Women in Computing-course by Netiva caftori

WSP-301F-Women in Computing

cross-listed with CS-310L

projected for Fall 2004

taught by

Netiva Caftori

Equality of access is an important ethical principle and we don't have it when it comes to women and other minorities in computing. It's not enough to have women and other minorities use the technology, but it is important that they participate in its creation too. Diversity is important, not only for ethical reasons but also for the good of our society. Despite the downturn of the economy there appears to be a shortage of software developers for example. Women may have the talent to excel in such endeavor. In order to achieve diversity there ought to be an increase of women and minorities in computer science, computing science education, and the computing science professions. Although the factors leading to the current imbalance lie outside the university arena, a lot can be done to correct it within. To ensure greater diversity each institution should aim to eliminate bias and encourage a broader scope of students. Prior experience also tends to influence success in education and usage. In most fields there is no great differential of experience, but in computing boys and whites in general tend to be more experienced by the time they arrive to college. We need therefore to encourage girls and minorities to use computers earlier in life in addition to enhancing their participation in undergraduate computing.

What will be covered in this course:

Women in computing ppt presentation (no pictures).

Women in computing2 ppt presentation with some pictures and additions.

Women of the past, present and future by Shanti, Catalina and Kimberly.

gender

We will have an overview of the women who have made it in computing from Countess Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper to others more modern like Anita Borg, who founded Systers, the email forum for women in technology, or Ellen Spertus from Mills college in CA.
Another major aspect of the course will overview the reasons of why there are so few women in the field, and what can be done to remediate the situation.
This will serve as a vehicle for assignment/presentations in class whereas each student chooses a famous woman and a topic and does the research and presentation in class.

early computer equipment ~ ~

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Instructor's Office hours Course schedule Blackboard
Course description Links 
Textbook
Grading Philosophy Assignments Sample readings
N. Caftori's mail to Home Page

Other topics will include

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Some resources for the course

Other related readings and links:

Women in technology

Description of the course

Students will be assigned weekly readings from books and articles. They will answer some written questions and will participate in class discussions of the readings.
Students will be encouraged to participate in online women networks to research ways of interchanging ideas and support.
There will be a couple guest appearances in class for questionning and discussions.
A team assignment may include visits and observations in schools and computer labs. The team will decide on a research study to be conducted outside of class and results presented in class as a midterm project.
A final paper will be requested as a summary of most pertinent papers the student has read, and field research done.
The paper will be presented by the student in class using a presentation tool.

Assignments

Weekly assignments include article reading, summary and feedback writing, participation in women networks, and relating these activities to the class.
Midterm team research in or out of school. Presentation of research findings in class using (Ppt) presentation tools, web page or Word document.
Final paper will be presented individually. It will be based on readings, research, and personal thoughts.

Grading philosophy

  • Weekly assignments on readings and networks searches - 35%
  • Midterm research paper and team presentation - 25%
  • Final paper and presentation - 30%
  • Class participation - 10%
Grading will be done on a curve.

Comments and questions are appreciated.

Last updated on 7/27/07

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In the news

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A Breakthrough For MIT -- And Science Five years after conceding rampant sexism, MIT has a new president, Susan Hockfield Massachusetts Institute of Technology shocked academia five years ago with a scathing report about how it had discriminated against female scientists. Although many were world-class, the country's most prestigious science university publicly confessed that its male-dominated culture had marginalized them. Women were paid less, received fewer resources, and were often treated as if they were "invisible," the report concluded. Moreover, despite a flood of women earning PhDs, their share of MIT's science faculty hadn't risen in more than a decade. In MIT's entire history, no woman had ever headed a science department.

My own reflections on balancing career and family.