What questions about the course do you have that are not answered by the web site?

Is there any other readings or activities (outside of class) that I could use as possible tools to help give me a better understanding of the basics of computers and/or computer science?

As mentioned in the syllabus, I'll put some books on reserve in the library. As it is, I hope you'll find the mentor approachable and the class activities engaging. But if you want to learn more, there should be many resources.

Will we be reminded often in class of upcoming assignments or we will it be more on us to check the website regularly?

I generally try to remind you, though everything is already posted (not the specific assignments, but the due dates at least). Sometimes I forget so I welcome inquiries in class.

How do you cite code? And which style of citation do you want us to use?

This is a great question on many levels! First, there is no such thing as a standard format for citations in CS (there's no MLA or APA equivalent). So one has to ask, what's the purpose of citation? Among other reasons are: To give the original author credit, to lend credibility to your work, and allow your reader to find and review the original material. With that in mind, anything that does the first and third things clearly is good enough for me.

Are you a very strict teacher/grader?

Well, that's a tough one. As for grading, the CS majors would probably say yes. Details matter in computing and in the profession of computing, so my grading tends to reflect that. I'm not sure what it means to be a "strict teacher." I don't wield a ruler or anything like that. I like interacting with my students.

Should the reading response address the general topic presented by the collection of CACM readings (in the PDF)? Or, is it OK to just choose a particular point/argument made by one or two authors in the PDF and respond?

The answer is mostly a collective "yes", except that the response does require you to integrate something from at least two articles. There are many valid paths to a satisfactory reading response; the only strict requirements are deadline, length, and clear integration of material from two articles.