Syllabus

This course deals with the impact of computers on us as individuals and on our society. Rapid changes in computing technology and in our use of that technology have changed the way we work, play, and interact with other people. These changes have created a flood of new social and legal issues that demand critical examination. For example, technologies such as Gmail, Facebook, MySpace, along with music sharing sites and wikis create new social, ethical, and legal issues. This course is offered as both CSE 312 and ISE 312.

Here are a few examples of the issues we will be talking about:

• There is a great deal of information about all of us recorded in computer databases.
• What rules should govern how this information is used?
• We all get privacy notices in fine print from our banks, credit card companies, etc.
• What do they really mean?
• Hacking, identity theft and credit card fraud has increased in recent years.
• What are responses to these types of fraud and what precautions can we take to prevent this from happening?
• New encryption methods make it possible to keep e-mail and phone conversations secret from others.
• How should our desire for privacy be balanced with the need of law-enforcement agencies to intercept communications of suspected criminals or terrorists?
• How serious are the problems created by Web sites that contain pornography, "hate" material directed at various groups, bomb-making information, etc?
• Should there be any restrictions on material that is put on the Web?
• Computers are increasingly used to control medical devices, airplanes and other safety-critical systems.
• How safe are such systems?
• How safe is "safe enough"?
• What can we do to manage the risks involved?
• It is easy to use computers to copy music, software, books, etc., in violation of copyright law.
• What is the extent of this problem?
• How do ethical principles impact behavior in terms of access to material under copyright protection?
• What can or should be done about it?
• What is free software?
• Should all software be free?
There are (at least) two sides to almost all of the questions we will consider in this course. We will spend much of our class time discussing the issues and exploring different points of view.

• Sara Baase, A Gift of Fire: social, legal, and ethical issues for computing and the Internet, 5th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall

Prerequisites

U3 or U4 standing, one D.E.C. E or SNW course.

Course Outcome

The following are the official course goals agreed upon by the faculty for this course:
• An understanding of how computing and information systems give rise to social issues and ethical dilemmas.
• An ability to discuss the benefits offered by computing technology in many different areas and the risks and problems associated with these technologies.
• An understanding of some social, legal, philosophical, political, constitutional, and economical issues related to computers and the historical background of these issues.
• To recognize the need for continuing professional development.

Course Topics

Book Chapters

Important Dates

• Midterm: Monday, March 19, 11:00 AM - 11:53 AM, in class
• Spring break: March 12 - March 18
• Final: Thursday, May 10, 11:15 AM - 1:45 PM, MELVILLE LBR W4550 WESTCAMPUS

Grading Schema

• Homeworks: 40% (4 homeworks each 10%)
• Quizzes: 10% (2 quizzes each 5%)
• Class Participation: 5% (classwork)
• Research Paper on the "Impact of Technology on Ethics": 12%
• Research Paper on the "Ethical Considerations in Campus Life": 8%
• Midterm exam: 10%
• Final exam: 15%

Final grades are NOT curved. The final letter grade conversion table is below. All grades will be posted on Blackboard.

Final Weighted Grade	Corresponding Letter
94-100	A
91-93	A-
88-90	B+
84-87	B
81-83	B-
78-80	C+
74-77	C
71-73	C-
65-70	D+
60-64	D
0-59	F

The exams will be closed book, however most of the questions will be selected from among the review material in the textbook. Do not miss the exam. Make-up exams will be given only in extenuating circumstances (e.g., doctor's note stating that you were ill and unfit to take the exam). Students who miss an exam for a valid reason may need to take a make-up exam; specific arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Research Paper Guideline

Ethical Considerations in Campus Life:

The daily lives of college students abound with challenges and ethical dilemmas. From coursework to social life students are confronted with confusing choices on how to act or react. Students face financial and time pressures, and tragically substance abuse (and even suicide rates) continue to climb. The impact of suboptimal choices can be profound and enduring for young adults.

You should review the array of challenges facing you and your peers, and select a topic to explore in depth. It could be coping with stress, or loneliness, or the temptation to lie, cheat, or plagiarize. Or it could be some aspect of the social scene, such as partying or dating. Perhaps it has to do with political activism, intellectual freedom, or workplace issues. Maybe the issue is related to discrimination, fairness, or equity.

You should research the data available regarding your topic of choice. What is the affected population, and what is its size? What are the trends? How does the issue impact that population? What remedies have been tried, and what is their level of success? What ethical frameworks/arguments are involved?

Your report should be 1000 words (approx. 2 pages), not including figures or citations. You may use whatever citation format you prefer. You should have 2 - 4 high-quality citation. The prose format is single space, 12 point text, Times New Roman font, 3/4 inch margins. You will submit the report through Blackboard's SafeAssign. As a standard we use MS Word (not .pdf, .rtf, or .txt files). Sections and subsections are up to you. A strong report has an introduction or overview, a background for context, the body of the paper in which you expand on the concepts you introduced, and a conclusion that ties it all together.

The Impact of Technology on Ethics:

A key theme throughout our text, "The Gift of Fire", is how advances in technology have reframed many ethical issues. Many of these issues have deep historical roots, and technology has accelerated their impact. Technology has also introduced novel ethical dilemmas that challenge traditional ethical philosophies. For example, the potential for fully autonomous vehicles and the AI behind them has shed new light on the traditional Trolley Problem.

On the Lecture Notes page you will find some current stories that present ethical dilemmas related to information technology. An ethical dilemma is not a simple choice between right or wrong. An ethical dilemma often involves trade-offs between two (or more) values we hold, such as telling the truth or protecting a friend; or it involves a choice between two (or more) unpleasant options (the lesser of evils). The author of our text, Sara Baase, has also provided a list of possible topics to explore for a final report at: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/giftfire/papertopics.html.

Choose a topic to write about, with the article as a starting point for your research. The links are provided to give you an overview of the case, but it's expected that you will do additional research on your own. You should trace the historical roots of the underlying ethical questions, and define what values and issues are at stake, and how they might be viewed from different perspectives. You can use the Deontological/Utilitarian framework, the Rights Vs. Obligations framework. Pay attention to the arguments made in support of a position or policy. Do you recognize any of the common "bad arguments" discussed in class?

Your paper should also demonstrate how technology has reframed the topic. Has technology accelerated unethical behavior, or served to curtail it, and how? Has it introduced new features previously unanticipated? Has technology recast the ethical dilemma in some way? How does the new dilemma affect society, the economy, and individuals? You may then "take a side", endorsing a particular assessment, or proposing a resolution of your own.

Your essay should be 1000-1500 words ( approx. 2-3 pages), not including figures or citations. Do not cite dictionaries or encyclopedias. You may use whatever citation format you prefer. You should have 3 - 6 high-quality citations. The prose format is single space, 12 point text, Times New Roman font, 3/4 inch margins. You will submit the essay through Blackboard's SafeAssign. As a standard we use MS Word (not .pdf, .rtf, or .txt files), and your essay should be attached to your Blackboard submission form (as .doc or .docx files), not copied into the text submission field. The paper should have a title, but sections and subsections are up to you. A strong paper has an introduction or overview which contains the thesis, a background for context, the body of the paper in which you build a case for your thesis, and a conclusion that ties it all together.

Of course, spelling and grammar count. You should have a colleague proofread your paper for obvious mistakes. I hope you enjoy the research and writing of the paper - it will help the quality of the paper a lot if you do.

Disability Support Services (DSS) Statement:

If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations, if any, are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information go to the following website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/fire/disabilities

Academic Integrity Statement:

Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Faculty are required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. Faculty in the Health Sciences Center (School of Health Technology & Management, Nursing, Social Welfare, Dental Medicine) and School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/academic_integrity/index.html

Critical Incident Management Statement:

Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn. Faculty in the HSC Schools and the School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures.