COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
Students will be evaluated on the basis of their participation and performance in class and on other required assignments; the percentage of the final course grade for each activity is indicated in parentheses:
Class participation (40%) comprised of contributions to the discussions in the classroom as well as posts to the class discussion forum at https://ccle.ucla.edu. Each week, a question relating to the week’s topic will be posted, and all students are required to post at least one comment or reply to the question or the ongoing discussion.
Two argument papers (60%) responding to a prompt
Each paper should consult sources from the course readings. You are welcome to incorporate peer-reviewed articles to strengthen your argument. For tips on how to write and effective argument paper, look to CCLE.
1. Midterm paper (20%) 750 words, Due Week 6
Prompt: Thus far, we have discussed tensions in practices of information production, dissemination and storage, politics and economics occurring through a range of online platforms. Analyze the tensions underlying these practices with networked technology to propose an ethical approach to use when considering these technologies. Cite from the readings as appropriate.
2. Final Paper (40%) 1000 words, Due Week 11
Prompt: You are a consultant for an organization of your choice (corporate, grassroots activism or state) and your boss asked you to present on “big data” as it relates to your organization. To prepare for your presentation you should define “big data”, as well as the costs and benefits of data collection for your organization. Make an argument for tactics your organization can use to reap the benefits of online participation and counter what you consider to be the more serious costs to your organization. Be sure to identify what type of organization you are working for (corporate, grassroots or state) and cite from the readings as appropriate.
EXTRA CREDIT
I will announce extra credit opportunities during the quarter. Usually this will entail going to an event related to class and writing a short 250 word report on the event to hand to me.
READINGS AND COURSE RESOURCES
Students are expected to complete all assigned materials (listed below, under Weekly Topics and Required Materials) before class, and be prepared to summarize or comment on the assigned materials in class if called upon. All course materials are available via the course website, hosted at the UCLA Common Collaboration and Learning Environment (CCLE) website, https://ccle.ucla.edu/
The website and other class materials are password-protected and intended for the exclusive use of students participating in IS 30. Students may not forward or circulate any course materials outside of class without the instructor's express permission.
CLASS POLICIES
1. This course focuses on discussion: this is a read-think-talk class. With respect to personal conduct during class, each member of the class is expected to use his or her own judgment to determine how best to create, maintain, and preserve a respectful, studious, rigorous class environment conducive to this task. I trust each student to behave appropriately and professionally while we are together, but I must reserve my right to exact disciplinary measures as required to protect the learning environment. Please be courteous: silence your electronics, come on time and stay the whole class, limit your trips out of the room during lecture, and don’t distract other people with any non-academic doings.
2. Sometimes, I may ask you to forgo the use of electronic devices; other times, I may ask you to do something that specifically involves them. We will develop an Electronic Focus Policy on the first day of class.
3. We’re going to communicate face-to-face, via email, and through the CCLE course site. This can get confusing very quickly. Please check your email at least once before each class. You’ll need to access the CCLE site at least three times per week to get your posts done, although I hope you’ll use it more frequently.
4. All work for this course, with the exception of in-class activities and postings to the CCLE site, should be prepared as a .PDF document and use a standard citation style such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. Number pages and make sure your name appears prominently in a reasonable place. Don’t guess how to format a citation correctly: look it up (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/).
5. Back up all your work in case of technical difficulties. Disk errors, hungry dogs, and computer meltdowns threaten us every single day. You should prepare contingency plans for these common and inevitable mishaps in advance. We use a lot of technology to deliver this course, so we should expect technical difficulties.
6. You must complete all reading assignments, including preparation of discussion posts or reading summaries. Every week, we will read and discuss several works of varying length. Keep up on your reading and CCLE comments if you plan to pass this course.
7. Active and respectful participation is required. This presupposes your timely attendance. We will often open each session by going around the room for each person to give his or her considered response to the readings; further discussion will operate on a volunteer basis. I reserve the right to call on anyone at any time. You can avoid being singled out by participating vociferously and frequently.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with documented disabilities who wish to discuss academic accommodations should contact the Center for Accessible Education (www.cae.ucla.edu) and must notify the instructor at the start of the quarter so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged and coordinated with the CAE well in advance of course assignments and due dates.
Students will be evaluated on the basis of their participation and performance in class and on other required assignments; the percentage of the final course grade for each activity is indicated in parentheses:
Class participation (40%) comprised of contributions to the discussions in the classroom as well as posts to the class discussion forum at https://ccle.ucla.edu. Each week, a question relating to the week’s topic will be posted, and all students are required to post at least one comment or reply to the question or the ongoing discussion.
Two argument papers (60%) responding to a prompt
Each paper should consult sources from the course readings. You are welcome to incorporate peer-reviewed articles to strengthen your argument. For tips on how to write and effective argument paper, look to CCLE.
1. Midterm paper (20%) 750 words, Due Week 6
Prompt: Thus far, we have discussed tensions in practices of information production, dissemination and storage, politics and economics occurring through a range of online platforms. Analyze the tensions underlying these practices with networked technology to propose an ethical approach to use when considering these technologies. Cite from the readings as appropriate.
2. Final Paper (40%) 1000 words, Due Week 11
Prompt: You are a consultant for an organization of your choice (corporate, grassroots activism or state) and your boss asked you to present on “big data” as it relates to your organization. To prepare for your presentation you should define “big data”, as well as the costs and benefits of data collection for your organization. Make an argument for tactics your organization can use to reap the benefits of online participation and counter what you consider to be the more serious costs to your organization. Be sure to identify what type of organization you are working for (corporate, grassroots or state) and cite from the readings as appropriate.
EXTRA CREDIT
I will announce extra credit opportunities during the quarter. Usually this will entail going to an event related to class and writing a short 250 word report on the event to hand to me.
READINGS AND COURSE RESOURCES
Students are expected to complete all assigned materials (listed below, under Weekly Topics and Required Materials) before class, and be prepared to summarize or comment on the assigned materials in class if called upon. All course materials are available via the course website, hosted at the UCLA Common Collaboration and Learning Environment (CCLE) website, https://ccle.ucla.edu/
The website and other class materials are password-protected and intended for the exclusive use of students participating in IS 30. Students may not forward or circulate any course materials outside of class without the instructor's express permission.
CLASS POLICIES
1. This course focuses on discussion: this is a read-think-talk class. With respect to personal conduct during class, each member of the class is expected to use his or her own judgment to determine how best to create, maintain, and preserve a respectful, studious, rigorous class environment conducive to this task. I trust each student to behave appropriately and professionally while we are together, but I must reserve my right to exact disciplinary measures as required to protect the learning environment. Please be courteous: silence your electronics, come on time and stay the whole class, limit your trips out of the room during lecture, and don’t distract other people with any non-academic doings.
2. Sometimes, I may ask you to forgo the use of electronic devices; other times, I may ask you to do something that specifically involves them. We will develop an Electronic Focus Policy on the first day of class.
3. We’re going to communicate face-to-face, via email, and through the CCLE course site. This can get confusing very quickly. Please check your email at least once before each class. You’ll need to access the CCLE site at least three times per week to get your posts done, although I hope you’ll use it more frequently.
4. All work for this course, with the exception of in-class activities and postings to the CCLE site, should be prepared as a .PDF document and use a standard citation style such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. Number pages and make sure your name appears prominently in a reasonable place. Don’t guess how to format a citation correctly: look it up (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/).
5. Back up all your work in case of technical difficulties. Disk errors, hungry dogs, and computer meltdowns threaten us every single day. You should prepare contingency plans for these common and inevitable mishaps in advance. We use a lot of technology to deliver this course, so we should expect technical difficulties.
6. You must complete all reading assignments, including preparation of discussion posts or reading summaries. Every week, we will read and discuss several works of varying length. Keep up on your reading and CCLE comments if you plan to pass this course.
7. Active and respectful participation is required. This presupposes your timely attendance. We will often open each session by going around the room for each person to give his or her considered response to the readings; further discussion will operate on a volunteer basis. I reserve the right to call on anyone at any time. You can avoid being singled out by participating vociferously and frequently.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with documented disabilities who wish to discuss academic accommodations should contact the Center for Accessible Education (www.cae.ucla.edu) and must notify the instructor at the start of the quarter so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged and coordinated with the CAE well in advance of course assignments and due dates.
