Syllabus
Computer Ethics

Computer Ethics

COSC-3360

Credit Spring 2021
01/19/2021 - 05/16/2021

Course Information

Section 001
Distance Learning
ONL DIL
Ralph Hooper

Office Hours

  • M W
    11 am - 1 pm
    Online
    virtual via Blackboard Collaborate -- email for appt
  • M W
    3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
    Online
    virtual via Blackboard Collaborate -- email for appt

Course Requirements

5 Discussion assignments – average will be 20% of your grade

5 Journal assignments – average will be 20% of your grade

5 Project assignments – average will be 30% of your grade

3 Exams – average will be 30% of your grade

An overall grade will be assigned based on the following scale:

90% - 100% A 89% - 80% B 79% - 70% C 69% - 60% D 0% - 59% F

Readings

Do NOT buy the textbook materials access until you receive detailed instructions from your instructor!

Ethics in Information Technology, Sixth Edition, George Reynolds, Cengage Learning, 2019.

Course Subjects

In this class students will “Examine personal and contemporary organizational ethical issues and challenges in the design, development, and use of computing technologies in a global environment. Special emphasis on philosophical basis for computer ethics, reliability and safety of computer systems, protecting software and other intellectual property, computer crime and legal issues, and professional codes of ethics.”

This course is designed to provide students in the BAS Software Development program with an ethical framework from which they may ascertain the appropriate actions to take as they work in the IT field. It is believed that without the proper perspective and understanding of ethical, legal, and societal issues it can be difficult to know the best decisions to make. This course hopes to help individuals take responsibility for their actions, act with transparency and accountability, and understand the implications of their actions towards individuals, organizations, and society.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate the ability to include ethical considerations in your decision-making

2. Outline the manner in which historical philosophers have addressed ethical issues

3. Explain the ethical issues and options that confront IT workers and IT users

4. Identify the actions that should be taken upon discovery of a security intrusion

5. Summarize the capabilities of surveillance technologies as they impact privacy

6. Analyze key federal laws and their effects on technological freedom of expression

7. Examine the scope of intellectual property issues and the available protection measures

8. Define potential ethical issues software manufactures face when making decisions

9. Elaborate on the manner in which AI and machine learning may introduce bias

10. Discuss ethical issues associated with the use of social networks and social media

11. Survey recent whistle-blowing cases focusing on associated ethical issues

Schedule

Week

Competency

Readings and Multimedia

Activities

Due Date[1]

1

Jan 18 - Jan 24

Orientation
Competency 1

Onboarding
Getting Started with MindTap Video Series

Orientation Assignment

Jan 27

2

Jan 25 - Jan 31

Competency 1

An Overview of Ethics,
A Brief Introduction to Morality

Journal 1
Discussion 1
 

 Feb 7

3

Feb 1 - Feb 7

Competency 1

In the News – Wired: Ethics for IT Workers and IT Users

Project 1

Feb 7

4

Feb 8 - Feb 14

Competency 2

In the News -- ACM Security: Cyberattacks and Cybersecurity

Journal 2
Discussion 2
 

Feb 21

5

Feb 15 - Feb 21

Competency 2

Privacy

Project 2

Feb 21

6

Feb 22 - Feb 28

Review and Exam 1

 

 

Feb 28

7

Mar 1 - Mar 7

Competency 3

Freedom of Expression

Journal 3
Discussion 3

 Mar 14

8

Mar 8 - Mar 14

Competency 3

Intellectual Property

Project 3

Mar 14

9

Mar 22 - Mar 28

Competency 4

Ethical Decisions in Software Development

Journal 4

Apr 11

10

Mar 29 - Apr 4

Competency 4

In the News – MIT: News Technology, and Society

Discussion 4

Apr 11

11

Apr 5 - Apr 11

Competency 4

The Impact of Information Technology on Society

Project 4

Apr 11

12

Apr 12 - Apr 18

Review and Exam 2

 

 

Apr 18

13

Apr 19 - Apr 25

Competency 5

Social Media

Journal 5

May 9

14

Apr 26 - May 2

Competency 5

Ethics of IT Organizations

Discussion 5

May 9

15

May 3 -- May 9

Competency 5

Case Studies

Project 5

May 9

16

May 10 - May 16

Review and Exam 3

 

 

May 16



[1] All assignments are due no later than 11:59 PM on the date specified.