Geology 250:
Computer Technology and the Brave New World

Spring 1998
Monday-Wednesday-Friday 11:20-12:20

Instructor: David M. Dobson
Office: King 125
E-mail: ddobson
Phone: 316-2278 (office) 286-0337 (home -- no calls after 10 p.m.)
Office Hours: Wed. 2-3 p.m., Thurs. 2-4 p.m., Friday 2-4 p.m., or make an appointment, or just drop by

Virtual Reality Readings for April 1

The one not on the handout is: http://www.caip.rutgers.edu/vrlab
The four that were on the handout are:
http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/lal/cyberspace/VR/VR.html
http://www.vrs.org.uk/VR/reference/history.html
http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/lal/cyberspace/vr/docs/the.virtual.turing.test
www.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/people/Masters/Rob.Kooper/Thesis/Thesis.html

Course Description: This course will explore two main areas of the world of computers. The first section of the course, on computer technologies and protocols, will examine how computers work, how computers communicate with each other, and how humans use computers to communicate and to accomplish tasks. The second section of the course will examine how computer technology has changed our social, legal, economic, and human behavior. We will discuss the new opportunities and the associated risks of incorporating more and more computer dependency in our human world.

Course Objectives: Students will leave the course with an understanding of how computers function, and how they are used to transfer, store, and manipulate information. Students will have a basic understanding of all major operating systems, computers, peripherals, and Internet protocols in use and the differences in their functions and capabilities. Students will be aware of the many new issues regarding traditional individual rights, intellectual property rights, ethical behavior, and criminal activity we are forced to consider through our society's dependence on computers.

Schedule of topics: (15 weeks total)

Part I

Technologies (Weeks 1-6)
Tools	What makes up computer systems?	The inner workings of the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and printer
		RAM, ROM, and disks
		Networking: WWW, E-mail, Gopher, Usenet, ftp

Data	How are data stored and manipulated?	Text and binary data
		Images and image compression (JPEG, GIF)
		Sound storage, reproduction, and compression
		Compression patents and legal issues
		Encryption, security, and the military

Future technology	What technology is in the works?	Virtual reality and real applications (social interaction, exploration, architecture, etc.)
		Internet delivery of entertainment
		Biometric security

Part II

Rights and Responsibility (Weeks 6-15)
Publishing	How can intellectual property in electronic formats be protected?	Copyright of text, e-mail, web pages, Usenet postings, images, and sounds
		Software piracy
		Freeware, shareware, and demos
		WWW publishing and site design
		Free speech and expression

Privacy	How should personal privacy be protected?	Network availability of personal information
		Anonymity and security
		"Magic Cookies" and web browsers
		Security of personal files and information

Advertising	What limits should be placed on electronic advertising	Use of internet resources and cost assessment
		WWW advertising
		Junk e-mail (spam)
		"Push" technology and ads

Access	Who should have access to the internet?	Free nets, web based e-mail, and public access
		Costs of access
		Funding for the internet
		Web TV
		Computers and networks in schools

Crime	What crimes can be committed using computers?	Electronic transactions (WWW, ATM, and internet business)
		Security and hackers
		Fraud -- credit cards, phone bills, identity theft
		Electronic harassment
		Victims' rights
		Pornography and indecency

Class Structure: The class will meet three times per week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Mondays and Wednesdays will be lecture-oriented, although class discussion of lecture material will be welcome. Fridays will be an open forum led by the instructor during the first weeks but led by students as the course progresses into discussions of more complex social issues and away from technologies.

Assignments and Evaluation: There will be short assignments given on a weekly or biweekly basis designed to give students a chance to explore the topics covered and to facilitate class discussions. Many of these assignments will involve the use of computers and the Internet. There will be a midterm exam, a final exam, and two projects as follows:

A research paper of 10-15 pages on a topic of the student's choosing. The topic must involve a social or legal issue regarding the use of computers. The paper must be written in scientific style including appropriate references, although it may include matters of opinion as well as fact. This paper will be due one week before the end of the term.
Each student will be required to lead one of the Friday class discussions. The topic must be appropriate to the subjects we are discussing, and it may be the same topic as the students research paper. Depending on class size and available discussions, students may form groups of two or more to lead discussions.

Grading: Grades will be determined according to these proportions.

Midterm Exam	15%
Final Exam	20%
Research Paper	25%
Student's Discussion Session	15%
Weekly Assignments	15%
Class Participation	10%

Reading Materials:

There are two main texts:

Introduction to Computers & Information Systems : The Internet Edition,by Nancy Long

Computer Technology and Social Issues, by David G. Garson

Supplementary reading will be made available on the World-Wide Web or on reserve in the library.

Supplementary Materials

TIMELINE OF COMPUTER HISTORY:
Click here to view
FIREWALLS:
Read the following documents on the web about firewalls and network security:

Describes what firewalls do and how they are structured

Describes firewalls and proxy servers

Describes the needs of businesses for protecting corporate data

Describes tests of firewall software using possible attacks against them
Read the pages with the following questions in mind:

Why do users of computer systems need firewalls?
How do firewalls work?
How secure are firewalls?
What methods can be used to break into secure systems?

Geology 250 and the Guilford College Principles
This class was designed to incorporate (where possible) the five guiding principles for Guilford education set forth by the faculty of Guilford College. The principles and their part in this course are described below.

Innovative, student-centered learning: This course covers new technologies and incorporates them into assignments and projects, so it is in that way innovative. Almost 1/3 of the class will consist of student-led discussions, allowing students to emphasize issues which concern them and to direct the course of discussion.

Creative and critical thinking: The creative content of the course is somewhat limited, although there will be some opportunities for creative expression, such as the discussions, the paper, and particularly some of the assignments. Students will be asked to think critically almost every day in the second part of the course, as they consider the impact of computer technology on society and what judicious limits should be set on its use.

Cultural and global perspective: One of the most exciting aspects of the Internet is that it shrinks the world, bringing diverse individuals from around the globe together for discussion, exchange of ideas, and business activities. This global nature also produces some profound difficulties in organizing, managing, and regulating the Internet. The course will endeavor to place computer technology in its proper global perspective.

Values and the ethical dimension of knowledge: A main focus of the second part of the course is the ethical use of computer technology. Students will be asked to consider the many opportunities and problems caused by computers and connectivity and to determine how those opportunities should be allocated and how the problems should be resolved in a fair and ethical manner.

Service to the larger community: Students will not be creating materials or conducting activities of real social value, but they will be acquiring the knowledge and skills to provide such service in the future.