Information Technology &
Informatics 04:189:103
Session 2
Learning Requirements
Assessment Requirements
Ethical Requirements
Your Instructors
Sergio Chaparro
Ph.D Candidate LIS
Chaparro@scils.rutgers.e
du
Catherine Smith
Teaching assistant
ASSESSMENT
Your final grade will be based on your ability to:
Successfully complete all required tasks according to
the directions provided.
Demonstrate a sound understanding of the theoretical
knowledge and issues presented in lectures and
discussed in class.
Think critically and creatively to solve problems and
communicate your solutions clearly and logically.
ASSESSMENT
Factors that will be considered in your grade:
Your consistent and on-time attendance
Your active participation in all aspects of class
discussion and class activities. This includes the
demonstration of thoughtful consideration of class
content as you participate in all forms of class
communication.
Ethics
“Ethics is the knowledge about which response
to choose and which action to do in a given
situation”
“Also called moral philosophy, ethics involves
systematizing, defending, and recommending
concepts of right and wrong behavior”
3 General Areas of Ethical Theories
Meta-ethics investigates where our ethical principles
come from, and what they mean. Are they merely social
inventions? Do they involve more than expressions of
our individual emotions?
Normative ethics involves arriving at moral standards
that regulate right and wrong conduct. Should I steal
food to support my starving family?
Applied ethics involves examining specific controversial
issues, such as abortion, infanticide, animal rights,
environmental concerns, homosexuality, capital
punishment, or nuclear war.
Applied Ethics and I.T.
“In the 21st century,
ethical debate will
enter every single
profession”
Professor Ruth Chadwick
University of Central Lancashire
What is Computer Ethics?
Computer Ethics is the analysis of
the nature and social impact of
computer technology and the
corresponding formulation and
justification of policies for the
ethical use of such technology
How would you respond? Why?
Recently, an undergraduate student from Rutgers published
Cheating 103, an online guidebook to help students learn how
to cheat. What ethical / moral issues do you see associated
with publishing such a book? Should the campus bookstore
carry it? Why or why not? Should the campus newspaper
carry advertisements for the book? Similarly, should the
campus newspaper carry advertisements for companies that
will write students’ research papers for them? Should we set
up a link from ITI103 web site? Should the book advertise the
web site: www.schoolsucks.com?
RU and Plagiarism
Plagiarism (the representation of the words or ideas of another as
one's own in any academic exercise. ) is a serious offence – from
citing without acknowledgement to downloading passages from
Internet
University offence: dealt with by Office of Student Life
As much stupidity as it is dishonesty
Level 2 violation: Quoting directly or paraphrasing, to a moderate
extent, without acknowledging the source. -> disciplinary
probation; may recommend a failing grade for the assignment
involved and the grade in the course will be determined in the
normal manner. Notation will be placed on the student's transcript.
Records will be maintained in the respective Dean’s Office until
graduation.
Don’t even consider it!!
Level 3 violation: Plagiarizing major portions of a written
assignment. Minimum of a one semester suspension from the
University.
Level 4 violation:Doing it again: permanent expulsion from the
University. Notation of "academic disciplinary separation" will
be placed on a student's transcript and remain permanently.
Policy on Academic Integrity for Undergraduate and
Graduate Students
http://teachx.rutgers.edu/integrity/policy.html#Plagiarism
Levels of Cheating
BLUE = Low
RED = High
Resources on Ethics
http://www.ethics.ubc.ca/resources/business/
http://www.utm/edu/research/iep/
http://www.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/index.ht
ml
http://www.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/resource
s/research/global_info/gorniak_comp_rev.html
http://www.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/resource
s/teaching/teaching_mono/moor/moor_definition.html
Components of an Argument
I-C : person takes some information I and makes a claim C
based on this information
W : warrant – certain information, beliefs or other factors
permit individuals to make claim
B : when argument is supported by additional backing
information
Q : qualifier – constraining conditions or grounds under
which claim can be made
R : rebuttal – the counter claims
Making the Argument
Argument Analysis (Toulmin)
Q
C
I
W
B
R
Constructing an Argument
Claim: I-C Unit: Chocolate isn’t good for your health
What’s your basis for saying that? (Warrant)
I get acne and I put on weight
What evidence can you provide? (Backing Information)
Medical reports; analysis of ingredients on chocolate
wrappers
Does this happen to everyone? (Qualifiers)
Dependent on volume of chocolate eaten
Some people wouldn’t agree with you What would they be
likely to say? (Rebuttal)
Chocolate gives me energy
DISCUSSION
“Innovation is irresistible. Progress is
inevitable. Resistance is futile”
Do you agree or disagree with this
statement in relation to Information
Technology?