Ver
4 (2-1-05)
CSCI 107 - Computers and
Society (3 units)
Catalog Description: A general background into what computers are and how they function. Discussion of the impact of computer technology on society. Economic, political and social issues raised by computers.
Objective: The goal of this course is to give students an overview of computer technology with an emphasis on its affect in society. While learning the basics of how a computer works, the students will investigate the many ways computers are affecting peoples lives.
Pre-requisite: none
Instructors:
Prof. Gerard Medioni, medioni@usc.edu, Office hours: SAL 301,
Prof. George Bekey, bekey@usc.edu, Ofc hours: SAL 220, Alternate Mondays, 2-4 pm
Teaching assistant:
Somo Banerjee, sbanerje@usc.edu
Required Textbooks:
1. Computers (12th Edition), COMPLETE, by Larry Long and Nancy Long, Prentice-Hall, 2005. Important note: The text book is supplemented by material on the companion website at www.prenhall.com/long. The website includes online exercises, internet links and study guides. An assignment to read a particular chapter in the book also includes the website material.
2. Computers in Society 04/05, (11th Edition), edited by de Palma, McGraw-Hill, 2004
Grading: Homework 25%
Quizzes 20%
Midterm 25%
Final exam 30%
Class schedule:
CS 107 MW 10:11:50 am OHE 122
Classes start: January 10, 2005; Last day of class: April 27, 2005
No class on Martin Luther King birthday, Mon Jan 17; President's day, Mon Feb 21
Spring recess: March 14-19
Final exam: Mon May 9
Week 1. (Jan 10,12) (Bekey, Medioni)
Introduction to the World of Computers
The Information Society, Networking, the essentials of computers.
Readings: Computers, Getting Started and Chapter 1
Week 2. (Jan 19)
Computer Software; Going on Line (Medioni)
The Operating System, Applications, Programming Languages. The Internet
Readings: Computers, Chapters 2 and 3.
Week 3. (Jan 24, 26)
Inside the Computer (Bekey)
Computer hardware, storage, input/output devices
Readings: Computers, Chapters 4 and 5
Week 4 (Jan 31, Feb 2)
Computers and the Economy (Medioni)
Impact on manufacturing, the business cycle, productivity, e-commerce.
Readings: Computers, Chapter 8 (Sec. 8.1); Computers in Society, Articles 5 and 6.
Week 5 (Feb 7, 9)
Ethics and Privacy (Bekey)
The threat to personal privacy, databases with personal information.
Readings: Computers, Chapter 7; Computers in Society, Articles 3, 13-15, 34, 35.
Week 6. (Feb 14, 16)
Computers and Social Participation (Medioni)
People interacting with people on the Web..
Readings: Computers in Society, Articles 3, 17-22, 36
Week 7. (Feb 23)
International issues (Bekey)
The effects of the Worldwide Web on computer activities in the USA..
Readings: Computers in Society, Articles 10, 11, 20, 37-42..
Week 8. (Feb 28, Mar 2)
Mid-term exam
Economic issues (Medioni)
Readings: Computers, Articles 4-12
Week 9. (Mar 7, 9)
Robots and Robotics (Bekey)
Readings: Computers in Society, Article 43..
Week 10: (Mar 21, 23)
Computer vision,
applications and implications (Medioni)
Readings:
Week 11: (Mar 28, 30)
Computer Security (Neuman)
Worms and viruses; breaking into computer systems, computer crime.
Readings: Computers, Chapter 8 (8.3); Computers in Society, Articles 14, 15, 34, 35.
Week 12: (Apr 4, 6)
Human-computer interaction (Bekey)
How changes in computers change our relationships to them.
Readings: Computers in Society, Articles 16-20, 22.
Week 13: (Apr 11, 13)
Philosophical issues
(Bekey)
Social implications of increased computer power. Can computers think? Will they "take over"?
Readings: Computers in Society, Articles 1, 3, 16, 43-45.
Week 14: (Apr 18, 20)
Computers and Education (Medioni)
Effects of software outsourcing; women in computer science.
Readings: Computers in Society, Articles 11, 26
Week 15: (Apr 25, 27)
Legal Issues and Software; Course summary and review (Horowitz & Medioni)
Open source versus proprietary software, copyright vs. trade secret
software and business method patents
Readings: Computers in Society, Articles 2, 23, 24, 30, 46.
May 9: FINAL EXAM
Ver 2/1/05.