Below are details about 3 courses I'm teaching this summer:
- Social Software: Building Community in a Virtual Environment
- Information Security Management
- Technology for Non-Technical Managers
Social Software: Building Community in a Virtual Environment
I am very, very excited to announce a new course I'll be teaching at Washington University in St. Louis this summer:Social Software: Building Community in a Virtual Environment. We'll be meeting from June 13–August 5, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00–8:45 pm. I've been reading and thinking about this subject for years, and I can't wait to investigate this fascinating topic with students. This is not just a discussion class–although we'll be doing a lot of that; in addition, in this course students are going to extensively use the software and web sites that we examine, which will really help in increasing understanding.
Here's the course description:
Social software has been defined as "software that suppports group interaction." While not a new topic in technology, in the last few years social software has seen a renaissance of innovation as various factors–including the internet, broadband, wireless communications, and the rise of open source and open standards-based software–have coalesced to create exciting new possibilities for building communities in virtual environments. This course examines the growth of social software by first examining the trends that have contributed to its growth, and then focusing on a different type of social software each week (including hands-on use of blogs, wikis, virtual gaming worlds, and Web sites such as Friendster, Flickr, and del.icio.us).
If you want more info, download the course outline, which is available as a 205 kb PDF (note that I may change some readings between now and the class, but by and large the outline is correct).
Anyone can take this class, not just undergraduates at Wash U. If you're interested in taking my course, contact University College at Washington University in St. Louis at 314-935-6700, or toll free at 1-866-340-0723, and ask about class number U48 Comm 326
Information Security Management
I'll be teaching my first course at Webster University this summer: Information Security Management. We'll meet in Room 318 at Webster's WingHaven campus, on Wednesdays from 5:30-9:30 p.m., 1 June–27 July 2005.
As a result of completing this course, students will be able to:
- Describe threats to information security
- Identify methods, tools and techniques for combating these threats
- Identify types of attacks and problems that occur when systems are not properly protected
- Explain integral parts of overall good information security practices
- Identify and discuss issues related to access control
- Describe the need for and development of information security policies, and identify guidelines and models for writing policies
- Define risk management and explain why it is an important component of an information security strategy and practice
- Describe the types of contingency plan and the steps involved in developing each
- Identify security issues related to personnel decisions, and qualifications of security personnel
For more information on this course, contact Webster University at 314-968-6900 & ask about COMP 5200 G1 Information Security Management, taught by Scott Granneman.
Technology for Non-Technical Managers
Where: Washington University in St. Louis
When: This is an intensive course that will take place over 5 days, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 20-24 June 2005.
What: Here's the description: "This course is designed for managers involved in making business decisions involving technology. Students are expected to know how to use a computer, but this course is not a hands-on tutorial. Instead, we will discuss a range of issues focusing around modern technologies used by businesses around the world. Topics include networking, communications, open source software, content management systems, computer based training, Web services, Web site usability, wireless, productivity tools, and more."
There is no other course like this in the area. I'm very excited about this opportunity. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
For more info: Call Washington University (314-935-6700) or go to their Web site (http://artsci.wustl.edu/~summer/register.htm) and look for info about class U48 341.