Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering

Course Syllabus

Course Information
Course Number SOCS 3361/ECS 3361 section 0IA
Course Title Social Issues & Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering
Term SUMMER 2011
Days & Times ONLINE COURSE

Professor Contact Information

Professor Dr. Robert Morris
Phone (972) 883-6728
Email address morris@utdallas.edu
Office Location Green Hall - GR 2.204
Office Hours: By appointment or if my door is open (email me to set
appointment).

Login Link to course page: https://elearning.utdallas.edu/webct/logonDisplay.dowebct

Teaching Assistant/s: Brie Diamond Diamond@utdallas.edu Office: GR 2.510

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

Students must be internet capable and regularly check their UTD eLearning account. Please read
the email policy on eLearning)prior to sending email messages! USE ONLY eLearning MAIL!!

READ EMAIL POLICY ON eLearning BEFORE YOU SUBMIT EMAIL TO ME!!!

Course Description
The transition into the information age has led to unparalleled social enhancement. However, with these
new tools comes greater social responsibility; an oft overlooked reality. This purpose of this course is to
expose students to such concerns with the hope of more informed decisions being made in the field.
Topics to be covered will include philosophy of ethics, cybercrime, privacy, intellectual property,
artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotechnology and genetic engineering, and ethical issues and the
environment. Other topics will vary by semester. Special attention will be given to the role of ethics in
computer science and engineering and to the use and development of technology in general. While this
course will be presented from a social science perspective, students from every academic background will
benefit from the material and discussions covered herein.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will:
1. have an enhanced level of awareness regarding ethical issues in computer science and
engineering.

2. be able to identify and understand the fundamental philosophies of ethics and demonstrate an
understanding of ethics regarding applied engineering and computer science.

3. be able to summarize, compare and contrast competing social positions on many different
computer science/engineering related topics relying on ethical traditions as a framework.

Required Textbooks and Materials: NONE – all readings will be posted on eLearning.

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Grading Policy
Grades are composed of:
Exams (1 total) 30%
Group Discussion Assignments (2 total) 45%
Forum Participation 25%

Exams
Over the course of the semester, 1 formal objective exams will be given that will constitute 30% of the course grade.
The first exam will be in the form of a traditional objective exam with 50 questions covering normative ethics and
surrounding topics. Regardless of the assessment type, you should BE SURE TO DO ALL READING
ASSIGNMENTS and take your assignments seriously!!! Much of what is covered in exams may not covered in the
readings alone! In short, reading the lecture material (e.g., slides) is a requirement of the course.

Group Discussion/Debate Assignments

Every student will participate in two assigned team debate/discussions covering a specific topic assigned by the
Professor. Your group assignments will be made during the first week of class and will be drawn at random.
Instructions/guidelines for the successful completion of this assignment will be posted on the eLearning webpage.
You will be assigned to critically argue in favor or against a designated scenario, related to the course readings and
will be required to incorporated academic literature into your arguments. Failure to complete the discussion project
on time will result in a zero credit for the assignment as will a lack of participation by a group member. The group
as a whole will provide feedback on fellow team member performance, which will be factored into assignment
grades.

Participation/Attendance Grade
Since this is an online course, no physical attendance is required. However, you are required to actively participate
in the online learning environment, eLearning. 25 percent of your final grade will stem from your overall level of
participation in the course via an open discussion forum (6 stock topics) where they can discuss course related
material in a constructive/critical way. For each reading section, discussion topics will be posted. Respond to the
topic or create a new thread for each post. Students who do not regularly participate in the online discussion
forum will receive NO CREDIT for participation. Use the open discussion forum to present your thoughts and
comments on the subject matter/readings/ related current events and etc. At the end of the semester you will be
evaluated on the quality, depth, and frequency of your posts to the forum. Posts should be more than simple “one
liners” such as “I agree…” You should actively think about extending the dialog as you post replies or start new
threads. Thoughtful substance is what I’m looking for here; adding to your comments by citing relevant literature is
strongly encouraged.

Grade Scale
98-100 = A+ 88-89 = B+ 78-79 = C+ 68-69 = D+ 59 and below = F
93-97 = A 83-87 = B 73-77 = C 63-67 = D
90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 = C- 60-62 = D-

NOTE: All reading assignments are posted on the course eLearning page.
Assignments & Academic Calendar – Summer 2011
*Read corresponding material posted under each noted folder on eLearning!!!

Week 1 (Week of 5/23/2011)

Read: Why study ethics?; Utilitarianism; Deontology, Review lecture slides
Due: No assignments due. Continue with readings.

Week 2 (Week of 5/30/2011)

Read: Egoism & Virtue Ethics, Why ethics is important for ECS majors; Review lecture slides
Due: EXAM 1 (access opens Wed. 6/1/2001 @ 6am), Contribute to discussion forum

Week 3 (Week of 6/6/2011)

Read: Digital Piracy; Cybercrime, Malware & Computer Intrusion; Review lecture slides
Due: Group Discussion Assignment 1 (initial post due 6/10/2011; rebuttals due the following Sunday by 11:59pm),
Contribute to discussion forum after reading material.

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Week 4 (Week of 6/13/2011)
Read: Ethics and the Environment; Privacy Issues and ECS; Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering; Review
lecture slides
Due: Contribute to discussion forum

Week 5 (Week of 6/20/2011)

Read: Artificial Intelligence; The Ethics of Nanotechnology; Review lecture slides
Due: Group Discussion Assignment 2 (initial post due 6/24/2011; rebuttals due the following Sunday by 11:59pm),
Contribute to discussion forum

Course & Instructor Policies

Class Attendance
N/A – This is an online course, however, regular virtual attendance is a requirement.

Computer/Email Access
Students are expected to have set up their university computer account and understand how to use email and
eLearning. YOU MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE TA AND PROFESSOR SOLELY VIA YOUR eLearning
Account!!!! (For emergencies, email my UTD account from your UTD account). The class website (eLearning) will
provide access to the syllabus, required readings, power point slides, assignments, and grades. PLEASE DO NOT
EMAIL ME OR THE TA ABOUT INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED ON THE WEBSITE, if you do, you
will most likely not receive a response. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure that your UTD mail account is not
full and that you check it every day. Messages returned to me will not receive follow ups.

Make-up Exams & Late work

Make-up exams will only be given for the following reasons a) Severe Illness (proof required – a legitimate
physicians letter will be required and verified); and b) Religious holy days with sufficient prior notice in accordance
with UTD policy; c) death of a family member (proof required). SIMPLY NOT FEELING GOOD IS NOT A
VALID EXCUSE! Make-up exams will be in essay format and generally much more difficult than normal tests, so it
is in your best interest to be in attendance on test days. Late assignments will not be accepted unless there is an
emergency as listed above. If you have a legitimate reason in accordance with UTD policy for missing a class, it is
your responsibility to turn in any assignments early.

Extra Credit
See “extra” discussion topic.

General Questions about the Course

All general questions about the course should be emailed to the TA (Susan “Brie” Diamond).

Classroom Citizenship
As noted above, online participation is a component of your grade and everyone is encouraged to engage the
professor and fellow students within eLearning as to contribute to discussions. Please ask questions! You are each
here to learn and the best way to do that is by engaging in discussion about the topic and sharing ideas. In my
experience, classes that actively discuss and debate the issues are much more fruitful and more enjoyable for the
students and for the professor. Chances are that someone else has the same question/s as you, so please ask; it can
only help your grade! (Asking thoughtful questions related to the topic (and presented in the discussion forum)
does constitute class participation). However, I insist on respectfulness in the classroom for all participants.
Disrespect to any classroom participant will not be tolerated. Any classroom participant behaving in such a manner
will be referred to UTD judicial affairs and may be subject to grad.

Technical Support

If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to: assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD
Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

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IMPORTANT!!
Information regarding Religious Holy Days, Grade Appeals, Disability Services, “Student Conduct,” and etc. Is
no longer required to be presented in course syllabi at UT Dallas. Students who wish to review this ancillary
material may do so by visiting the following web link: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies.

Academic Integrity
All students must follow all UTD policies regarding academic integrity (see above link). Any student suspected
of ANY form of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, or other forms of cheating) will be referred to UT Dallas
Judicial Affairs.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Professor.

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