Instructor          Denise A. Garofalo
                         [email protected]

Class Meetings

   The course will meet 14 times, Mondays from 5:00PM-7:50PM, February 1 through May 17 in the Mid-Hudson Library System Auditorium, Poughkeepsie.

Prerequisites

    None. A presumption of basic word processing skills and use of e-mail is held.

Course Objectives

    By completing this course students should acquire a basic understanding of information technologies and the issues involved in their application, including basic terminology and functionality.
    Specifically, students should:

• be familiar with terms and concepts to communicate effectively with information and technology specialists and to understand articles on information and technologies in professional and trade publications;
• gain an understanding of the various aspects of information systems and technologies, including computer hardware and software, networks, multimedia and telecommunication;
• think critically about information systems and technologies, their application and issues as they pertain to policy, management, politics, society and economics.

    All work is due as assigned and will not be accepted late without express prior approval of the instructor. The final paper will be submitted word processed in double-spaced, single-sided format with appropriate footnoting and bibliography. At least 2 sources should be electronic. Follow proper format for all citations.

Readings

    See the attached bibliography. Readings will be available in class. Students are expected to keep current on newspaper and periodical literature concerning issues and advances in information and technology.

Student Performance Evaluation

    Grades will be determined based upon performance on assignments, general class participation, a mid-term examination, a final paper/project and a take-home final examination. Evaluation is based on:

Time Required

    Class meets for approximately three contact hours each week. Coursework should take two to three hours per contact hour, or a minimum of 9 hours per week for this class (three hours in class, six hours minimum outside class).

Class Attendance

    Although formal attendance is not taken each class, students need to attend class. Individual tutorials for missed work will not be available.

Course Outline
 

E-Mail

    Each student is expected to have an e-mail account. Please see the instructor if you do not have an account. Students will need to check their e-mail prior to each class. E-mail is the preferred method of communication with the instructor regarding assignments, questions and readings.

Incompletes

    No incompletes will be given in this class without the express permission of the instructor prior to the end of the course. Students who do not attend class or turn in final papers/projects or take the final examination should expect their grades to be averaged with a grade of 0.

Computer Lab Sessions
 

Attachments

1. List of possible paper/project topics
2. Final Paper/Project parameters for oral and written sections
3. Readings/Bibliography

December 28, 1998
Denise A. Garofalo