CGS3065 DEBATES FALL 2006

SECTION 7098   Dr. G. Haskins

Select a topic and point of view from the following list. Several topics have a starting point for research. At least one week prior to the debate date, send the professor a URL, for posting on this site, of material that you believe supports your argument.

Come prepared to convince your colleagues, and to support your arguments with FACTS, and well-reasoned opinions. Students not on the panel for that day should be ready to question vigorously the panelists positions.

Please remember that a SUBSTANTIAL PORTION of your grade in this class is determined by participation (or not) in classroom discussions.

TENTATIVE DATE, TOPIC, & READINGS

**11/9** Whether, following structural failure of a commercial Building which results in loss of life, the fault should be placed on one of the professionals involved in the project? hypothetical

ROLES

  • ENGINEER: Mike K
  • COMMERCIAL DEVELOPER: Laura G
  • EXPERT: Karl S
  • SOFTWARE DEVELOPER: Robert M

**11/14** Whether Mr. Jonah Nonimous is correct when he says: "I'm a law-abiding citizen. I pay my taxes promptly. I have a loving, caring wife, and two responsible teenage sons. I close the door when I take a shower, and discuss family matters only with my family. I don't care if anyone reviews my college grades or my income statements.  I don’t care if the NSA intercepts my communications without cause or warrant.  I have nothing to hide. All these privacy laws are unnecessary. Only individuals who have something to hide need them."

PERSPECTIVES (UP TO 2 EACH)

·                I'M WITH JONAH: Stephen B, Gram S
·                JONAH'S WRONG: Kevon W

**11/14** Whether people who would never consider shoplifting a music CD from a store, are correct when they argue that there is difference between that, and downloading the same material for free off a P2P network?

PERSPECTIVES (UP TO 2 EACH)

  • IT’S NOT THE SAME: Pablo V, Simon Z
  • STEALING IS STEALING: Michael M, Krzysztof S

**11/16** Whether , given the effect of the “USAPATRIOT ACT” in preventing further terrorist acts in this country, we should support the “Domestic Security Enhancement Act” (PATRIOT II,) which would significantly expand the powers of federal agents to obtain information (credit and DNA, eg.) on terrorists, suspected terrorists, and their “associates” and which removes many of the “roadblocks” to successful prosecution, since after all, anything is better than doing nothing.

PERSPECTIVES (UP TO 2 EACH)

  • YES, LET’S SUPPORT PATRIOT II: Jesus D
  • NO, PATRIOT II IS A TRAVESTY: Abhilash T, Robert S

 

**11/21** Millions of American homes are equipped with wireless networks.  If the network is not made secure, any nearby computer with a wireless card can use the network.  The range of home wireless networks often extends into neighboring homes, particularly in apartment complexes.  If your neighbor’s wireless network extends into your home, is it wrong (legally or morally) tto use the network to get free internet access?

PERSPECTIVES (UP TO 2 EACH)

  • OF COURSE IT IS: John N, Stephen Q
  • NO, IT’S PERFECTLY REASONABLE, AND LEGAL: Reed D, David T

 

**11/21** Whether Digital Rights Management (DRM) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) are needed to protect the rights of creative artists, or whether they are not serving that purpose?

PERSPECTIVES (UP TO 2 EACH)

  • PRO DRM/DMCA: Michael S, Trevor F
  • ANTI DRM/DMCA: Vincent G, Dwayne K

**11/28** Whether, in order to protect our children from the harmful effects of rampant internet pornography, we should support a statute which would make it a federal crime to make any communication for commercial purposes which is promoted as depicting minors engaged in sexual activity, whether or not actual minors are involved?

PERSPECTIVES (UP TO TWO EACH):

  • CHILDREN ARE IMPORTANT. LET'S SUPPORT THIS LAW: Mital P
  • GOVERNMENT SHOULD STAY OUT OF THE PARENT BUSINESS: Brent F

**11/28** Whether Craig’s List Chicago, which allowed the running of a recent ad for roommate wanted in which the person stated, “ …African Americans and Arabians tend to clash with me, so that won’t work out either…” should be liable for housing discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act?

PERSPECTIVES (UP TO TWO EACH):

·        Craig’s List deserves no more protection than a newspaper: Rene S

·        Craig’s List is like the post office, how could they possibly be liable?: Evol G

 **11/30** Whether starving sailors in a lifeboat have an ethical and/or legal right to kill and eat one crewmember so that the others might survive? HINT: Can murder be justified by necessity, other than self-defense? What is the purpose of criminal law (retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation) and how would that be advanced? (Regina vs. Dudley, Stephens, et al)PERSPECTIVES (UP TO 2 EACH)

  • ILLEGAL/UNETHICAL: Oliver S
  • LEGAL OR ETHICAL:  John S