CS444 Syllabus--Spring 2011

Be able to explain why it is important for IT professionals to keep abreast of evolving technologies.
Be able to explain how innovation happens and new technologies emerge.
Be able to discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and prospects of some current emerging technologies.
Be able to demonstrate the research skills necessary to identify and evaluate emerging technologies.
Be able to discuss in depth a chosen emerging technology, based on independent research.
Assessment will be by means of eight 3-5 page papers, and one 15-20 page final research paper.

Assigned readings should be done on time, for they feed the thinking needed for discussion and the papers. Additional readings may be posted on Moodle. Papers are due as assigned. Do NOT wait till the end of the course to do them all.

Class time will be spent more on discussion than lecture.

Students who do not deliver papers on time will be dropped from the course.

GUIDELINES FOR THE EIGHT SHORT PAPERS:

Consider the topic question (see the Schedule section below) carefully.
Do some research, even if the question seems to ask for no more than your opinion (your opinion must be supported). Use library resources such as MARVEL, NOT JUST GOOGLE!
Cite your research; each paper should have 4-6 references, including the course readings.
FINAL PAPERS

Each student will prepare a 15-20 page research paper on the following topic:

Choose an emerging technology that you think will have major impact in the near future, describe it, describe its potential impact, and explain why you think it will have such impact.
Have your topic chosen by Tuesday, March 1.

Research the topic using printed and online sources. Develop a proposed outline of your paper and submit by Thursday, April 7.
Your paper is required to have the following:

Title Page
Table of Contents
Documented Sources throughout the text
Bibliography of no less than 10 sources
Be no less than 15 pages in length and no more than 20

Cover the following:

Background / History of the technology
Applications of the technology
Potential impacts of the technology
Pros / Cons of the technology
The final paper is due the last week of classes.

Remember--good work should be filed in your e-Portfolio.

Students who plagiarize tests and projects will receive zeros for the work in question, with no makeup opportunities.

COURSE SCHEDULE

CAUTION: COURSE SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT WARNING!

DATE	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT

Week 1: Jan 11, 13	What Is an "Emerging Technology"?	Read Em-Tech.doc

Week 2: Jan 18, 20	Disruptive Technologies
	Paper #1 Due next week	Many technologies have been (or have been called) "disruptive" technologies. Find three examples and use them to discuss what it is that makes a technology "disruptive." Consider whether disruptiveness can be identified in advance.

Week 3: Jan 25, 27	The 3D Printing Revolution	Read "Desktop Manufacturing"
	Paper #2 Due next week	Describe how 3D printing works.

Week 4: Feb 1, 3	The Evolution of Technology	Read Arthur, pp. 1-26
	Paper #3 Due next week	What is W. Brian Arthur trying to accomplish in his book?

Week 5: Feb 8, 10	The Nature of Innovation	Read "You Think You're So Smart, So There"

Week 6: Feb 15, 17	Combination and Structure	Read Arthur, pp. 27-43
	Paper #4 Due next week	What are the "components" (in Athur's sense) of 3D printing?

Week 7: March 1, 3	Phenomena	Read Arthur, pp. 45-67
	Paper #5 Due next week	What "phenomena" (in Arthur's sense) does 3D printing capture and use?
	Final Term Paper Topics Due!

Week 8: March 8, 10	Domains & Problem-Solving	Read Arthur, pp. 69-106


Week 9: March 15, 17	Origin of Technologies	Read Arthur, 107-143
	Paper #6 Due next week	Where did 3D printing come from? or Where did robocars come from? (see reading on Moodle)

Week 10: March 22, 24	Technological Revolution	Read Arthur, pp. 145-189
	Paper #7 Due next week	Where is 3D printing going? or Where are robocars going?

Week 11: April 5, 7	Economic Revolution	Read Arthur, pp. 191-216
	Paper #8 Due next week Due NOW: Outline of Final Paper	What do you expect the economic effect of 3D printing to be? or What do you expect the economic effect of robocars to be?

Week 12: April 12, 14	Forecasting	Read Next Big Thing.doc
	Final Paper Due in two weeks	What do you think the next big thing will be? Choose an emerging technology that you think will have major impact in the near future, describe it, describe its potential impact, and explain why you think it will have such impact.

Week 13: April 19, 21		WORK ON FINAL PAPER; CONSULT AS NEEDED

Week 14: April 26, 28		HAND IN FINAL PAPER

Mon May 2	FINAL EXAM WEEK BEGINS

Prof. Thomas A. Easton