I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Group VIII Ethics and Human Values Computer Science
Dept/Program
Course #
Course Title
Prerequisite
Computer Ethics & Society
• CS or CS/Math major
with Senior standing
• FOR 220
• Successful completion of
the Upper Division
Writing Proficiency
Assessment (UDWPA).
• Or consent of instructor
415E
Credits 3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Instructor
Phone / Email
Program Chair
Dean
Yolanda Reimer
reimer@cs.umt.edu
Alden Wright
Gerald Fetz
Date
9-17-08
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Course Description:
In this class, we learn about ethical problems that computer scientists face, the codes of
ethics of computing professional societies, and the social implications of computers,
computing, and other digital technologies. At the conclusion of the class, students
should:
1. Understand, identify, and apply different ethical philosophies, frameworks,
and methodologies.
2. Identify and interpret the codes of professional conduct relating to the
disciplines of computer science and software engineering.
3. Understand and apply the concepts and principles of moral thinking to
problems relating to computing and digital technologies.
4. Have improved skills writing argumentative essays, and in critical thinking,
analysis, and presentation.
5. Be familiar with a number of noteworthy essays written by influential
researchers in the field of cyberethics.
This course combines a coverage of ethics and of "computers and society". The
coverage of ethics is introductory and foundational, but the coverage
of computers and
society does assume some background knowledge of computers and computer
technology. The computer science department uses e-portfolios as one assessment
method of its program, and this is the course where students complete their e-portfolio.
An e-portfolio is a web site, and students use their knowledge of web site construction
to build an attractive and effective e-portfolio. Thus, the department would like to be
able to leave this course at the 400 level and have it count towards the general
education ethics perspective. If this course is not approved for the ethics perspective,
CS majors will need to add an additional course to an already very full curriculum.
Students who need to take Math prerequisite courses like Math 121 will be required to
take more than 120 hours to graduate.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Even though this course is a 400-level
course geared towards seniors and one that
satisfies the University’s upper division
writing requirement, we believe it is
introductory and foundational in its ethical
theory components. During the first 2-3
weeks of the class, students are exposed to
various ethical theories, including
relativism, consequence-based theory, and
deontology. We then use these theories as a
foundation and framework for discussing
and analyzing many of the cases and
situations that apply to computer technology
and computer professionals.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
This course meets Learning Goal 1 by first
Learning Goal 1: Correctly apply the basic focusing on a number of ethical theories and
concepts and forms of reasoning from the methodologies used to analyze ethical
tradition or professional practice they studied issues. Once we understand this, we use
to ethical issues that arise within those these theories and methodologies as a
traditions or practices; Æ
framework for discussing many topics that
those involved with computing are likely to
encounter, including professional ethics,
security, privacy, the Internet, etc.
Learning Goal 2: Analyze and critically evaluate This course meets Learning Goal 2 by using
the basic concepts and forms of reasoning from ethical theory as a basis for arguing many
different ethical cases and scenarios that
the tradition or professional practice they apply to computing. While these arguments
studied. Æ are often presented orally during class
discussion, this course is a writing intensive
course and argumentative essays are also a
key component.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
attached
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.