Computer science for the artist

ABSTRACT

Computers are faster and cheaper than ever before and at the same time user interface advances make powerful applications more accessible to the non-computer scientist. In a diverse range of industries, it is now essential for non-computer scientists to create, modify and interact with sophisticated computer applications. Although improved interfaces like high-level scripting languages and visual programming environments, have changed the skill set needed to use the computer, a conceptual understanding of computing and computer interfaces is still required. The very advances allowing direct computer use by non-computer scientists have actually increased the need for computer literacy. Thus computer science departments should expand and enhance course offerings to give non-majors the conceptual understanding and skills they need to become sophisticated users/developers in their particular fields. This paper describes a series of courses developed at Ithaca College that are designed to provide multimedia programming skills and concepts to liberal arts majors.

REFERENCES

• 1: Coulouris, George and Harold Thimbleby, HyperProgramming, Addison-Wesley, 1993.
• 2: Danny Goodman, The complete HyperCard 2.2 handbook (4th ed.), Random House Inc., New York, NY, 1993

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.5 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
      Subjects: Arts, fine and performing**

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum; Computer science education

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Performance, Theory