   --------------

Aug 26   Overview of the course, computers  Chapter 1   
                                           
Sept 2   Computers in the workplace         Chapter 4      paper #1 draft
                                                          
Sept 9   Computers and work                 Chapter 8,
                                            handout

Sept 16  Work in on-line communities        Chapter 9      paper #1 revision
                                            handout (using Bowdoin Library Resources)
           
Sept 23            "                             "    
         
Sept 30  The Internet: functionality,       handout (on citing electronic sources)       
            uses, issues                                   paper #2 draft
         
Oct 7    Computers in education             Chapter 14,    Midterm exam
                                            handout
Oct 14                                                     paper #2 revision
(1/2 week)

Oct 21   Equity in computing; access        Chapter 10,    
            issues                          handout
Oct 28                                                     

Nov 4    Software as intellectual           pp 497-520,  
            property; laws and issues       handout
Nov 11                                                     paper #3 draft
         
Nov 18   Computerized crime                 Chapter 6,   
                                            handout
Nov 25                                                     
(1/2 week)
           
Dec 2    Computers and social isolation;    Chapter 15,    paper #3 revision
(1/2 week)   the "Wired" community          handout

(final exam period)                                        Final exam

The first paper will be 3-5 pages in length, the second will be 5-7 pages, and the third will be 7-10 pages. The second and third papers will require the use of one or more references outside of the readings in the text. Each paper must be turned in by 5pm on Friday of the week that it is due. Details of the goals and content of each paper will be discussed during the semester. All written work, as well as class participation, will contribute to your course grade. Attendance is required for all class and lab meetings. Students are expected to follow Bowdoin's Computer Use Policy as well as its Academic Honor Code in completing work for this course.