COMPSCI 230: Ethical Issues in Computing
2-credit course with 2 lecture hours per week
Course Coordinator: James Buffenbarger
Textbook(s) and Supplemental Material
Ethics for the Information Age, Michael Quinn, 2011.
Catalog Description
Privacy, intellectual property rights, computer crime, codes of conduct. Risks and liabilities of
computer-based systems. Electronic information and free speech.
PREREQ: COMM 101, COMPSCI 225, ENGL 202, and ENGR 102 or PHIL 101.
Required
Goals for the Course
Successful students will be expected to:
• understanding the history of computer technology
• analyzing a behavior or scenario for ethical aspects
• understanding classical ethical theories
• applying ethical theories to argue morality or immorality
• understanding intellectual property and its protections
• understanding privacy and its protections
Outcomes Addressed
e. an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and
responsibilities
f. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
g. an ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals,
organizations, and society
Outcomes Assessed: e, f, and g
Topics Covered
History of Computer Technology
Classical Ethics
Ethics Aspects of Networking
Intellectual Property
Privacy
Computer and Network Security
Computer Reliability
Professional Ethics
Work and Wealth
Grading
At the end of the course, a letter grade is assigned to each student according to rank among
classmates, which is determined from numerical scores assigned for performance of these
activities:
Activity
Weight
Homework
80%
Final (Presentation)
20%
Curriculum Category Content (Credits)
Area
Core Advanced
Algorithms
Software Design
Computer Architecture
Data Structures
Programming Languages
Other
2