Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering

Course Syllabus Course Information Course Number Course Title Term Days & Times SOCS 3361/ECS 3361 section 0I2 Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering Fall 2011 ONLINE COURSE

Professor Contact Information Professor Dr. Robert Morris Phone (972) 883-6728 Email address morris@utdallas.edu Office Location Green Hall - GR 2.204 Office Hours: By appointment or if my door is open (email me to set appointment). Login Link to course page:
Teaching Assistant/s:

https://elearning.utdallas.edu/webct/logonDisplay.dowebct
Will be announced via email. TA Office: TBA

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions Students must be internet capable and regularly check their UTD eLearning account. Please read the email policy on eLearning prior to sending email messages! USE ONLY eLearning MAIL!! READ EMAIL POLICY ON eLearning BEFORE YOU SUBMIT EMAIL TO ME!!! Course Description
The transition into the information age has led to unparalleled social enhancement. However, with these new tools comes greater social responsibility; an oft overlooked reality. This purpose of this course is to expose students to such concerns with the hope of more informed decisions being made in the field. Topics to be covered will include philosophy of ethics, cybercrime, privacy, intellectual property, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotechnology and genetic engineering, and ethical issues and the environment. Other topics will vary by semester. Special attention will be given to the role of ethics in computer science and engineering and to the use and development of technology in general. While this course will be presented from a social science perspective, students from every academic background will benefit from the material and discussions covered herein.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes Upon the successful completion of this course, students will:
1. have an enhanced level of awareness regarding ethical issues in computer science and engineering. 2. be able to identify and understand the fundamental philosophies of ethics and demonstrate an understanding of ethics regarding applied engineering and computer science. 3. be able to summarize, compare and contrast competing social positions on many different computer science/engineering related topics relying on ethical traditions as a framework.

Required Textbooks and Materials: NONE all readings will be posted on eLearning.
R. Morris Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering - Course Syllabus Page 1

Grading Policy
Grades are composed of: Exams (1 total) Group Discussion Assignments (2 total) Individual Discussion Posts (7 total) 35% 25% 40%

Exams Over the course of the semester, 1 formal objective exams will be given that will constitute 35% of the course grade. The first exam will be in the form of a traditional objective exam with 25 questions covering normative ethics and surrounding topics. The exam is timed, taken online, and is open book/notes. Regardless of the assessment type, you should BE SURE TO DO ALL READING ASSIGNMENTS and take your assignments seriously!!! Much of what is covered in exams may not covered in the readings alone! In short, reading the lecture material (e.g., slides) is a requirement of the course. Since the exam is open book, the difficulty level is high. Group Discussion/Debate Assignments Every student will participate in two assigned team debate/discussions covering a specific topic assigned by the Professor. You will self-select into a discussion group during the first week of class. If you do not select a group, you will be automatically placed in one by the professor. Instructions/guidelines for the successful completion of this assignment will be posted on the eLearning webpage. Within your group, you will split into 2 subgroups. Your subgroup will be assigned to critically argue in favor or against a designated scenario, related to the course readings and you will be required to incorporated academic literature into your arguments. The number of students in each subgroups must be even (I will handle any uneven groups). Failure to complete any discussion project on time will result in a zero credit for the assignment as will a lack of participation by a group member. The group as a whole will provide feedback on fellow team member performance, which will be factored into assignment grades. Grades will be based on individual contribution, as well as for the overall group performance. Participation/Attendance Grade Since this is an online course, no physical attendance is required. However, you are required to actively participate in the online learning environment, eLearning. 40 percent of your final grade will stem from your overall level of participation in the course via an open discussion forum (7 stock topics) where you can discuss course related material in a constructive/critical way. For each reading section, discussion topics will be posted, along with due dates for each topic. Respond to the topic or create a new thread for each post. Late submissions are not accepted for any reason. Use the open discussion forum to present your thoughts and comments on the subject matter/readings/ related current events and etc. Each of your posts will be evaluated on the quality, depth, and continuity (i.e., responses from others, or continued dialog) of your posts to the forum. Posts should be more than simple one liners such as I agree You should actively think about extending the dialog as you post replies or start new threads. Thoughtful substance is what Im looking for here; adding to your comments by citing relevant literature is strongly encouraged. Your initial post to each topic must be a minimum of 250 words (not including references). You can increase your score by thoughtfully responding to others posts and responding back to those who comment on yours. Only the initial post for each topic will be due on the due date, continued dialog will be open throughout the semester, but grades will be based on secondary posts posted though the Sunday following the due date. ALL initial discussion posts should incorporate a normative ethical theory/theories covered in class. Review the individual discussion post grading criteria (rubric) before beginning. Grade Scale 98-100 = A+ 93-97 = A 90-92 = A-

88-89 = B+ 83-87 = B 80-82 = B-

78-79 = C+ 73-77 = C 70-72 = C-

68-69 = D+ 63-67 = D 60-62 = D-

59 and below = F

R. Morris Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering - Course Syllabus

Page 2

NOTE: All reading assignments are posted on the course eLearning page. Assignments & Academic Calendar Summer 2011
*Read corresponding material posted under each noted folder on eLearning!!! Section 1: Weeks 1-3 Read: Why study ethics?; Utilitarianism; Deontology, Review lecture slides Read: Egoism & Virtue Ethics, Why ethics is important for ECS majors; Review lecture slides Due: EXAM 1 (access opens Tues. 9/6/2001 @ 6am). Begin work on group debate 1. Section 2: Weeks 4-6 Read: Digital Piracy; Cybercrime, Malware & Computer Intrusion; Review lecture slides Due: Group Discussion Assignment 1 (initial post due on the above date; rebuttals due the following Sunday by 11:59pm), Individual discussion post 1 is due on 9/13/2011, Individual discussion post 2 is due by the 9/27/2011. Be sure to have read the material prior to submission. Section 3: Weeks 7-10 Read: Ethics and the Environment; Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering; Review lecture slides Due: Discussion post 3 is due on or before 10/11/2011, discussion post 4 is due by 10/18/2011. Section 4: Weeks 11-14 Read The Ethics of Nanotechnology; Artificial Intelligence Due: Discussion post 5 is due on or before 11/1/2011; discussion post 6 on or before 11/15/2011; Begin work for 2nd group debate assignment. Section 5: Weeks 15-16 Read: Privacy Issues and ECS; Review lecture slides; Complete 2nd debate assignment. Due: Group Debate Assignment 2 (initial post due on the above date; rebuttals due the following Sunday by 11:59pm), Discussion post 7 is due on or before 11/29/11, the Extra credit discussion post is due by this date as well!!!

Course & Instructor Policies

Class Attendance N/A This is an online course, however, regular virtual attendance is a requirement. You should expect to be logged on to eLearning regularly. Computer/Email Access Students are expected to have set up their university computer account and understand how to use email and eLearning. YOU MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE TA AND PROFESSOR SOLELY VIA YOUR eLearning Account!!!! (For emergencies, email my UTD account from your UTD account). The class website (eLearning) will provide access to the syllabus, required readings, power point slides, assignments, and grades. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL ME OR THE TA ABOUT INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED ON THE WEBSITE, if you do, you will most likely not receive a response. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure that your UTD mail account is not full and that you check it every day. Messages returned to me will not receive follow ups. Make-up Exams & Late work Make-up exams will only be given for the following reasons a) Severe Illness (proof required a legitimate physicians letter will be required and verified); and b) Religious holy days with sufficient prior notice in accordance with UTD policy; c) death of a family member (proof required). SIMPLY NOT FEELING GOOD IS NOT A VALID EXCUSE! Also, losing your internet connection is not a valid excuse. IF you have a spotty connection, plan on submitting work well before the deadline. Make-up exams will be in essay format and generally much more difficult than normal tests, so it is in your best interest to be in attendance on test days. Late assignments will not be accepted unless there is an emergency as listed above. If you have a legitimate reason in accordance with UTD policy for missing a class, it is your responsibility to turn in any assignments early. Extra Credit See extra discussion topic.

R. Morris Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering - Course Syllabus

Page 3

General Questions about the Course All general questions about the course should be emailed to the TA. ALWAYS copy the TA to emails addressed to me. Classroom Citizenship As noted above, online participation is a component of your grade and everyone is encouraged to engage the professor and fellow students within eLearning as to contribute to discussions. Please ask questions! You are each here to learn and the best way to do that is by engaging in discussion about the topic and sharing ideas. In my experience, classes that actively discuss and debate the issues are much more fruitful and more enjoyable for the students and for the professor. Chances are that someone else has the same question/s as you, so please ask; it can only help your grade! (Asking thoughtful questions related to the topic (and presented in the discussion forum) does constitute class participation). However, I insist on respectfulness in the classroom for all participants. Disrespect to any classroom participant will not be tolerated. Any classroom participant behaving in such a manner will be referred to UTD judicial affairs and may be subject to grad.
Technical Support If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to: assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

IMPORTANT!! Information regarding Religious Holy Days, Grade Appeals, Disability Services, Student Conduct, and etc. Is no longer required to be presented in course syllabi at UT Dallas. Students who wish to review this ancillary material may do so by visiting the following web link: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies. Academic Integrity All students must follow all UTD policies regarding academic integrity (see above link). Any student suspected of ANY form of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, or other forms of cheating) will be referred to UT Dallas Judicial Affairs.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

R. Morris Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering - Course Syllabus

Page 4