CAPP40140 - COMPUTER ETHICS
Copyright © 2009 by Robert N. Barger. Last edited on
Course Description:
The course concentrates on the theory and practice of computer ethics. The aim of the
course is to study the basis for ethical decision-making and the methodology for reaching
ethical decisions concerning computing matters. Topics studied in the course appear in the
outline below. Methodologies used in the course include lectures by the instructor,
lectures by visiting lecturers, in-class discussions, in-class writing assignments,
individual class presentations, individual case analyses, and examinations.
Course Objectives:
A. The student will be able to describe and distinguish between the various
ethical theories which can be used to form the basis of solutions to moral
dilemmas in computing.
B. The student will be able to identify and define the components of a
structured plan for solving ethical problems and, in the process, will be
able to understand the basis for her/his own ethical system.
C. Given a variety of ethical problems, the student will be able to indicate
which of them may be unique to computing and what makes each unique.
D. The student will be able to prepare case studies dealing with moral dilemmas related to
computing, including appropriate components of the plan described in objective B above.
E. Given several examples of professional codes of ethics related to
computing, the student will be able to compare and contrast these examples,
discussing their commonalties, differences, and implications.
Classroom & Time:
DeBartolo Hall 336; Tuesday & Thursday, 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Instructor:
Robert N. Barger, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor, University of Notre
Dame; Professor Emeritus, Eastern Illinois University; E-mail: rbarger@NOSPAMnd.edu Note:
When using any of the e-mail addresses in this syllabus, remove the word "NOSPAM" from the
address (it is included to prevent spam robots from collecting usable addresses over the
Web). Home phone: (574) 245-7894. Note: Dr. Barger is infrequently in the CAPP office and
works primarily at home, where he welcomes contact from students by phone or e-mail.
Required textbook:
Computer Ethics: A Cased-based Approach, by Robert N. Barger (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008).
This textbook can be puchased in the Hammes Bookstore. Click on the textbook image below for more information about the textbook.
Course requirements, Grade weightings, & Grade scale:
- "Class Participation" (30% of grade):
Included in this
factor will be completion of in-class writing assignments and participation in class
discussions.
- "Ethics Case Analyses" (20% of grade)
Each student will write three analyses of computer-related ethics cases from among those printed
in Chapters 13, 15, and 17. Also, the new cases which appear on the Cambridge University Press website for our textbook may be used. They can be found
at http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521709149 (click on "View material" which is found under "Resources and solutions" near
the bottom left corner of trhe page. Finally, other topics of personal interest to you may be approved by the Dr. Barger. Use the ethics worksheet
[see link below] as the format for completing the case analysis and include each of the eight steps (already printed for your convenience on the
worksheet) followed by your typed answer. If your case contains additional questions, include the answers to them after answering the questions on the
ethics worksheet. The case analyses are to be handed in to Dr. Barger at class on the following dates: the
first on Tues, Mar 17, the second on Tues, Mar 31, and the third on Tues, Apr 14. Criteria which will be used by Dr. Barger in evaluating these
analyses are: correctness of analysis, completeness, quality of argument in answering the worksheet questions, and quality of the grammatical and
stylistic composition of the analysis.
- "Class Presentation" (10% of grade):
Each student will make a power-point presentation on a topic which concerns computer
ethics. Allow at least fifteen minutes for presentation and five minutes for answering questions. Send an e-mail to Dr. Barger with your choice
for date of presentation (Apr 21, 23, or 28). You may check the Appendix of our textbook for approved topics. Other topics may be approved by Dr.
Barger. Click here for a list of dates with order of presentation (first or second). Email you choice of topic, date, and order
of presentation to Dr. Barger and he will send you a confirmation. Dr. Barger will assign dates and/or topics to students who have not made a choice
of a date and/or topic by April 5. Evaluation will be based on the quality of the presentation, the quality of responses to questions from the class
arising from the presentation (or, if there are no questions from the class, the quality of the question(s) asked of the class by the speaker), and
the observance of the time allotment. Note: A printed copy of the presentation is to be handed to Dr. Barger before the presentation
commences (this copy must include at least one question to be asked of the class).
AN EXAMPLE OF A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION BY TOM LAPP
(one of our NetPros) Click on "Slide Master" then click on "Close Master View" on the right side of the screen.
- "Examinations" (20% x 2 = 40% of grade):
The midterm exam and final exam
will deal with Computer Ethics topics relating to the material covered in the course.
Preparation for the Final Exam:
Class members will each ask ten other Notre Dame students two questions:
1. Name a computer ETHICS dilemma, problem, or question that is of concern to YOU
PERSONALLY.
2. Name a computer ETHICS dilemma, problem, or question that you consider the most
pressing for SOCIETY today.
Class members will also answer these two questions themselves. Then they will word-process the
eleven sets of answers in anonymous form (in the format: the first person's two answers,
the second person's two answers,...up through the eleventh person's two answers, without
identifying any of the people in the process) and e-mail these answers to Dr. Barger by
4:00 p.m., May 3. During the Final Exam they will be asked questions that call for their
reflection on the overall meanings, implications, and conclusions of these sets of
answers in the light of what we have studied in this course.
-
"Excuse Policy for Classes and Exams":
Students who are absent from a scheduled class will be permitted to make
up the in-class assignment, presentation, or exam within a week of the
absence only if they take the initiative of communicating to the professor
a sufficient reason for the absence (e.g., sickness, job interview, funeral).
- "Policy on extra work": Students should understand at the
beginning of the course that the above evaluation standards will be
strictly applied and that no extra work opportunities will be available.
- "Grade scale": A=100-96, A-=95-90, B+=89-87, B=86-84, B-=
83-80, C+=79-77, C=76-74, C-73-70, D=69-60, F=59-0
Tentative Calendar for the Course (subject to
change during the semester):
(Links appearing below, are required reading for the class. Links marked with an
asterisk (*) indicate that a printout of the reading will be passed out in class. New or
changed material will be marked with the 
symbol).
- Tues, Jan 13:
- Review of syllabus: overview of topics to be
covered; explanation of assignments and grading procedure
- Thurs, Jan 15:
- Viewing of videotape on Computer Ethics
- For future class meetings, read the chapter of the textbook indicated for that date.
- Tues, Jan 20:
- Preface; Chapter 1 - Introduction
- Thurs, Jan 22:
- Chapter 2 - The computer as a humanizing agent
- Tues, Jan 27:
- Chapter 3 - Philosophical belief systems - 3.1 through 3.3
- Thurs, Jan 29:
- Chapter 3 - Philosophical Belief Systems - 3.4 through 3.5
- Tues, Feb 3:
- Visit by Father Edward "Monk" Malloy, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame
- Thurs, Feb 5:
- Chapter 3 - Philosophical Belief Systems - 3.6 through 3.9
- John Paul II from FIDES ET RATIO
- Tues, Feb 10:
- Chapter 4 - A philosophic inventory
- Thurs, Feb 12:
- Chapter 5 - The possibility of a unified ethical theory
- Tues, Feb 17:
- Visit by Mike Kraus, Controller of Cooper Standard Co., Bremen, IN.
- Thurs Feb 19:
- Visit by Visit by Gordon Wishon, Assoc. Vice President and C.I.O. of the University of Notre Dame
- Tues Feb 24:
- Chapter 6 - The ethical decision making process
- Thurs, Feb 26:
- Review of mid-term exam, ethics case analysis, and class presentation
- Group solution of False Images in Broadcasts case
- Tues, Mar 3:
- Mid-semester exam
- Thurs, Mar 5:
- Chapter 7 - Psychology and computer ethics
- Tues, Mar 17:
- Chapter 8 - The computing field as a profession
- Thurs, Mar 19:
- Chapter 9 - Computer-related codes of ethics 9.1 - 9.2
- Code of Ethics for Engineers
- ACM Code of Ethics and Professinal Conduct
- Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice
- Tues, Mar 24:
- Chapter 9 - Computer-related codes of ethics 9.3 - 9.5
- Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
- Ben Fairweather's Commentary on the Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
- ETHICS IN INTERNET
by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Social Communications
- Thurs, Mar 26:
- Conversation and lunch with Steve Kastner, President & CEO, Holy Cross Village
- Tues, Mar 31:
- Chapter 10 - Computer Ethics and International Development
- Thurs, Apr 2:
- Chapter 11 - Roboethics
- Bring your typed answers to "Your Turn" Questions 1, 2, & 3 (pp. 152-53) with you to class.
- Tues, Apr 7:
- Chapter 12 - Theft/Piracy concerns
- Thurs, Apr 9:
- Chapter 14 - Privacy concerns
- Tues, Apr 14:
- Chapter 16 - Power concerns
- Thurs, Apr 16:
- Chapter 19 - Parasitic computing case
- Tues, Apr 21:
- CLASS PRESENTATIONS - DeBartolo 201
- Thurs, Apr 23:
- CLASS PRESENTATIONS - DeBartolo 201
- Tues, Apr 28:
- CLASS PRESENTATIONS - DeBartolo 201
- Final Exam, Monday, May 4, (10:30-12:30, DeBartolo 336)
No variations will be granted from the scheduled final exam date or time.
Some Useful Ethics Sites
- Lawrence Hinman, Ethics Updates, University of San Diego, ETHICS UPDATES
- Edward F. Gehringer, Ethics in Computing, North Carolina State
University, ETHICS IN
COMPUTING
- The Ethics Connection at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, THE ETHICS CONNECTION
- The Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility (CCSR), CCSR SITE
- Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility
(CPSR), CPSR SITE
Connect to Dr. Barger's
Resume