Students as Consumers
Perry A. Zirkel · Phi Delta Kappan · 1994
PETER Broome and Marina Andre both wanted to take a beginners' computer programming course that did not have any prerequisites, such as advanced math or science coursework. In their search for such a course, they obtained the 1993-94 catalogue for the School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University, which has a campus in White Plains, New York. The catalogue encourages students without a background in computer programming to take courses leading to Pace's graduate certificate in programming. One course listed as leading to the certificate was described as follows: CS 502 -- Fundamental Pascal Programming -- Concentrated orientation course for students interested in pursuing graduate work in computer science. Basic computer technology is presented in conjunction with topics in elementary architecture and operating systems. The Pascal programming language is used to provide the concepts of problem analysis and program design. Programming topics include control structures, I/O, arrays, records, functions, and procedures. In addition, the printed brochure for Pace's fall 1993 schedule specified that there were no prerequisites for CS 502. After reviewing this material, Peter and Marina met with Narayan Murthy, chair of the Department of Computer Science at Pace. His responsibilities included interviewing and advising incoming students to make sure that they were suitable for the department's courses. At the meeting, both Peter and Marina made clear that they did not have even a moderately strong math background and expressed concern that CS 502 might require advanced math skills. Murthy assured them that rudimentary high school math would suffice to complete the course without difficulty. Based on the published course information and Murthy's advice, Peter and Marina decided to apply for admission to the certificate program and to take CS 502 in the fall of 1993. The cost of this four-credit course was $1,645, which included tuition of $1,600 in addition to an institutional fee. After being admitted, they opted to pay for the course via Pace's installment plan, which allows students to pay the fees (including $10 for the installment plan) and one-half of the tuition before the semester starts. The balance is due prior to the end of the semester. Each paid Pace $855 in early September 1993. At the first class meeting on September 22, Professor Carroll Zahn assigned a rudimentary sorting problem for homework and explained that he had not decided on the textbook. At the second class, a week later, Professor Zahn identified the course textbook as Doug Cooper's Condensed Pascal, a revised edition of Cooper's Oh! Pascal! containing more math and science than the original work. He assigned problem 1-6 on page 26 as homework. Confirming the title, the preface of the text made clear that it was not for beginners: While Condensed Pascal maintains the virtues . . . of Oh! Pascal!, it has shed its predecessor's leisurely pace and studiously technophobic discussion. The examples are now intentionally from math and science. The homework problem, drawn from math and science, was incomprehensible to Marina, Peter, and the other members of the class who were not computer science majors, scientists, or engineers. The following week at the third class meeting, Marina and Peter told Zahn that the math required to solve problem 1-6 was over their heads. Zahn acknowledged that the problem was, indeed, difficult and instructed them to keep working on it as their next homework assignment. After the class, they called Murthy's office and told the secretary about their difficulties with the course. They asked her to arrange an appointment with him. Despite the stated urgency of their request, he would not meet with them until October 25. Meanwhile, they attended the fourth and fifth classes, which were held on October 13 and 20. At both classes, responding to the concerns of all the students, Professor Zahn tried without success to solve problem 1-6. …