Ethics for the Information Age

Catalysts for Change

• Introduction
• Milestones in Computing
• Milestones in Networking
• Milestones in Information Storage and Retrieval
• Contemporary Information Technology Issues
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Introduction to Ethics I

• Introduction
• Subjective Relativism
• Cultural Relativism
• Divine Command Theory
• Ethical Egoism
• Kantianism
• Act Utilitarianism
• Rule Utilitarianism
• Social Contract Theory

Introduction to Ethics - Part II

• Virtue Ethics
• Comparing Workable Ethical Theories
• Morality of Breaking the Law
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Networked Communications - Part I

• Introduction
• Spam
• Internet Interactions
• Text Messaging
• Political Impact of Social Media and Online Advertising
• Censorship
• Freedom of Expression

Networked Communications - Part II

• Children and Inappropriate Content
• Breaking Trust
• Internet Addiction
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Intellectual Property

• Introduction
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Protecting Intellectual Property
• Fair Use
• Digital Media
• Peer-to-Peer Networks and Cyberlockers
• Protections for Software
• Legitimacy of Intellectual Property Protection for Software
• Open-Source Software
• Creative Commons
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Information Privacy

• Introduction
• Perspectives on Privacy
• Information Disclosures
• Data Mining
• Examples of Consumer or Political Backlash
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Privacy and the Government

• Introduction
• US Legislation Restricting Information Collection
• Information Collection by the Government
• Covert Government Surveillance
• US Legislation Authorizing Wiretapping
• USA PATRIOT Act
• Regulation of Public and Private Databases
• Data Mining by the Government
• National Identification Card
• Information Dissemination
• Invasion
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Computer and Network Security

• Introduction
• Hacking
• Malware
• Cyber Crime and Cyber Attacks
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Computer Reliability

• Introduction
• Data-Entry or Data-Retrieval Errors
• Software and Billing Errors
• Notable Software System Failures
• Therac-25
• Tesla Version 7.0 (Autopilot)
• Uber Test-Vehicle Accident
• Computer Simulations
• Software Engineering
• Software Warranties and Vendor Liability
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Professional Ethics

• Introduction
• How Well Developed Are the Computing Professions?
• Software Engineering Code of Ethics
• Analysis of the Code
• Case Studies
• Whistle-Blowing
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Work and Wealth

• Introduction
• Automation and Employment
• Workplace Changes
• Globalization
• The Digital Divide
• The “Winner-Take-All” Society
• Summary
• Further Reading and Viewing
• Discussion Questions
• In-Class Exercises
• References

Appendix C: PROJECT

Appendix A: Plagiarism

• Consequences of Plagiarism
• Guidelines for Citing Sources
• Additional Information

Appendix B: Introduction to Argumentation

• B.1 Introduction