Last updated: 9/8/99
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Assignments
AGS 3340 - Computers, the Internet, and Society

Naming your homework files

In this course, you will turn your homework in as word-processing files. If two people use the same file name, then the file that is turned in second will replace the file that is turned in first, and the work of the first person will be lost. Losing another person's work in this way will lose you credit. Also, as the Instructor, I want the file name to tell me about the person and the assignment. Therefore, make up the names for your homework files with the following parts, in order:

• Your three initials. (If you do not have a middle initial, use the understroke character -- _ or Shift-dash -- instead).
• One-letter assignment code as follows:
  • "a" for Essay A
  • "b" for Essay B
  • "1" for Quiz 1 computer work
  • "2" for Quiz 2 computer work
• "cf9" to indicate Computers, the Internet and Society, Fall 1999
• Normal extension for your word processor. (Note: Macs do not use file extensions, so Mac files would not have extensions.)

So for example, since I use Microsoft Word, the file name for my Essay A would be drbacf9.doc

When I grade the assignments, I will add a "g" to the end of the filename and return it.

Also, as backup file ID, include the following lines at the beginning of each file:

1. Your full name
2. Course (AGS 3340) and course name (Computers, the Internet, and Society)
3. Semester (Fall 1999)
4. Assignment (not just the code, write it out, e.g. "Essay A"
5. Word processor and version number (this is in case I have trouble reading it).
   (In Windows, to find the name and version number of any program, including a word processor, open the program, click on its "Help" menu item, and then on the "About" item on the drop-down menu list.)

For example, for my Essay A I would include the following lines at the beginning of the file:

David R. Bowen
AGS 3340, Computers, the Internet, and Society
Fall 1999
Essay A
Microsoft Word 7.0

The essay title and text would start after this header.

Overview of Assignments

• Essay A on an Internet Issue listed on the course web page of the same name. Five pages. Must refer to and make use of the course readings and discussions.
• Essay B on a topic from either Release 2.1 or The Lexus and The Olive Tree. Five pages. Must refer to and make use of the course readings and discussions.
• Personal web page. Can be produced with Microsoft Word. As with any web page, do not put anything in the page that you do not want to be public.
• Quiz 1 and Quiz 2. Written in class using MS Word and other applications once they are covered. Specific questions will be posted on the course web site. Not cumulative, aside from use of MS Word.
• Email. During the semester, send the following types of messages:
  • Direct, simple email to the Instructor (d.r.bowen@wayne.edu)
  • Email to the Instructor, with an attached file
  • Email to someone else with a cc to the Instructor
  • Reply to another message with a cc to the Instructor
  • Email to a list, which includes the Instructor
• Final Exam. Similar to Quiz 1 and Quiz 2, except cumulative.
• Conference postings. Aside from the course sessions, the course conference is the place for public discussion about assignments, readings, questions and anything else relating to the course. You should make a minimum of twenty substantive conference postings during the semester and at least three by September 22. Substantive means:
  • Minimum of five lines on the screen.
  • Relevant to course or to course assignments, including technical issues about Internet connection and use of software.
  • Under an appropriate topic.
• Attendance at class sessions as evidenced by completion of attendance form on course web site.
• Weekly course progress reports using form on course web site.
• You should also check the course web site at least weekly.

Please note: being out of town is a valid reason for missing a class. It is not a valid reason for missing a weekly course progress report, conference postings, updating your personal web site, turning in a report or checking the course web site. All of these can be done using the Internet, and Internet access is widely available at public libraries, work sites and other public institutions. If you are out of town for work reasons, and your employer does not provide Internet access, then I expect you to find the local library or other site where you can carry out these class assignments.

Assignment Schedule

Texts are identified in the table below by the author's name, as follows:

• Brian Underdahl et al, Teach Yourself Microsoft Office97, IDG Books, Foster City CA. 1999.
  Referred to as MO9 in the table below. References are to Chapter numbers.
  NOTE: You are expected to be able to use the program features as you read them.
• Ed Kroll & Paula Ferguson, The Whole Internet for Windows 95, O’Reilly & Associates, Sebastopol CA. 1995
  Referred to as TWN in the table below. References are to Chapter numbers.
• Esther Dyson, Release 2.1, Broadway Books, New York NY. 1998.
  Referred to as R21 in the table below. References are to Chapter numbers.
• Thomas L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, NY, 1999.
  Referred to as LOT in the table below. References are to Chapter numbers.

NOTE 1: "Restricted" Vs "Open" labs. eCommerce and Computers, the Internet, and Society both meet in Room 113 Rackham on Wednesday evenings. If the other class is meeting that night (and you are not taking it), you are free to use the lab that night on a restricted basis -- sit in the back, no interruption of the other class. If neither class is using the room that night, you are free to use the lab on an open basis -- the Instructor will be available for help and questions.

NOTE 2: I will allow you to redo assignments and turn in missing work after the course is over. Such work will not appear in your regular grade, but it will be taken into account in a Change of Grade, and it will eventually appear on your official transcript. The University will allow me to file a Change of Grade up to one calendar year after the end of the semester in which you took the course. For this course, that is through the end of the Fall 2000 semester. I will not accept major assignments during the last month of this period. If you are redoing an assignment, the original assignment with my comments and grades must be turned in along with the redone assignment. If you plan to make up work after the course is over, course reports are still required, every week.

NOTE 3: Agenda 1, Part I.B.2.a describes how to test out of having to attend parts of this class. If you choose this option, you will be doing extra work online:

• Total of forty conference postings during the semester
• Essay will be longer
• Quizzes will be longer

Computer Conference assignments

• For AGS 3340, during the semester make twenty contributions to the course conference (postings or replies with a minimum of five lines). These contributions must be substantive, concerning the readings or other points from the conference. For example, "Gee, I thought that was right on" is not substantive -- it does not make a contribution. As an alternative, you can agree with another comment, and then explain it further, extend or go beyond it, or apply it in a new way. To get everybody started, a separate requirement is for three contributions by the third class on September 22.

  NOTE: This does NOT mean that you have to log on to the computer conference more than once a week. You can make multiple contributions during a single session.