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Summary of the course
Many positive results have occurred from the application of computer and telecommunications technology. We increased access to information and opened almost nonstop communication to our friends and others. We also benefit from embedded computers that monitor and control the performance of equipment we use and rely on, such as: cars, pacemakers, hospital equipment, etc.
Changes in technology have also had unanticipated negative effects. The information we find, and rely on, may be wrong. The communications we receive may be from people who try to harass, deceive, or scam. The computer programs we depend on may be in error and cause us inconvenience or harm.
Our ability to deal ethically with these changes depends on an awareness of the issues and our ability to critically analyze the facts, assumptions and values involved in complex situations. In this course, ethical frameworks will be studied and applied to case studies and to current events.
Textbooks and printed resources
- Quinn, M. J. (2009) Ethics for the Information Age. NY: Pearson/Addison Wesley. ISBN 0321536851 See: http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/academic/product/0,3110,0321536851,00.html
- Access to public news events posted on the internet. Use news sources which do not require a subscription. The news subject should deal with information technology. You can use www.youtube.com, www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, etc.
Prerequisites
No previous knowledge of computers or philosophy is assumed or necessary.
Grading
Class Participation (quizzes, in-class work) -- 100 points
- Submission and discussion of student-discovered events.
Analysis of Current Events -- 90 points
- There will be 9 reports of current events.
- Current events -- use internet news sources to discover recent events dealing with the ethical/unethical use of information technology.
- Submit the web link and your analysis of the event to COL.
- All web links submitted will be posted and made available to the entire class.
- There is no make-up assignments for missed reports.
- Each report is worth up to 10 points. Reports chosen for class discussion get an additional 2 bonus points
Group Ethical Analysis Presentation -- 100 points
- Two or more students will present an ethical analyses of an information technology issue.
- The class will vote on the best presentation of the day. The winning team will automatically receive 100% of the grade.
Paper -- 100 points
- One ethical analysis paper on a relevant issue explicitly applying the ethical theories discussed during the first two weeks of class.
- The paper must be submitted to COL.
- Late work penalized 2 points per day late.
Individual Ethical Analysis Presentation -- 100 points
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Each student will present an ethical analysis of an information technology issue.
- The class will vote on the best presentation of the day. The winner wil automatically receive a 100% of the grade.
Midterm -- 100 points.
Take Home Final -- 100 points
- Write your own personal code of ethics annotated with justifications that provide a full-fledged rationale for your choice of principles.
Schedule
Week 1 -- Philosophical theories and ethical frameworks
Week 2 -- Communications via the internet
- Quinn: chapter 3, networking
Week 3 -- Intellectual property
- Quinn: chapter 4, intellectual property
Week 4 -- Privacy
- Quinn: chapter 5, privacy
Week 5 -- Computer and network security
- Quinn: chapter 6, computer and network security
- Group Presentations begin
Week 6 -- Computer and software reliability
- Quinn: chapter 7, computer reliability
Week 7 -- Modern society, globalization, digital divide
- Quinn: chapter 8, work and wealth
- Individual presentations begin
Week 8 -- Professional Ethics
- Quinn: Chapter 9, Professional ethics
Week 9
- Student Presentations continue
Week 10
- Student Presentations continue
Finals Week
- At-home final assignment.
Instructor Contact Info/Email Guidelines:
- I will use email to communicate with the class.
- If you need to contact me, please do so using email.
- Please make certain that your preferred email address is correctly listed on Campus Connection immediately. This is the address I shall use.
- Please use your DePaul email address. Free email services-such as hotmail and yahoo-have many issues associated with them. You have a small disk quota and email from you often is blocked by our virus checker.
- If you do not use your DePaul email address, I cannot be held responsible for email problems you may experience.
When emailing, please write the subject of your email as follows:
- LastName, FirstName Course # Sect #: question.
- For example: Smith, John cs208 question
School policies:
Online Instructor Evaluation
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over two weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online at https://mycti.cti.depaul.edu/mycti
Email
Email is the primary means of communication between faculty and
students enrolled in this course outside of class time. Students should
be sure their email listed under "demographic information" at
http://campusconnect.depaul.edu is correct.
Academic Integrity Policy
This course will be subject to the academic integrity policy
passed by faculty. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/
Plagiarism
The university and school policy on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work any assignment which has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials be sure to consult the instructor.
Incomplete
An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in
the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete
request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of the
College of Computing and Digital Media. Any consequences
resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for
such a request.
Resources for Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential. To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted either: - PLuS Program (for LD, AD/HD) at 773-325-4239 in SAC 220
- The Office for Students with Disabilities (for all other disabilities) at 773-325-7290 Student Center 307
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