Computer ScienceHistory, Significance, Social Influence
ByEdward Hatch
History of Computer Science
Difference engine (1840’s) - Charles Babbage, British mechanical engineer, created the first mechanical to compute mathematical calculations.
Bombe (1939) - Alan Turning, British Mathematician, created the first electromechanical system.
Colossus (1945) – Tommy Flowers, British electrical engineer, created the first digital computer.
Apple 1 (1972) – Steven Wozniak, American electrical engineer, created the first personal computer.
Image courtesy of Science Museum of London Image courtesy of http://www.colossus-computer.com/
Computer Science as a Discourse Community
Common goals - Promotion of technology and further development of the field
Genre - Computer & System Programming, Networking, Engineering, & Research
Communication – Coordination between the creation of programs and hardware
Members – New members of all skill & experience levels are always welcome
Lexis• Java(Programming Language)• BIOS (Basic Input Output System)• File extensions (.mp3, .ppt, . jpg)
Methods
Formal interviews
Informal discussion with friends within the discourse community
Data & Analysis
Major political and economic push for students to major in computer science and related fields in the form of scholarships. Open source community been a catalyst for the next generation of computer science majors.
Students who major in computer science are marketable after graduation with a bachelors degree.
Employment opportunities have resisted fluctuations within the job market over the past decade.
X-FactorThere are more jobs for computer science majors than there are graduates.
Increasing role & need for women in all sectors and fields of computer science including CEO.
Marissa Mayer Yahoo CEO since 2012
Lisa Su AMD CEO since 2014
Conclusion
Computer Science is an ever expanding & open discourse community. The community is always accepting new members regardless of skill level and experience. As technology reaches deeper into our lives the community grows with it.
References
Cleveland, William S. "Learning from Data: Unifying Statistics and Computer Science."
International Statistical Review 73.2 (2005): 217-21. Print.
Denning, Peter J. "The Science of Computing: What Is Computer Science?" American
Scientist 73.1 (1985): 16-19. Print.
Grabarczyk-Turner, Jenn. “Ethnography Interview Questions.” Email interview. 01 Apr
2015
Knuth, Donald E. "Computer Science and Its Relation to Mathematics." The American
Mathematical Monthly 81.4 (1974): 323-43. Print.
Sperry, Rita. " Ethnography Interview Questions." E-mail interview. 31 Mar. 2015
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