IONA COLLEGE
School of Arts & Science
CS 140V – Computers, Technology and Society
Tuesday, Thursday, 1:00 – 1:52 PM, Room MC 201
Friday, 1:00 – 1:52 PM, Room M 121
Professor: Schiaffino
Office: Murphy Center, Room M113J
Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
CS Department
Fall Semester 2009
Phone: 914-633-2338
Iona email: rschiaffino@iona.edu
Course Description
This course will provide students with a firm foundation in computers and technology and enable
them to become knowledgeable, ethical and responsible users of technology. Students will explore
the various aspects of computer systems to develop a comprehensive understanding of how
computers operate as well as an appreciation of their pervasive influence on society. This course will
lay the basis for further study in computer science.
Required Text
The books and materials are on sale at the Iona College Bookstore.
Snyder, Lawrence; Fluency with Information Technology, 3rd ed
Addison Wesley; Iona Edition; 2008
(Iona bundle includes Textbook, Lab Workbook and JavaScript book)
Required Materials
You should have two USB Flash Drives with at least 128 Mbytes of capacity or greater.
Required Software (Available in the Labs)
Microsoft Office 2007 (Containing Excel, Access, and Word)
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Course Objectives:
Course Objectives
1. understand the components of a computer system
and its functions
2. understand the software development and the
problem solving process
3. understand the social and ethical issues
engendered by computers
4. understand computer terminology and the
technology of the computer age
5. envision the future use of the computer in the
student’s career
6. understand how this foundation can lead to more
advanced courses in computer science
College Core Objectives
C4: Provide the foundation for successful
completion of academic and professional programs
of study
C1: Develop the competencies and ethics required
for decision making and problem solving
C4: Provide the foundation for successful
completion of academic and professional programs
of study
C2: Instill the habits of mind required for lifelong
learning, critical thinking and intellectual inquiry
C4: Provide the foundation for successful
completion of academic and professional programs
of study
C4: Provide the foundation for successful
completion of academic and professional programs
of study
C3: Blend the rich traditions of the liberal arts with
the demands of a post-college market place
C2: Instill the habits of mind required for lifelong
learning, critical thinking and intellectual inquiry
C4: Provide the foundation for successful
completion of academic and professional programs
of study
Assessment Criteria/Tools:
Assessment for this course is accomplished through direct and indirect measures. The direct measures are as
follows.
Assessment Tool
Percentage of Final
Grade
Written Homework and Class Participation
2 Class Tests
Computer Labs and Projects
Final Exam
10%
30%
30%
30%
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Course
Objectives
Measured
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4
2, 3, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 3, 4
Written Homework and Class Participation: Written assignments from the text will be given periodically. In
class, students are encouraged to ask questions and to engage in a discussion of course material and current
topics in technology. This tool assesses students’ knowledge of course materials, social and ethical issues as
well as their critical thinking skills and exposes them to how computer technology affects their lives.
Class Tests: Scheduled, full-period tests assess students’ comprehension of lecture material, computer
applications and class discussions.
Computer Labs and Projects: The lab portion of the course covers various Microsoft Office Applications as
well as topics in Web design and programming. Formal lab assignments and computer projects to be
completed outside scheduled lab periods are assigned to assess students’ correct usage of these tools as well
as their problem solving skills. Projects are designed to demonstrate how these tools can be employed in the
students’ College courses as well as in their future careers.
Final Exam: The final exam is a cumulative assessment of the entire course experience. It is designed to
provide a holistic view of the course for the students.
The indirect measures consist of student and faculty evaluations done at the end of each semester. Students
complete an online evaluation form that asks them to evaluate the extent to which the course has met each of
its objectives. Each faculty member submits a spreadsheet indicating the extent to which each of the
assessment tools met the desired course objectives. The results of these assessments are analyzed to identify
problems. The department discusses the problems and suggests solutions to address the problems.
Course Outline
Wk/
Lecture Topic
Topi
c
1
1.0Course Introduction
1.1 Course Requirements
1.2 Hardware and Software Concepts
1.3 Computer Projects
1.4 Lab Usage
2
3
Lecture
Ref
Ch 1
Lab
Iona College Computing
Signing on
Iona Email
A Windows XP Tutorial
2.0 The Big Picture
2.1 Computing System
2.2 The History of Computing
2.3 Computing as a Tool and Discipline
2.4 Human-Computer Interface
2.5 Ethical Issues
3.0 The Internet
3.1 What is the Internet?
3.2 The World Wide Web
3.3 Using the Web
Ch 2
Ch 3 p78 - 81
Ch 5
Ch 6
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Lab 1 and 2
Overview of Word Processing
Using Microsoft Word
Lab 3. Assignment
Creating a Web Page
Introduction to HTML
Basic HTML Tags
3.4 Ethical Issues
4
5
Ch 4
4.0 Creating Web Pages
4.1 What is a Web Page?
4.2 HTML
4.3 Static Web Pages
4.4 Dynamic Web Pages
5.0 Introduction to Programming
5.1 What is Programming?
5.2 Creating Dynamic Web Pages
5.3 Scripting Language
5.4 Introduction to Python
5.5 Basic Concepts of Python
5.4 Debugging
6.0 Data Representation
6.1 Number Systems
6.2 Binary, Decimal and Hexadecimal
6.3 Data and Computers
6.4 Representing Text (ASCII, Unicode)
Ch 7
7
7.0 Problem Solving and Algorithm Design
7.1 What is an Algorithm
7.2 Problem Solving Methodologies
7.3 Top-Down Design
Ch 10
8
8.0 Computer Operation
8.1 Computer Architecture
8.2 Integrated Circuits
8.3 Machine Cycle
8.4 Examples of Internals
8.5 Operating Systems
Ch 9
6
Ch 8
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Browsers
Web Page Assignment I
Creating a Web Site
Links and Images
Sight and Sound
More HTML Tags
Web Page Assignment II
Dynamic Web Pages
Dynamic Web Page
Basic Concepts
Overview of Python
Assignment III
Test I
Web Project
Culminating Assignment
Introduction to Programming
Introduction to Python
Syntax
Python Examples and Lab
Assignments
Python Programming Language
Short Python Programs
Python Programming
Lab Assignments
Python Homework Project
Introduction to Spreadsheets
Creating a Spreadsheet
Lab 5
Textbook Chapter 14
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
9.0 Programming Languages
9.1 Machine Language
9.2 Assembly Language
9.3 High Level Languages
9.4 Object Oriented Languages
9.5 Event Driven Languages
9.6 Compilers and Interpreters
9.7 Programming Examples
9.8 Ethical Issues
10.0 Multimedia
10.1 Digitizing Voice and Video
10.2 Image Representation
103. Digital Cameras
11.0 Information Systems
11.1 Information as a Resource
11.2 Databases
11.3 Privacy and Security
11.4 Ethical Issues
Ch 9
Spreadsheets Continued
Functions
Creating Charts
Lab 6
Ch 11
Spreadsheet Project
Culminating Assignment
12.0 Database Concepts
12.1 Organization of Data
12.2 Relational Databases
12.3. Data Types
Ch 17
13.0 Networks
13.1 Networking
13.2 Open Systems and Protocols
13.3 Network Addresses
14.0 Operating Systems
14.1 Roles of an Operating System
14.2 Types of Operating Systems
14.3 Resource Management
15.0 Computers and Society
15.1 Virus and Hacking
15.2 Privacy and Security
15.3 Can Computers Think
15.4 The Future
Ch 3
Ch 13
Test II
Ch 16
(Concepts)
Introduction to Database
Creating a Database
Lab 9
Databases Continued
Querying a Database
Lab 10
Database Assignment
Culminating Assignment
Lab Assignment
Ch 12 and 23
Lab Assignment
Final Examination
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Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism: Is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another
author/person and the representation of them as one's own original work. Iona College policy
stipulates that students may be failed for the assignment or course, with no option for resubmission or
re-grading of said assignment. A second instance of plagiarism may result in dismissal from the
College.
Policy on Attendance
Attendance: All students are required to attend all classes. Iona has an attendance policy for which all
students are accountable. While class absence may be explained it is never excused. Professors may weigh
class absence in the class grade as they see fit. Failure to attend class may result in a failure of the class for
attendance (FA), when the student has missed 20% or more of the total class meetings. The FA grade
weighs as an F would in the final official transcript.
Classroom Decorum
In order not to interfere with the learning process, all cell phones should be turned off at the
beginning of class or placed in a non-audible mode. If it is necessary to make or receive a
communication, kindly leave the room so as not to disturb the class.
COURSE EVALUATION
Course and Teacher Evaluation (CTE): Iona College now uses an on-line CTE system. This system is
administered by an outside company and all of the data is collected confidentially. No student name or
information will be linked to any feedback received by the instructor. The information collected will be
compiled in aggregate form by the agency and distributed back to the Iona administration and faculty, with
select information made available to students who complete the CTE. Your feedback in this process is an
essential part of improving our course offerings and instructional effectiveness. We want and value your
point of view.*
NOTE* You will receive several emails at your Iona email account about how and when the CTE will be
administered with instructions how to proceed.
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