Social and Ethical Aspects of Computing

Course Description

Introduction to the social, legal, and ethical issues of computing. As a lecture and discussion course, a broad range of topics will be covered including how computer use affects social and work relationships, and the uses of computers in society. These will reviewed in the context of risks, privacy and intrusion, computer crime, intellectual property, and professional decision making. Students will analyze scenarios that allow them to view ethical decision-making as a crucial part of understanding the world of computing.

Course Objectives

  1. Identify ethical issues in specific situations.
  2. Identify and interpret the social context of a particular implementation.
  3. Identify and evaluate possible courses of action.
  4. Identify assumptions and values embedded in a particular system.
  5. Evaluate, by use of empirical data, a particular implementation of a technology.
  6. Conduct an ethical and social analysis of a situation.
  7. Evaluate the intellectual property issues arising in situations.
  8. Evaluate the legal foundations involved in situations.

Course Information

Course Outline http://www2.umassd.edu/CISW3/CoursePages/pages/CIS381/course-details/outline.html

Course Principles http://www2.umassd.edu/CISW3/CoursePages/pages/CIS381/course-details/crseinfo.html

Instructor Richard Upchurch
Office Dion 302A
Telephone Ext. 8295
Email Address rupchurch@umassd.edu
Office Hours MWF 10-11am, W 12-1pm
Course Information
Schedule:
Lecture		 M, W, F: 11am - 11:50amRoom: Dion 311
PrerequisitesJunior Standing
Textbook:Quinn, Michael J. (2006) Ethics for the Information Age. 2nd Ed. Addision Wesley.

Grading

ItemWeightFrequencyTotal
Midterm 1001100
Final Exam2001200
Activities 2010200
Homework 405200
Possible Points 700
Midterm

The midterm is a fifty question multiple choice exam.

Final Exam

The final exam is a 100 question multiple choice exam.

Activities

Approximately every week there will be a homework assignment requiring you to prepare, sometimes as part of a group and sometimes individually, a short narrative.

Class Participation

Participating in class discussions is critical to the goals of this course. Specifically, you should read the material requested and be prepared to respond to questions and present your views of the issues under discussion.

GradePoint Range
A679-700
A-630-678
B+608-629
B584-607
B-560-583
C+538-559
C514-537
C-490-513
D+468-489
D445-467
D-420-444
FBELOW 420

Examination Schedule

Mid Term: Mar. 23.

Final Exam: Comprehensive
Friday, May 14, 8-11 am

To UMass Dartmouth

Comments should be sent to Richard Upchurch

This document
Created: January 23, 2009
by RLU