Course Syllabus

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Overview: This course will introduce students to computer science through a variety of activities and projects. Students will learn about the history of computers, hardware and software concepts, the internet and the web, introductory programming concepts, and computer graphics.  Emphasis will be placed on effort, participation, and creative problem solving.

Expectations:  This class demands participation, creativity, and attention to detail.  You will be expected to solve problems, sometimes in groups, and sometimes alone.  You are expected to be respectful towards your classmates, and extend them your courtesy and consideration.  Remarks or the displaying of content which marginalizes the dignity of a fellow student because of their culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristics that make them who they are will not be tolerated in any way.  A first violation of this rule will result in a conversation after class; a second will result in a trip to the dean.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and make critical decisions about computer hardware and software

  • Solve problems involving software and hardware

  • Manage and edit electronic media for use on the WWWeb

  • Create web pages using HTML and CSS

  • Create programs using Javascript to perform basic tasks

  • Create computer-based animations

  • Examine key issues involving technology and society

Course Units:

  • Computers Hardware and the HCI

  • Computer Graphics Technologies

  • The Web: Internet and Web Technologies, HTML, and CSS

  • Introduction to programming with Javascript

  • Binary and Hexidecimal Concepts

  • Algorithms

  • Computer Animation

Methodology:

  • Live and recorded lecture

  • Discussion

  • Group Projects

  • Individual Projects

  • Presentations

  • Quizzes and Exams

Weighting of assessments:

  • Participation 20%

  • Quizzes and Exams 20%

  • Classwork and Homework 20%

  • Unit Projects and Course Project 40%

Projects:

This course is a project-based course; projects will be a comprehensive assessment of the skills acquired and outcomes achieved throughout the units or course.  Projects should demonstrate comprehension through the application of the skills gained throughout each of the units.

Course Virtues:

  • Respect: Language; Attitude; Sensitivity.  Your EQ is as important as your IQ

  • Academic Integrity: You will never be marked down for your best efforts, only exploiting the efforts of others without giving credit.

  • Work Ethic: To get the most from this class you will need to work at it; don't be here if you don't want to be here!

  • Creativity: It took us from the caves to the skies - use yours.

  • Contribute to the Bellarmine community: Find ways to use your talents to contribute to the community.

  • Practical application: If there is a way to use projects to contribute to other courses, do it!

  • Synthesize: Use your knowledge to form new and different ideas.

  • Think Critically: A requirement for solving problems, and there will be problems to solve here.

  • Contribute to the classroom learning community: We work together to help one another achieve a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

  • Be observant: Pay attention to the world around you - animation is the art of motion, motion is life.

Materials and Logistics:

  • Get Headphones

  • Remember to backup your files on an external drive

  • Always remember to adhere to naming conventions when naming files and other content

Supplemental materials used in this course:

 

Classroom Conduct:

Students are expected to be ready for class when the bell rings. Monitors should be off, and you should be facing forward. Success will result in ClassDojo points for the day!
 

Participation Points:

Each day, students will have the opportunity to earn one participation point. These points are earned by following instructions, participating in discussions, collaborating where appropriate, and sharing resources with the group either directly through group work in class or via the course pages. One additional point can be earned per week for an extra posting on the lore site, presenting a topic of interest to the class during class time, or doing additional work on existing projects or new projects relevant to the coursework. An example would be: This week we're discussing hard drive technologies and you contribute a link to an article about Apple's new "Fusion" drive. You will not be awared a daily participation point through tardiness, inappropriately disrupting the class or an individual classmate, inappropriate language and conduct, and being thoroughly off task.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due