CSU Long Beach
ENGR 350
 Computers, Ethics, and Society

Syllabus
Schedule
Grading
Portfolio
Homework:
  Guidelines
  Standards
  1 - Images
  2 - Risks
    -- example
  3 - Infobahn
    -- example
  4 - Dataveillance
    -- example
  5 - Worklife
    -- example
  6 - Killer Robot
Term project

Grading

    Latest Update: Sat 23 Jan 99

Grade components:

  • Homework (written assignments) 5 @ 60 points each + 1 @ 25 = 325 points
  • Class portfolio: class log, 100 points; heads-up file, 100 points
  • Term project 120 points

Your strategy:

  • Read each assignment carefully.
  • Try to do at least what is called for in the assignment.
  • Think about the assignment in terms of everything you've learned in this class.
  • Start early -- most assignments can't be done well (or at all) at the last minute.
  • If you don't understand the assignment, ask about it.
  • Also read the grading standards for each activitiy or assignment.
  • If you "need" a certain grade in the class, it should be your motivation to work toward that grade. If you don't think I've given you enough feedback in order to do a better job, talk to me -- it's usually much easier to explain things in person than in quick notes on a homework paper.

How I determine the final letter grades:

  • Total all points and compute percentage of total available.
  • Arrange totals in order from high to low.
  • Draw lines between A,B,C,etc. With this many-point scheme, dividing lines may occur on the traditional boundaries: A=90%, B=80%, and so on. But I may adjust these to achieve what I believe to be a fair evaluation of each student's overall performance in the class.
  • There are no plusses or minuses at CSULB, so someone may be one point below a dividing line. If this happens, it's not arbitrary -- I've thought very carefully about it. This is the most difficult part of the job.
  • An "A" should represent continued top performance in all areas.
  • Over the years that this course has been offered, there have been very, very few grades less than "C." The two main ways to have such a disaster are to: 1) not do the work, or 2) cheat.
  • I will try to keep you informed of your potential letter grade, but will probably estimate low rather than high -- it's much better to have a pleasant surprise than an unpleasant one at the end.