ETHICS IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES

CPSC 385: Ethical and Social Issues in Computing

Instructor: Dr. Joseph M. Kizza

Office: Grote 212
Telephone: 755-4043
Class Meetings: Grote 304 MW 1:00 - 2:15 pm
Office Hours: MWF 10:00 - 12 noon and by appointment

Credit: 3 credits

Course Description:

This course examines the ethical issues arising from advances in computer technology and the responsibility that computer professionals and users have in regards to computer use by focusing on the intrinsic link between ethics and the law, how both try to define the validity of human actions, and on the moral and ethical dilemmas created by computer technology that challenge the traditional ethical and moral concepts.

Prerequisites: CPSC 110 or CPSC 160 and Engl 277 or 278 with grades of C or better.

Objectives:

To familiarize you with the existence of computer abuse, laws pertaining to such abuse and legal gray areas.

To introduce to you the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) codes of ethics.
To provide you with the context to appreciate the value of technology and to understand that technology is not neutral, that it creates ethical and moral muddles that must be dealt with.
To create and nurture an ideal atmosphere for academic dialogue, debate, and question-answer sessions among you intended to deepen your understanding of technology and its effects on society.
To improve your oral and written communication skills.
To affect your behavior by challenging you to examine ethical and moral situations, think through them and identify relevant support systems.

Course Requirements:

1. Regular class attendance.

2. Active class participation in all in-class agora discussions; this means you must spend some quality

time reading and preparing for class meetings and discussions. For each agora discussion,

a paper will be assigned, read and discussed. For each assigned paper, each student must write a

reaction statement that must include:

both a personal and research responses (minimum: one double spaced typed page).
questions from the reading you would like us to discuss as a class, (minimum: 2 questions).

The responses together with the questions must be handed in one class period before the scheduled discussion of the assigned paper! 3. One (mid-term) and a final examination will be given. There will be NO exam make up.

4. Besides class discussions, there will also be concurrent online discussions of current issues relevant to the class.

Nature of Online discussions ( e-discussion):

Each student will be responsible for posting one informative journal or newspaper article dealing with or relevant to the issues being discussed in class. Each posted article should include a one-page commentary by the student to ignite an online discussion by the class. Commentaries must:

include your reactions to the posting - why it attracted your attention; background info the class audience may need to understand the posting, related issues the class audience may want to look into; what we are supposed to learn from it; and at least two questions/discussion topics your classmates can respond to.

( Remember to check my web-page for online sources of information and of course we have a library - you can cut and paste the whole item, - just one item the whole semester, but since we cannot discuss all the items at the end of the semester, we will need to start the discussions in week 2.

be original (i.e., must not be duplications of comments made earlier by other students).

be supported by referenced evidence from other articles, books, journals and knowledgeable persons.

be well written (points will be deducted for comments that have serious spelling or grammatical errors.)

Each student is required to contribute to the e-discussion in response to posted articles at least four times. ( 2.5 % each response/contribution for a total of 10% a semester) Responses should not be less than half a page - it can be an opinion, added info, suggestion, observation or constructive criticism- overall we must profit from it!!!

(PS- 4 times are in response to 4 different postings) but you can make as many contributions are possible!

You must obtain an email account and learn how to use it. If you do not have such an account, you can get one free of charge by contacting Brenda Cummings at 755-4765

Send me a message via e-mail at Joseph-Kizza@utc.edu preferably no later than Friday, August 25. This message should include you e-mail address and full first and last names: e.g.

Joseph Kizza@utc.edu Joseph Kizza I will then add you to our class mailing list (more info on the other side)

You will then receive a "you have been added to the CPSC385 mailing list" message giving you information pertinent to using the list - save this info for future reference

To send a message to everyone in the class, address your email to: . CPSC385@RAVEN.UTC.EDU

- To reply to a message publicly simply choose the "reply" command

- To reply privately, send a private email to the individual

Try to check your e-mall before each class meeting. I will use the list to post whatever you need to know (let's save the trees)

4. . On a number of occasions, video clips will be shown in class at the end of which a discussion will follow. Before each discussion, however, each student will answer five reaction questions about the video clip. Answers to these questions will be graded.

5. Individual extra credit assignments for the purpose of propping up a bad grade will not be given.

6. Notes taking is encouraged.

Grading:

20% agora and video discussions:

10 % agora discussions
10% video discussions

15% Online discussions

- 5% posted commentaries and questions

- 10% online contributions ( 5 minimum - 2% each contribution)

15% Mid-term examination – covering text material and content of class discussions.

30% Two essays:

one well researched and documented position essay on one chosen topic – 15%
one essay resulting from agora discussions on a student’s chosen topic – 15%.

20% Final comprehensive examination – covering text material and content of class discussions.

Grading Scale:

90+ = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; below 60 = F

Required Texts:

(1) Joseph M. Kizza, Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age. Springer 1997.
(2) Joseph M. Kizza, Civilizing the Internet: Concerns and Efforts Towards Regulations. McFarland
Publishers, 1998.
Recommended and Reference Texts:
(1) Joseph M. Kizza, Social and Ethical effects of the Computer Revolution. McFarland Publishers 1997.
(2) Joseph M. Kizza, Computer Ethics, Proceedings, ACM Press, 1996.
(3) (Kevin Bowyer, Ethics and Computing: Living Responsibly in a Computerized World., IEEE Computer Society Press, 1996.
(4) Jacques Berluer and Diane Whitehouse (eds), An Ethical Global Information Society:Culture and Democracy revisited, Chapman & Hill, 1998.
(5) Jacques Berleur and Klaus Brunnstein. Ethics in Computing: Codes spaces for Discussion and the Law. Chapman & Hill, 1997.
(6) Richard G. Espstein. The Case of the Killer Robot. John Wiley, 1997.
(7) Chuck Huff and Thomas Finholt. Social Issues in Computing: Putting Computing in its Place, McGraw-Hill, 1994.
(8) Nancy G. Leveson. Safeware:System Safety and Computers, Addison-Wesley, 1995.
(9) Peter Neumann. Computer related Risks, ACM Press, 1995.
(10) Robert C. Solomon, Morality and the Good Life: An Introduction to Ethics through Classical Cases,Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1992.
(11) Karen A. Forcht, Computer Security Management, Boyd & Fraser Publishing, 1994.
(12) Abraham Edel, Elizabeth Flower and Finbarr W. O'connor, Morality, Philosophy and Practice: Historical and Contemporary Readings and Studies., Randon House, 1989.

Major Discussion Topics:

Moral and Ethical theories (lecture text, readings, discussions)

Professionalism and professional codes of conduct (lecture text, audio, readings, discussions)

Ethics, Technology and Value (audio, readings, discussions)

Anonymity, Security and Privacy (lecture text, audio, readings, discussions)

Intellectual Property Rights (Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, trade secrets, and Rights of Publicity) (lecture text, audio, readings, discussions)

Software Issues (virus, worms, piracy, hacking) (lecture text, audio, readings, discussions)

Workplace Issues ( whistleblowing, home office, privacy, electronic monitoring, outsourcing, downsizing) (lecture text, audio, readings, discussions)

Artificial Intelligence, Virtual reality and Expert Systems (lecture text, audio, readings, discussions)

Cyberspace Issues – The Internet, CDA, Free speech, electronic commerce, pornography, gambling, language and cultural imperialism and the politics of regulation (lecture text, audio, readings, discussions)

Course Outline

Week 1: Morality and Ethical Theories and Writing styles

(Chapter 1: Ethical and Social..)
Lecture and discussion of cases
Reading Paper 1: "Should we be cloning around?: Breakthrough raises exciting -- and scary -- possibilities"
Human cloning:
Should there be limits on the technology of human cloning?

Week 2: Ethics, Technology and Value

(chapter 2 of Ethical and Social …)
Guest Speaker: "Writing in the Sciences"

Week 3: Ethics and the Professions

(Chapter 3 of Ethical and Social …)
Lecture: professionalism, codes of ethics, responsibility and enforcement
Agora discussion: ReadingPaper 1:
Paper one - Position paper assigned

Weeks 4 & 5: Anonymity, Security and Privacy

(Chapter 4 of Ethical and Social …and Chapters 1 and 3 of Civilizing ..)
Lecture and discussion: E-mail privacy and ownership, anonymous re-mailers, whistle-blowing , and spamming
Video: (1) The Net

(2) The Case of the Challenger"

Paper one due ( Position paper)

Weeks 6 & 7: Intellectual Property Rights and Computer Technology

(Chapter 5 of Ethical and Social …and Chapter 3 of Civilizing..)
Lecture: copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and right of publicity
Reading Paper 2: "The Interne't Challenge to Privacy"
Video: "Privacy lost"/"Michigan State University Athletees"

Week 8: Privacy and databases

(Chapter 3&4 of Civilizing …)
Lecture and discussion: The credit bureaus and privacy and databases.
Examination #1

Week 9: Software Issues

(Chapter 7 of Ethical and Social …)
Lecture, class discussion and individual leaderships:
Video: The Hackers

Week 10: Software safety

(Chapter 7 of Ethical and Social …)
Lecture and leadership discussion:
Video: Reliability and Risk
Agora Discussion: Reading Paper 2

Week 11: Computer-Augmented Environments: Workplace Issues

(chapter 6 of Ethical and Social …)
Lecture and class discussion: email privacy, health issues (RSI), outsourcing, electronic monitoring and downsizing.
Video: "Life on the Internet"

Week 12 & 13: New Frontiers: Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Cyberspace

(Chapter 8 of Ethical and Social …)
Lecture and leadership discussion: Freedom of speech, the CDA and you.
Internet filters and blockers.
Video: " HI-TECH HATE",
See also: Hate Groups
Anti-Hate Programs

Week 12: Effects of the CDA

(Chapter 4 & 5 of Civilizing …)
Is there a need for a CDA?
Internet pornography and gambling - how should we control them?

Videos: " HATE GROUPS" and " A Web of Hate"

Reading Paper 3: (to be assigned)

Week 13: Cyberspace and Internet Issues

(Chapter 9 of Ethical and Social … and Chapters 4 & 5 of Civilizing …)
Lecture and discussion: Regulating the Internet, CDA, Free speech, electronic commerce, pornography, gambling, language and cultural imperialism and the politics of regulation.
Paper two due

Week 14: Cyberspace and the Internet – The future

(Chapter 5 & 6 of Civilizing …)
Agora discussions: Reading Paper 3
The future of the Internet
Video: "Freedom or Regulation".
Self regulation – should governments intervene?

Week 15: Review and Discussions of issues in the news

Techniques:

        (1)Lectures – to provide new information and heighten your curiosity.
        (2)Guest lectures – to get new and sometimes contrary views.
        (3)Agora group discussions - to improve your oratory, discussion and presentation skills
        (4) Videotapes – for video impact and thought provoking situations.
        (5) Role-playing and mock trials - for real situation impact.

Other Important dates

September 1: Last day to drop a class without a W and to change from credit to audit
September 4: Labor day Holiday
October 19: Last day to withdraw from a class with a W.
October 20 - 24: Fall Break
November 22: Thanksgiving Break
December 4: Last day of classes.
December 5: Reading Day.
Monday, December 11, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Final Examination.

Americans with Disabilities Act

If you have a disability which may require assistance or accommodations, or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc..., please speak with your professor as soon as possible. Students may also contact the Office of Student Affairs (755-4534) with questions about such services.