Robert N. Barger.
Computer Ethics: A Case-based Approach.
Cambridge University Press, 2008 (required text, referred to as [B]).
Supplementary materials from the publisher
are available online.
The departmental syllabus for CSCE 390 is
here.
CSCE 390 is an approved foundational course for the
Carolina Core VSR (Values and Ethics) learning outcome.
Learning Outcomes for this course are as follows.
Students will be able to:
- Relate computing issues to philophical systems and ethics
- Resolve ethical dilemmas in the field of computing
- Apply professional codes of conduct to realistic situations
- Demonstrate familiarity with current social and ethical issues related to
computing
- Investigate different professional career paths and the lifelong learning involved
- Present results and opinions on ethical issues in written and oral formats
Notes
These notes will be updated during the course of the semester.
What Is
Computer Ethics? A Review of Definitions.
Philosophical Belief Systems, Part I:
Idealism and Realism
Presentation
by Ms. Christine Mosich of the CEC Satellite Office of the USC Career Center.
Presentation
by Ms. Emma Waugh of the CEC Satellite Office of the USC
Career Center, used on 2016-09-08.
Presentation
by Ms. Helen Powers of the CEC Satellite Office of the USC
Career Center, used on 2015-09-10.
Philosophical Belief Systems, Part II:
Pragmatism and Existentialism
Three Simple Ethical Cases:
Absolutist and Relativist Positions
The Ethical Decision-Making Process
Legal and Ethical Issues in
Computer Security, presentation by Dr. Csilla Farkas
, used on 2015-11-17
Psychology and Computer Ethics
The Computing Field as a Profession
Computer-Related Codes of Ethics
Four Cases by Rogert Barger
Homework
Here is a writing rubric written by
Dr. Heidi Cooley in the Media Arts program. (Thanks to Prof. Buell for passing
it on.) I am not bound by this rubric, but it may be useful for you to
consider when writing your essays.
Points per assignment.
See the lecture log for possible additional assignments.
Your homework must be typed, preferrably in 12-point font.
Please include references as appropriate.
I do not require a specific citation style, but please be consistent.
- (HW1) Do the exercises at the end of chapters 1 and 2 of [B].
Due date: September 6, 2018.
-
The essay, in total, must be no longer than two pages. Please type the
questions as well as your answers.
- For question 1 on p.15, provide only one occurrence and
why you think it should have been included.
- For question 2 on p.15,
provide only one example of each of the two kinds and
explain why they meet the conditions of the question.
- For question 3 on p.15, provide only one kind of problem and explain why the
computer has raised a unique dilemma.
- (HW2) due date October 18. Do the exercises at the end of chapter 3 and 5 of [B].
A two-page paper (roughly half a page per question) is expected.
-
(HW3) due date October 11, 2018.
Choose a company where you would like to apply for a position. Write:
- A one-page overview of the company
- A one-page overview of the position that you would apply for
- A one-page resume geared towards that position
- A half-page essay on what you need to learn or do to be competitive for the position
- Attend the STEM Majors Career Fair on Tuesday, September 25, and
write a half-page essay describing your experience
- Complete your Handshake profike at the USC Career Center. Write a
statement that you did this on the first page of your homework
submission document.
The whole submission consists of four pages.
If you cannot attend the career fair because of a class conflict, you must:
- Do all parts of the assignment except for part (5)
- Attach a copy of your weekly class schedule for the week of September 25;
this should show that you could not reasonably attend the STEM Majors
Career Fair
- Do one of the following:
- Write a half-page essay describing your experience at another career fair
- Attend an activity sponsored by the career center, such as a resume-writing
workshop, and write a half-page essay about it
- Attend an activity sponsored by a professional society in computing and
write a half-page essay about it.