Syllabus ECON 260 Comp Sys Online Spring 2016 – crns 50414 full 16 wk

To complete Unit 1, you need to do these six things:

1. Read the Syllabus  – it can be found either at the Concourse widget in D2L or by clicking here to read the syllabus on jimluke.com
2. Read the Unit 1 Readings – see Unit 1 entry under the Readings tab on the web site menu. For this unit, there are two assigned readings. Other units will have more.
   1. Unit 1 Readings – Jim’s Guide
   2. What to Write/Post About
3. Login for the first time and make an initial post introducing yourself. Tell us something interesting (keeping in mind this is public and searchable by Google!) (10 points)
4. Take the Unit 1 Quiz (5 questions – 10 points) – The quiz is in D2L since it is auto-grading.  You have two attempts to complete the quiz. Your highest score will count. The quiz is primarily about the syllabus.
5. Make at least one more post (more are permitted) to the website.  While most of the time we’re interested in whatever’s on your mind comp systems-wise, this time I want you to give some thought to how this course could be useful to you and your college studies.  In other words, what do you hope to get out of it?  Keep in mind that your goal doesn’t have to be content-related. Maybe it’s to develop some better critical thinking abilities? Or a chance to overcome your tendency to procratinate? Or a chance to write on the Web yourself? You tell us. (10 points)

Deadline:  All by end of day, Sunday, Jan 24

For Unit 2, I want you to do the following:

1.  You need to read:
   • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 2.  These are three required readings posts I created – kind of written mini-lectures.  If you missed them in the ordinary flow of the blog posts on the home page, don’t worry. They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
   • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
   • Part I of  the Maddison book, this is pages 1-30.
2. Take the quiz (10 questions MC in D2L) on the required Jim’s Readings and the Maddison book.  Quiz will be available no later than Jan 31.
3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it and linking to it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
4. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points.  However, please think of that as a minimum.  Don’t feel like every post needs to be lengthy, reflective, thoughtful pieces.  Yes, I’d like some of your posts to be that way as the semester continues. But focus on telling and sharing with your classmates what you are thinking as you read these assignments and as you explore the Web.
   • Suggested ideas for post topics include, but are not limited to:
     • What in Maddison readings surprised or intrigued you – perhaps something you didn’t realize before.
     • What reaction do you have to the required readings posts I (Jim) made?  Is there a point you wish you disagree with, don’t understand, strongly agree with?  Did I cause any questions to rise in your mind that you’d like either me (Jim) to respond to?
     • Have the readings prompted an idea/question/issue in your mind that you’d like your fellow students to weigh in on?  Why?
     • In this unit we talk about ideologies like capitalism-socialism-communism. Do you have a story you’d like to tell – either an illustration or a personal story – of what these ideologies may have meant to you or someone you know.
5. Finally, although it’s not “required for the grade”, I’d love if you not only posted but responded to other students’ posts.  You can respond by either writing your post and referencing/linking to theirs – or – you can hit the reply button and post a reply.  Let’s try to get a conversation going.

Deadline: All by end of day, Sunday, Feb 7 (Super Bowl day)

For Unit 3, I want you to do the following:

1.  You need to read:
   • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 3.  These are required readings posts I created – kind of written mini-lectures.  There’s also a video to view in the fourth “reading”. If you missed them in the ordinary flow of the blog posts on the home page, don’t worry. They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
   • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
   • Read Parts II and II of Maddison book, – pages 531-66; post your own thoughts or reactions
2. You don’t have to take a quiz on this unit at this time.  Instead, questions about the Unit 3 required readings/viewings will be combined with Unit 4 into a short “midterm exam” that will be available the starting the week of Feb 22 and closing at the end of spring break March 13. .
3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
4. Start thinking about and exploring which book you want to read & review: minor post to announce it.  The “book store page” and instructions for the book project will be available Feb 15 and on.  It will list suggested books. You may pick any books off that list OR you may suggest to me another title. I’ll generally approve most books, but I just want to make sure the book is relevant.  Also, there have been a few times in the past when somebody has suggested a book I’m familiar with and I can offer some tips like “are you sure?  That book is really written at an advanced graduate, technical level with a lot of math”.
5. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points (think 2 per week).  However, please think of that as a minimum.  Don’t feel like every post needs to be lengthy, reflective, thoughtful pieces.  Yes, I’d like some of your posts to be that way as the semester continues. But focus on telling and sharing with your classmates what you are thinking as you read these assignments and as you explore the Web. Your posts also don’t have to be strictly triggered by the readings. We’re in the midst of an “interesting” Presidential campaign in the U.S. right now that’s triggering some discussions that are essentially “what kind of economic system do we want?”.  Feel free to chime in here – but keep it civil please.
   • Other suggested ideas for post topics include, but are not limited to:
     • What in Maddison readings surprised or intrigued you – perhaps something you didn’t realize before.
     • What reaction do you have to the required readings posts I (Jim) made?  Is there a point you wish you disagree with, don’t understand, strongly agree with?  Did I cause any questions to rise in your mind that you’d like either me (Jim) to respond to?
     • Have the readings prompted an idea/question/issue in your mind that you’d like your fellow students to weigh in on?  Why?

Deadline: The syllabus says to be done with all this by Feb 21, but as I’ve pointed out here, that’s more a guideline than a rule. Let’s aim for having this unit 3 work done by late Feb so we can be caught back up to schedule by break. Unit 4 will be somewhat similar to Unit 3 and the combination of them must be completed including “midterm 1” by end of Spring Break.

For Unit 4, I want you to do the following:

1.  You need to read:
   • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 4.  These are required readings.  They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
   • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
2. You don’t have to take a quiz on this unit at this time.  Instead, questions about the Unit 3 required readings/viewings will be combined with Unit 4 into a short “midterm exam” that will be available the starting the week of Mar 6 and closing at the end of spring break March 13. March 21.
3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
4. Familiarize yourself with the Book Review Project Assignment. All the instructions are available under the “Book Review Project” tab.  The “book store page” and instructions for the book project will be available Feb 15 and on.  It will list suggested books. You may pick any books off that list OR you may suggest to me another title. I’ll generally approve most books, but I just want to make sure the book is relevant.  Also, there have been a few times in the past when somebody has suggested a book I’m familiar with and I can offer some tips like “are you sure?  That book is really written at an advanced graduate, technical level with a lot of math”.
5. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points (think 2 per week).  However, please think of that as a minimum.  I’m really liking that you all are starting to reply to each other and form conversations.  Substantial replies count as “posts” (although simple ones like “yeah, me too” don’t).

Deadline: The syllabus says to be done with all this by Mar 6, but as I’ve pointed out here, that’s more a guideline than a rule. I want you to have Unit 4 wrapped up during Spring Break (Mar 6-13), including getting your book choice decided.  I’m extending the deadline on midterm I till March 20 since I didn’t get it released in a timely way on D2L.

For Unit 5, I want you to do the following:

1.  You need to read:
   • The Jim’s Readings for Unit 5.  These are required readings.  They are listed/linked under the “Readings” tab on the menu on the site.  Each of them is listed as “Unit 2 -……” .
   • Read each other’s posts as they come in.  I recommend checking the course home page each day or every other day if possible.
2. You don’t have to take a quiz on this unit at this time.  Instead, questions about the Unit 5 required readings/viewings will be combined with Units 6 & 7 into a short “midterm exam” that will be available in unit 7.
3. Continue to surf the web and follow links, etc. to try to find interesting things. If you find something, try posting about it.  Something about what? Well anything that seems related to the kind of stuff we’re talking about so far in the course.  It’s open.
4. You should be well into reading your book and researching for the Book Review Project Assignment. Reminder: All the instructions are available under the “Book Review Project” tab.  The “book store page” and instructions for the book project will be available Feb 15 and on.  It will list suggested books. You may pick any books off that list OR you may suggest to me another title. I’ll generally approve most books, but I just want to make sure the book is relevant.  Also, there have been a few times in the past when somebody has suggested a book I’m familiar with and I can offer some tips like “are you sure?  That book is really written at an advanced graduate, technical level with a lot of math”.
5. Make some posts.  You need to make at least 4 posts to keep pace to obtain the full points (think 2 per week).  However, please think of that as a minimum.  I’m really liking that you all are starting to reply to each other and form conversations.  Substantial replies count as “posts” (although simple ones like “yeah, me too” don’t).