Computing and Culture
Course description
Evolution of computing from early data processing to global networking. Examination of how society has accepted and transformed role of digital technology within its cultures and institutions. Emphasis on human-computer interaction, electronic communities, and examples of their applications. Online resources will be used. 3 Cr.
Logistics
- Instructor
- Dmitri A. Gusev
- Office
- Maria Sanford Hall, Room 303-009
- Phone
- (860) 832-2719
- Fax
- (860) 832-2712
- gusevdma@ccsu.edu
- Office hours
-
MW, 4:30-5 p.m. and 8:15-8:45 p.m.
TR, 4-5 p.m. and 8:15-8:45 p.m. - Class meetings
- MW, 5:15-6:30 p.m., MS 323
Textbooks
- W. Daniel Hillis, The Pattern on the Stone, ISBN 046502596X
- John von Neumann, The Computer and the Brain, ISBN 0300084730
Course objectives
In this course, we will pay our primary attention to the interaction of computing with human material, social, intellectual and spiritual culture. Upon a successful completion of this course the students should:
- Be familiar with the use of computers as a prime tool of solving common problems within various facets of our society;
-
Understand the dynamics of advances in computing and their implications for the material culture, popular culture, “high culture” (art, literature and classical music), science, language, religion, philosophy, history, law, medicine, ecology, human reproductive and sexual behavior, business and corporate culture, military culture, and political culture;
- Comprehend the impact of computing and networking on the cultural phenomena, artifacts, and behavioral patterns.
Tentative schedule
References:
- H - W. Daniel Hillis, The Pattern on the Stone, ISBN 046502596X
- N - John von Neumann, The Computer and the Brain, ISBN 0300084730
Week 1:
- 09/05 Lecture 1: Introduction and Course Overview
Reading: H 1
Week 2:
- 09/10 Lecture 2:
Gates and Finite-State Machines
Reading: H 2 - 09/12 Assignment 1 due; Discussion 1: Computing in Industry, Technology and Design
Week 3:
- 09/17 Lecture 3: Programming
Reading: H 3 - 09/19 Assignment 2 due; Discussion 2: Computing in Visual Arts
Week 4:
- 09/24 Lecture 4: Turing Machines
Reading: H 4 - 09/26 Assignment 3 due; Discussion 3: Computing in Medicine
Week 5:
- 10/01 Lecture 5: Algorithms and Heuristics
Reading: H 5 - 10/03 Assignment 4 due; Discussion 4: Computing and History
Week 6:
- 10/08 Lecture 6: Information, Compression, and Encoding
Reading: H 6 - 10/10 Assignment 5 due; Discussion 5: Computing, Law and Cuisine
Week 7:
- 10/15 Lecture 7: Parallel Computing
Reading: H 7 - 10/17 Assignment 6 due; Discussion 6: Computing, Law and Popular Culture, review
Week 8:
- 10/22 Midterm exam
- 10/24 Lecture 8: Control Systems and Neural Networks
Reading: H 8
Week 9:
- 10/29 Assignment 7 due; Discussion 7: Computing and Language
- 10/31 Lecture 9: Computer and The Brain
Reading: H 9
Week 10:
- 11/05 Assignment 8 due; Discussion 8: Computing and Literature
- 11/07 Lecture 10: Analog and Digital Computers
Reading: N, pp. 1-17
Week 11:
- 11/12 Assignment 9 due; Discussion 9: Computing and the Reproductive and Sexual Culture
- 11/14 Lecture 11: Early and Modern Digital Computers
Reading: N, pp. 17-37
Week 12:
- 11/19 Assignment 10 due; Discussion 10: Computing in Agriculture and Meteorology
- 11/21 No class, Thanksgiving recess
Week 13:
- 11/26 Lecture 12: John von Neumann and the Brain
Reading: N, pp. 39-52 - 11/28 Assignment 11 due; Discussion 11: Computing and Religion
Week 14:
- 12/03 Lecture 13: Brain Stimulation Criteria and Memory Capacity
Reading: N, pp. 52-66 - 12/05 Assignment 12 due; Discussion 12: Computing and Political Culture
Week 15:
- 12/10 Lecture 14: Codes and the Language of the Brain
Reading: N, pp. 66-82 - 12/12 Assignment 13 due (extra credit); Discussion 13: Computing, Law Enforcement and Security, review
Week 16:
- Final exam
Midterm
The Midterm is designed as an elemental evaluation device and to prompt the student to stay abreast of assigned topics. The test will take 75 minutes.
Questions on the test will include:
- Multiple choice questions,
- Problem questions.
Final exam
Final exam is a cumulative objective test of representative content of the entire semester's course offerings.
Assignments
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on their respective due dates. Late assignments are accepted, at 10% penalty per work day (Saturdays and Sundays don’t count), but no later than one week after the due date. For example, if an assignment is turned in one week late, you may get up to 50% credit for it.
Honesty policy
It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in an honest manner (see the CCSU Student Handbook), and never turn in any work which is not their own. Violating this policy will result in a substantial grade penalty, and could result in expulsion from the University.
Attendance
Students are responsible for attending all scheduled classes and labs. Students who are unable to attend class or meet deadlines for assignments due to religious beliefs or other valid excuses must contact the instructor ahead of time so that we might work out arrangements. No make-up exam will be given unless the student's absence is approved by the instructor BEFORE the exam is given. Unexcused absences will result in the loss of the class participation score. All students are responsible for material covered during their absence regardless of the reason.
Students with disabilities
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. I will need a copy of the accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in order to arrange your class accommodations. Contact Student Disability Services, Room 241, Copernicus Hall, if you are not already registered with them. Student Disability Services maintains the confidential documentation of your disability and assists you in coordinating reasonable accommodations with your faculty.
Grades and evaluation
The written assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- 60% Comprehensiveness & Clarity
- 40% Creativity & Originality
The final course grade will be calculated according to the following table:
Attendance and In-Class Participation (40 points) | 10% |
12 Assignments (20 points each) | 60% |
Midterm exam (60 points) | 15% |
Comprehensive Final exam (120 minutes, 60 points) | 15% |
Total (400 points) | 100% |
Course letter grade will be determined as follows:
A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | D- | F |
95-100 | 90-94 | 87-89 | 84-86 | 80-83 | 77-79 | 74-76 | 70-73 | 67-69 | 64-66 | 60-63 | 0-59 |