CCBC

Diversity in a Technological Society

School of Applied and Information Technology

CSIT 120 Section: E2A

COURSE SYLLABUS
Diversity in a Technological Society
3 Semester Hours/3 credits

Basic Course Information

A.

Date:

Spring 2015

B.

Instructor:

Melisa Hanks

C.

Office:

Essex Campus, HTEC-313

D.

Phone:

443-840-9226 (cell)

E.

E-mail:

mhanksccbc360@gmail.com

Office Hours: Monday- Saturday (contact me via email, text or phone)

F.

Prerequisites: (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 or LVR2); (ENG 052 or LVE2); (MATH 081 or
LVM1) or permission of program coordinator.

Purpose
The purpose of this class is to explore the influences of technology on human diversity. This class is offered 1
day per week for presentations and chapter review and the other day is used by students to complete
assignments

Course Description
Students are introduced to basic human relationship factors, international cultures, technologies, people with
disabilities, human and data communications, Artificial Intelligence, computer security, and individuals who
have influenced technology. The course is divided into two parts, diversity and technology. In the diversity
component students will read and discuss in groups, in the technology component students will work in teams
on weekly assignments and present their findings to the class.
In order to compete in todays highly competitive labor market for skilled, creative, and dedicated
personnel students must be prepared to contribute to the work force with open minds towards meeting persons
of diverse backgrounds as well as having open minds in learning new technologies. This unique course offers
students the opportunity to have a better understanding of themselves, their environment and other cultures and
how technology promotes that understanding. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to contribute
effectively using technological and humanistic skills in a diverse environment.

Course Goals
Overall Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the effects human diversity has in a technological world and conversely describe the effects
technology has on human diversity;
2. Define basic diversity terms;
3. Differentiate between electronic communication and human communication in a diverse society;
4. Explain the relationship between teamwork and success, both locally and globally;
5. Discuss current international technological changes;
6. Configure and use software designed to help people with disabilities;
7. Trace the history of technology and identify major benchmarks in the development of technology for the
disabled.
8. Explore solutions for the disparate availability of technology across cultures and communities;
9. Explain how ethics affects a technological environment;
10. Describe ethical issues regarding Artificial Intelligence;
11. Explain the importance of computer security;
12. Identify people who have contributed to advances in technology.

Topics
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.

Understanding Diversity
Teamwork
International Diversity
How Data Communication Helps Human Communication
Using Technology to Help People with Disabilities
Exploring solutions for the disparate availability of technology across cultures and communities;
Ethics and Information Technology
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Security
How Individuals have Influenced Technology

Other Course Information

Evaluation
A. Requirements/ Grade Scale:
a. Chapter Quizzes 12 X 10pts.
120
b. Presentation/Activity 12 X 40pts.
480
d. Term Project
100
e. Midterm Exam
100
f. Final Exam
120
g. Participation
80
Total 1000 pts

Points
900 1,000
800 - 899
700 - 799
600 - 699
Under 600
points

Grade
A
B
C
D
F

B. Instructors Grading Policy:

a. Cheating will result in failure of course.
b. Students are expected to read the text and lab material before each class.
c. Weekly quizzes will be taken from home and will be due Sunday night at MIDNIGHT.
There will be no make-ups for missed quizzes. There is no makeup for the midterm
and final exam.
d. Each presentation/activity will be due Sunday night at MIDNIGHT. No late presentation
assignments will be accepted!
e. Group participation and class discussion is a vital part of the class. Failure to participate in
the weekly group assignment will result in the loss of points for the assignments and
participation.
C. Instructors Attendance Policy:
a. Students are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time and stay until dismissed.
Attendance will be taken for each class.
b. Closings for inclement weather will be broadcast on local radio and TV stations, posted on
www.ccbcmd.edu, and on the schools Weather Line at 443-840-1711.
c. If you have legitimate reasons for not attending a class, arriving late or leaving early, contact
the instructor immediately to discuss what you miss.

Required Text:
Diversity Consciousness:
Opening Our Minds to People,
Cultures, and Opportunities,
Fourth Edition, ISBN: 978-0321-91906-9, Publisher:
Prentice, 2015 Author(s):
Richard D. Bucher, Patricia L.
Bucher

Understanding Computers
in a Changing Society, 6th
Edition
Deborah Morley
ISBN-13: 978-1-285-76771-0

Course Procedures
Special Procedures
a. The class will develop and follow Operating Principals for the Class based on mutual respect.
b. The instructor is not a trained psychologist but will do his/her best to help promote diversity
consciousness.
c. Do not disturb the class with beepers, cell phones, or alarm watches.
d. During class be attentive (sleeping not allowed), cooperative, and respectful.
e. No food or drink is allowed in the classroom, no exceptions!
f. You will be warned once for any transgression of behavior and the second incidence will result in your
being asked to leave the class. If asked to leave, this will be counted as an unexcused absence.

Statement of Student Out-of-Class School Work Expectations for 3 Credit Course

This is a 3 credit/billable hour course offered over 14 weeks. The student is expected to complete at least 6
hours of work per week outside of the class, including reading, class preparation, homework, studying, etc.

In-Class Tasks
Group Presentations
Chapter discussion
Microsoft Office skills review

Outside Class Tasks

Chapter quizzes
Group or individual assignment
Group project collaboration
Submit group project by Sunday at Midnight

COLLEGE POLICIES FOR COURSE SYLLABI

Code of Academic Integrity

For the College to make its maximum contribution as an institution of high learning, the entire college
community must uphold high standards of integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior. In seeking the truth, in
learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative. Each
student has a responsibility to submit work that is uniquely his or her own, or to provide clear and complete
acknowledgement of the use of work attributable to others. To these ends, the following actions are expected
of students:

Complete all work on exams without assistance.

Follow the professors instructions when completing all class assignments.
Ask for clarification when instructions are not clear.
Report to the instructor any unauthorized information related to an exam.
Provide proper credit when quoting or paraphrasing.
Submit only ones own work.

Students who do not accept responsibility for the integrity of their own work will experience sanctions,
including a written reprimand, failure of the assignment, failure of the course, and/or dismissal from the
program. For repeat and extreme offenses, the College reserves the right to suspend or expel students.

Writing Policy
The College recognizes that clear, correct, and concise use of language is characteristic of an educated person.
Therefore, whenever possible, faculty members in all disciplines should require written assignments in their
courses in order to encourage effective writing by their students. Also, instructors should consider the quality of
writing in determining a grade for a written assignment. Poor writing can be a sufficient cause for a failing grade
on a paper and, in extreme cases, a failing grade in a course.

Religious Holidays Policy

Students not attending class because they are observing major religious holidays shall be given the opportunity,
to the maximum extent possible, to make up, within a reasonable amount of time, any academic work or tests
they miss. Arrangements between the student and the faculty member(s) for the student to make up missed
assignments or tests must be made in advance of the religious holiday.

Services for Student with Disabilities

CCBC is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for all students by arranging support
services and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. A student with a disability may contact
the appropriate campus office for an appointment to discuss reasonable accommodations. An appointment must
be scheduled within a time period, which allows staff adequate time to respond to the special needs of the
student. The student must provide the appropriate office with proper documentation supporting the need for
reasonable accommodations.
The following is a hyperlink to the various Student Support Services that CCBC provides:
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/services/index.html. The direct link for Disability Support Services is:
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/specialservices/index.html. For more information, contact:
CCBC Catonsville

CCBC Dundalk

CCBC Essex

443-840-5246

443-840-3774

443-840-1741

443-840-4553 (TTY)

443-840-3529 (TTY)

443-840-1601 (TTY)

Civility and Community Building Expectations

Creating a Culture of CARE
(Compassion, Appreciation, Respect, Empowerment)
As members of the CCBC community of learners, we are expected to act with respect, honesty, responsibility
and accountability. Each of us is expected to be aware of the impact our behavior has on the community.
CCBC wishes to each learner to commit to the following actions:

Become an active and engaged learner

Celebrate the richness of our diversity
Respect the campus and its code of conduct
Practice empathy and compassion
Promote the empowerment of others
Summary of Assignments & Assessments

Description
Midterm Exam
Term Project
Presentation/Activity DC 1
Presentation/Activity DC 2
Presentation/Activity DC 3
Presentation/Activity DC 5
Presentation/Activity DC 6/7
Presentation/Activity UC1
Presentation/Activity UC3
Presentation/Activity UC5
Presentation/Activity UC6
Presentation/Activity UC7
Presentation/Activity UC8
Word Citations Activity

Points
100
100
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40

Description
Final Exam
Participation
Quiz: DC Chapter 1
Quiz: DC Chapter 2
Quiz: DC Chapter 3
Quiz: DC Chapter 5
Quiz: DC Chapter 6
Quiz: DC Chapter 7
Quiz: UC Chapter 1
Quiz: UC Chapter 3
Quiz: UC Chapter 5
Quiz: UC Chapter 6
Quiz: UC Chapter 7
Quiz: UC Chapter 8
TOTAL AVAILABLE POINTS

Points
120
80
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
1000