Week
End Date

In Class

Homework Assigned

Week 1

Oct 19

Introduction; Computers I

Discuss Emotional Design

Watch Triumph of the Nerds, Part I (Transcript)

Understand Syllabus

Understand Groups.

Do HW1.

Read Wireheads (handout)

Week 2

Oct. 26

Computer stuff II

Discuss A Squashed History of the PC

Discuss Squashed History, Part II

Watch Triumph of the Nerds, Part 2. (Transcript)

Form groups, choose a topic.

Read Webs: networks & the internet (handout)

Do HW2.

Group: Pre-Proposal

Week 3

Nov. 2

The Internet and World Wide Web

Discuss Squashed History, Part III

Triumph of the Nerds, Part 3. (Transcript)

Pre-proposal due ; core issues; proposal

Read Killer Germs, pp. xi-58, 101-120, and 141-157.

Do HW3.

Group: Proposal

Week 4

Nov. 9

Germs & Disease I

Discuss Disease, Infections & Antibiotics, Part I

See Germs Notes for more info & graphics.

Formal proposal due.

Read Killer Germs, pp. 149-245.

Do HW4.

Group: proposal presentation

Week 5

Nov. 16

Germs & Disease II

Slides (.ppt)

Proposal presentation. Be able to comment and answer basic questions about your area.

Read More Work for Mother 16-39; skim 69-101; read 102-216.

Do HW5.

Group: Individual outlines

Week 6

Nov. 23

Technology & the Home

Discuss More work for mother (notes)

Individual outlines are due.

Food readings (may change!)

Food, the silent tsunami

Food and the poor

Power Steer

When a crop becomes king

Our national eating disorder

Do HW6

Group: group outlines

Week 7

Nov. 30

Food Production

Discuss Food Production

Group outlines due.

Do HW7.

Group: work on writing

Week 8

Dec. 7

Aviation

Work on the writing.

Read Space Notes

Do HW8.

Bring examples of weird science.

Group: Work on the writing!

Week 9

Dec. 14

Space; Weird Science

Discuss Space Notes

Discuss weird science

Written project is due!

Do the Final Exam

Group: Presentations!

Week 10

Dec. 21

Your Time in the Spotlight

Turn in final exam and any late work.

Weird science: coda

Group Presentations! (1 hr per group)