Syllabus • Schedule • Academic Integrity

Instructor

Dr. Cynthia Matuszek
cmat@umbc.edu
Office hours: Wednesday 9-11 via Zoom

TA: Isabella Lopez
ilopez1@umbc.edu
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2-3 PM via Blackboard Collaborate

Please read the University's required syllabus language on accommodations, sexual harassment, and other forms of discrimination.

Course Description

Catalog Description: A survey course that reviews social issues and the ethical impact of information technology throughout the world. The course examines the policy issues that relate to the use of information technology, such as persona, privacy, rights of access, security, transborder information flow and confidentiality.e Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to:
  1. Define ethical reasoning as it relates to computer science, and apply ethical principles to the profession of computer science.
  2. Understand key legal concepts related to computing and its use, including patent protection, digital copyright, cybersecurity, and software licensing.
  3. Understand the ACM Code of Ethics and the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and how these documents relate to theoretical ethical principles and professional and social responsibilities.
  4. Be able to identify and differentiate between ethical, social, and legal issues, and recognize their importance for CS professionals.
  5. Analyze cases and issues using ethical principles, professional standards, legal standards, economic consequences, and social effects.
  6. Given an issue or problem of ethical, social, legal, and/or economic relevance to the computing profession, analyze the relevant information, formulate an opinion, defend this opinion clearly in a written document or oral presentation, and understand and explain opposing perspectives.
Academic Integrity:

You are absolutely required to make sure you have read and understood the Class Academic Integrity Policy. I take academic integrity extremely seriously.

Harassment, Hostility, and Inclusion

All students are entitled to a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment both inside and outside the classroom. This includes freedom from harassment, violence, prejudice, and exclusionary behavior toward any group. It also includes a welcoming atmosphere and appropriate accommodations for all situations. Class discussions will remain respectful of one another's views, and voices from all groups are equally welcome. This includes respectful responses to points of view we disagree with. Disagreements are welcome and valuable to the discussion; unkind, sarcastic, or dismissive comments are not. We will use one another's preferred pronouns and forms of address, and listen carefully to each other. Any form of sexual harassment or discriminatory behavior is unacceptable.

If you see someone, including the professor or TA, engaging in behavior that doesn't meet these standards, I encourage you to say something, either at the time or in private. I will take you seriously and will never retaliate for criticism. I am always available to discuss problems—in the class, in the program, or in general. (Please read the section on University guidelines, below, on what I must report.) If you have concerns about whether you might violate these guidelines accidentally or whether they protect you and your needs adequately, come talk to me. Again, you will never be retaliated against for these discussions.

If you have concerns about talking to me and/or the TA, please consider reaching out to someone in the department or one of the resources listed at the bottom of the page.

COVID-19 and Health

The current health landscape comes with additional expectations on both you and the instructional staff. There are two key goals: (1) be respectful of one another's health, which includes minimizing possible routes of virus exposure, and (2) communicate with us early and often. Please read the following carefully and, if you have any questions, ask.
  • You should follow the University's policies on masking and reporting COVID and COVID exposure.
  • If you are sick, stay home. if you are sick for two or more lectures, get in touch and we'll work out how to accommodate any changes to the schedule.
  • This class will be held in person. If you need to miss class for health reasons, get in touch and we'll work out how you can keep up with the material.
  • Participation is a critical element of this class, but you will never be penalized for prioritizing your and others' health. Just stay in touch and we'll work out the details.

Communication

I expect all students to participate in classroom discussions, both by asking questions and by expressing opinions. In return, I will make myself available to answer questions, listen to concerns, and talk to any student about topics related to the class (or not). I welcome your feedback throughout the semester about how the course is going. In addition to regular office hours, you can schedule an appointment with me if you think one-on-one time would help.

Blackboard:

We will use the discussion forum on Blackboard extensively, including important or time-critical updates, questions and discussion, class participation, and links. The only thing we'll use Blackboard for is posting grades and turning in assignments. You are responsible for knowing the information that is posted on Blackboard, including class announcements, hints, and discussion of assignments. Be sure to set your email preferences so that the messages will come regularly to an account that you actually read.

Email:

Any course-related email must be sent to the professor and the TA. If you send email just to the professor, it may be answered late (or just lost). We will make a concerted effort to answer e-mail that goes to both professor and TA in 24-48 hours; however, Blackboard posts will get faster responses.

Coursework and Grading

Course grades will be based on the following work. The final weighting may be changed slightly.

  • Class participation, attendance, and in-class exercises: 30%
  • Online reading journal: 10%
  • Midterm exam: 10%
  • Ethical analyses: 20%
  • In-class presentation(s): 10%
  • Final research paper: 20%

Late Work:

I expect good time management, but collisions (such as conference attendance) can always happen. We will address these on a case-by-case basis; the sooner you let us know there's a conflict, the better. Extensions of up to one week may be granted on an individual basis by the instructor in some circumstances, if requested in advance. Repeated requests for extensions, or requests for extensions less than a week ahead, will be denied other than in extraordinary circumstances or per arranged accommodations.

Homeworks will be due by 11:59pm on the due date unless something else has been posted. They are due the day before the relevant lecture on the schedule. Turnin date is determined by Blackboard. This means that if Blackboard says something is late, it is late. You can turn in multiple versions of an assignment; we will grade the last one.

Work turned in after the due date will accrue a 25% late penalty per day unless arrangements have been made in advance with the professor.

Please do not ask us to change or waive the late penalty unless something extraordinary happens.
If Blackboard says something is late, it is late. The late penalty is firm.

Classroom Policies

Students with Accommodations

The office of Student Disability Services (SDS, https://sds.umbc.edu) works to ensure students can access and take advantage of UMBC's educational environment, regardless of any disabilities. I am committed to ensuring that you have access to all materials and arrangements that will allow you to succeed in this and every course. Please don't hesitate to discuss accommodation issues with me.

Please also see the SDS's recommended syllabus statement about accommodations and disability.

Absentee and Makeup Policies

First of all, please note that classroom policy is to stay home when you are sick. This is for everyone's protection. I do not require documentation or a doctor's note in most cases. If you (1) miss more than 2 consecutive classes, or (2) your outage causes you to need a different class schedule (e.g., extensions on a homework or you miss a quiz or exam), talk to me about whether I need any documentation.

Barring illness, attending class regularly is part of your student participation grade, and you are responsible for knowing material or announcements that are covered in lecture. That said, I am aware that occasionally people encounter conflicts, get sick, etc. If you miss class, it's your responsibility to make sure you have the material you need to catch up, which may include coming to office hours or setting up an appointment. We are always available for this, regardless of the reason you fell behind.

If you are missing class regularly, this will affect both your participation grade and your ability to keep up with the material. If there is a reason (medical issues, family situation, transportation, etc.), please talk to me as soon as it starts becoming a problem so we can come up with a plan.

Rescheduling

Some absences will result in missing deadlines, quizzes, or exams. In cases of foreseeable absence, such as a scheduled trip, you must notify me in advance in order to receive extensions or to reschedule. In cases of unforeseeable absence such as a medical emergency or severe illness, contact me as soon as you can, before class if at all possible. While you are never guaranteed receive extensions or chances to reschedule, I will work with you on a case-by-case basis to find the best solution.

Harassment and Inclusion Help

Please read the University's required syllabus language on accommodations, sexual harassment, and other forms of discrimination.

Any student who has experienced sexual harassment or assault, relationship violence, stalking, or discrimination is strongly encouraged to seek support and resources. There are a number of resources available to you. I am available to discuss any concerns. My goal is to listen, support you (personally and institutionally), answer questions, and help you take action or solve problems.

Please be aware that in some cases (sexual assault, domestic violence, relationship violence, stalking, or gender-based harassment), I and other faculty are required to report the existence of a problem to the university so they can inform you of resources available, and ensure your safety and that of other students. You will not be forced to to file a police report, but be aware that the University may take action.

If you need to speak with someone in confidence about an incident, UMBC has the following Confidential Resources available to support you:

  • The Counseling Center: 410-255-2742 (M-F 8:30-5)
  • University Health Services: 410-455-2542 (M-F 8:30-5)
  • For after-hours emergency consultation, call the police at 410-455-5555
Other, non-confidential resources (they must report harassment/violence):
  • The Women's Center (available to students of all genders): 410-455-2714 (M-Th 9:30-6, F 9:30-4)
  • Title IX Coordinator: 410-455-1606 (9-5)

Child Abuse and Neglect: Please note that Maryland law requires that I report all closure or suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Service and/or the police.

Retriever Essentials

Retriever Essentials: Retriever Essentials is a faculty, staff, and student-led partnership that addresses food insecurity in the UMBC community. Free pre-assembled bags of non-perishable food items and personal care products can be anonymously picked up at the Campus Police Station.

Food Bags: To order personalized free bags of food, please complete this form. When your order is filled, you may pick it up from the 24-hour Campus Police Station. Address: UMBC Police Station 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250. Special accommodations for home delivery are available on a case-by-case basis.

Save-A-Swipe: Save-A-Swipe creates a pool of meals swipes that become available to UMBC students who have been identified by trained staff as food insecure. Each swipe constitutes one meal.

Food Zones: There are also several locations throughout campus where you can pick up pre-packaged bags of non-perishable foods. These food zones include: The Campus Police Station, OCA Mocha, The Women’s Center, Counseling Center, Mosiac Center, Off-Campus Student Services, Honors College, Residential Life Office, and the Pride Center

Visit https://retrieveressentials.umbc.edu/ to learn more about Retriever Essentials services. Follow Retriever Essentials on myUMBC, Facebook and Instagram. For further information please email retrieveressentials@umbc.edu.