Course Requirements

Reading Material

There is no assigned textbook for this class. All readings will be posted on E-Learning in the appropriate modules.

If you are not completely comfortable with your personal computer, I highly recommend you look at the Complete Idiots or For Dummies guides for your platform and operating system as soon as possible. I will not be covering how to install software, optimize your system's performance, and the like in the course (see below for more on the computer requirement).

Required Equipment

You must have ACCESS to the following to take the course:

• A computer or gaming headset with headphones and microphone (built-in speakers and mic, cell phone headsets, or normal earphones are NOT acceptable), can be purchased at any electronics or office supply store, ca. $40
• A digital camera that takes at least 3 megapixel images, the battery charger and the appropriate connector cable to download images from the camera to your computer.

Computer Requirement

• The university has required that all undergraduate and graduate students must have access to a computer.
• You can have a laptop or desktop, although you'll probably find a laptop more convenient.
• You can use a PC or a Mac since all programs used for this course run on both systems. (I am a 100% Mac user, so I'm particularly sensitive about incompatibility issues!)
• You can expect to be required to do all of your assignments and computing on your own computer.
• You are expected to already know how to use software for word processing, web browsing, internet access and the like.
• You also are expected to know how to operate your own computer and provide for its maintenance. Keeping your machine and its software in good running condition is your responsibility. The instructor will not help you fix your computer or install software, and faculty are not obliged to accept any computer-related excuses for late or missing assignments.