Instructor: Nikhil Krishnaswamy
Email: nkrishna＠colostate.edu
Description
This course covers fundamental concepts and methods in computational linguistics and natural language processing (NLP). Students will learn how to
- define NLP use cases and commonly-used methods;
- identify useful NLP techniques based on data and task;
- describe the relationship between raw data, annotated data, and NLP tasks;
- design, implement, and evaluate experiments in NLP use cases;
- critically read and discuss NLP literature;
- connect achievements and failures in NLP to issues in data and algorithmic implementation;
- identify ethical and societal issues present in NLP use cases.
Communication Guidelines
Canvas will be the main out-of-class communication platform for this course. Therefore, if you need to contact the instructor or TA, you should do so through the Inbox feature in Canvas. Do not email the instructor or TA directly, unless you do not have access to the course in Canvas. Responses to Inbox messages will be provided only during work hours (M-F, 9:00 am – 5:00pm MT).
Students are expected to be professional in the way they communicate with their fellow participants (i.e., classmates, TAs, instructors). “Appropriate” participation also means a good balance of active, expressive engagement and quiet internal engagement (e.g., respectful listening; demonstrating sensitivity to others by not monopolizing; being open to others’ experiences and analyses). Your class participation grade will be based partially on how well you follow these guidelines. In general, I will be looking for the appropriateness of your overall professionalism and interpersonal skillfulness during the semester. This skill set is important for graduate students and will serve you well no matter where you go.
Teaching scholars (e.g., Neff & Weimer, 1988) have suggested some of the following dimensions of effective class participation:
- Cognitive (logic, knowledge, creativity)
- Expressive (clarity, fluency, conciseness)
- Affective (enthusiasm, attention, and demonstrated interest)
- Preparation (reflecting in advance on material necessary to participate effectively)
- Contribution to the process of learning (relevance, insight, thoughtfulness of participation)
- Reasonable frequency of participation
Grading
| Activity | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Final Project | 210 | 25% |
| Programming Assignments | 600 | 40% |
| Written Assignments | 200 | 20% |
| Class Participation | 50 | 15% |
Calculation of the final class score is the sum of the grade points obtained for each category. The final point score will not be curved. The assignment of letter grades will be made as follows:
| Point Range | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 100+ | A+ |
| 93.33-100 | A |
| 90.00-93.33 | A- |
| 86.67-90.00 | B+ |
| 83.33-86.67 | B |
| 80.00-83.33 | B- |
| 76.67-80.00 | C+ |
| 70.00-76.67 | C |
| 60.00-70.00 | D |
| <60.00 | F |
Universal Design for Learning/Accommodation of Needs
I am committed to the principle of universal learning. This means that our classroom, our virtual spaces, our practices, and our interactions be as inclusive as possible. Mutual respect, civility, and the ability to listen and observe others carefully are crucial to universal learning.
If you are a student who will need accommodations in this class, please contact me to discuss your individual needs. Any accommodation must be discussed in a timely manner. A verifying memo from the Student Disability Center may be required before any accommodation is provided.
The Student Disability Center (SDC) has the authority to verify and confirm the eligibility of students with disabilities for the majority of accommodations. While some accommodations may be provided by other departments, a student is not automatically eligible for those accommodations unless their disability can be verified and the need for the accommodation confirmed, either through SDC or through acceptable means defined by the particular department. Faculty and staff may consult with the SDC staff whenever there is doubt as to the appropriateness of an accommodative request by a student with a disability.
The goal of SDC is to normalize disability as part of the culture of diversity at Colorado State University. The characteristic of having a disability simply provides the basis of the support that is available to students. The goal is to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity to be as successful as they have the capability to be. Support and services are offered to student with functional limitations due to visual, hearing, learning, or mobility disabilities as well as to students who have specific physical or mental health conditions due to epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, AIDS, psychiatric diagnoses, etc. Students who are temporarily disabled are also eligible for support and assistance.
Any student who is enrolled at CSU, and who self-identifies with SDC as having a disability, is eligible for support from SDC. Specific accommodations are determined individually for each student and must be supported by appropriate documentation and/or evaluation of needs consistent with a particular type of disability. SDC reserves the right to ask for any appropriate documentation of disability in order to determine a student’s eligibility for accommodations as well as in support for specific accommodative requests. The accommodative process begins once a student meets with an accommodations specialist in the SDC.
Makeup Policy
There will be no makeup for missed assignments or in-class activities, and students will receive a score of zero. If a student is unable to deliver an assignment due to a documented illness, accommodations will be made by the instructor according to university policy. Students must be proactive in working with the instructor to obtain accomodations.
Late Work Policy
Assignments are to be submitted through Canvas, presented in class, or stored in a repository. Specifics will be included in each assignment. Always check the assignment information for due dates. You lose 10% of the maximum possible grade per day for any late submissions.
Class Attendance
Enrollees in the 001 (in person) section should attend class in-person when possible. A Zoom link will be made accessible to everyone, but I cannot guarantee its performance at all times and it is intended for the use of online students in the 801 section only. In-person students found to be using Zoom to the exclusion of in-person attendance without a documented reason may stuffer a penalty to their class participation score. Similarly, students found to be watching recorded lectures rather than attending class without a documented reason may suffer a participation penalty.
Forum Citizenship
Respect for your classmates is necessary at all times. We work to maintain a supportive environment in the discussion forum. Towards that end, we require that you be courteous to and respectful of your fellow participants (i.e., classmates, instructors, TAs and tutors). In particular:
- Be professional and corteous.
- Do not post any questions about your grade or any grading issues. Such questions are private communication and must be emailed through Canvas.
- Do not post any opinions regarding your graded assignment or any aspect of the course. You will have a chance to submit anonymous reviews at the end of the semester. Email feedback to the instructor regarding the course is acceptable and welcome.
- Be constructive and provide complete answers.
- Provide references and attribute credit for the content you post when needed.
The instructor reserves the right to delete postings that do not promote a conducive learning experience for students in the class.
Professional Conduct, Academic Integrity, and CSU Honor Pledge
All students are expected to conduct themselves professionally. Students are assumed to be familiar with the policies in the student information sheet for the department.
CS students are considered computing professionals. Students should be familiar with the code of conduct for the primary professional society, ACM.
This course will adhere to CSU Academic Integrity Policy as found in the the General Catalog and the Student Conduct Code. At a minimum, violations will result in a grading penalty in this course and a report to the Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services.
Academic integrity lies at the core of our common goal: to create an intellectually honest and rigorous community. Because academic integrity, and the personal and social integrity of which academic integrity is an integral part, is so central to our mission as students, teachers, scholars, and citizens, I will ask that you affirm the CSU Honor Pledge as part of completing your work in this course.
View further information about Academic Integrity.
Generative AI Policy
Generative AI shall not be used to complete assignments or projects, in whole or in part. Doing so will be considered academic misconduct (specifically cheating and/or plagiarism). Note however, that conducting research into generative language or diffusion models as the object of study is not considered misconduct under the above policy provided that the experimental and analysis code and written discussion is not in any part AI generated.
Copyrighted Course Materials
Please do not share material from this course in online, print, or other media. Course material is the property of the instructor who developed the course. Materials authored by third parties and used in the course are also subject to copyright protections. Posting course materials on external sites (commercial or not) violates both copyright law and the CSU Student Conduct Code. Students who share course content without the instructor’s express permission, including with online sites that post materials to sell to other students, could face appropriate disciplinary or legal action.
Counseling Services
We encourage students to make use of the CSU Counseling Services. Just as one takes care of your physical health, you should also take care of your mental health using all tools and means at your disposal. Your student fees provide access to a wide range of mental health support resources at no additional cost. Counseling Services is located on the 3rd floor of the Health & Medical Center.
Title IX/Interpersonal Violence
For the full statement regarding role and responsibilities about reporting harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and the retaliation policy please go to: Title IX – Sexual Assault, Sexual Violence, Sexual Harassment.
If you feel that your rights have been compromised at CSU, several resources are available to assist:
- Student Resolution Center, 200 Lory Student Center, 491-7165
- Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services, 491-5836
A note about interpersonal violence: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, relationship violence and/or stalking, know that you are not alone. As instructors, we are required by law to notify university officials about disclosures related to interpersonal violence. Confidential victim advocates are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide support related to the emotional, physical, physiological and legal aftermath of interpersonal violence. Contact the Victim Assistance Team at: 970-492-4242.
Religious Observances
CSU does not discriminate on the basis of religion. Reasonable accommodation should be made to allow individuals to observe their established religious holidays. Students seeking an exemption from attending class or completing assigned course work for a religious holiday will need to fill out the Religious Accommodation Request Form and turn it in to the Division of Student Affairs, located on the second level of the Administration building.
Once turned in, the Division of Student Affairs will review the request and contact the student accordingly. If approved, the student will receive a memo from the Dean of Students to give to their professor or course instructor.
Students are asked to turn in the request forms as soon as the conflict is noticed. Similarly, unanticipated conflicts requiring a religious observance, such as a death in the family, can also be reviewed.
CSU Principles of Community
Inclusion: We create and nurture inclusive environments and welcome, value and affirm all members of our community, including their various identities, skills, ideas, talents and contributions.
Integrity: We are accountable for our actions and will act ethically and honestly in all our interactions.
Respect: We honor the inherent dignity of all people within an environment where we are committed to freedom of expression, critical discourse, and the advancement of knowledge.
Service: We are responsible, individually and collectively, to give of our time, talents, and resources to promote the well-being of each other and the development of our local, regional, and global communities.
Social Justice: We have the right to be treated and the responsibility to treat others with fairness and equity, the duty to challenge prejudice, and to uphold the laws, policies and procedures that promote justice in all respects.
Other Policies
Please visit Students’ Responsibilities for other policies.
