Communication Studies (CMNS) 321
Computers and Human Experience (Revision 1)

This version of CMNS 321 closed Dec. 18/02. To current version.

Delivery modes: Individualized-study online
Credits: 3 - Social Science
Prerequisite: None
Centre: Centre for State and Legal Studies
Challenge for Credit: CMNS 321 has a Challenge for Credit option
Télé-université du Québec equivalency: COM 3003
Learn more online: CMNS 321 sample unit

>> Overview | Outline | Evaluation | Course Materials | Special Course Feature
>> Computer Requirements | Course Fees | Course Availability


Overview

Computers and Human Experience surveys the psychological and sociological impact of computers on the people who use them. The first part of the course examines five themes that represent an essential connection between humans and computers: artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, information management, the Internet. The second part of the course looks at these themes in some of the major domains in which computers are applied: education, employment, entertainment, and individual psychological and physical well-being.

Outline

Students are required to complete six units. The first unit is required.

  • Unit 1 Introduction

Students are required to complete a minimum of two units or a maximum of four units from the following:

  • Unit 2 Artificial Intelligence
  • Unit 3 Virtual Reality and Robotics
  • Unit 4 Information Management
  • Unit 5 Internet

Students are required to complete a minimum of one unit or a maximum of three units from the following:

  • Unit 6 Computers in Education
  • Unit 7 Computers in Employment
  • Unit 8 Computers in Entertainment
  • Unit 9 Computers in Psychological Well-being
  • Unit 10 Computers in Physical Well-being

Evaluation

Your grade in CMNS 321 is based on five written assignments. Students must achieve a course composite grade of at least 50 percent and a grade of at least 50 percent on each assignment. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

5 Written Assignments
@ 20% each		 Total
100% 100%





Course Materials

Textbooks

Frank Biocca and Mark R. Levy (Eds.) 1995. Communication in the Age of Virtual Reality. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Walnum, Clayton. 1993. Adventures in Artificial Life. Carmel, IN: Que Corporation.

Other material

Other course materials include a study guide, student manual, and a reading file.

Special Course Feature

This course is dependent upon computer mediated communications. In order to contribute to course bulletin boards and chat rooms, students must provide their own access to the Internet (ISP Internet Service Provider) and a graphical browser. Please note that
CMNS 321 is designed for Netscape 3.0. As well, students in this course have the option to send assignments by post or e-mail.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice.
Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

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This page was updated by Audrey Krawec