INLS 181: Internet Applications

Course Syllabus

Pre-requisite: INLS 50 or comparable skills, including the ability to send and receive email, the use of microcomputer software such as word processors, and the use of Web browsers.

Course Objectives: INLS 181 gives broad knowledge of data communication systems, with a focus on Internet tools and applications. Goals include:

• Gaining hands-on experience with modern tools for Internet-based communication.
• Developing an informed approach to historical and future trends in networked computing.
• Demonstrating fundamental skills for instruction, diagnosis, support, analysis and management in diverse computing environments.
• Addressing the role of the Internet in society, and social impacts resulting from ubiquitous computing and networking.

Computer Use: In order to meet the course objectives, it is necessary to use networked computing resources regularly to practice skills and complete assignments. Internet access may be obtained at home or work via dial-in modem, in computing laboratories at UNC or elsewhere, or by other means.

Evaluation: All assigned work must be completed in order to receive a passing grade in INLS 181. Late work is downgraded at a rate of 1 point per business day. Unless otherwise discussed in class, all work is to be added to your online Web-based portfolio for evaluation and is due at 6:00 pm on the due date. Instructions for doing this will be given in class. Througout the semester, you will be able to create more and more sophisticated presentations for your work.

• The Online Resume is your first opportunity to demonstrate effective HTML skills for a good purpose. This is the first project for your Web-based portfolio for INLS 181.

  This assignment counts as 15% of your course grade. You will:

  • Design an effective layout
  • Present your background and skills in an appropriate order and level of detail
  • Include hyperlinks to external resources as appropriate
  • Insure your HTML is valid and works across platforms
  
  
  
• The Exam is a test of your knowledge and judgement about Internet issues, background, tools, systems and software. Date: Monday, March 27, 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

  Counts as 25% of your course grade. (Note: there is no formal final exam for INLS 181, the term project will constitute your final exam.)
  
  

• The Discussion Forum Review and Recommendation's purpose is to demonstrate your thoughtful and ongoing involvement in at least two ongoing discussions. These discussions are typically electronic mailing lists, newsgroups, or ongoing Web-based forums. The review and recommendation will be added to your INLS 181 Web-based portfolio.

  This assignment counts as 15% of your course grade, and will include:

  • A title; good organization; proper use of English
  • Identification of the your intended audience
  • Identification of the intended audiences for the forums
  • Effective use of HTML
  • A narrative introducing each forum and your experiences with them
  • A recommendation for which forum might be best for a member of your intended audience, and why
  
  
  
• Term project. Choose one of the following types of projects, or propose an alternate. You may elect to complete your project in a group with up to 3 other students in the class. An informal one-page proposal for your term project is due on Monday, March 20 by email to the instructor. The final project is due on Monday, May 1 at 6:00 pm. Counts as 40% of your course grade.
  
  
  1. Get an organization on the Web. Identify and work closely with an organization without a substantial Internet presence. Design, implement, and evaluate Web pages for the organization.
     
     
  2. Small-scale Web-based digital library. Author a substantial collection of material on a chosen topic using HTML and related tools. The number of resources will depend on the extensiveness of the content you develop: A series of hypertext links to network-wide resources with short reviews might have over 100 resources, while a collection of extensive multi-paragraph reviews with introductory and summative content might only include 30 or so.

     The digital library must include a clear statement of purpose and audience, be well-organized, and provide proper attribution for any secondary resources used.

     For the organization you get on the Web or small-scale digital library, include a small-scale evaluation in which you get 2 or more members of the target audience to provide feedback on your project. (If you cannot get specific audience members, find someone else who is willing to help.) Include the evaluation questions you asked and the outcome either on your project Web page or in a separate messsage to Prof. Newby.
     
     

  3. Term paper. Write an analytic paper of 20-30 pages on a topic approved by the instructor. The paper should examine a contempory issue related to the class and demonstrate a mastery of its subject matter. Incorporate approximately 40 in-text bibliographic citations to print or online materials.
  
  
  
• Preparedness and involvement. Your level of participation and preparedness in class discussions and lab exercises. Counts as 5% of your course grade.

Graduate and undergraduate grading for the course will be as follows:

• H or A 95-100 points
• P+ or A- 90-94 points
• P or B+ 85-89 points
• P- or B 80-84 points
• B- 78-79 points
• C+ 75-77 points
• L or C 70-79 points
• F 69 points and below

Text: There is a required text for the course. You may elect to choose supplemental readings from alternate texts. There are many books related to the course subject matter, most of which cover similar topics. The text was chosen for its subject matter and style of delivery, fairly recent publication date, publication quality, and coverage of HTML topics. Other readings may be placed on reserve in the SILS library and announced in class. Read the assigned readings before the class date they are assigned for, and review as necessary afterwards.

Required text: Perry, James T. & Schneider, Gary P. 1999. The Internet. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Course Technology. ISBN: 0-7600-7010-5.

An online supplement is available, including links to external information, tutorials and other materials.