CS100 Fall 2001 Disciplinary Paper Assignment

The purpose of the CS100 paper is to allow students to explore the use and misuse of computer technology in their chosen field(s) of study. Students with multiple majors should select one and address the assignment from that perspective. The student will select from one of three options.

a) [disciplinary impact option] An interview with a professional in your chosen field who has been in the field long enough to have seen changes to the profession as a result of the use of computers.

b) [disciplinary social/ ethical option] A paper concerning a social or ethical issue involving the use of computers in your chosen field of study.

c) [general social/ ethical option] Students who have not yet selected a major field may elect a more general social or ethical issue involving the use of computers.

In option (a) you are to locate a willing participant and schedule a time to discuss with them some of the ways, major and minor , in which how their career/job/field has changed over the years as the direct result of computers, or computer controlled technology. While you may chose to conduct your interview an a question/answer format, your paper should synthesize their answers into a more narrative or prose style.

In option (b) or (c) you are being asked to write a more traditional paper. You will be identifying a social or ethical issue that is computer related, presenting the chief arguments on each side analyzing these arguments and finally taking a stance on the issue in question.

If you have a declared major or major preference then option (a) or (b) are the only ones open to you. If you are undecided or 'exploring' as Wartburg terms it, you may either go with a major field you feel you might interested in and select options (a) or (b) OR remain undecided and chose a more general social or ethical topic.

Important dates:

First (few) days of class - The paper requirements are discussed in class and questions answered.

Tuesday, September 25 - by this date students will have tentatively selected their topics and submitted them to the instructor for feedback/approval. Continued discussion between the student and instructor will refine, narrow, or broaden the topic to an appropriate point.

Tuesday, October 9 - rough bibliographies for papers, or identification of interview subjects are due.

Friday, November 9 - prior to this date students may submit rough drafts for the instructors suggestions. Schedule a 15 minute appointment for the reading.

Wednesday, November 21 - Papers are due before Thanksgiving break. Papers in after 5:00 PM Wednesday will be considered late.

Minimum Requirments:

The instructor will not set any absolute word or page counts but does not believe that an adequate discussion of most topics can take place in less than say 3 single spaced pages nor that much more than 6 single-spaced pages should be necessary to discuss most issues at a level approriate for CS100.

For formatting and word processing see Guidelines for Papers for Prof. Breutzmann