August 20 and 22 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Class was delivered online, because instructor was isolating for medical reasons. Administrative information: objectives, textbook, syllabus, grading policy. Review of the three course websites. Definitions of computer ethics, just started (in section 2 only). 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 27 and August 29 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Continuation of the previous topic, with a careful discussion of key parts of [M85]. Law vs. Ethics. Note: Career Center Staff will present on September 10 and 12. These presentations will help prepare for the STEM Career Fair of September 17 and 18.
September 3 and 5 (Tue and Thu), 2024 HW1 assigned, due in one week. Use dropbox. See main course website for description. Announcement: there will be presentations by Career Center Staff at the next class meeting. This is necessary preparation for HW2, which is now on the main class website. [M85] completed. Philosophical belief systems (ch.3 [B]): introduction, metaphysics (ontology), epistemology, axiology (ethics and aesthetics).
September 10 and 12 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Presentations by Mr. Nicholas Paschvoss (Sept. 10) and Mr. Ken Rucker (Sept. 12) from the MCEC Satellite Office of the USC Career Center, in preparation of the Stem Career Fair of September 17 and 18, and of the associated homework (HW2).
September 17 and 19 (Tue and Thu), 2024 HW3 assigned, due on 2024-09-24. Please note: This is HW3, *not* HW2; HW3 is due *before* HW2. Reminder: Career Fair is on Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 18 00 at the Carolina Coliseum. Attendance is mandatory as a part of HW2. See main course website for the description of HW2, whose due date has not yet been set. Raphael's "School of Athens" (1511). Idealist metaphysics: the parable of the cave. Idealist epistemology. Idealist ethics: Plato's Crito, 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 24 and 26 (Tue and Thu), 2024 HW2 assigned, due on 2024-10-22 (Sect.1) and 2024-10-24 (Sect.2). More on Idealism: Socrates' death from Plato's dialogue _Crito_. Realism, Pragmatism, and Existentialism. The lecture of 2024-09-26 was given online, because the university required classes after 1700 to be given online, due to inclement weather.
October 1 and 3 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Pragmatism and existentialism.
October 8 and 10 (Tue and Thu), 2024 The October 8 (Section 1) class was taped in advanced. Mr. Misagh Soltani, the TA, led the class. An 8-step framework (process) for ethical decision making from [B]. Application of the framework (process) to the culture clash example. Brief comments on IRAC, a methodology for legal analysis. A framework for ethical decision making in journalism, from: Principles of American Journalism: An Introduction. Routledge, 2013. A Framework for Ethical Decision Making from Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. The Digital Image Superposition Case (Bill Carter's article under "Useful Links").
October 15 and 24 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Note: October 17 was part of fall break. The computing field as a profession (based on Ch.8 [B]). HW5 on the application of the 8-step process due on 10-29 and 10-31; see dropbox for details.
October 22 and 31 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Reminder that HW5 is due on 10-29 (for section 1) and 10-31 (for section 2). Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
October 29 and November 7 (Tue and Thu), 2024 HW4 on philosophic belief system assigned, due on 11/05 (Section 1) and 11/07 (Section 2). HW6 (student presentation) assigned, due on 11/12 (Section 1) and 11/14 (Section 2). See dropbox for details. The IEEE-CS/ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice, with three case studies.
November 12 and 14 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Computer Ethics and Psychology. A presentation of the Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of the stages of moral development.
November 19 and 21 (Tue and Thu), 2024 Student presentations.
December 19 and 21 (Tue and Thu), 2024 (The previous week was Thanksgiving break week.) Student presentations. End of course.