Individual/Team Assignments for CS461 Winter 2008

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Student Selected Discussion Topic
Each student will (i) select an ethical/social issue in computing for class discussion, (ii) they will prepare an annotated bibliography on the subject, (iii) they will select 10-20 pages, including material from the text(s), of reading and resources for the class to assimilate on the topic, (iv) they will introduce the topic to the class in a 5 minute in-class presentation and (v) lead and monitor the on-line discussion of the topic. The first student-lead topic begins Wednesday, January 13th and a new one begins every week after that.

Professional Organization brochure/paper/web page/fact sheet
The students will produce a document containing basic information about a professional or social activist computing organization. An 8.5x11 three-fold brochure is the preferred document but a web page, basic fact sheet or short paper are acceptable.
Be sure to include the disclaimer discussed in class.
Biography of a computer scientist
Each student will individually select a person from the computing field and produce a 3+ page (single spaced) biography, and an in-class presentation. A poster may substitute for the paper. [details of size, format, and cost TBA.]
See instructor-specific paper instructions.
Computing research or cutting-edge topic paper
Each student individually will select an area of current computer/technology related research and or development and report on the current state-of-the art in their chosen area. They will produce a 3+ page (single-spaced) paper with bibliography and an in-class presentation. See instructor-specific paper instructions.
Major Paper/Poster/Presentation
Students will each select a topic of social, ethical or philosophical interest related to the use of computers. They will produce a paper (≥ 6 single spaced pages), a presentation (15 min). The presentation will take place in the final exam slot. See instructor-specific paper instructions.

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