CS 112 - Introduction to Computer Science II Project #1

Presidential Book Report: The World is Flat

As a class, you will be preparing a web-based executive summary of the book The World is Flat (Updated and Expanded) by Thomas L. Friedman.  In his book, Friedman documents significant changes to business and economies that have direct impact on you as a Computer Scientist.  While employment trends in CS are very positive, it is particularly important for you to understand the ever-shifting playing field so that you can wisely leverage the excellent opportunities of your liberal arts education and understand the career opportunities that have only recently emerged for Computer Scientists.  Gettysburg College President Will has given a talk on an earlier edition of this book, and we both have an interest in your perspective of this work and how it relates to your education at Gettysburg College.  We will both read your summary, and I will evaluate it.

Here are the general specifications of your class project:

• Your summary should be web-based and tested for compatibility with all major browsers.  You have free choice of authoring tools and process.
• Your summary should have a structure that mirrors that of the book.  For each major section of the book, you should provide a brief summary of a few paragraphs.  You are encouraged to additionally highlight facts, quote short and important excerpts, and overall create a valuable condensation of Friedman's work. 
• In doing so, you must research "educational fair use" guidelines (e.g. http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter7/7-e.html#2).  Quotes and excerpts should be clearly credited and follow copyright laws with respect to fair academic use.  Additionally, you must determine whether we need to restrict access to your web-based summary, and implement such restriction if necessary.  Given the popularity of the book, and Google, one could expect a fair amount of traffic to such an online summary.
• In summarization sections, you should take care to fairly summarize and refrain from editorializing. 
• After the summarization sections, you should add sections to address the following questions:
  • Why is a broad, liberal arts education particularly important for Computer Scientists preparing for a "flat world"?
  • Why, as a Computer Scientist, are you particularly important to America's economic future?
  • What are your and others' main criticisms of Friedman's work?
  • How would you summarize what you take away from Friedman's work?
• You are free to structure your teamwork as you see fit.  Each individual must make a fair, substantial contribution to the team effort.  Some may have especially keen perception.  Some may be better writers.  Some may have a flair with web design (although content, not design, is most important here).   You will need to discuss and discover your strengths and bring them together as a team.  This is one of our general course objectives that extends beyond programmatic problem-solving.

In support of your work, I have available not only an extra print edition of the book, but also an MP3 player containing the entire unabridged audiobook version for your use.  (Note: The batteries are rechargeable - do not discard!  I can recharge them for you if needed.)

See this as important reading for your future.  You need not agree with what is written, but I believe you will find it relevant, interesting, informative, challenging, and perhaps even inspiring.