CSC 491 Computer Ethics for Computing Professionals

Instructor: Dr. Keith Miller, email: miller.keith@uis.edu

Catalog Description: Computer ethics explores the interaction between technical decisions and human values. We also study how computing and telecommunications impact society. This class is limited to computer science majors and students with equivalent backgrounds.

Educational Objectives:

1. Students will become aware of ethical issues in technical decisions. Computer professionals need to be sensitive to the human consequences of their professional actions.
2. When faced with a technical decision, Students will have the analytical skills necessary to make a responsible decision based, in part, on ethical considerations.
3. Students will be able to articulate a reasonable justification for professional decisions. Students will be aware of and avoid common ethical and logical mistakes. Students will be able to write clearly and concisely about these justifications.
4. You should be familiar with important ethical codes that guide computing professionals.

Outline of Topics to be Covered:

• Why Computer Ethics?
• Philosophical Ethics - a short introduction to classic theories of ethics
• Professional Ethics - responsibilities of computer professionals
• Ethics in Cyberspace
• Privacy Issues
• Property Rights and Computing Professionals
• Accountability in Computing and Data
• Social Implications and Social Values in Computing

Methods of instruction: The course is online. The final exam is face-to-face (proctored). The course includes a textbook, chapter quizzes, electronic bulletin board discussions, short essays, and some outside readings.

Evaluation methods: Quizzes are automatically graded. Essays and discussion contributions are evaluated by the instructor. Final exam combines a random selection of questions from the quizzes and an essay question that requires a student applies ethical theory to a case.