August 18 and 23 (Thu and Tue), 2022 Administrative information: objectives, textbook, syllabus, grading policy. Review of the three course websites. Definitions of computer ethics, just started. 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.)
August 25 and 30 (Thu and Tue), 2022 HW1 assigned, due before the start of the next class period in the departmental dropbox. See elsewhere for details of submission. Continuation of the previous topic, with a careful reading of parts of [M85].
September 1 and 6 (Thu and Tue), 2022 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: Immanuel Kant. Two passages from Kant's _Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals_: (1) "May I not, when I am hard pressed, make a promise with the intention of not keeping it?" and the universal law formulation of the categorical imperative; (2) "Rational nature exists as an end to itself" and the "treat humanity ... never simply as a means" formulation of the categorical imperative.
September 8 and 13 (Thu and Tue), 2022
HW3 assigned for both sections, due in one week.
HW2 assigned for Section 1.
For section 2 (September 8): Announce presentations next week by Career Center Career Development Coach for Section 2.
Idealism: Plato's dialogue from Crito.
Philosophical belief systems, part II: realism, pragmatism and existentialism.
For section 1 (September 13):
Presentation by Mr. Nicholas ("Nick") Paschvoss, career development coach for the College
of Engineering and Computing.
September 15 and 20 (Thu and Tue), 2022
HW2 assigned (for both sections)
HW4 assigned (for section 1; dropbox entry created for both sections).
For section 2 (September 15):
Presentation by Ms. Brie Panaherrera, career development coach for the College
of Engineering and Computing.
For section 1 (September 20):
Idealism: Plato's dialogue from Crito.
Philosophical belief systems, part II: realism, pragmatism and existentialism.
September 22 and 27 (Thu and Tue), 2022 HW4 assigned. Remind students of STEM Job and Internship Fairs: virtual on 09-28 from 1200-1600; in person on 09-29 from 1200-1600; in person on 09-30 from 1000-1400; in-person fairs are at the Carolina Coliseum. A little more on philosophic belief systems and ethics. Just consequentialism and computing, a lecture based on [M99].
September 29 and October 4 (Thu and Tue), 2022 HW5 assigned. See main course website and dropbox for details. 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 6 and 11 (Thu and Tue), 2022 The Digital Image Superposition Case (Bill Carter's article under "Useful Links"). Note that the article is available online from the university libraries via ProQuest. Computing as a Profession.
October 18 and 20 (Tue and Thu), 2022 HW6 assigned. See main course website. Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
October 25 and 27 (Tue and Thu), 2022 The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. 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 1 and 3 (Tue and Thu), 2022 Due date for HW6 changed for Section 1 from November 7 to November 14, because November 8 is Election Day, a university holiday. 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 10 and 15 (Thu and Tue), 2022 (Note: November 10 was General Election Day, a University Holiday) Student presentations.
November 17 and 22 (Thu and Tue), 2022 Students are allowed to turn in late homework (past the one-class period rule described in the syllabus) for half credit, as announced in an earlier class meeting. Student presentations.
November 29 and December 1 (Tue and Thu), 2022 Reminder: there is no final exam for this course. (Week after Thanksgiving) 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." Student presentations. End of course.