Conceptual Framework

"To Learn, To Teach, To Observe, and To Do."  The student should be a Critical Thinker, Effective Communicator, Proactive Educator, and Moral Practitioner.

• to distinguish between classes and objects
• to develop Java programs with appropriate use of selection, repitition and object-oriented constructs
• to create simple data structures,such as arrays and lists
• to  implement inheritnace, polymorphism and interfaces
• To study some of the basic ideas behind computing -- how data are represented in a computer; how a computer processor is built up from simple circuits; how the processor is controlled through low level languages; and the transition from low level languages to high level languages like Python.
• To be construct and execute graphic javaFX applications time permitting

• We will use online text and course material from Walter Savitch: Java – an Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming, 8th Edition, from the Pearson education website, including the online tool called MyProgrammingLab.  Please use this  Getting Started Flyer to purchase the e-text and access to course materials.    Assignments and Labs will be based on the online eText as well as other material that will be provided.
• The hardcopy isbn for the text is:  9780134462035.  I don't care what version or format of the book you use.
  
• Video links that come with the textbook,  available only on MyProgrammingLab (signin required.  These cover various topics, organized by chapter.
• PPTs that come with the textbook.  We will use these for the first lecture, probably short circuit most of the remaining.  But you may find them useful for your own preparation and/or review. 
• Course materials, assignment submission and grades  will be maintained on Canvas

• The official documentation for Java version used in class is from Oracle :
   https://docs.oracle.com/javase/10/docs/api
• Oracle has much material to help new Java programmers.  Start from this link, useful for looking up specific commandshttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/newtojava/overview/index.html, etc.
  

Course Format:

There is recent evidence that with all the online resources available, a hybrid approach is useful for on-campus courses.  Class time will include lecture, and also  individual help, using flipping:  flip when you get most of your presentations and do much of your homework, so the text/videos are mostly at your convenience, at your speed, and then in class discuss questions you had on the presentations and do much of the harder creative work of synthesizing and using this information, when you have the most direct support from me.  I will probably start with more lecture, and as you get more comfortable with the ebook and videos, flip the class more as we progress through the course.  This is especially the case for the project, where you will want more individual help from me.  

Class time is valuable and in short supply, so there are some tradeoffs in this approach.  You cannot immediately get a question answered by me in the middle of a video or PPT presentation.  That is offset by the fact that you have time to get emailed feedback before you finish viewing.  It would be helpful if you kept a list of questions as you watch the videos.  You may find that some of your questions will be answered as you continue to watch the videos or PPTs, and some you will want to bring to class.  There is a whole week between classes, so please email me with questions (and we can Skype and/or zoom), so that you don't waste the time between classes.

Lab Assignments:  For most labs, you  are required to participate and to show me your work at the end of lab.  This will count for lab credit.

Homework Assignments:  There is programming homework nearly every week.  This is the best way to solidify what we have learned.  Programming is like reading--you learn to read by reading, and so too you learn to program by programming.

Pair Programming:  It has been demonstrated recently that Pair Programming, two people collaborating on one problem with one person coding while the other looks on, whether beginner students or seasoned professionals, allows projects been done better and faster with more confidence, and also that students learn at least as well and have more enjoyment in the process.  We will have the option to do pair programming in this course for in-class work and programing assignments.  (Your exams will NOT be in pairs however!)  Read the page on how to make pair programming work and also the page of administrative guidelines for pair programming (mostly for when it does not work out as planned!). 

We will be programming in Java, which is easy to download to your own computer. Good installation instructions for all platforms.  There are several choices based on program version and operating system. We will be programming mostly in the command line/terminal window.  There are many IDEs (Intergrated Development Environments) available for use with Java, notably Eclipse, which we will not be using.  We may use IntelliJ later in the semester.  Please note that after installing Java, you must add it to the path variable (Windows), or set JAVA_HOME (Mac).    See the installation instructions in the Orientation module.    

Project:

There is a final project,which will be the focus of the last third of the course.  Here are some sample projects (some are templates--bare bones, which clearly need to be enhanced in order to be interesting).    Detailed instructions are requirements for the project will be posted on CourseSites, and we will discuss the project in class.      

• Note that there are 1050 total possible points; however the course is graded on the basis of 1000 points.  Fifty extra points are built-in, to cover "down days", for valid late homework submissions, or to be used for extra credit.
• Late assignments are worth only half credit.  This is true even if you have a valid reason for submitting the homework late.  That's what the extra fifty points are for.  Late assginments must be submitted within one week of the due date for half credit.  After one week, you will receive zero points for any unsubmitted assignments.
• You may only have two late submissions.  After you use up your two late submissions, anything that you submit after the due date is worth a zero (not half credit).
  

The dates below give the sequence and a general idea of the time spent, though we may get ahead or behind this time schedule at different points, depending on the needs of the class.  Every attempt will be made to meet this timeline, and changes will be posted on Sakai.  Links for supporting docuements and files, and submission links for assignments are on Blackboard (or Coursesites).   Links for assignments and exam reviews below may be inaccurate (not updated) or missing until their introduction in class. 

Attendance and Participation

1. Students are required to attend, be prepared for, and actively participate in all classes.
2. Students are required to attend all classes. In the case of absences, a student must communicate with instructor immediately via email.
3. Students absent for over 25% of scheduled classes will have their final grade lowered by one letter grade.
4. Students absent for over 50% of scheduled classes will receive an F (failure) in the course.

Please note that without extenuating circumstances, this policy may not be changed by the instructor. If you have any problems or concerns, please see Dr. Tessler.

Academic Integrity

Hebrew Theological College is committed to providing an academic community and learning environment based on honest inquiry and pursuit of knowledge that fosters commitment and adherence to Judaic tenets. The faculty and administration of Hebrew Theological College have specified the following acts as serious violations of personal honesty and academic ideals that jeopardize the quality of education within a Torah environment:

• Submitting as one's own, material copied from a published source.
• Submitting as one's own, another person's unpublished work or examination material.
• Submitting as one's own, a rewritten or paraphrased version of another person's work.
• Purchasing, acquiring, and using for course credit a pre-written paper.
• Allowing another to write or research a paper for one's own benefit.
• Copying electronic or printed media for one's own use without permission or licensing from appropriate publishers.
• Submitting the same paper for more than one course without explicit permission from the instructor(s).

More information about HTC’s Academic Integrity policy can be found on page 15 of the Student Handbook.

Accommodations 

Any student, who, because of a disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations and share appropriate documentation from the Office of Special Services, provided by HTC’s Disabilities Officer, Dr. Richard Aronoff.

Accommodations will be made, but instructors must be aware of your needs in order to make proper accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to make these needs known in a timely fashion and to provide documentation prior to the beginning of any semester in which accommodations are desired.

Incomplete Policy-- Crisis Management

This is available ONLY to students with extreme and/or extenuating circumstances who

1.  have completed 50% or more of the required course work.
2.  have a grade of "C" or better on completed work.
3.  request the "Incomplete" prior to the week of final examinations of the semester.
4.  complete and submit an "Incomplete Contract" prior to final examinations.
5. The "Incomplete Contract" must be signed by the course instructor and the Dean. Non-compliance by agreed date will result in a permanent grade of FI (Failure/Incomplete).

Students who have not satisfactorily completed 50% of class assignments are not allowed to receive an incomplete grade. Students who do not have a grade of “C” or above average are not allowed an incomplete. Students must request an incomplete prior to the week of finals. The instructor may refuse an incomplete request. It is the student’s responsibility to request an Incomplete Form from the school office, have the form signed by the instructor, Dean, themselves, and return it to the instructor prior to the final. If the student fails to return the completed form to you when grades are due, the student is to receive the grade they would have received if they had not requested an incomplete. Instructors will define the amount of time allowed to complete the missing work, however, the time allowed cannot exceed 12 weeks after the end of the semester in which the incomplete was requested. If the student fails to remove the incomplete within 12 weeks, the grade will be recorded as an “IF,” meaning failure due to an incomplete. An “IF” will be counted as an “F” in the student’s GPA and will be part of the student’s permanent record.

Technology Policy

HTC bans the use of cell phones, computers and other devices for texting,

web-browsing or other non-class related activities during class. This behavior may result in expulsion from the course after a single warning. Electronic devices may not be used during exams, and their use in class is subject to faculty discretion and permission. Only students with documented disabilities who must use such devices may request exemptions as documented.

HTC Academic Resources

Hebrew Theological College is committed to providing all of our students with various resources and support for academic success. Tutorial services through the Writing Clinic, Math Center, and Hebrew Tutoring Center provide assistance in a variety of disciplines. Students should make arrangements to avail themselves of these services. Librarians at the Saul Silber Memorial Library are available to assist students with all their research needs. Students can find information about the library services and resources at http://htclibrary.weebly.com. 

 Mid-Semester Progress Reports

Mid-way through the semester, your instructor will evaluate your progress in this course and share this feedback with the deans. This information will be used for advising purposes. You can view the form at http://tinyurl.com/HTCMSPR.

 HTC Course Evaluations