CS 495 LEGAL, ETHICAL, SOCIAL & ECONOMIC ISSUES IN COMPUTING
SPRING 2008
M-W 6:45-8:00
Brian M. O'Connell
oconnellb@ccsu.edu
Last Modification: 04/28/08
Course Description:
Legal and Ethical concepts have become critical
issues in almost every aspect of computing. The syllabus is intended to reflect
the diverse
nature of the topics which are confronted on a regular basis by computing professionals, policy makers and managers in the private sector.
Fundamental to the course will be the acquisition of research and practical tools, the ability to identify issues and frame approaches.
The course will be conducted as a seminar at the graduate level. Students are expected to read every assignment and to be prepared for
discussion. Continued research in the area of each student’s final project is absolutely essential. Attendance at each class is presumed.
Three or more unexcused absences will reduce final grade (see below).
Texts:
Class Handouts
Online Materials located at this site
Reserve Materials
Class Policies:
Attendance is presumed. Three or more unexecused absences will result in loss of class participation score.
All materials submitted must be in typed, analog form and stapled. No email assignments accepted.
Students must maintain backup copies of all course work for the semester.
Evaluation:
40% Topic Quizzes
40% Final Project, including preparation assignments
20% Class Participation
Quiz & Project Evaluation:
40% Use of Course Material
40% Comprehensiveness & Clarity
20% Creativity & Originality
Resources:
CCSU Ethics and Law Resource Center
Link to Computing and Culture Course Resource List
CCSU Medical Informatics Resource Page
Selected Presentation Downloads (password required):
Introduction to Law / Introduction to Privacy
Introduction to Carnivore / Patriot
Conventional / Digital Expression
Schedule
Subject to Change -- Check here often
Quiz One link located under week 9
| Key | Lecture/Discussion | Guest Speaker | Other |
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
1/2 |
topic |
Course Overview class goals, grading, online resources |
|
Introduction fundamental law & ethics background & interactions |
|
|
assignment |
none |
|
none |
|
supplement |
none |
|
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
2/3 |
topic |
Ethics Omnibus deontology & relativism |
|
Ethics Omnibus utilitarianism |
|
|
assignment |
Johnson & Nissenbaum, Ethics [Reserve] |
|
Johnson & Nissenbaum, Ethics [Reserve] |
|
|
supplement |
LINK: Kant on the Web |
|
LINK: J.S. Mill Web Site |
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
3/4 |
topic |
Ethics Omnibus existentialism/determinism |
|
Ethics Omnibus existentialism/determinism |
|
|
assignment |
|
||
|
|
supplement |
LINK: Phil. in Cyberspace (Monash) Existentialism LINK: Jacques Ellul Web Site |
|
LINK: Phil. in Cyberspace (Monash) Existentialism LINK: Jacques Ellul Web Site |
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
4/5 |
topic |
Law Omnibus the common law the legislative process |
|
Law Omnibus the common law the legislative process |
|
|
assignment |
LINK: Bill of Rights |
|
LINK: Bill of Rights |
|
|
supplement |
LINK: Cornell's Legal Information
Institute |
|
LINK: Cornell's Legal Information
Institute |
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
5/8 |
topic |
No Class Presidents' Day Holiday
|
|
Law Omnibus the judicial system the common law the legislative process |
|
|
assignment |
|
|
|
|
|
supplement |
|
|
LINK: FindLaw Legal Web Search |
Quiz One due on Wednesday, March 26th in Class
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
9 |
topic |
Privacy analogical jurisprudence & foundational cases |
|
Internet Dynamics Privacy criminal and administrative law issues |
|
|
assignment |
LINK: Tribe: Constitution in Cyberspace |
|
LINK: Tribe: Constitution in Cyberspace |
|
|
supplement |
LINK: Olmstead v. United States LINK: Katz v. United States LINK: Privacy Digest Selected Privacy Statutes: Code of Fair Information Practices |
|
LINK: Olmstead v. United States LINK: Katz v. United States LINK: Smith v. Maryland LINK: CCSU Ethics and Law Resource Center Selected Privacy Statutes: Code of Fair Information Practices |
----------------------------------------------
Paper Topic Due by Monday, March 31th
- Title
- Abstract
(250 words +)
- Partner's Name (if any)
----------------------------------------------
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
9 |
topic |
Vacation |
|
Vacation |
|
|
assignment |
|
|
|
|
|
supplement |
|
|
|
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
10 |
topic |
Privacy employment paradigms |
|
Privacy web issues |
|
|
assignment |
LINK: Monitoring Employee E-Mail Duke L. & T. Rev. LINK: In Defense of the Hard Drive Rosenbaum |
|
LINK: Monitoring Employee E-Mail Duke L. & T. Rev. LINK: In Defense of the Hard Drive Rosenbaum |
|
|
supplement |
LINK: CCSU Ethics and Law Resource Center Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA): Definitions: 18 U.S.C. §2510 |
|
LINK: CCSU Ethics and Law Resource Center |
----------------------------------------------
Due on Monday, April
9th
-
Detailed Outline
- Detailed Sources
----------------------------------------------
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
11 |
topic |
Expression early applications |
|
Expression forums & liability |
|
|
assignment |
LINK: First Amendment LINK: Urofsky v. Gilmore Analysis (Richmond J. Law & Tech) |
|
LINK: Who is Liable for Computer Abuse? (IEEE Library) |
|
|
supplement |
LINK: Pruneyard Shopping Center LINK: Zeran v. America Online |
|
LINK: Pruneyard Shopping Center LINK: Zeran v. America Online |
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
12/14 |
topic |
Ownership Issues fundamentals
|
|
Ownership Issues copyright |
|
|
assignment |
LINK: NCSU Copyright Tutorial |
|
LINK: Samuelson, Copyright (.pdf file) |
|
|
supplement |
|
---------------------------------
Due May 12th
---------------------------------
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
14 |
topic |
Ownership Issues images |
|
Ownership Issues images |
|
|
assignment |
LINK: TBA |
|
LINK: TBA |
|
|
supplement |
|
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
15 |
topic |
Ownership Issues licenses & patents |
|
Ownership Issues licenses
|
|
|
assignment |
Link: Against Software Patents |
|
TBA |
|
|
supplement |
|
|
|
|
Week |
day |
Monday |
|
Wednesday |
|
16 |
topic |
TBA |
|
TBA |
|
|
assignment |
|
|
|
|
|
supplement |
|
|
|
Final paper due in person & on time during exam period