CMSC 304: Social and Ethical Issues in Information Technology
Fall 2015

Important Web Pages

Class Schedule Page
Class Piazza Page

Visit these regularly! The schedule page lists assignments and topics covered in class. The Piazza discussion forum is how we will turn in reading journals and have some class discussions; Blackboard will also be used to turn in some assignments.

Instructor

Holly Buck
holly.buck@umbc.edu
ITE 201A
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 7:00pm - 8:00pm, or by appointment.

Teaching Assistants: Aaiz Ahmed

Schedule

Course meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:45 pm in ENGR 231.
The course schedule is subject to change.

Catalog Description

Catalog Description: This is 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.

Learning Objectives

Through contextual ethical analyses of contemporary situations & lively class discussions, by the end of the course, students will be able to:
  1. Appreciate that many IT issues have social, legal, and ethical consequences that are not immediately obvious and add to the complexity of the issue.
  2. Analyze cases and issues using ethical principles, professional standards, legal standards, economic consequences, and social causes and effects.
  3. Take an issue or problem of ethical, social, and/or legal relevance to the computing profession, analyze the relevant information, formulate a conclusion, defend this conclusion clearly in a written document or oral presentation, and understand and explain opposing perspectives.
  4. Understand key legal concepts related to computing and its use, including patent protection, digital copyright, cybersecurity, and software licensing.
  5. 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.
  6. Understand the moral obligations and responsibilities that come with professional IT careers and conduct one’s work in accordance.

Additional Course Information

This section of CMSC 304 will focus primarily on social and ethical issues surrounding computing, its applications, and how information technology shapes and is shaped by society. Topics can span the history of computing; intellectual property and ownership; security and privacy; free speech and censorship; equality and accessibility; gender, race, and class in IT development; software design; workforce issues including automation and working conditions; entrepreneurship, startup culture, and maker culture; and artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

Prerequisites

CMSC 202 and permission of the course instructor. Preference will be given to CS majors and minors.

Wait lists and permission to register: Please see the department policy.

Required Textbook

Sara Baase, A Gift of Fire (4/e), Prentice Hall, 2008 (ISBN: 0132492679).

This will be complemented by academic articles, journalistic analysis, videos, and other types of media. Check the schedule page for additional assigned readings.

Coursework and Grading

Students are expected to contribute to an online class reading journal in which students reflect on & discuss the assigned readings, class discussions, and course topics.

Class participation in discussions and lectures is expected and will be a significant part of the grade. Your grade in this area will be based on attendance, attentiveness, preparedness, contributions to the in-class discussions, and assigned exercises and activities (some of which may have a written component to be completed after the class). Many of the in-class activities will be conducted in small groups or teams. Team grades will be factored into each student’s overall grade, with an adjustment for students who show exceptional leadership/contribution or who fail to make a sustained contribution to the group activities.

There will be three written analysis papers (both individual and group-based), a midterm, a final research paper, and an oral presentation.

For extra credit, students may write a 2-3 page analysis of ethical or social issues in a work of fiction, or nonfiction book. Recommended titles and more detailed instructions will be available on the course schedule page. Extra credit assignments should be polished and well written. The assignment is worth extra credit equal up to 3% of the overall class grade.

Course grades will be based on the following:

Class participation, attendance, and in-class exercises 30%
Online reading journal 15%
Midterm exam 15%
Ethical analyses 15%
In-class presentation(s) 5%
Final research paper 20%
Extra credit (up to 3%)

Grading Policy

In general, for written assignments, the approximate distribution of how your grade will be allocated is:
  1. 70% for content (well thought out and well reasoned discussion and analysis).
  2. 10% for readability: correct grammar and spelling, readable formatting or handwriting.
  3. 20% for elegance: well expressed thoughts in a well structured essay.
The online reading journal will be conducted on Blackboard.
Assignments will generally be turned in via the Blackboard interface.

Although this is not a writing class, success in any discipline requires the ability to effectively communicate one’s thoughts. If you find writing challenging, whether because English is not your first language, or because you haven’t taken many writing classes in your undergraduate program, please take advantage of UMBC’s writing center, in the main library. This is a free tutoring service that will help you prepare essays and papers for any course. You can book an appointment online or just walk in.

Late Policy

Work is expected to be turned in on time. In general, assignments are due at 9pm on the due date, typically a day or two before the next class. Late work will be assessed a penalty as follows: Most assignments must be submitted online; not having internet access at the time it is due is not an excuse. Email me the assignment if you’re having problems with Blackboard.

Generally, I will grant one one-week extension per student, over the course of the semester, if requested in advance and with a clear explanation (other projects due, work-related travel, outside commitments). Last-minute requests for extensions will generally be denied. Other than the case of an approved extension, the late penalty will apply unless there are extraordinary circumstances – such as an extended illness or death in the family (these cases must be documented and cleared with the instructor). Last-minute requests for extensions will generally be denied, since the purpose of the extensions is to plan ahead for "crunch times."

Other than the case of an approved extension, the late penalty will apply unless there are extraordinary circumstances – such as an extended illness or death in the family (these cases must be documented and cleared with the instructor).

Academic Honesty

Make sure you have read and understood the Class Academic Honesty Policy.