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 10 times.

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) by 9:00pm Thursday, 4/23/2009;

(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 product or practice or event (p/p/e), consider the impact it may have in a "global, economic, environmental, and societal context" and consider as well 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 9:00pm on the due date (this is the end of the 4^th week of the quarter).

Suggested Topics are 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 6 weeks of the quarter will be for in-class presentations… 5 students a day. You will need to sign up for a day. Once the 5 slots 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.

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.

Class participation

This grade will be based on your attendance. You must attend one class a week for the first 4 weeks (either section i.e. tues or thurs). You must attend 6 presentation days in weeks 5-10 (your choice of days/weeks). You must fill out your personal record sheet (be sure to have someone next to you sign your paper) and turn it in on the last day that you attend class to get class participation credit.