CS371 Computer Ethics and Technical Communication

Course Description

This course explores moral responsibilities and ethical decision-making by applying ethical theories, professional ethics and codes of conduct, and cyber-related law to cyber-ethical issues, such as privacy, security, and cybercrime. In addition, this course uses human-computer interaction development and other industry standards, such as white papers and user manuals, to reinforce technical writing concepts.

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. Mon, Sep 01

   FYI: Labor Day (offices closed — no classes, registration or fee payment)

2. Fri, Sep 05

   Introduction & Course Mechanics

   • Read Chapter 1

3. Mon, Sep 08

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

   • Assignment 1; Read CA

4. Wed, Sep 10

   Chapter 1 continued; Grammatical Elements

5. Fri, Sep 12

   FYI: Deadline for adding classes, late registration and fee payment; 5 p.m. in person, midnight at UAOnline

6. Fri, Sep 12

   The Classical Argument; The Classical Argument Lab

   • Read Chapter 2

7. Mon, Sep 15

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

   • Assignment 1 Due; Assignment 2; Explore COS website: Resumes + Interviews

8. Wed, Sep 17

   Chapter 2 continued

9. Fri, Sep 19

   FYI: Deadline for student- and faculty-initiated drops (course does not appear on academic record)

10. Fri, Sep 19

    FYI: Deadline for 100 percent refund of tuition and fees

11. Fri, Sep 19

    Creating an Effective Resume for Technical Professions; Resume Lab

    • Read Chapter 3

12. Mon, Sep 22

    Chapter 3 Critical Reasoning Skills for Evaluating Disputes in Cyberethics

    • Assignment 2 Due; Assignment 3

13. Wed, Sep 24

    Group Project Examples; Brainstorming Techniques

14. Fri, Sep 26

    Brainstorming Lab

    • Read Chapter 4

15. Mon, Sep 29

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

    • Assignment 3 Due; Assignment 4; Read IEEE

16. Wed, Oct 01

    Chapter 4 continued

    • Read SEC

17. Fri, Oct 03

    ACM, IEEE-CS, and SECEPP Codes of Ethics Lab

18. Mon, Oct 06

    EXAM 1 Review

    • Assignment 4 Due

19. Wed, Oct 08

    Exam 1

    • Read HCI

20. Fri, Oct 10

    Human Computer Interaction

    • Read Chapter 5

21. Mon, Oct 13

    Chapter 5 Privacy and Cyberspace

    • Read USE; Read CDE

22. Wed, Oct 15

    Usability and Contextual Design

    • Assignment 5

23. Fri, Oct 17

    Contextual Design Lab

    • Read Chapter 6

24. Mon, Oct 20

    Chapter 6 Security in Cyberspace

    • Read VDE

25. Wed, Oct 22

    Hacktivism; Value Sensitive Design

    • Assignment 6

26. Fri, Oct 24

    Value Sensitive Design Lab

    • Read Chapter 7

27. Mon, Oct 27

    Chapter 7 Cybercrime and Cyber-related Crimes

    • Skim TA; Skim SKE

28. Wed, Oct 29

    The Pentagon Papers

    • Assignment 5 Due; Assignment 7

29. Fri, Oct 31

    FYI: Deadline for student- and faculty-initiated withdrawals (W grade appears on academic record)

30. Fri, Oct 31

    Task Analysis and StoryBoarding

    • Read Chapter 8

31. Sat, Nov 01

    FYI: Deadline to apply for admission for spring semester (undergraduate students)

32. Mon, Nov 03

    Chapter 8 Intellectual Property Disputes in Cyberspace

33. Wed, Nov 05

    Copyleft Licenses; White Papers: Types and Uses

    • Assignment 8; Assignment 6 Due

34. Fri, Nov 07

    Prototyping Lab

    • Read Chapter 9

35. Mon, Nov 10

    Software Licensing Issues; User's Manuals

    • Assignment 9

36. Wed, Nov 12

    Chapter 9 Regulating Commerce and Speech in Cyberspace

    • Assignment 7 Due

37. Fri, Nov 14

    Chapter 9 Continued

38. Mon, Nov 17

    Exam 2 Review

39. Wed, Nov 19

    Exam 2

    • Assignment 8 Due

40. Fri, Nov 21

    Group Project PRESENTATION 1: Current Status and Next Steps

    • Read Chapter 10

41. Mon, Nov 24

    Chapter 10 The Digital Divide, Democracy, and Work

42. Wed, Nov 26

    Cyberlaw: An Introduction

    • Assignment 9 Due; Read Chapter 11; Assignment 10

43. Thu, Nov 27

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

44. Fri, Nov 28

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

45. Mon, Dec 01

    Tort Law and the Civil Justice System

46. Wed, Dec 03

    Arbitration Agreements; Cyberlaw: Legislative Initiatives

    • Assignment 10 Due; Assignment 11

47. Fri, Dec 05

    Cyberlaw: Legislative Initiatives (continued)

    • Read Chapter 12

48. Mon, Dec 08

    Cyberlaw: Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks

49. Wed, Dec 10

    Cyberlaw: Trade Secrets, eCommerce, and Contract Law

    • Assignment 11 Due

50. Fri, Dec 12

    Last day of instruction

51. Fri, Dec 12

    FINAL EXAM

52. Wed, Dec 17

    Group Project PRESENTATION 2: 1pm - 3pm

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.