CSE601 Course Information

Course Objectives:

The primary objective is for each participant to become informed, and to develop reasoned opinions, about the ethical, social, and legal dimensions of various situations that may be encountered by computer professionals, and about social issues that arise from computer technology. Participants will practice how to: hold an opinion, have reasons for one’s opinions, change opinions when compelled by best judgment, and rationally discuss opinions in cooperative pursuit of truth and good practices. Additional objectives are to develop communication skills, both written and oral, and to encourage ethical and responsible behavior.

Assignments and Grading:

(1) each student will write a three-page analysis paper on a topic related to the course,
(2) each student will make one 10 minute classroom presentation on a selected topic, and
(3) each student will attend class every day.

If an attendance exception needs to be made, arrangements can be made for you to attend another class section but please be sure to talk with me first.

The course grade will based on points given for the paper, presentation, and class participation per the following:

Paper Assignment	33%
In-Class Presentation	33%
Participation	34%

Paper Assignment:

(1) due as e-mail attachment (to instructor and grader) per the syllabus date;

(2) document should be readable in Open Office, PDF, or text; and

(3) have the student's name as the file name.

Each student will explore a new or recent computer-related product, practice or event (p/p/e), consider the impact it may have in a "global, economic, environmental, legal, ethical, scientific, societal (etc) context". You will need to include 3 questions as a part of this written assignment. Each question should be defined to have a designated type of impact (per the example list given); and, you must have at least 2 different types of impacts although it is preferable that each question have a different type of impact. The paper must also consider any relevant contemporary issues and how they affect these considerations; and present the findings in a 3-4 page paper. Target length for the paper is about 900 words (approximately 3 pages of 12 pt., double spaced). Paper may be rewritten once for a higher grade. Writing assignment must be submitted by 11:59pm on the date due.

Suggested Topics are included here. Some previous paper titles are here. Some websites on how to cite references included here.

A grading rubric will be used to evaluate the student's paper. The rubric evaluates the student's paper along six dimensions, having to do respectively with the student's awareness of global effects that the product/ practice/ event etc. (p/p/e) in question may have; understanding of the involved economic factors; the implications to society at large; awareness of other relevant contemporary issues; the quality of the presentation of the ideas in the student's paper; and the style of writing. Each of these six dimensions is assigned a score of 1 through 4, these values representing increasing degrees of achievement in the particular dimension, as described in the table below in the rows corresponding to the various dimensions. The numbers in the last column are the actual scores assigned to this particular student, based on his or her paper, along the six dimensions. The overall total score is assigned by simply adding together the scores corresponding to the six dimensions. Some ideas for the rubric came from http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/rubrics.shtml.

In-class Presentations:

The last 5-6 weeks of the quarter will be for in-class presentations. You will need to sign up for a day. Once the slots for a particular day are filled, you will need to choose another day. You must give your presentation on your scheduled class day. You should email your instructor at your convenience to set up a day/time; the earlier, the better.

The topic of your presentation can be the same or different than your paper assignment. However, the “rules” are the same. Be sure the topic is computer-related; be sure to consider 2-3 different types of impacts as designated by at least 3 questions; and be sure to cover the relevant contemporary issues and how they affect these considerations (i.e. impacts).

Single presentations are the usual format (~10 minute presentation), however, if you are interested in pairing up with another student in the class for a “debate” type format, that is also an option. The presentation will present a topic with one student arguing in favor of the topic subject and the other arguing against it. These “double” presentations should be ~20 minutes in length.

Your presentation will be graded using another rubric and based on the following: effectiveness of communication, clarity, strength of preparation, accuracy of reported material, and strength of argumentation (for debates). Pick a topic you know something about (so the rest of the class will learn something). Pick a topic you're interested in so you'll be motivated and make it interesting.

Be professional. Be polite and respectful. Remain attentive and positive, even while agreeing to disagree.

Class participation

This part of your grade will be based on attendance. There will be a “Question of the Day” sheet that you will be given when you arrive. You have 5 minutes to fill it out and return it to me to be counted as having attended the class. Late arrivals and early departures will be noted as a likely deduction.