Editing Community Data Science Course (Spring 2016)
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:'''COM597G''' - Department of Communication | :'''COM597G''' - Department of Communication | ||
:'''Instructor:''' [http://guyrt.github.com Richard Thomas (Tommy) Guy] | :'''Instructor:''' [http://guyrt.github.com Richard Thomas (Tommy) Guy] | ||
:'''Course Website''': We will use Canvas for | :'''Course Website''': We will use Canvas for TODOAnnouncements, TODOAssignments, and TODOdiscussion. Everything else will be linked on this page. | ||
:'''Course Catalog Description:''' | :'''Course Catalog Description:''' | ||
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# Although details on this syllabus will change, I will not change readings or assignments less than one week before they are due. If I don't fill in a "''To Be Determined''" one week before it's due, it is dropped. If you plan to read more than one week ahead, contact me first. | # Although details on this syllabus will change, I will not change readings or assignments less than one week before they are due. If I don't fill in a "''To Be Determined''" one week before it's due, it is dropped. If you plan to read more than one week ahead, contact me first. | ||
# Closely monitor your email or the announcements section on the [ | # Closely monitor your email or the announcements section on the [TODO canvas link]. Because this a wiki, you will be able to track every change by clicking the ''history'' button on this page (you'll even learn how to do this in a program in this class!). I will also summarize these changes in an announcement [TODO announcements on Canvas] that will be emailed to everybody in the class. | ||
# I will ask the class for voluntary anonymous feedback frequently — especially toward the beginning of the quarter. Please let me know what is working and what can be improved. | # I will ask the class for voluntary anonymous feedback frequently — especially toward the beginning of the quarter. Please let me know what is working and what can be improved. | ||
== | == Books == | ||
This class is going to be a studio and project based class. Although we will not rely very heavily on readings or discussing them in depth in class, I'm strongly recommending a book that will cover the material we go over in class and which will provide a reference work for you to refer to: | This class is going to be a studio and project based class. Although we will not rely very heavily on readings or discussing them in depth in class, I'm strongly recommending a book that will cover the material we go over in class and which will provide a reference work for you to refer to: | ||
# '''[http://www.pythonlearn.com/book.php Python for Informatics: Exploring Information]''' by Charles Severance. The book is available online for free but you can also buy a physical copy of the book [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1492339245/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1492339245&linkCode=as2&tag=drchu02-20 from Amazon] or get an electronic copy from the [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0O8HFQ Kindle Store]. According to the book's website: "The goal of this book is to provide an Informatics-oriented introduction to programming. The primary difference between a computer science approach and the Informatics approach taken in this book is a greater focus on using Python to solve data analysis problems common in the world of Informatics." | # '''[http://www.pythonlearn.com/book.php Python for Informatics: Exploring Information]''' by Charles Severance. The book is available online for free but you can also buy a physical copy of the book [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1492339245/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1492339245&linkCode=as2&tag=drchu02-20 from Amazon] or get an electronic copy from the [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0O8HFQ Kindle Store]. According to the book's website: "The goal of this book is to provide an Informatics-oriented introduction to programming. The primary difference between a computer science approach and the Informatics approach taken in this book is a greater focus on using Python to solve data analysis problems common in the world of Informatics." | ||
Some people find it's helpful to have a book to learn a new programming language: it tells you want you "don't know you don't know". Other people prefer to use adhoc resources. I'll point you to resources I find helpful throughout the semester. | |||
== General Notes == | == General Notes == | ||
* I expect you to come to class every day ''with your own laptop''. Windows, Mac OS and Linux are all fine but an iPad or Android tablet is not going to cut it. We're going to install software during the class and you'll be working on projects for homework so please bring the same laptop each time. If for some reason your laptop dies mid-course, please contact me so we can get your new one up to speed. | * I expect you to come to class every day ''with your own laptop''. Windows, Mac OS and Linux are all fine but an iPad or Android tablet is not going to cut it. We're going to install software during the class and you'll be working on projects for homework so please bring the same laptop each time. If for some reason your laptop dies mid-course, please contact me so we can get your new one up to speed. | ||
* | * TODO who is my assistant We're working on it.? Much of the class will be project-based and William and I will be available to help you through challenges you encounter in this work during class. If you have questions and need to reach to somebody outside of class, however, please reach out to me! | ||
== Assignments == | == Assignments == | ||
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:'''Maximum Length:''' 600 words (~2 pages double spaced) | :'''Maximum Length:''' 600 words (~2 pages double spaced) | ||
:'''Due Date:''' April 13 | :'''Due Date:''' April 13 | ||
:'''Drop box:''' [ | :'''Drop box:''' [[TODO canvas assignments Turn in on Canvas]] | ||
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Your proposal should frame your final analysis, but it's also a chance to "sanity check" your plan. I will give you feedback on these proposals and suggest changes or modifications that are more likely to make them successful or compelling. I will also work with you to make sure that you have the resources and support necessary to carry out your project successfully. | Your proposal should frame your final analysis, but it's also a chance to "sanity check" your plan. I will give you feedback on these proposals and suggest changes or modifications that are more likely to make them successful or compelling. I will also work with you to make sure that you have the resources and support necessary to carry out your project successfully. | ||
=== Final Project === | === Final Project === | ||
:'''Presentation Date:''' | :'''Presentation Date:''' June1 | ||
:'''Paper Due Date:''' June | :'''Paper Due Date:''' TBD roughly 1 week after June 1. | ||
For your final project, I expect you to build on the first two assignments to describe what they have done and what you have found. I'll expect every student to give both: | For your final project, I expect you to build on the first two assignments to describe what they have done and what you have found. I'll expect every student to give both: | ||
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==== Presentation ==== | ==== Presentation ==== | ||
Your presentation should provide me with a very clear idea of what to expect in your final paper | Your presentation should do everything that your paper does and should provide me with a very clear idea of what to expect in your final paper. I'm going to give you all at least a paragraph of feedback after your talk. This will be an opportunity for me to see a preview of your paper and give you a sense for what I think you can improve. It's to your advantage to both give a compelling talk and to give me a sense for your project. | ||
;Timing: All presentations will need to be '''a maximum of 7 minutes long'' with additional 2-3 minutes for questions and answers. Timing is going to be tight and I'm going to set an alarm and stop presentations that go too long. Concisely communicating an idea in the time allotted is an important skill in it's own right. | ;Timing: All presentations will need to be '''a maximum of 7 minutes long'' with additional 2-3 minutes for questions and answers. Timing is going to be tight and I'm going to set an alarm and stop presentations that go too long. Concisely communicating an idea in the time allotted is an important skill in it's own right. | ||
;Slides: You are encouraged to use slides for your talk but I will need your slides ahead of class | ;Slides: You are encouraged to use slides for your talk but I will need your slides ahead of class. | ||
=== Participation === | === Participation === | ||
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* Quick introductions — Be ready to introduce yourself and describe your interest and goals in the class. | * Quick introductions — Be ready to introduce yourself and describe your interest and goals in the class. | ||
* Class overview and expectations — We'll walk through this syllabus. | * Class overview and expectations — We'll walk through this syllabus. | ||
* | * Link coming — You'll install software including the Python programming language and run through a series of exercises. | ||
* | * Link coming — You'll work through a self-guided tutorial introducing you to some basic concepts. When you're done, you'll meet with a member of the teaching team and we'll check you off. | ||
'''By the end of class you will:''' | '''By the end of class you will:''' | ||
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* Have a working python environment on your personal laptop. | * Have a working python environment on your personal laptop. | ||
* Have written your first program in the python language. | * Have written your first program in the python language. | ||
== Administrative Notes == | == Administrative Notes == |