On-Line Schedule: The current and frequently updated course schedule will be found on line.

Catalog Description:  An introduction to the discipline of computer science with an emphasis on applications in the liberal arts. Topics include basic programming constructs, basic data structures, algorithmic computation, selection, iteration, interactive user interfaces, abstraction and reasoning about computer program.This is an introductory course intended for humanities, social science and fine arts majors.  May not be used for the Computer Science major or minor.  Cannot be taken after successful completion of 54-184, 54-284, or 54-454 without departmental approval.  (Fall, each year; and Spring, even years) (NS)

Prerequisites: none.

Learning Outcomes:   To expose you, the student, to basic  programming design practices that will be applicable to all fields of study. The student will be able to modify, design and implement programs in each of three distinctly different programming lanugages. Studnet will be able to design, build a basic webpage to display on the web using raw html.  Students will  build several “worlds”, small 3-D graphical programs that can be viewed in a web page using the programming language Alice. Students will also be able create programs in the Java language.  The idea behind creating worlds, and Java programs is to uncover the “magic” of applications that are used on a daily basis in academia and personal computer use. By the end of the course students should have a familiarity with the power of  programming and be able to apply one or more programming tools.  Students will also be well-prepared to take Computer Science I.

The student will be expected to be able to consider design issues such as accessibility, target audiences, ethicalilty and legality including copyright infringement.

Required Texts:

Accommodations:  Southwestern University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should register with the Center for Access and Academic  Resources, located on the first floor of the Prothro Center. Professors must be officially notified by the Access and Academic Resource Coordinator that documentation is on file at least two weeks before the accommodation is needed.

Grading Policy :

Attendance Policy: Attendance in class is strongly recommended and will be taken every class day. Students are responsible for all material and assignments given in class whether they are present or not. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain notes, assignments, etc. for any missed class from a fellow student. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY FOR ALL EXAMS. Absolutely no makeup exams will be given. . If student missed one in-class exam, the grade on the final exam will substitute for it. If a student does not miss any exams, the final grade will substitute for the lowest exam grade (if it is higher). If a student has already missed an exam, subsequent missed exams will result in zeroes. A student must pass the final examination to pass the course.

Homework Assignments: All homework is due at the beginning of the class period in which it is due (at 1:30 and not at 1:35, for example). I understand that occasionally bad things happen (illnesses, accidents, deaths) and I would like to hear if you are having problems that are preventing you from completing your assignments.    However, I will under no circumstances make any special arrangements after the fact (that is, after the homework is due).  Unless you are unconscious at the hospital, you must email me or speak to me before an assignment is due for me to accept it late. Approved late projects are subject to a 10 point per day late penalty.

For this course it is expected that the student will spent 6-9  hours per  week outside class working alone and in small groups.  Much of the outside work will be found on the course Moodle website.

Quizzes on reading will be due on the day of the lecture on that reading.  They will be available after class on the class day before the class day  of the lecture.

Honor code:  In a nutshell: you violate the honor code when you represent someone else's work as your own.  In general, written homework (including any programming assignments that are pencil/paper and not implemented) are to be completed independently.  Homework program specifications may be discussed at a very high level with other students, but details, coding and execution must be individual.  Aiding each other in tracking down a bug in your program after all code has been specified and implemented is fine.  I expect your programs to differ from each other in significant ways.  Group programming assignments should be worked on together with other group members.  You may discuss your algorithms and concept with other groups, but you may not share code.  I do reserve the right to ask you about your programs to ensure that you fully understand the coding and details of the implementation.