CS 340 – Legal & Ethical Issues in Computing – SPRING 2015 ‐ 3 hours C Course designation: CS 102, CS 150, ENGR 103 or CBH 101 is a required pre‐requisite. Extensive use of the computer is required for a passing grade in this course. Course Objective: To increase awareness of the ethical and legal issues of computing and responsible use. Course Description: By way of case study and fact pattern analysis, we will find and frame legal and ethical issues presented by past, contemporary and emerging technology. Cases and events will be examined. At the conclusion of the semester, students will be able identify and discuss legal and ethical issues presented by technology. Instructor Leslie Dixon, J.D. Office: 280B Hardaway Hall; 205‐348‐1663 Email: Ldixon@cs.ua.edu (please include a subject) Office hours*: Monday 8:45 am‐11:00 am; Wednesday 12:45 pm ‐3:30 pm *other times freely available by appointment Course Websites: http://cs340.cs.ua.edu & https://ualearn.blackboard.com/ Text Messaging: if you’d like to receive breaking news announcements and reminder texts, sign up. For Mrs. Dixon’s sections 1‐4, text @cs34 to (205) 409‐0594. Required Text: Ethics in a Computing Culture Binkman ISBN: 1‐111‐53110‐2 Required Technology: Turning Technologies’ ResponseCard NXT (Nxt Clicker) or XR (orange band.) Registration will be available on Blackboard. Grading: In‐class work, quizzes, participation, assignments (paper and via clicker): Video project: Exams (three exams at 20% each.): 20% 20% 20% Grading Scale: 98.0‐100.0 92.0‐97.9 89.5‐91.9 88.0‐89.4 A+ A A‐ B+ 82.0‐87.9 79.5‐81.9 78.0‐79.4 72.0‐77.9 B B‐ C+ C 69.5‐71.9 68.0‐69.4 62.0‐67.9 59.5‐61.9 C D+ D D‐ 00.0‐59.4 F Participation and Attendance: CS 340 differs from most computer science classes for non‐majors in that it is discussion‐based as opposed to project based. Tests, quizzes, and the project will be derived from not only the readings but also class dialogue. Due to the nature of the material, attending class and being prepared and willing to discuss the topic of the day is crucial. Attendance and participation will be factored into your course letter grade. For some items, YOU MUST PURCHASE AND USE A CLICKER. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO COMMIT TO CLASS ATTENDANCE OR PARTICIPATION, PLEASE DROP CS 340 AND CHOOSE ANOTHER CLASS. Project: This semester students will work in teams of approximately 4‐5 students on a video project concerning ethics and popular culture or legal issues and popular culture. Each team and topic is student selected, but instructor approved. We will begin forming teams after the first test. Grades from projects may include required participation April 16, 21 and 23. Tentative Project Deadlines: Topic and team finalization, due in class, Tuesday, February 17th Storyboards, due in class, Tuesday, February 24th Script Rough Draft, due in class, Thursday, March 5th Project Previews, in‐class viewing, is Thursday, March 26th Project Due Date: Monday at noon, April 13th Project Presentations: in class April 16th, 21st and 23rd Tentative Exam Dates: Exam 1 is Tuesday, February 10th Exam 2 is Tuesday, March 10th Exam 3 is Tuesday, April 14th Makeup Work, Quiz and Exam Policy: Occasionally, students will miss class for legitimate reasons beyond their control. With the instructor’s discretion, work should be completed and submitted within one week of the student’s return. Late work or work that is not submitted according to the guidelines will be accepted on a case‐by‐case basis, and if accepted, a penalty may be imposed. Students with University‐
related travel must make arrangements in advance. Students with chronic illness or experiencing sudden catastrophic events should contact me with details ASAP so that we can make appropriate arrangements. A makeup quiz or exam may be in a different format than the regular quiz or exam. For example, essay questions may be given for the makeup. If you miss a quiz or exam, please contact me ASAP for the best possible outcome. Academic Dishonesty: All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct. Unless specified, all exams and outside class work are to be each individual student’s own effort. Cheating will not be tolerated. Students agree that their enrollment in this course allows the instructor the right to use electronic devices to help prevent plagiarism. Weather: Please be familiar with UA’s severe weather guidelines found at http://uanews.ua.edu/weather/ Etiquette: To succeed in this class you must be able to read and understand what you read, listen in class and understand what you heard, follow directions, maintain responsible and courteous conduct, use the computer, and complete work and respond to emails in a timely manner. Accommodations: All reasonable efforts to accommodate meritorious requests will be made. To request disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services (348‐4285). After initial arrangements are made with that office, contact me so we can make a plan for your needs. Outline of Topics: I.
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Cultural Implications of Technology & Ethics A.
The deontological and teleological viewpoints B.
Justice, Virtue and social contract viewpoints First Amendment A.
What kinds of speech are protected; what kinds are excluded? B.
Special topics and areas of interest: 1.
Defamation 2.
Violence and hate speech 3.
International Issues 4.
Spam Intellectual Property A.
Basics and case examples of: Copyrights 1.
2.
Trademarks 3.
Patents 4.
Trade Secrets B.
Special topics and areas of interest 1.
Fair Use 2.
Illegal downloading 3.
Trademark infringement 4.
Alternatives to traditional copyrights Privacy and Technology A.
Constitutional fundamentals B.
Implications of technology in law enforcement and investigation C.
Informational privacy D.
Workplace privacy Crime and Torts in Technology A.
Computer Security B.
Hackers and “hacktivism” C.
Computer and device safety and reliability