August 19 and 24 (Thu and Tue), 2021 Administrative information: objectives, textbook, syllabus, grading policy. Review of the three course websites. Definitions of computer ethics. Notes based on: James H. Moor. "What is Computer Ethics?" _Metaphilosopthy_, 16, 4 (October 1985), 266-275 [M85], and James, H. Moor. "Reason, Relativity, and Responsibility in Computer Ethics." In: Terrell Ward Bynum and Simon Rogerson (eds.). _Computer Ethics and Professional Responsibility_. ISBN 1-85554-844-5 [M04]. Blackwell Publishing, 2004. (In addition to Moor's article, the paper also contains historical and introductory material on the topic of Computer Ethics.) "Logical malleability," the Church-Turing thesis, the Turing Machine, and the claim of universality for the computer.
August 26 and 31 (Thu and Tue), 2021 HW1 assigned, due before the start of the next class period. See elsewhere for details of submission. [M85]. What does "logical malleability" mean? An example from artificial intelligence: axiomatization of a domain (Section 2 only).
September 2 and 7 (Thu and Tue), 2021 Presentation by Ms. Vicky Hamby of the CEC Satellite Office of the USC Career Center.
September 9 and 14 (Thu and Tue), 2021 HW2 assigned. Details on the main course website. Due dates on the departmental dropbox. Philosophical belief systems (ch.3 [B]): introduction, metaphysics (ontology), epistemology, axiology (ethics and aesthetics). Raphael's "School of Athens" (1511). Idealist metaphysics: the parable of the cave. Idealist epistemology. Idealist ethics: Plato (dialogue from _Crito_). Immanuel Kant.
September 16 and 21 (Thu and Tue), 2021 HW2, HW3, and HW4 assigned. Details on the main course website. Due dates on departmental dropbox. Philosophical belief systems, part II: realism, pragmatism and existentialism.
September 23 and 28 (Thu and Tue), 2021 Just consequentialism and computing, a lecture based on [M99].
September 30 and October 5 (Thu and Tue), 2021 An 8-step framework for ethical decision making from [B]. Application of the framework to the culture clash example. Brief comments on IRAC, a methodology for legal analysis. A framework for ethical decision making in journalism, from: Stephanie Craft and Charles N. Davis. Principles of American Journalism: An Introduction. Routledge, 2013. A Framework for Ethical Decision Making from Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.
October 12 and October 14 (Tue and Thu), 2021 The Digital Image Superposition Case (Bill Carter's article under "Useful Links"). Personalization and algorithmic amplification in content push from social media platforms (Roddy Lindsay's article under "Useful Links").
October 19 and October 21 (Tue and Thu), 2021 HW5 assigned: details on the course website; due date in the departmental dropbox. Psychology and Computer Ethics: Kohlberg's theory of moral development, with mention of Papert (the Logo language) and Piaget's role. Relevant slides are, as usual, on the main course website. A book chapter describing the case of Heinz is linked on the course website under "Useful Links."
October 26 and October 28 (Tue and Thu), 2021 Computing as a Profession. Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct (started). The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (started).
November 2 and November 4 (Tue and Thu), 2021 HW6 assigned: details on the course website. Note that this assignment is due the evening before class the week of November 15. The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
November 9 and November 11 (Tue and Thu), 2021 Discussion of the following paper: Jason Borenstein, Frances S. Grodzinsky, Ayanna Howard, Keith W. Miller, Marty J. Wolff. "AI Ethics: A Long History and a Recent Burst of Attention." _Computing Edge_, 7, 10 (October 2021), pp.44-50 (linked on course website under "Useful Links"). The ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Software Engineering Code of Ethics. Three cases studies for the Joint Software Engineering Code of Ethics (source under "Useful Links" on the course website).
November 16 and November 18 (Tue and Thu), 2021 Student presentations (based on HW6). For Section 2 only: Presentations by Drs. Paul Ziehl and Yi Wang on research opportunites for students in CS, CE, and CIS who are US citizens or permanent residents; Dr. Ziehl's presentation highlights the UofSC McNair Center.
November 23 (Tue), 2021 Note: Section 1 only; Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, a university holiday. More student presentations.
November 30 (Tue) and December 2, 2021 More student presentations. For Section 1 only: Presentation by Dr. Paul Ziehl on research opportunites for students in CS, CE, and CIS who are US citizens or permanent residents; Dr. Ziehl's presentation highlights the UofSC McNair Center. Students are reminded of the importance of filling out end of course evaluations (on Blackboard). End of course.