Political Computing: A Survey Course
PS 299 - Spring 1998
Version 2.0 -January 8th, 1998
Robert D. Duval Class: Office: 
bduval@wvu.edu 308 Woodburn 301A Woodburn
Phone: 293-3811 x5299 Hrs: W 2:30 - 3:20  Hrs: MTWThF 12:00-1:00
Course Description: This class introduces the student to an array of software applications routinely used in the collection, analysis, presentation and dissemination of political and broader social science analysis. Through a brief introduction to a wide variety of software applications, and a series of structured computer-assisted exercises, the student will achieve a substantial measure of independence in managing modern information technology. The course is designed for the non-computer science major and focuses on the role of computers in social science practice. Suggested prerequisite: CS 5, or consent of the Instructor. The course assumes that the student has a modest understanding of a Windows word processor (WordPerfect, Microsoft Word or AmiPro/WordPro) and a spreadsheet (Lotus 123, Excel or Quattro Pro.

Course Justification: There are four (at least) trends in information technology that compel the development of this course, as well as others like in other disciplines.

The growing need (and desire) for students to utilize a diverse array of computer software compels the development of a curriculum which teaches specialized software and applications appropriate to specific fields. Since the diversity of software applications has expanded tremendously while the technical prerequisites for computer usage have in many areas decreased, this leaves a perplexing void in the technical training provided in academia.

Computer Science programs rightfully omit such courses from their repertoire since they are not theoretically based vis-a-vis programming languages, data base structures, artificial intelligence, etc. On the other hand, the role of the service course (e.g., CS 5) is to provide a foundation of some principal applications, without regard for the specialized application within the field. As a result, most of the acquisition of software expertise is left up to the individual student to acquire through independent study.

This course seeks to fill this void by exploring a large variety of applications of direct relevance to the social science researcher, and doing so within the context of social science research. All materials and assignments are oriented toward a social science curriculum. In addition, the curriculum will specifically avoid overlap with coursework provided by the CS department.

Course philosophy is oriented toward demonstrating the common elements to software application. Rather than concentrate on skill development and proficiency within any one piece of software, the course approaches its instruction by teaching a few core skills and demonstrating the common elements across many software applications. (For instance, the understanding of DOS or other OS pathnames allows one to readily adapt to file and directory dialog boxes across most software and most operating systems.)

The other major component of the course is its focus on material which is oriented to supplement the social science curriculum. While the course is in political science, there will also be a modicum of material from sociology, psychology, public administration and economics. All assignments will be designed to enhance research and analysis skills along with computer technical expertise.

Texts

There is one recommended text for this course.

But, as you will see, you don't really need it. Everything covered in this class is also available on the Internet. In fact, there is more information there and more current information. Texts do lend a certain sense of security, so I have selected this one. Also note that one of the most useful sources available to you is the Help documentation available in most software. Application developers are moving away from printed manuals, and online documentation is getting very good. In addition, consider the following Internet sources: This class does not presume a great deal of reading. You will make up for that in time spend browsing the Internet and fiddling with software.

Course Requirements

There are a number of course requirements for this class. First there will be a midterm and final. In addition, there will be a project, and a home page assignment. Lastly there will be a number minor assignments to turn in.

Grading
Final 25% Short answer
Home Page* 30% Student may keep this as long as enrolled at WVU
Web Research project* 30% May be combined with Home page or paper
Paper/Project* 30% May be used for another course, or combined with Web Research project
Assignments 15% Simple exercises, checked for completion, but not graded
* Two of these three must be completed
More details on the Web page, Web research project, and paper will be given later.  Essentially you must choose at least two of the three projects and give me a plan for them.  They may be overlapped with other class reports!  Topics for Web research and papers or projects will require my prior approval! A set of required tasks will be provided, which may be accomplished in one project, or spread out across all three.
Syllabus
Week  Topic Description Readings
Course Overview 
Week 1 
1/14		 Overview Why teach a computer applications in a political Science course. 
Figure out how and where you are going to connect to the Internet.
  • Irvine: pp 1-28
Week 2 
1/21		 The World Wide Web Introduction to the World Wide Web as the data and information source of the future. 
An introduction to the Web via Netscape
Weeks 3&4 
1/28-2/4		 HyperText Markup Language HTML) The use of HyperText Markup Language (HTML 2.0) to develop Web pages for publication on the WWW. Home Page development. Student projects - development of a personal Web page with emphasis on presentation of research. Using HTML Assistant. 
Week 5 
2/11		 Microcomputer Architecture and Computer Hardware A quick synopsis of binary mathematics and how it translates to "tech-speak". The major intent of this section is not to teach the basics of programming, but rather to provide a basis for interpreting computer "jargon." (e.g. a 256-color palette is a logical choice since it represents the largest number - or most colors - that can be represented with 8 bits - 1 byte.)
Week 6 
2/18		 Operating systems A short comparison of DOS, Windows, Windows 95 and OS/2. Designed to demonstrate to the student how common tasks are performed across the different OS's.
The Internet
Week 7 
2/25		 e-mail/LISTSERV A brief introduction to TCP/IP protocol from an Internet browser's perspective. How to use e-mail & why. Class instruction will rely upon LISTSERV lists of interest to the social sciences. Using Eudora.
Week 8 
3/4		 Netnews/Usenet A brief introduction to USENET as an information source and provider of  & 
  • Pike: 413-434. 
Week 9 
 		 Spring Break
Week 10 
3/18 		 FTP The use of File Transfer Protocol software as a means for acquiring information, data and software. Using WS_FTP
Support Applications
Week 11 
3/25		 Utilities A whirlwind tour of decoding and compression utilities, disk repair software, virus detection, and other frequently used applications utilities. Using PKZip, F-Prot, Norton Utilities
  • Pike: 437-456, 1047-1065. 
Week 12 
4/1		 Chart & Diagraming software Designing and enhancing organizational charts and figures for presentation graphics. Using Visio 4.0  
Week 13 
4/8		 Image processing A brief introduction to images and image editing and manipulation. Using Adobe Photoshop  
 Week 14 
4/15		 Object Linking and Software Applications  Learning how to integrate applications (objects). Using the OLE properties of Wordperfect, Visio and Quattro Pro. Related applications.   
Week 15 
4/22		 Multimedia Applications: Audio and video files    
Week 16 
4/29		 Programming Languages Simple Overview of computer programming. Discussion of 
BASIC, FORTRAN, C++, JAVA 

Discussion of Concepts

  
Final Exam