CSCI 15 - Winter Study 2020

An Introduction to the Modern Internet

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Attendance and Participation

This is a discussion-based class that depends entirely on student attendance and participation. For this reason, this class has requirements that all students attend and participate on a regular basis.

Attendance in this class is mandatory! If a student cannot make a given class session, they should email the instructor beforehand.

Students should participate in each class session they attend. This participation can take the form of the student presentations which will be regularly given in class, or in the form of informal class discussions.

Grading

This course will be graded on an (approximately) 10 page final paper. This paper may be on any topic agreed to between the student and the instructor.
The final paper is due Friday, January 31st. It is unlikely that any extensions will be possible for this deadline, as Winter Study grades are due soon after.

Textbook

This course does not have an assigned textbook. That said, we will have a number of readings from "Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness After the Digital Explosion" by Abelson, Ledeen, and Lewis. An online version of this textbook can be accessed for free at http://www.bitsbook.com.

Honor Code

The final paper is expected to be the work of each individual student, with no discussion or collaboration. All other material can be collaborated on freely.

Students are expected to abide by the Computer Science Honor Code, which can be found in full here: https://csci.williams.edu/the-cs-honor-code-and-computer-usage-policy/. All assignments except the final paper are considered to be a "practice problems" under the definitions in that document.

Computer Ethics

Students should be aware of and abide by the College's statement on Computer Ethics. Violations including uninvited access to private information and malicious tampering or theft of computer equipment or software are subject to disciplinary action.

Special Accommodations

Students with disabilities of any kind who may need accommodations for this course are encouraged to contact Dr. G.L. Wallace (Director of Accessible Education) at 597-4672. Also, students experiencing mental or physical health challenges that are significantly affecting their academic work or well-being are encouraged to contact me and to speak with a dean so we can help you find the right resources. The deans can be reached at 597-4171. If you need accommodations for religious observances, you are encouraged to reach out to me. However, last-minute requests are unlikely to be granted.