School for New Learning
DePaul University
Course Syllabus: SW 298 Exploring the Internet


1. General Information
            Faculty: Doug Murphy
            Email: dmurphy@depaul.edu
            Phone: 312/362-5756

Office Hours: Call or email to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Office Location: Loop Campus, 14 East Jackson Blvd., suite 1514, Chicago

Class Day/Time: Tues. evenings beginning at 6 pm when offered at the Loop; OR Alternate Sat. beginning at 9 am  when offered at suburban campuses


2. Course Notes and Assignments

 

 

3. Course Description and Faculty Biographical Sketch:
In this introductory-level course, you will develop a broad knowledge of Internet technology and understand how it can be useful to personal, educational and work life. The class will be "hands on" and you will learn how to access Internet applications and use them. We will discuss the history of the Internet, getting connected to the Internet, and the various functions used on the Internet -including email, Web Browsers, emerging technologies, and search engines. We will also create websites, focusing on their design, rather than the HTML coding.

Doug Murphy is Senior Assistant Dean at the School for New Learning. He has been at DePaul since 1990. His MA with a focus in academic strategic planning was earned through SNL.

 

Method of Instruction: This course will include lectures, class discussion, in-lab tutorials, independent activities, and working as a class in the computer labs.

 

Course Prerequisites

Basic familiarity with the Windows operating system.

 

Textbook

The Internet for Dummies, latest edition, by Levine, Baroudi, Levine-Young. (We are certainly not 'Dummies' in seeking to learn more about the Internet - this is simply the best -- and least expensive book out there!)

 

4. Competencies Fulfilled by this Course:

FX: Suggested: Can use the Internet as a tool to problem-solve.. The Internet, and its sibling, the intranet, are integral parts of the working world. All sorts of business functions are now completed via the Internet. We will learn how to tap into these resources and use them effectively in our vocational or avocational work.

S1D: Since the Internet is, at its core, a "computing system" that ranges world-wide, we will consider Internet-based applications that may address a host of issues.

S1X: Suggested: Can use and adapt Internet technologies to create an interactive information resource. The Internet continues to change our society, for better or worse. Understanding the limitations of the technology and the direction in which it is going will assist you in assessing the impact that the Internet will have on society.

S-5: Can use current information technology for integrated solutions to problems. During this course, you will use the Office suite of software applications in showing a complete comprehension of the structure of current Internet technology.

5.  Skills Learned / Course Outcomes

Having successfully completed this course, the student should:

  1. Understand the overall structure of the Internet
  2. Understand the basic language of the Internet
  3. Understand the various services provided through the Internet.
  4. Know how to use a Web browser and explore websites.
  5. Know how to use search tools
  6. Be able to create a website showing knowledge of basic design principles

     7.   Be able to evaluate the quality and content of Internet sites.


6. Learning Experience, Assignments and Grade Distribution:

·        Homework - 25%

·        Final Exercise and classroom particpation - 25%.

·        Website Creation - 50%

 

Each class will meet in the computer lab and include lecture, guided exercises and independent learning. Students will use electronic forms of communication to complete and submit assignments. Homework is designed to review the material used in class and provide a chance for hands-on application of the concepts. In-class assignments may include quizzes and readings. The final course exercise will be "open-book" and "open-web" and is designed to review material throughout the course and provide opportunity for demonstrating application of the material. F

 

Plagiarism:  Don’t copy someone else’s work.  The DePaul Student Handbook defines plagiarism as follows: “Plagiarism includes but is not limited to the following: (a) the direct copying of any source, such as written and verbal material, computer files, audio disks, video programs or musical scores, whether published or unpublished, in whole or in part, without proper acknowledgement that it is someone else’s. (b) copying of any source in whole or part with only minor changes in wording or syntax even with acknowledgement. (c) submitting as one’s own work a report, examination paper, computer file, lab report or other assignment which has been prepared by someone else. This includes research papers purchased from any other person or agency. (d) the paraphrasing of another’s work or ideas without proper acknowledgement.”  Plagiarism will result in a failure of the assignment and possibly of the course. If you are unsure of how to cite a source, please ask.

 

7. Assessment and Grading
All work is evaluated against the following two criteria: 1) how well it reflects work at the college-level and 2) how well it satisfies the competence for which you have enrolled. Submitted work will be evaluated as follows:

A = designates work of outstanding quality, reflecting thorough and comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand; a clearly identifiable thesis and argument that demonstrates cogent and creative development and support of the main idea.
B = designates work of good quality, reflecting clearly organized and comprehensive understanding of issues; a substantive thesis and argument with evident development and support of ideas.
C = designates work which minimally meets requirements set forward in assignment; reflects some organization and development of ideas but develops argument in superficial or simplistic manner and may only address part of the assignment or be otherwise incomplete.

D = designates work of poor quality which does not meet minimum requirements set forth in the assignment; demonstrates poor organization of ideas and/or inattention to the development of ideas, grammar, and spelling; treatment of material is superficial and /or simplistic; may indicate reading assignments were not completely thoroughly.

Unfinished work or work requiring significant revision will be given an Incomplete (IN) grade. In order to receive such a grade, students must formally request it from the instructor before the end of the current quarter. The student must have attended class regularly and have completed ľ of all assignments.  Work not submitted by the due date must be submitted within two weeks and will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. After two quarters, an IN grade turns irrevocably to an F.

 

According to the policies of DePaul University:

All students must be registered and listed on the class roster by the beginning of the second week of the term. Students not on the roster by this time cannot stay in the class under any circumstances. Please contact the SNL Advising Center (snladvising@depaul.edu) or the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@depaul.edu) to work out your particular situation.

 

Students who need to withdraw from the course must do so by the end of the second week of the quarter. After that point is reached, 100% tuition is charged.   It is possible to withdraw from a course or competence through the end of the seventh week of the quarter, but there is no tuition refund after the end of the second week.

 

In certain circumstances (such as illness, death of family members, natural disasters, etc.), a late withdrawal will be refunded tuition. These circumstances must be documented, and presented to the University through the SNL Exceptions Committee (snlexceptions@depaul.edu). In no case is such a refund allowed more than once during a student’s career at DePaul.

 

Late / Attendance Policy - Since this is a lab class, attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to be in class on time and to remain until the class is completed. Late assignments must be approved by me in advance. Late assignments and failure to attend class will negatively impact your grade. Remember, the homework assignments are at the end of each session notes on our class website.

In addition to regular attendance and participation, students are required to be attentive and respective of others in the lab: listening when the instructor or another student is speaking and refraining from conversations or other activities that constitute distractions.

 

 

8. Subject Matter Outline (Subject to Change)
Part I: Welcome to the Internet (What Is It? Where Did It Come From? What Does It Matter? How Does It Work?)
Part II: Internet, Here I Come (Getting Setup, Working Online from Home)
Part III Web Mania (Surfing, Finding Stuff; Creating and Editing a Web Site)
Part IV: Essential Internet (Email, Etc.)
Part V: Interesting Stuff (FAQs, Techno-gadgets, The Future)
 

9. Academic Integrity:

DePaul University is a learning community that fosters the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas within a context that emphasizes a sense of responsibility for oneself, for others, and for society at large. Violations of academic integrity, in any of their forms, are therefore, detrimental to the values of DePaul, to the students’ own development as responsible members of society, and to the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas.  Violations include but are not limited to the following categories; plagiarism (see above); fabrication; falsification or sabotage of research data; destruction or misuse of university academic resources; alteration or falsification of academic records; and academic misconduct. Conduct punishable under the university’s Academic Integrity Policy could result in additional disciplinary action by other university officials and possible civil or criminal prosecution. All students are expected to adhere to DePaul University's academic integrity policy as listed in the university student handbook.

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.

To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter, preferably within the first week of class, and make sure you have contacted:

- PLuS Program (for LD, AD/HD) at 773-325-4239 in the Schmidt Academic Center, room 220 or;

- The Office for Students with Disabilities (for all other disabilities) at 773-325-7290, DePaul University Student Center, room 307.