CS371 Computer Ethics and Technical Communication

Course Description

Explores the social, legal and ethical issues aggravated, transformed or created by computer technology, with an additional focus on technical communication skills needed in the computer industry.

Course Outcomes

• Ability to create effective end-user documentation
• Ability to contribute effectively to a group presentation
• Understand and apply the ACM code of ethics (or similar) and principles underlying them
• Understands software licensing issues
• Demonstrates ethical decision making
• Ability to write a technical "white paper"
• Ability to give an effective oral presentation
• Ability to create effective end-user documentation

Tentative Schedule

1. Fri, Sep 06

   Introduction & Course Mechanics

   • Read Chapter 1

2. Mon, Sep 09

   Chapter 1 Introduction to Cyberethics: Concepts, Perspectives, and Methodological Frameworks

   • Assignment 1; Read MS3 Ch 10; Read CA

3. Wed, Sep 11

   Chapter 1 continued; Grammatical Elements; UAF Editorial Style Guide;

4. Fri, Sep 13

   The Classical Argument; The Classical Argument Lab

   • Read Chapter 2

5. Mon, Sep 16

   Chapter 2 Ethical Concepts and Ethical Theories: Establishing and Justifying a Moral System

   • Assignment 1 Due; Assignment 2; Read TAP

6. Wed, Sep 18

   Chapter 2 continued

7. Fri, Sep 20

   FYI: Deadline for 100% refund of tuition and fees; Deadline for student- and faculty-initiated drops (course does not appear on academic record)

8. Fri, Sep 20

   Creating an Effective Resume for Technical Professions; Resume Lab

   • Read Chapter 3

9. Mon, Sep 23

   Chapter 3 Critical Reasoning Skills for Evaluating Disputes in Cyberethics

   • Assignment 2 Due; Assignment 3

10. Wed, Sep 25

    Group Project Examples; Brainstorming Techniques

11. Fri, Sep 27

    Brainstorming Lab

    • Read Chapter 4

12. Mon, Sep 30

    Chapter 4 Professional Ethics, Codes of Conduct, and Moral Responsibility

    • Assignment 3 Due; Assignment 4; Read IEEE

13. Wed, Oct 02

    Chapter 4 continued

    • Read SEC; Read ACM

14. Fri, Oct 04

    IEEE-CS; SECEPP; Using the New ACM Code of Ethics in Decision Making

15. Mon, Oct 07

    EXAM 1 Review

    • Assignment 4 Due

16. Wed, Oct 09

    Exam 1

    • Read HCI

17. Fri, Oct 11

    Human Computer Interaction

    • Read Chapter 5

18. Mon, Oct 14

    Chapter 5 Privacy and Cyberspace

    • Read USE; Read CDE

19. Wed, Oct 16

    Usability and Contextual Design

    • Assignment 5

20. Fri, Oct 18

    Contextual Design Lab

    • Read Chapter 6

21. Mon, Oct 21

    Chapter 6 Security in Cyberspace

    • Read VDE

22. Wed, Oct 23

    Hacktivism; Value Sensitive Design

    • Assignment 6

23. Fri, Oct 25

    Value Sensitive Design Lab

    • Read Chapter 7

24. Mon, Oct 28

    Chapter 7 Cybercrime and Cyber-related Crimes

    • Skim TA; Skim SKE

25. Wed, Oct 30

    Task Analysis and Prototyping

    • Assignment 5 Due; Assignment 7

26. Fri, Nov 01

    Task Analysis and Prototyping Lab

    • Read Chapter 8

27. Fri, Nov 01

    FYI: Deadline to apply for admission for spring semester (undergraduate students); Deadline for student- and faculty-initiated withdrawals (W grade appears on academic record)

28. Mon, Nov 04

    White Papers: Types and Uses

    • Assignment 8

29. Wed, Nov 06

    Chapter 8 Intellectual Property Disputes in Cyberspace

    • Assignment 6 Due

30. Fri, Nov 08

    Chapter 8 Continued; Software Licensing Issues

    • Read Chapter 9

31. Mon, Nov 11

    Software Licensing Issues continued; User's Manuals

    • Assignment 9

32. Wed, Nov 13

    Chapter 9 Regulating Commerce and Speech in Cyberspace

    • Assignment 7 Due

33. Fri, Nov 15

    Chapter 9 Continued

34. Mon, Nov 18

    EXAM 2 Review

35. Wed, Nov 20

    Exam 2

    • Assignment 8 Due

36. Fri, Nov 22

    Group Project PRESENTATION 1: Current Status and Next Steps

    • Read Chapter 10

37. Mon, Nov 25

    Chapter 10 The Digital Divide, Democracy, and Work

    • Assignment 9 Due

38. Wed, Nov 27

    Cyberlaw: An Introduction

    • Read Chapter 11; Assignment 10

39. Thu, Nov 28

    FYI: Thanksgiving holiday (no classes, most offices closed)

40. Fri, Nov 29

    FYI: Thanksgiving holiday (no classes, most offices closed)

41. Mon, Dec 02

    Chapter 11 Online Communities, Cyber Identities, and Social Networks

42. Wed, Dec 04

    Cyberlaw: Legislative Initiatives

    • Assignment 10 Due; Assignment 11

43. Fri, Dec 06

    Cyberlaw: Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks

    • Read Chapter 12

44. Mon, Dec 09

    Chapter 12 Ethical Aspects of Emerging and Converging Technologies

45. Wed, Dec 11

    Cyberlaw: Trade Secrets, eCommerce, and Contract Law

    • Assignment 11 Due; Assignment 12

46. Fri, Dec 13

    FINAL EXAM

    • Assignment 12 Due

47. Fri, Dec 13

    FYI: Last day of instruction

48. Wed, Dec 18

    Group Project PRESENTATION 2: 1pm - 3pm

    • Assignment 12 Due (no penalty)

Grading Policies

Grades will be assigned based on the following percentage intervals:

A+

[95%, 100%)

A

[90%, 95%)

A-

[85%, 90%)

B+

[80%, 85%)

B

[75%, 80%)

B-

[70%, 75%)

C+

[65%, 70%)

C

[60%, 65%)

C-

[55%, 60%)

D+

[50%, 55%)

D

[45%, 50%)

D-

[40%, 45%)

F

[0%, 40%)

Assignments

Assignments will reinforce lecture concepts and demonstrate application of critical thinking skills. Unless otherwise specified, all assignments must be done on an individual basis. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Assignments marked with an asterisk (*) will be evaluated based on:

• 20%     Formatting and layout (Does it look like a professional created it?)

• 20%     Spelling and grammar

• 60%     Technical content (is it complete and correct?)

You may discuss homework assignments with others, but everything you turn in must be your own work.  I will drop your lowest graded assignment so that one low score or missing assignment will not affect your final grade.

Examinations

Examinations MUST be taken at the scheduled time. In particular, there will be no early final exams.

Other Texts

We will use excerpts from most of these texts throughout the semester.

Policies

Students are expected to be at every class meeting on time, and are responsible for all class content, whether present or not. If absence from class is necessary, in-class work (other than quizzes) and homework may be made up only if the instructor is notified as soon as possible; in particular, absences due to scheduled events must be arranged ahead of time. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with according to UAF procedures. Students in this class must pay the CS lab fee.

UAF academic policies http://www.uaf.edu/catalog/current/academics

CS Department policies http://www.cs.uaf.edu/departmental-policies/

Disabilities Services:

The UAF Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and ensures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. I will work with the UAF Office of Disability Services (208 WHITAKER BLDG, 474-5655) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.