Tom Hankins, instructor                                                                               Phone:   304-746-2044 (w)

                                                                                                                                800-642-9842, x2044

E-mail: thankins@marshall.edu                   Fax: 304-746-2063                                    304-562-0321 (h)

I. Purpose and objectives

                ■      Become aware of ways information technology affects and interacts with people’s lives

                ■     Practice active learning in which you take responsibility for your own learning

                ■     Engage in collaborative learning in which you and your peers are constructively critical of one another’s efforts in order to improve the quality of your work

                ■     Become acquainted with resources available to support research

                ■     Improve your written and oral communications skills

II. Course requirements and grades

Attend class. Complete the assignments. Read assigned material before coming to class. Class sessions offer you opportunities to discuss what you have read, apply your ideas to problem situations, and learn from others in the class. You will guide the discussion of some of the text readings.

Your grade for the class will be based on class activities and projects, an individual term project, and my evaluation of your class participation.

III. Text

       Computers in Society 12^th edition

       Paul De Palma, editor

       McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2005

IV. Term Assignments

Prepare a paper and a presentation discussing a social issue related to information technology. The topic is subject to my approval. Plan to have an approved topic by March 13. In an addendum to the paper describe your use of research aids available through the Marshall University library system.

Report on a book that discusses issues related to this class. Provide a summary of one page or less to distribute to everyone in the class. Lead a brief, 10 to 15 minute, discussion of the book in a class session.

V. Tentative course schedule and readings