NATS 1505 Course Outline PDF

Preview

Summary

course outline, very important. ...

Description

YORK UNIVERSITY NATS 1505 UNDERSTANDING CYBERSPACE COURSE OUTLINE Instructor: Lectures: Office Hours:

Dr. Vera Pavri Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm to 7pm @ LAS A Tues 2 to 3pm and/or Thurs 1 to 2pm (BY APPT ONLY)

Please use your York email to ensure the emails get through to me. In your email, make sure you include your NAME, STUDENT NUMBER, and COURSE CODE in the subject box. Email me for general yes/no questions. I will be happy to answer any specific or lengthy inquiries either before or after each class. _________________________________________________________________________ Course Description: This course examines the development, impact and use of current information and communications technologies (ICTs) that we use in our everyday lives. We will explore how social values have shaped these systems, and how these technologies have helped transform the way we communicate, work, play, think and process information. Topics that will be examined include phone and cyber sociability, ICTs and cognitive and behavioral change, digital information multitasking, online privacy and internet management and control. Learning Objectives: My main objective in this course is to enhance your understanding of information and communication technologies so that you become a more informed and knowledgeable citizen, better student, marketable employee and critical consumer in today’s world By the end of this course, you will be able to: a) Describe and chart the similarities and differences between traditional computer, telecommunication and broadcast technologies versus modern day information and communication systems (ICTs) b) Identify, describe, analyze and critique core course theories and themes about ICTs in both historical and modern social contexts c) Document examples of how ICTs have shaped our modern culture (e.g. how we communicate, think, work, play, and process information) and how societal values in turn have helped shape the use, design and architecture of these systems d) Survey and investigate the risks and benefits as well as intended and unintended consequences of modern day computer/ICT use amongst individuals and society as a whole e) Compare and contrast various perspectives/viewpoints related to modern day computing and ICT controversies and question information, arguments, evidence and explanations about ICTs that lack diversity

1

f)

Adopt a multi-perspective approach (e.g. consider economic, social, cultural, religious, political, and legal factors) when attempting to understand, solve problems or make informed decisions about ICTs in our modern world

g) Develop strategies for researching, collecting, critically reading, synthesizing and evaluating information about computer related issues using both academic and popular media sources in print and/or electronic formats h) Increase scientific/technical literacy by assessing the reliability, authenticity, accuracy and validity of science and technical information presented in both scholarly and popular formats i)

Interpret quantitative information (presented numerically and graphically) when studying and analyzing ICT related issues and detect appropriate scientific methods (e.g. model building, hypothesis testing, experimentation, measurement, data management and analysis) when reading scientific and/or technical articles

j)

Examine and assess technical data to make clear and logical arguments when defending your position on a given ICT issue

k) Respect ownership of data by correctly summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting and/or acknowledging information and appropriately cite sources relevant to research l)

Effectively communicate an understanding about course content through a variety of written assignments including tutorial reports, exam questions (multiple choice and short/long answer) and a major paper

Class Format: The class is scheduled to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7pm. Classes will begin with a lecture followed by a discussion period. Students are required to remain for both the lecture and discussion periods. Attendance is mandatory. Required Readings: All of the readings can either be found online through internet searches or through York’s library electronic databases. The readings from York’s library databases have been posted on Moodle for you. Further information about your readings will be discussed in class. Evaluation: Midterm Exam (30%) ICT Controversy Paper (25%) Final Exam (35%) Attendance (5%) Tutorial Assignments (5%)

In class on Thursday Feb 9 2017 Due Thursday March 16 2017 Held During Winter Exam Period Details below and in class Details below and in class

Coming to class is mandatory and I will be signing you in every week. This is worth 5% of your total mark and I will provide you with further details in class.

2

In addition, during the semester you will be given two short tutorial assignments based on the required readings for the course. This will total 5% of your final mark. Further information about your ICT controversy paper can be found on the course website. Please be aware that NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS will be accepted in this course other than for medical or non-medical emergencies. In these circumstances, you will be asked to provide further documentation. After examining your documentation, the course director will decide whether to grant or deny you an extension. Please note that being sick for a few days before an assignment is due DOES NOT classify as a medical emergency. Midterm and Final Examinations – The midterm for this class will be held in class and will consist primarily of multiple choice questions. The final exam will consist of both short and long answer questions. Students are strongly urged not to make any commitments (i.e., vacation) during York’s winter examination period which runs from April 7 to 24 2017. Students are required to be available for examinations during the examination periods of all terms in which they register. Please DO NOT schedule any vacation time during this time as you are responsible for attending both the midterm (in class) and final exam. If you miss a midterm or final exam due to medical reasons, you are required to inform the course director via email within 48 hours about your situation. You will then be asked to fill out York’s Attending Physician’s Statement and submit it before you are allowed to write the exam at an alternate date and time. Depending on your situation, you may also be asked to fill out a Deferred Standing Form as well. If you miss an exam for a non-medical emergency, please contact your course director via email within 48 hours and outline your situation. If your explanation is accepted, you will be asked to provide further documentation. After examining your documentation, the course director will decide whether to grant or deny you permission to write your exam. Students with physical, learning or psychiatric disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in teaching style or evaluation methods should discuss this with the Course Director early in the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Please note that I will provide very detailed lecture notes for the class lectures that will be posted on the course website. Although these notes are extensive, it is still imperative that you come to class. This is because our in-class lectures will highlight what material is most important to know. This will allow you to focus your attention on what you really need to know to do well on your exams.

3

NATS-AID: NATS-AID is a student-run academic support service designed to help York University undergraduate students excel in their Natural Science courses. Their team of dedicated tutors will clarify course material and offer general guidance on assignments, enabling you to complete them independently with a higher degree of success. Tutors are available for most NATS courses. To check tutor availability for your course and contact a tutor, point your web browser to http://natsaid.blog.yorku.ca/tutors/. NATS-AID, with the help of instructors, also recruits class representatives for each Natural Science course. Class representatives will assist you in forming study groups to prepare for upcoming quizzes and tests. They will also pass along concerns, compliments, or suggestions about your course or its content to your professor and/or the Division of Natural Science. General Information: CCE (Course Credit Exclusion): NATS 1700 Computers, Information and Society The last date students can enroll in this course without the permission of the instructor is: Jan 18 2017 The last date students can enroll in this course with the permission of the instructor is: Feb. 1 2017 The last date students can drop the course without receiving a grade is: March 10 2017 The course withdrawal period for NATS 1505 is: March 11 to April 5 2017 Important information for students regarding the Ethics Review process, Access/Disability, Academic Honesty/Integrity, Student Conduct, and Religious Observance Days is available on the CCAS webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents): http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas Students who feel that there are extenuating circumstances which may interfere with the successful completion of the exam or other course requirements are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Course Director as soon as possible.

4...