ISP 499z
Senior Seminar

Thursdays, 7:15-10:05 pm
Digital Workshop 2 (Science Library)

Jennifer Powers
jjpowers@nycap.rr.com
Office hours by appointment

Schedule

Please note that this schedule is subject to change, so please check back!

Date In-class Topic In-class workshop Homework Assignment (due at start of class)
9/4

Introduction, expectations, assignments, books

 

Presentations/Powerpoint (with notes feature)

Memos

. 
9/11

Information Technology in Education

Memo (please read before class!)

 

Resumes & Cover letters

Career Development Center

Write a 1 page paper on what you expect from this course. This paper will not be graded, but may affect your final grade if there is any doubt about your final grade at the end of the semester (ie, should you get a B- or a B?)

Bring your resume in it's current form to class

Read/review and bring to class101 Great Resumes

9/18

Team 1: Censorship Online

 

 

 

.....

9/25 Team 2: Microsoft Anti-trust Case

 

.  .
10/2

Team 3 and Team 4 Debate: Digital Millenium Copyright Act vs. Privacy

 

 

 

Listen to the following audio clips from NPR online:

RIAA Moves Against Online Music Swappers

Movie Industry Targets Online Swappers

Music File Sharing

Be prepared to participate in the debate with questions after the presentations!

10/9

In-class interview exercise

Interviews

Career Development Center

Find a job description you are interested in. Write a cover letter for that job. Turn the description and the cover letter in.

Bring 3 copies of your most current resume to class.

Bring 1 cover letter in its current form to class.

Read/review and bring to class Cover Letters! Cover Letters! Cover Letters!

Read How to Ensure Your Resume Produces Top Results and The Most Important Ten Seconds of Your Job Search

Read/review and bring to class 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions

Read What You Need to Know About What They Want to Hear
Don't Miss These Interview Tips
Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design

Listen to the following audio clip:

Job Interviews Get Creative

10/16

Team 5: Security/encryption

 

 

Final paper specifications
Peer review requirements

 

You must finalize your paper topic with me through email: jjpowers@nycap.rr.com

10/23

No class

  . .
10/30

Team 6: Artificial Intelligence

 

 

Read the Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll

Peer review of cover letter and resume due

11/6

Team 7 and Team 8 Debate: US Patriot Act vs. Privacy

Review the ACLU's lawsuit that the US Patriot Act violates the 4th Amendment.

 

New version of resume and cover letter due (also remember to turn in the peer- reviewed version!)

Listen to the following audio clips from NPR online:

ACLU Suit Challenges Patriot Act

An Interview with Attorney General Ashcroft

Be prepared to participate in the debate with questions after the presentations!

11/13 Final presentations  

Draft paper due--bring a hard copy of your draft paper to class.

 

11/20

Final presentations

.  Peer review due--bring your peer's paper with your notes to class.
11/27 No class .  . 
12/4

The Beer Game
Rod MacDonald

It is mandatory that you attend class!
.  Final paper due--hand in your final paper and your peer reviewed copy.

 

Assignments

Please note: late assignments will not be accepted!

Team Presentation:

Each week, one or two teams will lead the class discussion. I will lead the first discussion. This means that your team will:

Twice during the semester, teams will hold a debate on a topic instead of doing a straight presentation. The teams participating in the debate will also present a memo regarding the issues, readings, and questions 1 week before the debate. However, the non-participating teams will also be responsible for bringing a list of questions to the debate to ask the debating teams that night.

You will be graded on your presenation skills, your PowerPoint notes, the memo your team produces and your discussion participation (see below).

Draft and Final Paper Assignment/Peer Review Assignment:

You will select a topic relating to information science and do in-depth research on it. It may or may not be a topic we covered in class, but if we did cover it, you must examine a different angle or look more in-depth than we did in class. The final paper must be no less than 10 pages and no more than 12 pages, with standard formatting. You will present your research to the class at the end of the semester (specific dates to be determined). You will need to turn in a draft of your paper by November 13. That week, one of your classmates will peer review your paper (and you will review someone else's paper) and turn it back to you on November 20. The final paper and your draft with the peer review comments are due on December 4.

Grades

Participation in class discussions and debates = 25 points

Resume, cover letter and interview class participation and products = 15 points

Team presentation (oral presentation, PowerPoint notes and memo) = 30 points

Peer review comments = 5 points

Final paper & presentation= 25 points

Points will be deducted for unexcused absences, lateness, and early departures.

Related Links

If you come across additional useful websites, please email me the link and I will add to this list throughout the semester.

 

Last updated Friday, October 17, 2003