PHIL 245 Computer Ethics
Fall 2004
TR 12:30-1:45
There is no human activity without some kind of general outlook. Isaiah Berlin
Course Description & Goals
This course will provide an overview of philosophical ethics as it relates to issues involving
computing. As a required course within the Computer Science honors degree, it will consider
ethical issues within the context of professional and individual responsibilities. The course will
require extensive readings and class discussion. Students will complete a substantial research
paper and present an overview of their research to the class.
Required Texts
| R | Readings Packet |
| RO | Readings Online |
| RC | CCSU Ethics, Law & Computing Resource Center [ELCR]: For general research and reference. |
Grading
| 60% | Quizzes |
| 25% | Paper & Class Presentation |
| 15% | Participation (including attendance) |
Standards
Prior to course commencement, students will agree to the following course standards:
| 1. | Class attendance is presumed. |
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Students choosing to enroll in this class must clearly understand that complete attendance is expected & agree to honor this commitment. |
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| Three or more unexcused absences will result in loss of participation score. | |
| Quiz material will be based on both readings and class lectures/discussions. | |
| 2. | All work must be submitted on due date. |
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Unexcused late work will receive a full letter grade reduction if handed in up to one week after the deadline and a zero if submitted thereafter. |
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For excused late work, permission must be obtained prior to assignment due date or in medical emergencies, a medical letter will be required. |
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Regardless of lateness, all assignments must be completed in order to receive a course grade. |
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| All work must be in paper form - typed & stapled. No emailed work will be accepted. | |
| 3. | Students must regularly check the online course schedule (listed below) at this site. |
Schedule
Subject to Change -- Check here often
Last Modified -- 12.11.04
| Key | Lecture/Discussion | Activity |
I. Introduction to Philosophical Ethics
|
Week |
day |
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Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
01 |
topic |
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Introduction |
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Foundations, Methods & History |
|
|
assignment |
|
n/a |
|
R: Johnson [Chapter One] |
| references |
|
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
02 |
topic |
|
Ethics: Descriptive & Normative |
|
Ethics: Relativism/Utilitarianism |
|
|
assignment |
|
R: Johnson [Chapter One] |
|
R: Johnson [Chapter One] |
| references |
|
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
03 |
topic |
|
Ethics: Relativism/Utilitarianism |
|
Ethics: Deontological / Existential |
|
|
assignment |
|
R: Johnson [Chapter One] |
|
R: Johnson [Chapter One] |
| references |
|
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
04 |
topic |
|
Ethics: Deontological / Existential |
|
Ethics: Deontological / Existential |
|
|
assignment |
|
R: Johnson [Chapter One] |
|
R: Jonas, Toward a Philosophy of Technology |
| references |
|
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
05 |
topic |
|
Ethics: Technology & Society |
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Ethics: Technology & Society |
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|
assignment |
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R: Jonas, Toward a Philosophy of Technology
|
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R: Jonas, Toward a Philosophy of Technology R: Cassell, The Special Problem of Technology |
| references |
|
|
Weeks |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
06 07 08 |
topic |
|
** No Class - 10/5 ** |
|
Ethics: Professional Issues |
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|
assignment |
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R: Jonas, Toward a Philosophy of Technology R: Cassell, The Special Problem of Technology
|
|
RO: Software Engineering Code of Ethics Quiz One - Out -- Due on 11/02 |
| references |
|
II. Dialogical Ethics / Freedom of Speech
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
09 10 |
topic |
|
Public Forums |
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Public Forums |
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|
assignment |
|
R: Benhabib: Models of Public Space RO: Bill of Rights |
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R: Benhabib: Models of Public Space |
| references |
|
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
11 |
topic |
|
Applications |
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Applications |
|
|
assignment |
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R: Benhabib: Models of Public Space RO: Bill of Rights |
|
R: Benhabib: Models of Public Space RO: Bill of Rights RO: Lessig, Laws of Cyberspace Quiz Two - Out -- Due on TBA |
| references |
|
III. Crime, Abuse & Hacking
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
12 |
topic |
|
Defining Behavior |
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Case Studies |
|
|
assignment |
|
|
Patriot Act and related Legislation |
|
| references |
|
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
13/14 |
topic |
|
Definitions |
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History & Models |
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|
assignment |
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Patriot Act and related Legislation |
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Patriot Act and related Legislation |
| references |
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IV. Privacy
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
14 |
topic |
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Privacy |
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Privacy |
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|
assignment |
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R: McLean, Types of Privacy |
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R: McLean, Types of Privacy |
| references |
Warren & Brandeis: Right to Privacy Olmstead v. United States (1928) |
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V. Privacy / Property /Presentations
|
Week |
day |
|
Tuesday |
|
Thursday |
|
15 |
topic |
|
Property History & Models |
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Property History & Models |
|
|
assignment |
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R: Minogue, The Concept of Property |
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R: Minogue, The Concept of Property |
| references |
|
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Finals |
day |
|
Thursday, 12/16 @ 11:00 |
|
Week |
topic |
|
Presentations |
|
|
assignment |
|
Quiz Three - Out 12/9 -- Due - 12/16 at 11:00 |
| references |
n/a |