Winter/Spring 2003
Teresa Welsh, Ph.D., Clinical Instructor
MU School of Information Science & Learning Technologies
"It shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the Internet has evolved into a force strong enough to reflect the greatest hopes and fears of those who use it. After all, it was designed to withstand nuclear war ..."
Denise Caruso, digital commerce columnist, New York Times.
This one-hour overview course traces the history and development of the Internet. Topics include: Development of the Computer, Computer Applications; Cold War and ARPANET; NSFNET, Internet; World Wide Web; Operating Systems and Browsers; Future Trends.
Each week, there will be a lesson and required reading(s) followed by a quiz or discussion board posting. Each lesson will have some embedded links in the text for further study (these links are suggested, not required). A short paper on an approved topic is required at the end of the semester.
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Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins of the Internet by Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon. New York: Touchstone Press, 1996. ISBN 0-684-83267-4 |
Weekly Lesson Topics (see Assignments)
- March 31-April 6
- Development of the Computer
- April 7-13
- Cold War and ARPANET
- April 14-20
- NSFNet, Internet
- April 21-27
- World Wide Web
- April 28-May 4
- Applications, Future Trends
- May 9
- Paper due
Grading
Each week's required quiz or discussion board posting (for first five weeks) is worth 10 points. The final paper is worth 50 points.
A: 90 - 100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
The grade of A is awarded for superior work that exceeds the requirements of the assignment.
The grade of B is awarded for completely acceptable work that fulfills the assignment and demonstrates solid work.
The grade of C is awarded for work that does not completely fulfill the assignment.
The grade of F is awarded for unacceptable work.
Final Paper
The final paper should be on a related, approved topic. Grading criteria include content and conformance to the following requirements:
- Cover sheet with student name, course name, e-mail address and date
- 3-5 pages of double-spaced, 12-point font text with pagination
- Text should be divided into relevant subtoptics, including an introduction
- Check for correct spelling and grammar
- Citations and the bibliography may be in any style, as long as they are consistent and contain all the necessary information
- Paper may be sent to the instructor via e-mail attachment or uploaded to the course Drop Box.
Disabilities and Honesty Statements
As required by the provost's office:
"Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of any university. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that range from probation to expulsion. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration, consult the course instructor."
Note: If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and need assistance, please notify the Office of Disability Services, A048 Brady Commons, 882-4696 or course instructor immediately. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs.