This course is currently asleep. IMPORTANT: Until I have your email address, I cannot send you your account ID and password so that you can start the course. You must send me an email message so that I have your email address. My email address is: rdillman@ticopa.com |
Communication that reduces uncertainty is said to inform the receiver. This course provides an introduction to information theory and explores its implications in human communication. Topics include entropy, data, noise, feedback, pattern, rule, code, language, and complexity.
"Information" is one of our most widely used and misused words. The first goal of this course is to define the precise, scientific meaning of the term. This requires and understanding of Claude Shannon's groundbreaking research, and that requires a (very small) bit of mathematics. The second goal is to put this precise meaning in context by discussing the role that "information" plays in regular discourse. To that end we will first experiment with a series of exercises designed to increase a person's ability to perform information. Finally, we will discuss a novel that demonstrates the cultural milieu of information theory.
These span three categories and will be discussed in the following order.
• Tutorials on The Communication Process and Information at Happy Fun Communication Land
These tutorials provide a basic, simple introduction to the main ideas of the course. So be sure to study them thoroughly. Follow links to gain a wider access to data. Be able to clearly define the terms "communication", "pattern", "data'" "information", "code" and so on.
• Ritchie, Information
Claude Shannon's model of communication and theories of information form the basis for the modern study of communication. You will have to learn the meanings of the symbols used in one (and only one) mathematical formula:
Ritchie's entire book is dedicated explaining the formula and putting it in context. I have prepared extensive notes on the book, and we will go over the material slowly, and in detail, in our online discussions.
• Dennett, Darwin's Dangerous Idea
Darwin's Theory of Evolution argues that species learn about the conditions in which they live by means of survival, and that they pass this knowledge on to future generations by means of reproduction. The more modern version of this argues that an organism's genes contain information about the conditions in which its ancestors lived. This is one of humanity's most often discussed theories, and it has given rise to a number of extensions, including that technology evolves, societies evolve, and culture evolves.
Philosopher Daniel Dennett's prize-winning book provides a lucid, readable account of the development and meaning of Darwin's theory. We will use it as a means of discussing how the Shannon's original theory of information has been translated into other forms of discourse.
• Drucker, Post-Capitalist Society
Peter Drucker is one of our foremost thinkers on the subject of business and management. In Post-Capitalist Society he outlines the invention of what is often called "the information economy" and comments on its cultural and economic implications.
IMPORTANT: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ONLINE COURSES
This online course operates very differently from the way a "regular" classroom class operates. Please read all of the pages at this web site. Be sure to read the emails that I send you -- they contain important information about the class. And be sure to keep very close track of the messages that are being posted to the class discussion board.
See the Course Calendar for the list of class assignments and their due dates. Additional details about assignments will be posted to the Discussion Board as the class procedes.
The COM3323 Discussion Board is provided for the use of class members. You will have to give your ID code and password to be able to use the board. These will be distributed at the beginning of the course. Each week you will log on to the discussion board and post your observations and questions about the ideas that we are considering at the time. I participate in this discussion, too, and it serves as the main venue for the course.
I maintain a "blog" for the course to which I post comments and notes, much as I would provide in a lecture in a traditional course. You can find the blog at: rDilCourseBlog.
You will need to do a fair amount of "outside" reading and research for this course. I have gathered a few good sources, but many more exist.
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Online Discussion Board: 20 (Based on the first half of the course) (Yes, this adds up to 110. The extra ten points are "extra credit.") |
Scale
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90+ |
A |
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80-89 |
B |
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65-79 |
C |
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60-65 |
D |
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59- |
F |
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See the Assignments and Grading page for a detailed description of the course assignments.