| Month |
Date |
Day |
Topic/Assignment |
| September |
7 |
Thursday |
Welcome. Overview of course
Tantalizing Topics |
| |
12 |
Tuesday |
Tantalizing Topics
Read :
- Johnson, Chap. 1. Introduction: Why Computer Ethics?
- Johnson & Nissenbaum, Chap. 1
Write a short paper (2-3 pages, double spaced) on an issue in
computer ethics that is intriguing to you. Explain why it is intriguing.
Resources:
Ethics Updates on:
|
| |
14 |
Thursday |
Ethical Theories: Overview
Read:
- Johnson, Chap. 2. Philosophical Ethics.
[Mass of the Holy Spirit—altered starting time?] |
| |
19 |
Tuesday |
Ethical Theories (continued); Professional Ethics
Read:
- Johnson, Chap. 3. Professional Ethics.
|
| |
21 |
Thursday |
On-line Ethics
Read:
|
| |
26 |
Tuesday |
On-line Ethics
Read:
-
Johnson & Nissenbaum, Chap. 2
|
| |
28 |
Thursday |
Privacy
Read:
|
| October |
3 |
Tuesday |
Privacy & Surveillance
Read:
- Johnson & Nissenbaum, Chap. 4
- Class project on surveillance
Listen:
|
|
| |
5 |
Thursday |
Wikipedia, MySpace, YouTube, Google Scholar
Read:
|
| |
10 |
Tuesday |
Search Engine Ethics
Read:
|
| |
12 |
Thursday |
Catching up; review |
| |
17 |
Tuesday |
First Exam
Possible essay questions. We will choose on the the following two questions:
- What difference, if any, exists between computer ethics and other modes of ethical inquiry? Has everything been seen before? Are computer ethical dilemmas "new species of old issues," as Johnson suggests, or is there something fundamentally different about computer ethics? In developing your answer, show a critical awareness of the course readings and discussions.
- Privacy has become a major issue in modern society. (a) Briefly survey the various ways in which the rise of computing has transformed the issue of privacy. Be sure to include the various ways in which information about us can be gathered. (b) What ethical challenges does this raise for us as a society? (c) What is your position on those ethical challenges? In developing your answer, show a critical awareness of the course readings and discussions.
|
|
| |
19 |
Thursday |
Risk and Reliability
Read
- Johnson & Nissenbaum, Chap. 5
[Fall holiday: Friday, Oct. 20] |
| |
24 |
Tuesday |
Risk and Reliability: Computerized Voting?
Read::
|
| |
26 |
Thursday |
Property Rights
Read:
[Mid-term grades due Oct. 30] |
| |
31 |
Tuesday |
Property Rights
Read:
|
| November |
2 |
Thursday |
Social Implications and Values
Read:
[Nov. 3: Deadline for Pass/Fail] |
| |
7 |
Tuesday |
Social Implications, Values and the Future
Read:
|
| |
9 |
Thursday |
Accountability
Read:
- Johnson, Chap. 7
- Johnson & Nissenbaum, Chap. 6
[LMH at APPE Board Meeting] |
| |
14 |
Tuesday |
Topic: Robot Ethics PowerPoint
Meet in Serra Hall 210
Read:
[Deadline to withdraw: Nov. 15]
[Deadline to remove Incompletes: Nov. 15] |
| |
16 |
Thursday |
Topic: Robot Ethics
Read:
|
| |
21 |
Tuesday |
Second Exam
For short answers:
- Johnson, Chap. 6 & 7
- J & N, pp. 438 ff.
- Smith, 456 ff.
- Nissenbsaum, 526
- Samuelson, 539
- Bill Joy,
- Robotethics article
Possible long answer questions:
- We have seen numerous ways in which the expansion of computer/IT is transforming our world. Showing a critical awareness of the course readings and presentations and discussions, write an essay in which you discuss the ethical challenges emerging from such a transformation and offer your own reflections about the ways in which these challenges are best met.
- The dramatic growth of computing power has raised new questions about risk, reliability, and accountability in a world increasingly permeated by computing. Showing a critical awareness of the course readings and presentations and discussions, write an essay in which you outline some of the main challenges to our traditional understanding of these concepts and offer your own resolution of those challenges.
|
| |
23 |
Thursday |
Thanksgiving Vacation |
| |
28 |
Tuesday |
Student Presentations |
| |
30 |
Thursday |
Student Presentations |
| December |
5 |
Tuesday |
Student Presentations |
| |
7 |
Thursday |
Student Presentations |
| |
12 |
Tuesday |
Student Presentations |
| |
14 |
Thursday |
Concluding comments; evaluations |
| |
19 |
Tuesday |
|
| |
21 |
Thursday |
Return of final papers; course discussion |
Johnson - Chapter list
1. Introduction: Why Computer Ethics?
2. Philosophical Ethics.
3. Professional Ethics.
4. Ethics and the Internet I: Ethics Online.
5. Privacy.
6. Property Rights in Computer Software.
7. Accountability and Computer and Information Technology.
8. Ethics and the Internet II: Social Implications and Social Values |