Course Description

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 ways we work, play, and interact with other people. These changes have created a flood of new social and legal issues that demand critical examination. This course is offered as both CSE 312 and ISE 312.  

Course Objectives

1. An understanding of social, legal, ethical, philosophical, and economic issues related to computers and the historical background of these issues.
2. An ability to discuss the benefits offered by computing technology in many different areas and the social risks and problems associated with these technologies
3. An ability to work as a team to research, analyze and present a major legal, social and/or ethical issue pertinent to modern computing technologies.
4. To recognize the need for continuing professional development.

Course Delivery Mode and Structure

This is a hybrtid online course with synchronous and asynchronous class meetings conducted via the web and Zoom. See the Zoom for Students page (https://it.stonybrook.edu/services/zoom/students) for more information on how to download and use this application. Unless otherwise noted, you will be expected to be online at the appointed class times.

We will also be using Class Question to take attendance. If you already have a Class Question account, skip to step 2. If you are new to it, start at step 1.

1. Go to classquestion.com/students and click "Click here to register". This link will allow you to register for the site.
2. Once you have registered, go to classquestion.com/students and sign in.
3. Click "Add Class" at the bottom. Enter the Class Code for this class - HFGTG - and then click "Add Class".
4. Your class will be added to the dropdown menu at the top. You can now click the "Sign In" button to log into your class!

Course-related questions should be posted to the course email account, itethics@cs.stonybrook.edu, which is monitored daily by the TA's. You should always use your SBU gmail account for coursework and correspondence. Only for urgent personal/private issues should you email me directly (at anthony.scarlatos@stonybrook.edu). Please allow between 24-48 hours for an email reply. All instructor correspondence will be sent to your SBU email account. Plan on checking your SBU email account and Blackboard daily for course-related messages. To log in to Stony Brook Google Mail, go to http://www.stonybrook.edu/mycloud and sign in with your NetID and password.

Office hours will be conducted using Zoom. In order to manage requests for office hours I have instituted the following system. To make an appointment, go to the link below:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/selfsched?sstoken=UUN6TUxtbFNlbU1YfGRlZmF1bHR8YWQ5MDdkMDNhZjlhNjQzY2NjM2RmYjk1ZWJmZmZmMDU

Choose a time slot (10:00 - noon, 15 minutes each), at least 24 hours before you wish to meet with me. The system will send me an email notification and the meeting will be added to your Google Calendar as an event. I will then send you a Zoom meeting link for our appointment. Please note that there are appropriate uses for office hours, and inappropriate ones. Office hours are a good time to get clarification on assignments and seek advice. But grading disputes should be resolved with the grading TA’s through the course email. 

Suggested Text:

"A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues for Computing Technology" 5th ed.
by Sara Baase
Pearson
ISBN: 0134615271

Technical Assistance

If you need technical assistance at any time during the course or to report a problem with Blackboard you can:

• Phone: 631-632-9800 (client support, Wi-Fi, software and hardware)
• Submit a help request ticket: https://it.stonybrook.edu/services/itsm
• If you are on campus, visit the Walk-Up Tech Support Station in the Educational Communications Center (ECC) building.

Advisories

Student Accessibility Support Center: If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact the Student Accessibility Support Center, 128 ECC Building, (631) 632-6748, or at sasc@Stonybrook.edu. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential.

Academic Integrity: 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 is 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: Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn. Until/unless the latest COVID guidance is explicitly amended by SBU, during Fall 2021"disruptive behavior” will include refusal to wear a mask during classes.

Course Evaluation: Each semester Stony Brook University asks students to provide feedback on their courses and instructors through an online course evaluation system. The course evaluation results are used by the individual faculty, department chairs and deans to help the faculty enhance their teaching skills and are used as part of the personnel decision for faculty promotion and tenure. No individually identifiable data are ever reported back to the university or instructor. Students who have completed previous evaluations can view all faculty ratings at: https://classie-evals.stonybrook.edu/

Schedule

Assignments are due 1 week after they are assigned, unless otherwise noted. Please note that this schedule is approximate, and subject to change.