Welcome to Introduction to Computer Science!

No one shall be treated differently, separately, on the basis of race, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or disability. Discipline will be imposed where appropriate for any act of discrimination.

The overall goal of this course is to expose students to computer science. I hope that by the end of the course, even if your major is not Computer Science, you will leave this class able to break a problem into steps and work through those steps to a solution. You should also be able to understand how programming works so if you are asked to program, or asked to supervise someone who programs, you will understand the process involved.

I would like to acknowledge that we are all individuals with multiple sociocultural identities that intersect and shape our worldview through the lens of privilege and oppression. My commitment to you as your instructor is to minimize systemic forces of oppression within the classroom such as ableism, classism, racism, sexism, transphobia, and heterosexism in efforts to create a safe learning environment for all of us. I ask that you also join me in this commitment to foster respect for one another, enhance solidarity, and build community.

Official Overview

This course surveys computer science as a discipline and introduces object-oriented programming. A survey of the pivotal fields of computer science, including software engineering; computer networks; programming languages; algorithms; computer architecture; models of computation; operating systems. Students begin to solve simple problems using object-oriented programming.

Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• • • 1. Give a basic description of computer science and who a computer scientist can be

      2. Interpret class and activity diagrams

      3. Identify areas of concentration in computer science

      4. Use decision making control structures

      5. Use looping control structures

      6. Replicate object-oriented programs

      7. Implement variables of assorted types

ANONYMIZED GRADING: It is important for you to put your name on each assignment you turn in to practice professionalism and I will remove points if it is not present, however I also believe that anonymized grading is important and I use it for all assignments to the fullest extent possible. Anonymized grading requires that I not know the author of the work I grade. I achieve this by opening all of the assignments at once and minimizing the comments at the top of the code or scrolling so that I cannot see your name at the top of the document as I grade. I use anonymized grading to minimize the effect that either my own biases or any preconceived notions of students’ ability influence may have on my judgment of their work.

Note: It is not usually possible for me to use anonymized grading with late work.

LATE Assignments: For each 24 hours after the due date that the submission is turned in late 10% will be subtracted from the final grade of the assignment. Submissions will not be accepted if they are more than a week late.

Late Video Worksheets: Research shows that flipped classrooms are a good for learning, however the flipped classroom approach only works if students come prepared for class. The worksheets associated with the lecture videos will each be worth 10 points if they are completed at least 10 minutes before the beginning of the class on the day they are due if they are submitted after this time they will be worth 1 point.

Classroom Protocol

• • • • • ASK QUESTIONS: You are encouraged to ask appropriate relevant questions and introduce your own views that contribute to everyone’s learning. Every person in the classroom has a different level of experience with the material we are reviewing. With this in mind, I want you to be respectful of where your fellow classmates are in their learning and with your words inside and outside the classroom.

        • BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS: It is expected that all students be attentive, polite, and not a source of distraction to me or any other student. Your behavior at all times must be respectful -- of your classmates, yourself, and me. Language that is disrespectful based on race / ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, gender or gender expression, religion, ability, social class, or size will not be tolerated.

To help us accomplish this:

1. If you would like us to use a name and/or set of pronouns that differ from those that appear in your official SMCM records, please let me know.

2. If you feel like your performance in the class is being impacted by your experiences outside of class, please talk to me. I would like to be a resource for you.

3. As a participant in class discussions, you should honor and respect the diversity of your classmates.

• • • • • AVOID DISTRACTING OTHERS: I understand that it is difficult to pay attention for long periods of time and I aim to break up the lecture material with activities and frequent breaks. Please avoid distracting behaviors such as private conversations, irrelevant reading, coming to class late, leaving early, checking email, using social media, texting, or listening to headphones, are disruptive to meaningful learning. These disruptions are inconsiderate to others and undermine your own learning experience.

        • ATTENDANCE: You are warmly invited and encouraged to attend class meetings. While attendance will not directly affect your grade, it is important for your learning, for the success of this class, and for our ability to build community and maintain connection. Your presence in the class matters.

I teach using active learning because “students in classes with traditional lecturing were 1.5 times more likely to fail than were students in classes with active learning” (Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Freeman, Eddy, McDonough, Smith, Okoroafor, Jordt, and Wenderoth, 2014). In order for you to benefit from this teaching style you have to be present in class.

If you don’t come you will miss the learning that happened in that class period and the participation points available during the class period. Similarly if you are on social media or doing work for other classes in my class you are not participating and therefore will get no points for the day.

• • • • • RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS: If you are celebrating a religious holiday that conflicts with the course, please let me know as soon as possible so we can make alternative arrangements for you or so I can shift the course schedule. I have tried to ensure that no due dates fall on major religious holidays but it is very possible that I have missed some, so please let me know. Additionally, if there is anything in the course that might violate your religious traditions and beliefs, please meet with me so I can create slightly different requirements for you.

        • ACCOMMODATIONS: My class intends to be a disability-friendly space. Please let me know if there are things that I can do to achieve a more accommodating setting. Students with documented arrangements in this course should speak to me as soon as possible so we can discuss what you need to succeed in this course.

Health - COVID and Other Illness

Feeling Bad? - Please stay home if you feel at all ill! Regardless of wether you think it is contagious or not, if you do not feel well please stay home and rest. COVID is not the only illness, the flu, strep throat, etc. should also be taken seriously and not passed to the people around you. There are many ways to make up work and points in this class and it is better for everyone if you stay home and rest when you are ill so you can get better sooner.

Masks - I am very grateful to the many thousands of people who worked very hard to develop the COVID vaccine and the tens of thousands of people who organized the distribution of it. The research suggests however that vaccinated people can spread COVID and, in rare cases, catch the disease therefore I will be wearing a mask all semester and, according to school guidelines you should wear a mask too.

Mental Health Resources

The Wellness Center (240-895-4289) provides numerous confidential health and counseling services including a 24/7 Counseling Helpline and same day/next day connections to counseling by calling 240-895-4289 or emailing the Director at lkscherer@smcm.edu. To learn more about Wellness Center Services please go to their webpage at https://www.smcm.edu/wellness/

Sometimes students feel they need additional resources beyond those available on campus for a variety of reasons. As such, below I’ve included information, websites, and phone numbers for a variety of other mental health related organizations that are available/accessible nationwide. Each of these organizations also has an online chat system which can be found by going to their website and selecting the chat option.

Note: I am, and all of your professors are, mandatory reporters. This means that if you tell us about a sexual assault or any past child abuse we are required, by law, to report it.