Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST)

 

Communication 65 

Introduction to Information Technology

Course Syllabus

 

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INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Ahmed AL-Hunaiyyan

Office:             Multimedia Room       Extension:       5427

E-mail:             hunaiyyana@gust.edu.kw

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Introduction to Information Technology is currently undergoing redevelopment as a completely online course. The textbook, assignments, and quizzes will be accessible online. Students will be able to check their grades throughout the course by accessing the online grade book. Quizzes, assignments, and grade book will be password protected. The course also includes a traditional classroom component for the Spring 2002-2003 semester.

  

Course Description

 The course concerns the use of electronic technology in communication. This includes an examination of some of the most significant technologies as well as economic, legal, regulatory, and ethical issues surrounding their use. The course dose not assumes that the student possesses a technical background in communication technology. The catalog description reads as follows:” The production end consumption of information by individuals, the workplace, and society. Emphasis on the changing nature of communication processes as a result of the expansion of communication technologies.”

 

 Textbook

 The course textbook is The World Wide Web : A mass Communication Perspective by Professor Barbara Kaye and Professor Norman Medoff. In addition, there will be supplementary readings in the form of articles and assigned external web pages.

 

Attendance

 you are responsible for attending all class sessions. Significant problems with absences or arriving late will negatively affect your grade. If you must miss class due to a legitimate emergency, you are responsible for notifying the instructor as soon as possible.

 

 Grading

 Your final course grade will be calculated as follows:

 

                                   Midterm exam                                    20%

                                   Quizzes                                               15 %

                                   Final exam                                          40%

                                   Assignments                                        5 %                                     

                                   Project & presentation                       15 %

                                   Participation & attendance              5 %

 

 

Exams

 Two in-class exams will be administered, one during midterm and other during the final exam period. 

 

Quizzes

 The course will include several quizzes.  Quizzes will be held during class sessions

 

Participation

 In some courses, participation may not be taken seriously, but in this course you should consider your participation to be of vital importance. Your participation grade is based on quality (not necessarily quantity) of interaction in class discussions and involvement in class exercises. This grade is not based simply on attendance. If you never take part in class discussions, you grade will be negatively affected.

 

In-class Exercises

 Several exercises will be completed in class. You will promptly receive feedback on your work from the instructor.

 

Project & presentation

 Each student is required to design a personal homepage.  At the end of the project you will give a ten-minute presentation showing the class your work. 

 

 Questions?

 For further information, contact or email the professor.

 

Content 

Week1	Chapter 1 : Introduction: Basic concepts and trends
Week 2	Chapter1:  Introduction to the Internet & the World Wide Web
Week 3	Chapter 2 : Searching the Web
Week 4	Chapter3: Internet Radio   E-mail /chat/electronic mailing lists
Week 5	Chapter4 : Television Entertainment
Week 6	Chapter 8 : Web site design, production, and aesthetics Project : Designing a personal homepage
Week 7	Chapter 7: Video television and satellite communication
Week 8	Chapter 8: Marketing / Public Relations
Week 9	Chapter 9: Advertising
Week 10	Chapter 10: Distance Learning
Week 11	Chapter 11: Social implications and theoretical considerations
Week 12	Chapter 12: Trends and their applications
Week 13	Lesson 13: Project due & Presentation (personal homepage)
Week 14	Lesson 14: Project due & Presentation (personal homepage)
Week 15	REVIEW FOR FINAL
Week 16	FINAL EXAM

 

Note : The professor reserves the right to make changes during the course on the syllabus including the grading scale