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Personal Information

Course Description:
The Internet has been leading to profound changes in many areas of society. In this seminar, students from different disciplines come together to discuss some of these changes. They include changes in arts, science, education, culture, privacy, crime, national security, the economy, and politics.

Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students should:
    •    Have a better understanding of the Internet and its history;
    •    have better knowledge about changes in selected areas of the society, related to the Internet;
    •    be more capable of analyzing issues in the above and other areas, within or outside their specialized area(s);
    •    be able to better answer the questions of Who I am? What I can know? What I should do? in an increasingly interlinked, technology based society.
 
Texts and Other Materials
The course website is at:  http://www.wbrett.com/teach  The course key has been sent via email to all students registered for the course.
Course materials include academic papers, articles from popular press, and videos. The materials are free and available online.
 
Course Requirements
There are four categories of requirements for the class, based on University Core Curriculum Committee Guidelines:
  1. Reading &Weekly summaries and quizzes
    1. Read/watch weekly assigned materials/video;
    2. Write a weekly summary of about 100 words of the reading. The summary should include about three observations and three questions and be submitted before class.
    3. Finish weekly online quizzes about the class materials before class;
  2. leading a class for discussion
    1. prepare a presentation on a chosen topic based on the assigned materials, with 1 or 2 partners;
    2. submit the first version of prepared presentation on Wednesday night a week before the scheduled presentation to the instructor by email for comments;
    3. meet and discuss with the instructor on Thursday a week before the scheduled presentation
    4. submit final version of the presentation by the Wednesday day before class;
    5.  delivery the presentation(s), and lead class discussions;
  3.  research project
    1. conduct scholarly research, preferably on the topic of your class presentation, with a team of two or three
    2. write and submit a research paper or other acceptable media of expression
    3. present the paper to class;
  4. participation
    1. attend classes 
    2. actively participate discussions
    3. complete online blog and forum assignments.
Attendance Policy
In general, students are required to attend to all classes. Considering possibility of emergency, the class allows each student one absence without penalty to his/her grade, if evidence of exceptional situation in forms of, e.g., notes from doctor or parents, is provided to the instructor.
 
Electronic Communications
All students are required to have internet access and use the internet to post their materials. Students are also expect to read their RWU email accounts. This is the prime means of communicating with students.
When you send the instructor email (wmckenzie@rwu.edu), please put “Core 430: " + topic on the subject line. I will try to respond within 48 hours.
Cell phones with text (SMS) service may be required for in-class activities.
 
Academic Integrity
The academic integrity policy of university will be strictly followed.

Grading
Component
 Weight
Reading and Quizzes
 20
Summaries with 3 observations and 3 questions
 20
Presentation of class materials and leading class discussion
 20
(10 preparation; 10 discussion)
Research Project
 30
Participation
 10


Services for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities (learning, medical, physical, etc.) who wish to receive academic accommodations or auxiliary aids are required to submit the appropriate documentation to verify their eligibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).  The Learning Specialist with the Center for Academic Development coordinates the arrangement of reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations.  Details regarding the accommodations may be found on page 19 of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Tentative Schedule:
Week
  Date
 Topics
I
 28 Jan
 Class Introduction
II
 04 Feb
 What is the Internet? What is its history?
III
 11 Feb
 Internet and the Economy
IV
 18 Feb
 Internet and Music
V
 25 Feb
 Internet and Art & Entertainment
VI
 04 Mar
 Internet and Science & Research
VII
 11 Mar
 Internet and Education

S p r i n g    B r e a k

VIII
 25 Mar
 Project Proposal Presentations
VIX
 01 Apr
 Internet and Life/Culture
X
 08 Apr
 Internet and Crime
XI
 15 Apr
 Internet and Privacy
XII
 22 Apr
 Internet and National Security &Project Reviews
XIII
 29 Apr
 Research project and presentation practice
XIV
 06 May
 Final presentations


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