This course is intended to expose students to issues regarding the social and ethical implications of technology. In recent years, many computer professionals have become increasingly aware of the societal impacts of the increased use of computer technology in everyday life. While technology promises many benefits to our society and economy, there are also well founded concerns that serious problems may arise. This course is intended to introduce students to the main issues surrounding the computerization of society, and to help students understand the development, application, and consequences of information technology as social as well as technical processes. Topics include computerization and the quality of work life, unemployment, personal privacy and freedom of information, ownership and rights to software, and the manageability, risks and accountability of complex systems. The course seeks to foster in students a critical approach to the understanding of the impact of technology in society via the academic skills of reading, writing and argumentation. The course is designed to meet the Program W requirement for undergraduates.

Prerequisites:

Location: 5129 SENSQ

Time M W & F 2:30 - 4:15

Instructor: Don Bonidie

Phone: 624-8433
Office: 6131 Sennott Square
Email: dmb@cs.pitt.edu
Office Hours: TBA

Required Texts:

Readings in Cyber Ethics by Spinello & Tavani 2nd edition (Editors) (BIG BOOK)

Cyber Ethics Morality and Law in Cyberspace by Spinello 3rd edition (small book)

Grading:

30% Weekly papers (around 20 pages total)
20% Midterm paper (8 page)
20% Final paper (8 page)
10% Debate & presentation
20% Class participation

Late Policy: Unless stated otherwise, all assignments are due at the beginning of class. For each day that an assignment is late 10% of the total possible points will be deducted from the grade.

Extensions: Extensions will only be granted before an assignment is due and only under extraordinary circumstances.

Special circumstances. If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union, (412-648-7890/TTY:412-383-7355) as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.

MISCELLANEOUS:

CELL PHONES! PLEASE DO NOT HAVE YOUR CELL PHONE RINGER ON. CELL PHONES DO HAVE A VIBRATE MODE THAT WILL QUIETLY ALERT YOU TO AN INCOMING CALL WITHOUT DISTURBING YOUR FELLOW CLASSMATES. IF YOU NEED TO ANSWER A CALL, DO NOT ANSWER IT IN THE CLASSROOM. PLEASE GO OUT INTO THE HALL TO ANSWER YOUR CALLS!!
You should check the class website regularly for announcements regarding class and assignments.
If you are absent from a lecture, you are responsible for learning what was covered, and obtaining any notes or handouts given in class. All class handouts are available on the class website unless stated otherwise.
It is usually better to e-mail me rather than call as I am always around a computer but not always my phone.

CS 1590

Social Implications of Computing Technology