About

This section contains information about the course.

Unique Number: 46690

Class times:  W 5-8 PM

Required texts

The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson

Envisioning Information by Edward Tufte

On-line readings as detailed in the syllabus and class website

Other required materials

Some way to store and transfer your class materials, like a USB drive.

Attendance

This course requires participation by class members, and you will be receiving a participation grade for the course. Since it only meets once a week, attendance will count for 15% of your grade. Attendance is required and will be recorded. Three unexcused absences will be reported in writing to the student’s dean and four unexcused absences are grounds for failure. Accepted excused absences are those due to religious holiday observances (notify me in advance that you will be absent) and illness (provide me with a note from a doctor). Tardiness can also disrupt class proceedings, and if you are not present when the roll is taken, you are counted as absent.

Assignments

All assigned work is mandatory. Homework is due according to the times and days specified on the syllabus. Any work handed in late will automatically be penalized. If you are unable to hand in an assignment in class, you may email me or turn it in to the teacher folder if possible.  Do not ask staff in the CWRL to take your work. Computer problems will NOT excuse turning in work late.

NOTE: I do realize that sometimes issues arise over which you have no control — if you are not able to complete an assignment by a scheduled date, know that I can be reasonable with students who have evidenced an honest and attentive effort in class.

Scholastic Honesty

Turning in work written by someone else, or any other form of scholastic dishonesty is not acceptable and may result in a failing grade for the course.  A report of the incident will be made to the Office of the Dean of Students.  If you have any questions about source materials you are using, talk with me about those sources/problems before turning in the assignment in question.  Do not use editing services other than those offered by the Undergraduate Writing Center or the Learning Skills Center.  The UWC is free to students and available anytime you have a writing question (for any UT course).

Technology Policy

We will use technology frequently in this class. Although I am assuming that you have some basic knowledge of computers, such as how to use the keyboard and mouse, and how to use the web and check e-mail, most things will be explained in class. If you don't understand what we are doing, please ask for help. If you are familiar with the technology we are using please be patient and lend a helping hand to your classmates.

You are free to use the computers prior to class, but please make sure that the content you are accessing is appropriate. Also, if we are not using the computers for an in-class activity please log off the computer when class begins.

Grades

Students will be responsible for posting emails to the class lists and contributing to class discussion by the deadlines set in the syllabus.  Assignments will be given in class as well as posted on the website, which will be updated on a regular basis.  There will be a midterm and final project assigned as part of course requirements.

Mid-term Project 30%
Final Project   40%
Class assignments 10%
Other assignments, email responses and participation 5%
Attendance 15%

Paper or assignment not turned in: 0.