INP 099 - Exploring the Internet
Course Overview

Instructor: Kathie Gourlay
Telephone: 734-475-9643
Message E-mail gourlay@wccnet.edu
Homework Submit: gkd104@stu.wccnet.edu
Mailbox: TI 118 (734-973-3628)
Home Page: http://courses.wccnet.edu/~gourlay
Office hours: By appointment.

Course Description:

In this course the student will gain hands-on experience using the Internet. The student will become proficient in using electronic mail, browsing and searching the World Wide Web, installing browser plug-ins, reading newsgroups, and employing other Internet technologies such as message boards and chat/instant messaging.

Prerequisites:

Level I: ENG 050 and ACS 070

Major Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to...
  1. Perform basic computer operations.
  2. Understand and use to the Internet.
  3. Understand and use the World Wide Web.
  4. Use a web browser.
  5. Perform searches with a web browser.
  6. Locate and install browser plug-ins.
  7. Use e-mail.
  8. Read newsgroups.
  9. Use message boards.
  10. Use chat and instant messaging.

Required texts and supplies:

Text: New Perspectives on The Internet (Comprehensive) 4th Edition,
by Gary P. Schneider and Jessica Evans,
Published by Thomson Course Technology

These book may be obtained from:
Barnes and Noble, Student Center Bldg., Washtenaw Community College, 973-3594
or Campus Book and Supply, 1078 Huron River Dr., (734) 485-2369.

Grading Policy:

Your grade will be based on the following:
Assignments 50%
Exams 50%
There will be 10 assignments and 5 exams.
Your lowest assignment and lowest exam will be dropped, so that your grade will be calculated using 9 assignments and 4 exams.
The due dates for the assignments and the dates of the exams are shown on the syllabus.
No late assignments or make-up exams will be accepted.

Extra Credit: You may get up to 3 points (on your final grade) worth of extra credit points by doing any of the exercises at the end of the chapters in our textbook.

Your final letter grade will be determined as follows:

93 and above A
90-92 A-
87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C-
67-69 D+
63-66 D
60-62 D-
59 and below F

Miscellaneous:

Outside of class time you may use the college's open labs, such as the library in the GM building or room TI 108 (tel: 973-3632). There is a lab assistant in TI 108 to help you with general computer problems. There are tutors available to help you in the Learning Support Services office in LA 104, telephone 973-3342.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act all qualified students are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Please notify the instructor if any accommodations are needed or go to LA 104 for support.

Although you are encouraged to help each other, the work you hand in must be your own. If you are caught cheating or are guilty of plagiarism, you may be sanctioned as described in the "Washtenaw Community College Student Rights & Responsibilities" handbook.

Tentative Schedule
Reading is to be done BEFORE class on the day indicated.
Assignments are due on the day indicated.
Exams will be done in class on the day indicated.

Date Reading Topic Assignments & Exams
Aug 30   Windows operating system  
Sep 1 Tutorial 1 &
Tutorial 8, Session 8.2 		Introduction to the Internet and the World Wide Web Windows assignment
Sep 6 No class    
Sep 8   review Tutorial 1 & 8.2 assignment,
Exam on Windows, Tutorials 1 & 8.2
Sep 13 Tutorial 2 Browser basics  
Sep 15 Tutorial 3 (pp. 3.1-3.14) Electronic mail Tutorial 2 assignment
Sep 20   review Tutorial 3 assignment,
Exam on Tutorials 2 and 3
Sep 22 Tutorial 4 Searching the Web  
Sep 27 Tutorial 5 Information resources on the Web Tutorial 4 assignment
Sep 29   review Tutorial 5 assignment,
Exam on Tutorials 4 and 5
Oct 4 Tutorial 6 pp. 13-23, pp. 27-30 Copying data and programs from one computer to another  
Oct 6 Tutorial 7 pp. 7.26-7.44 Newsgroups Tutorial 6 assignment
Oct 11   review Tutorial 7 assignment,
Exam on Tutorials 6 and 7
Oct 13 Tutorial 8, Section 8.1 Chat and instant messaging  
Oct 18 Tutorial 9 pp. 9.30-9.41 Browser plug-ins Tutorial 8 assignmnet
Oct 20   review Tutorial 9 assignment,
Exam on Tutorials 8.1 and 9