Institutional Effectiveness - Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Undergraduate Computer Skills Requirements
College of Liberal Arts

Undergraduate degree programs	Computer skills required of graduates	Where in curriculum students are taught computer skills	Procedures to ensure program graduates possess computer skills required
BA African American Studies	Students of this program must be able to perform research and apply methodological skills involving computers.	AFRO 201, AFRO 202	There are currently no procedures used.
BA Anthropology	There are no explicit computer skills, However, a majority (if not all) of our courses require some level of computer skills. The skills covered in courses include: basic word processing, internet use (in research and access to Blackboard); use of computer programs to perform text analysis and statistical analysis, and computer based research for term papers and other assignments. These skills are part of most required and elective courses, making it an implicit requirement for Anthroplogy Majors. A student who completes the combination of required and elective courses for the major in Anthropology will obtain the computer skills required by the SACS accreditation. Examples of how specific courses throughout the curriculum meet those needs are presented in the next section.	1) The department has a quantitative methods (statistics) requirement for undergraduate majors. This course is fulfilled by taking SOCY 220 (Elementary Statistics for Sociologists) , STAT 201 (Elementary Statistics), or ANTH 501 (Problem Solving in Anthropology). These courses entail the use of computer-based statistical analyses. 2) Practically every middle and upper level class in the department (300 and above) requires a term paper or smaller research papers which entail use of computer-based internet searches. A major in our department will take at a minimum 5-6 courses requiring research papers. While use of a word processing program is not required, it has become the standard for writing research papers. A student taking one of these courses will use computers to write papers, and in the vast majority of cases will use computer-based research to gather information to write their papers. Many professors direct students to specific internet sites as part of the dissemination of course information. 3) In many courses, (e.g., ANTH 320, ANTH 359 (required), ANTH 213, ANTH 533) students are given specific instructions on how to cite electronic media, because the use of these resources is standard in student research papers. 4) Use of Blackboard Internet Site: ANTH 101 and 102 - The two prerequisites of all majors have begun using Blackboard in some semesters. ANTH 355 (Language, Culture and Society) which satisfies our requirement in Linguistic Anthropology (and which most majors take to meet this requirement) uses Blackboard. Other courses that use Blackboard include: ANTH 213 (Ethnobotany: Plants and Peoples); ANTH 32o (Pricniples of Archeology), ANTH 533 (North American Archeaology); ANTH 352 (Magic and Religion); ANTH 356 (Anthroplogy of Art).	Satisfactorily completing anthropology courses that require use of computers.
BFA Art Education	Word Processing, basic skills with interactive programming (Hypercard, Macromedia Director) Digital image production (Fractal Design Painter, etc.) Image scanning and manipulation (Photoshop) Curriculum Development (Curriculum Navigator)	ARTE 350- Interactive Multimedia Approaches to Learning in Art ARTE 550 Advanced Photo/Audio Methods in Art Education	We presume (but do not require) that all written assignments will be computer generated. We expect students to have already acquired word processing skills, or to develop them on their own or in classes outside of the major. Course work in ARTE 350 and 550 is evaluated. Mastery of computing skills is necessary for successful completion of assignments.
BA Art History	All undergraduate majors are required to do art historical research using electronic, on-line bibliographic searches. All undergraduates are required to demonstrate writing and critical thinking skills through the creation of research papers, and these typically entail word processing. Professors teaching undergraduate courses often use email to keep in touch with students.	All undergraduate art history majors are required to complete ARTH 250: The Methodologies of Art History. The computer skills noted above are part of the syllabus for that course.	The computer research skills are presented in scheduled class meetings with the Art Reference Librarian in the mutlimedia classroom, level 1, Cooper Library. The use of these skills is subsequently evaluated by the professor as evidenced in the research paper(s).
BA Art Studio BFA in Art Studio	Computing skill requirements vary greatly from track to track within the Art Studio Division. In Graphic Design and Photography, the requirements are significant, whereas in tracks such as Ceramics the requirements are almost non-existent by comparison. Word Processing Basic Computer Literacy Digital image production Manipulation of Digital Images Typography/ Print Output	All Art Studio (BA and BFA) students must take ARTS 102 � Introduction to Visual Art Computing as part of the core requirement. This course develops basic computer literacy and other skills such as: how to use a scanner, how to import files and images from a variety of sources, the difference between vector and bitmap software programs, how to resize work for printing, how to use the Internet as a reference tool, and how various software programs can be integrated with each other. In the Graphic Design sequence, students begin to develop skill relative to generating and manipulating digital images in ARTS 245 � Graphic Design Techniques, and develop these skills along with digital typography and print output skills throughout the design sequence. In the Photography sequence, a topics course (ARTS 564 C) Workshop: Digital Photography is offered. This course is an in depth investigation of Photoshop and the digital manipulation of photographic images for artistic purposes. ARTS 570 Visual Arts Computing develops advanced computing techniques as primary tools in artistic image production Other courses such as intermediate/advanced drawing and painting encourage (but do not require) the use of digital technology as a means of individual artistic expression within the context of drawing or painting. The decision of whether or not digital imaging is appropriate is left up to the individual student and faculty member.	We presume (but do not require) that all written assignments will be computer generated. We expect students to have already acquired word processing skills, or to develop them on their own or in classes outside of the major. The successful passing of ARTS 102 insures that the art student will have acquired basic computer literacy and the rudimentary skills associated with digital image production and manipulation. Students who pursue the Graphic Design track will find increasingly sophisticated computing skills embedded in Graphic Design course content. Mastery of computing skills are assessed as part of the evaluation and grading of individual student projects. Students who pursue digital technology as an area of artistic opportunity by taking courses such as ARTS 564 C or ARTS 575 will be evaluated by their individual professors. Individual artistic expression will cause students to acquire and master a wide variety and not entirely predictable range of computing technologies.
BA Classics - Latin, Greek or Classical Studies	All Classics majors must write term papers or project papers in some required courses. They therefore must bring to class the commonly learned word processing skills necessary for success at the University. In addition, Classics majors must know how to access Internet and search the chief Internet-based database of classical Greek literature, art and reference. (There is nothing comparable for Latin). Some majors preparing for graduate study will learn to use the two databases of Greek and Latin literature on CD-ROM, the Thesaurus Lingua Graecae and the Packard Humanities Institute database of Latin Literature.	All majors must take CLAS 586, Classical Mythology, in which they are taught how to access the PERSEUS database over the Internet. Students in some advanced Greek or Latin classes are shown how to access databases on CD-ROM as needed for term projects. Majors taking the methodology course or the Advanced Placement course for prospective teachers are required to pursue a list of links to Latin pedagogy sites and other web pages of value on the Internet. All students can be instructed in word processing in Greek via the department's Nota Bene program.	We assume students come with word processing expertise. Students cannot pass CLAS 586 without possessing the necessary skills, nor can students in some advanced Greek and Latin courses write satisfactory papers without searching databases. But we do not teach computer skills separately.
BA Contemporary European Studies	Basic word processing; ability to reasearch on the Internet.	Because our program is so tiny, we do not have special courses dedicated to teach these skills. However, our students get a great deal of individualized coaching on these skills, particularly Internet and online research.	One-on-one training by program instructors as needed.
BA English	Word Processing; Research using electronic resources: on-line library catalogue, on-line indexes and bibliographies	Word Processing is learned outside the classroom but necessarily because most papers and assignments in English classes must be produced on computer generated printers; Research skills are taught in ENGL 280 (Intro. to Literary and Language Study) taken by all majors	See remarks on Word Processing; the research skills are tested via a library research project in ENGL 280
BA French BA Classics	Undergraduates in French use word-processing for compositions and papers. They are often referred to Internet sites in French or LISTSERV's in French that relate to their courses. In some courses they are encouraged to use French keywords with Internet search engines in order to consult appropriate French websites. For research projects they use electronic resources such as catalogues and bibliographies.	Students who have not already learned word-processing skills outside the classroom would begin acquiring these skills for courses such as French 209, 309, and 311, which include significant amounts of writing. They would combine word-processing with on-line research skills in courses such as French 390, 391, 400 and 501, which deal with literature and culture.	Certain courses required for the French major-- most notably FREN 390, 391, 400 and 501-- require research and writing projects for which computer skills are indispensable. We assume that our students at this level have mastered the fundamentals of word processing. Professors in these courses therefore do not dedicate classes to teaching computer skills that students have had to acquire for success in the University, but they do supply advice, techniques, and supplementary instruction to students who otherwise could not complete their courses.
BA, BS Geography	Use of bibliographic databases, internet use, Programming skills using specialized software for geographic information systems, spatial statistics) this is not required of all majors but is for those students who are specializing in the technical track in the major.	Bibliographic databases taught in individual courses (GEOG 343, 495, 566, 568) Internet use (GEOG103, 202, 210, 530) Technical use of software (GEOG 341, 345, 349, 363, 531, 541, 543, 551, 554, 555, 563, 564, 566)	Most of the computer-based learning is incorporated into exercises, written work, and exams for the course which must be satisfied in order for the student to pass the class. In addition to this procedure, teaching assistants are available to help students learn rudimentary computer skills and to also help them with more advanced applications.
BA German	Word Processing Internet	In all German classes, students are sent to the Language Resources Center to get instruction on how to use CAI programs to practice their language skills and how to access the Internet to obtain information on Germany. Especially in GERM 216 German for Business and Other Professions through the Internet � The Internet, i.e. German websites, is the primary instructional resource.	Homework assignments and test preparation require that students have mastered those skills.
Government and International Studies: BA Political Science, BA International Studies	There are no requirements for computer skills in the curriculum for either of these degree programs. However, literally all courses � including the major requirements (specific courses such as GINT 201 and 301 for Political science and GINT 315 and 316 for International Studies as well as hours required both at the 100 level and at the 300 or higher level) require research/analytical papers. Such courses have multiple assignments/requirements that demand computer skills on the part of the student (if only requiring papers to be prepared through word processing or submitting work on disk). Also, computer skills are built into GINT courses in a number of ways: The use of computer-based simulations. Various instructors have used versions of the computer simulator SimCity in GINT 567, American Local Government, a similar type of computer simulator, International Futures has been used in an honors course of the same name. The use of statistics and statistical packages. This is common in a number of courses such as GINT 365 State Government, GINT 374 Public Policy, GINT 452 the Judicial Process, and GINT 301 The Political Science Discipline The use of Internet/e-mail with course materials put up on the Web, the use of Web based research resources, the use of Web for student-instructor or student-student interaction This is now a common practice in many courses, but especially courses at the 100 level and in GINT 201 (American National Government) As noted almost all courses 200 level and above have research papers which are written through word processors, require statistical analysis or use web based research resources.	As noted, the instruction in such skills appears throughout the GINT course schedule.	There are no requirements, However, the range of courses required for a major in either Political Science or International Studies will ensure that computer skills are taught and employed in GINT courses.
BA History	All undergraduate History majors are expected to have basic computer skills. In meeting the requirements of the major, they will have to make extensive use of computerized research and finding aids, both at the library and on the internet, to complete research assignments. Increasing numbers of our courses regularly make extensive use of the computer, with their own web sites and web related assignments. All of our professors also encourage students to raise questions or comment on lectures and readings via email.	Most students acquire computer skills in the first, introductory classes that they take. At the very least these courses will encourage students to use email, and some of the courses will refer students to internet sites containing historical documents and other materials. As students move to upper-level courses, they write papers, the research for which will involve computer searches not only of library resources but of materials available on the internet. We also require senior thesis of all majors, and again, it would be virtually impossible to adequately research the paper without doing computerized library and internet searches.	It would be impossible to acquire a history major without extensive research and writing exercises, and it would be virtually impossible to complete such exercises without the use of a computer.
BAIS Interdisciplinary Studies	The student must be able to do online research in the area of study he or she has chosen to pursue. Since each student and his or her BAIS committee craft a unique curriculum, the kind of research will depend on the particular emphasis the student has chosen. Some pursuits, such as arts management, require expertise with spreadsheets and other financial software; others, such as Russian studies, require access to online sources generated in the Russian language in Russia itself. A student specializing in publishing museum catalogs would need to be familiar with desktop publishing and graphic design software. Students also must use word-processing skills to complete term papers or projects.	When the individual student's curriculum is drawn up, courses that teach the requisite skills are included in the mandated 36 hours of upper level courses.	Research projects in the courses that require computer skills test these skills. Should it be felt that the curriculum does not adequately test the skills, a final project with specific computing requirements will be assigned as part of an independent study in one of the disciplines that constitute the BAIS upper level curriculum.
BA Italian	There are no requirements for computer skills specifically mentioned in the curriculum of the Italian program. However, most of our 100- and 200-level courses have accompanying interactive CD programs that require students to have computer skills. Additionally, many of the courses mentioned in among the major requirements require a research paper or some other form of report. Among these are: ITAL 311 Writing in Italian The Language Center now offers software training in Italian grammar; in the near future there will be Italian www sites available to students to advance their cultural learning.	Word processing is learned outside the classroom, but these skills come into play at all levels of the Italian curriculum, either to complete supplementary exercises, to review grammar and/or vocabulary, or to write reports for class.	While there are no stated requirements in the USC Undergraduate Bulletin, the range of courses required for a major in Italian will perforce ensure that the necessary computer skills are learned and employed in ITAL courses.
BA Latin American Studies	Word processing to write papers and other assignments. Identify published materials through on-line library catalogs. Identify sources through on-line bibliographies. Identify and assemble Internet research resources.	All these computer skills are required in the capstone Senior Seminar (LASP 496) in which students write a a thesis-length research paper that necessitates the use of all the required computer skills. During this course, students must identify and gather research materials through on-line library catalogues and bibilographies as well as the Internet. To facilitate the use of the Internet, the Program Director maintains a web page that includes information on Latin American-related web sites (http://www.cla.sc.edu/hist/faculty/scardaville/lalinks.html). Seminar assignments and the draft and final versions of the paper are preapred using a word processing program.	Computer competency is evaluated in the papers and assignments submitted by the students in the course of the Senior Seminar. A student cannot pass the Senior Seminar without the acquisition of these computer skills.
BMA Media Arts	Word Processing; Digital still imaging; Digital audio recording, editing, and mixing; Midi and sequencing software; Script writing and formatting using industry specific software; Graphic art and titles, Computer animation; Non-linear video editing; Multimedia development; Utilizing the World Wide Web as a research tool; the Internet as a professional information and networking tool; Website development	Students receive instruction relating to a wide variety of computer hardware and media specific software throughout the Media arts undergraduate curriculum. There is no course that does not require the student to develop at least basic word processing skills. More specifically: Word processing: All courses Digital still imaging: MART 201 (Introduction to Media Development); MART 499 (Internship); MART 633 (Multimedia Production) Digital Audio: MART 341 (Intro. to Audio Recording Techniques); MART 499 (Internship); MART 541 (Advanced Audio Recording Techniques); MART 542 (Fundamentals of Sound Use for Media) Script writing software: MART 321 (Scripting and Planning Media Productions); MART 521 (Advanced Scripting); MART 522 (writing for Corporate media) Graphic Art and Titles: MART 399 (Independent Study) MART 499 (Internship); MART 571 (Video Production I); MART 572 (Video production II) MART 633 (Multimedia Production) Computer Animation: MART 499 (Internship); MART 572 (Video Production II); MART 657 (Animation); MART 633 (Multimedia Production); MART 399 (Independent Study) Non-linear editing: MART 499 (Internship) MART 657 (Animation); MART 633 (Multimedia Production) Internet Research: MART 495 (Research Seminar); MART 551 (16mm Film Production); MART 552 (16mm Film Post production) Website Development: MART 399 (Independent study); MART 499 (Internship)	Media arts students develop and use computer skills as they work with word, audio, still and moving images in their Media Arts course work. Therefore, evaluation of these skills is done both through written examination and project evaluation. When Media arts majors complete their required internship, the supervisor�s written report provides another key piece of information in the evaluation process.
BA Philosophy	Undergraduate Philosophy majors are expected to have several computer skills. All students who graduate will have word processing skills, the ability to use computers for literature searches (both in the library and on the Internet) and the ability to use the computer for logic. Most students who graduate will have e-mail skills. Those students who pursue certain technical aspects of philosophy will have skills with statistical modeling programs and logic modeling programs	All Philosophy majors must take PHIL 110 Introduction to Logic I. This course is taught with the aid of a computer. Most of the homework is done on the computer and some of the instruction is done interactively with the computer. Experience in this course will provide all students with basic computing skills (file handling, network usage, etc.) In addition, students in this course will gain experience with the use of computers for modeling logic problems and the relationship between logical spaces as modeled on the computer and propositional assertions. All upper level Philosophy courses require library/internet research an writing. Consequently, all Philosophy majors graduate with extensive experience using computers as search engines to find material on topics germane to their research. Both library and Internet searches are involved. Faculty teaching these courses spend some of their teaching time devoted to instructing students as necessary on how to use the computer for this purpose. While the department does not require philosophy papers to be written on a word processor, virtually all papers are at this point. Consequently, it is clear that all Philosophy majors graduate with extensive experience using the computer for word processing.	The skills discussed above are fully integrated into course instruction. A student who could not use a computer could not pass the PHIL 110 course. Similarly, a student who did not have the ability to use computers as search engines would not be able to pass upper-level Philosophy courses. Finally, as a matter of fact, virtually all Philosophy graduates are well able to use the computer for word processing, there is too much writing required to easily aboid this.
BA/BS Psychology	Use of database of research publications, specifically PsychLit Competence in use of statistical software for analysis of data and inferential statistics Basic data entry into spreadsheet format Basic use of computerized psychological experiment generation software	Multiple classes, required in PSYC 228 PSYC 228 PSYC 228 PSYC 228	Students must conduct a literature search in PsychLit for a term paper. As part of PSYC 228, students are required to conduct an experiment, enter the data, analyze the data with the SYSTAT statistical software program, and prepare a report in scientific style.
BA Religious Studies	Research using electronis resources, including online library catalogues and indexes and internet searches for religion-specific web sites, bibiliographies, electronic journals and other resources.	Skills are taught in RELG 110, which is required of all majors.	Specific assignments are given by all RELG 110 instructors to assess whether students have met the requirement.
BA/BS Sociology	Skills learned in Elementary stat typically include use of statistical packages for PC (SYSTAT, SPSS); use of Internet data resources (Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics); Basic login, logout, printing	SOCY 220 is required. Most instructors require the skills listed.	Tests and homework assignments � tests: output from stat packages turned in on diskette; homework: usually printout turned in.
BA Spanish	There are no requirements for computer skills specifically mentioned in the curriculum of either the Spanish program. However, most of our 100- and 200-level courses have accompanying interactive CD programs that require students to have computer skills. Additionally, many of the courses mentioned in among the major requirements require a research paper or some other form of report. Among these are: SPAN 300 Cultural Topics for Conversation SPAN 305 Working with Hispanic Clients SPAN 312 Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literary Texts SPAN 510 Introduction to Graduate Research in Hispanic Languages and Literature Furthermore, all Spanish students are encouraged to use Spanish grammar and vocabulary review software available in the Ted Mimms Language Learning Center. All these are computer-based.	Word processing is learned outside the classroom, but these skills come into play at all levels of the Spanish curriculum, either to complete supplementary exercises, to review grammar and/or vocabulary, or to write reports for class.	While there are no stated requirements in the USC Undergraduate Bulletin, the range of courses required for a major in Spanish will perforce ensure that the necessary computer skills are learned and employed in SPAN courses.
BA Theatre BA Speech	All undergraduates are required to master word processing, engage in effective research using electronic resources including online library catalogues, indexes, and bibliographies.	Undergraduates with an emphasis in Speech develop these skills in THSP 140, Public Communication and in THSP 260, Argumentation and Debate, both required for all majors in Speech. Undergraduates with an emphasis in Theatre develop these skills in THSP 561 and THSP 562, Theatre History I and II, required for all majors in Theatre.	Speech: All THSP courses in speech have some sort of research component, the successful completion of which would not be possible without the requisite skills. THSP 140 requires Internet use. THSP 260, Argumentation and Debate requires written assignments be produced on computer printers. Theatre: All papers in THSP 561 and THSP 562 (Theatre History II) must be produced on computer printers. A major component of all research papers are complete bbibliographies which include all resources listed above.

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