School of Computer Science

Dr. Carol Frieze

Office: Gates 4115
Phone: 412-268-9071

email: cfrieze @ cs.cmu.edu

Understanding and Broadening the Images of Computing

When and Where:

Undergraduate Course 15-296
Spring 2009
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00 - 4:20 p.m.
Wean Hall 5310

Instructor: Dr. Carol Frieze
Units: 6 (mini)

Course Description:

“Computer science is one of the most exciting scientific endeavors in recent history.
Too bad so few have had the opportunity to share the thrill”.
[S. Arora, B. Chazelle, Communications ACM 48 (2005), 31-33]

In this research and action based course we will explore computing from a cultural perspective. We will reflect on some issues often taken for granted e.g. are our attitudes to computing generalizable or culturally specific? How are computing and its workforce perceived and represented in US culture and in cultures from around the world? Can this cultural perspective help us understand the declining interest in computing in the USA?

The 2008 Taulbee Survey reports that "Enrollment today is more than 50% lower than it was five years ago." The 2009 Taulbee Survey notes that "Diversity in our undergraduate programs remains poor. ...As was the case last year, nearly two-thirds of those receiving Bachelor’s degrees were White, non-Hispanics.". Meanwhile, in many other parts of the world, interest in computing education and computing careers, is on the increase.

Using academic papers, web sites, group discussion and interviews we will examine some of the broad issues surrounding computing and explore, for example, how cultural images, attitudes and access to resources can impact participation in computing. We will use findings from our investigations to build an action component in which student teams develop and implement a public presentation aimed at broadening understanding of, and participation in, computing.

 

Tasks and Topics:

This course is aimed primarily at students who are interested in exploring some of the broad issues of computer science and who would like to direct their interests towards creative outreach activities, thus also gaining experience in teaching and presenting.

Some tasks and topics:

  • Self-reflection on attitudes to computing
  • Identifying the role of images in determining public perceptions of computing
  • Defining and redefining what it means to be a computing professional in the USA in the 21 st century
  • Interviewing a computer science student to explore some "myths and reality"
  • Reading and analyzing research texts which may challenge traditional thinking
  • Exploring computing in other cultures and writing a research paper on the findings
  • Identifying cultural factors that limit, or encourage, opportunities in computer science
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Debating, teaching and presenting

Grading:

Students will be graded primarily on the quality of their performance in 3 assignments –2 individual assignments and one team assignment. The assignments will constitute 80% of the final grade. The course will be divided into 3 parts with grades assigned 25%, 25%, and 30% to each assignment respectively.

Class attendance and participation in discussion will count for 20% of final grade.

 

Syllabus

Introduction: An overview of the Course Contents, Assignments, the Issues, and Grading

  • What are some of the major current issues of concern relating to computer science in the USA?
  • What part do images play in these issues and in the re-production of culture?
  • What do we mean by computing and/or computer science?
  • Images of the field and the people in it ( USA): "CS Stereotypes, myths, and reality"
  • Broadening participation in computing: Does this matter?
  • How does our understanding of computing and images of the field relate to broadening participation?
  • Current outreach efforts: challenging images, broadening understanding and broadening participation
  • A global perspective on computing cultures

Readings: (see below)

Part 1: Issues and Definitions

  • What are the issues?
  • Why “Images”? Why broaden images of Computing?
  • What do we mean by Culture?
  • What do we mean by Computing and/or Computer Science (CS)?

"Computer science is nothing less than a new way of thinking; explaining it to the wider world is critical to the future of the field." [S. Arora, B. Chazelle, Communications ACM 48 (2005), 31-33]

Readings: (see below)

Assignment 1: In-class Questionnaire

Part 2: Images of the Field (USA) and Participation in CS

  • Participation in Computer Science: Data from the USA
  • Broadening Participation in Computer Science: Why does this Matter?
  • The Images of the Field (USA): Myths, Stereotypes, Reality and Challenges

Readings: (see below)

Assignment 2: Due Date: TBA

 

Part 3: Outreach and Broadening Understanding of CS

  • Current Outreach Efforts
  • Presenting New Images of the Field and the People in it
  • Readings and Outreach Assignment 3.

Students will read about, and see videos of, some current outreach efforts and assess their potential impact for broadening participation. Discussion will focus on creativity, on ideas and preparation for presentations.

Readings/viewings: (see below)

Assignment 3: Due Date: TBA

Part 4: A Global Perspective

In this final part of the course we will take a global perspective on computing by looking at some case studies from other countries and cultures. We will look at cultural influences and specific factors contributing to different levels of participation. In particular, by looking at the different levels of participation of women in the field we will establish that participation in, and perception of, computing is impacted by cultural factors.

Readings: (see below)

Assignment 4: Due Date: TBA

Readings

Guidelines for Readings and Discussion
Be prepared to present:

-- a brief summary of the paper
-- the main argument/points made by the author
-- the evidence given to support the argument
-- any key words/phrases
-- what questions are raised?
-- what did you learn?
-- what did you find particularly interesting?
-- do you agree/disgree with the argument made by the author?
-- in what way(s) does the paper relate to this class?
-- any other points ....

Part 1. Issues and Definitions
Carol Frieze: Home Page