This course explores the history, the myth, the ethics, the law, and the risks of computer-based technology in modern society. The relationship between law and technology, the rights of the individual in a technology-driven society, and the use of law to protect society from the adverse effects of technological developments, will all be explored. Students should come away from the course with a better understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities. The ability to communicate, both orally and in writing is a principal component of this course, and is measured through research writing, essay exam, debates, and classroom discussions.
The materials presented in the course purposely include readings of a contemporary form, such as news articles, reviews, commentaries, government documents, and a variety of "net available" texts. Because the class topics are all subjects of ongoing debate, the readings do not provide unbiased views and clearly laid out issues. Instead, students will deal with partisan writing of extremely varied quality, accuracy, and philosophy. This is precisely what students will encounter in the "real world," and therefore forms a basis for the appreciation of the need for lifelong learning. Thus, as part of this class, the student is expected to analyze readings, to synthesize new material, and to formulate her own commentaries and criticisms of the issues.
While no programming is required, familiarity with computers is assumed.
Classes are run as discussions.
- RESEARCH PAPER - which will generally include a hypothetical factual situation which raises issues for discussion with regard to technology and society. Instead of a research paper, students may elect to research (with prior approval of the instructor) a relevant topic, write a short summary of their research, and make a brief (15 minute) presentation to the class during weeks 8-11.
-CLASS PARTICIPATION - students will be expected to have completed any relevant reading assignments prior to class and to participate in classroom discussions. Each student will select a relevant internet newsgroup, listserver, or website, should follow or participate in that group's discussion, and then report periodically to the class on interesting "threads."
-DEBATES - Finally, students will be asked to form panels for the debate of various ethical or legal hypotheticals. These will take place during the last few weeks of the semester, and the topics will parallel and supplement lecture and textual material.
-EXAM - At about the middle of the term, students will be given an essay exam bringing together material covered to that point in the course.
Students should read the class homepage frequently. Reading assignments, notices of exams, extra credit opportunities, general announcements, and personal messages will be communicated via the computer system.
Week
Lecture/Discussion Topic Misc
1 Explanation of Course
Highlights of Syllabus
Policies and Expectations
The prediction Problem
2 First Amendment Law
Computer Misuse & Vulnerability
3 Some Basic Concepts
Ethics in the Computer Context Ethics Hypo #1
4 Computer Crime Ethics Hypo #2
Computers and the Media
The Oz Syndrome
5 Information & Economics Paper +12 pts.
Risks of Overreliance
6 Hacking and Viruses Paper +10 pts.
Blogging
and Politics
7 Censorship & Free Speech Paper +8 pts.
Online Indecency
8 Electronic Privacy Paper +6 pts.
Newsgroups
9 Homeland Insecurity Paper +4 pts.
Games with a Message
10 Internet Politics Paper +2 pts.
11 Computer Contracts PAPER DUE!!.
CLASS 11/05
EXAM
12 Intellectual Property
13 Noxious Speech and Hate Groups
DEBATES
14 Current Trends in Law
DEBATES
15 1st Amendment Rights
DEBATES
16 Current Issues