CS 1151 Computers and EthicsR

Java Python Course Information

Course Description:

CS 1151 Computers and Ethics (3 credits) - Analysis and discussion of problems created for society by computers, and how these problems pose ethical dilemmas to both computer professionals and computer users. Topics include: computer crime, viruses, software theft, ethical implications of life-critical systems.

Method of Instruction:

The course will be taught in online lectures, and other online content including readings, discussion posts, assignments, and quizzes. We will have 2 synchronous meetings during this course, via zoom (times, and link will be posted).

Course Topics:

This course introduces students to ethical side of computing technology. The course will enhance the students’ critical thinking skills and communication skills. Issues covered include political, economic, social, and philosophical themes. The following topics will be covered in this course.

· Introduction, MBTI

· Privacy

· Freedom of Speech

· Intellectual Property

· Computer Crimes

· Employment and Workplace

· Evaluating and Controlling Technology

· Errors, Failures and Managing Risks

· Professional Ethics and Responsibilities

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

· Define ethics.

· Describe different schools of ethical theory.

· Analyze an ethics issue and produce arguments for and against a course of action or viewpoint.

· Communicate thoughts, ideas and analyses

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbook:

A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal and Ethical Issues for Computing Technology, 5th Edition by Sara Baase and Timothy Henry (Pearson Higher Education, © 2018). ISBN 13: 9780134615271.

This book is available from the Vanderbilt Bookstore at www.vubookstore.com

and may also be found on other websites.

Honor Code System

In this course you are encouraged to discuss the material and issues addressed in the course inside and outside of class. You may even discuss the topics of essay assignments or presentations with members of the class or with others.

The Honor Code System of Vanderbilt University applies to all work done in CS 1151 this summer. Unless your instructor specifically states otherwise in writing, this work comprises homework assignments, discussion posts, quizzes, and examinations as described in the Assessments and Grading section. It is your obligation to make certain that you understand and abide by all these rules. Anyone suspected of cheating (i.e., copying from someone else’s test/quiz, using unauthorized notes on tests, etc.) will be reported to the honor council. Individual work must be prepared individually although group discussions are generally permitted to obtain ideas and perspectives.

Note: Book reports, papers and projects are available online that cover many aspects of this course. Do not jeopardize your future by plagiarizing other people’s work to satisfy requirements for this course. Plagiarism checkers will be used to ensure your work is your own. If you have any doubts, ask your instructor for clarification, not another student.

The information below regarding the Honor Code System comes from the Vanderbilt University Student Handbook opens in a new window.

The Honor Code System and Academic Integrity:

"Cheating, plagiarizing, or otherwise falsifying results of study is prohibited. The System applies not only to examinations, but also to all work handed in (including drafts), such as papers, reports, solutions to problems, tapes, films, and computer programs, unless excepted by the instructor. The System also applies to any act that is fraudulent or intended to mislead the instructor, including falsifying records of attendance for class, for events for which attendance is required or for which class credit is given, or for internships or other work service. Work in all courses—including those that involve, in whole or in part, online learning—is subject to the provisions of the System..."

Please note: Use of AI tools to complete any required work is a violation of the Honor Code!

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the presumptive penalty for a first offense is failure in the course.

Assessments and Grading

Grading Scale:

Final grades for this course are based on your final course average as follows:

Average	Assigned Grade
>=94	A
90-93	A-
87-89	B+
84-86	B
80-83	B-
77-79	C+
74-76	C
70-73	C-
67-69	D+
64-66	D
60-63	D-
< 60	F

Grade of Incomplete (I) - The Incomplete (I) is a temporary placeholder for a grade that will be submitted at a later date. The grade of I is given only under extenuating circumstances and only when a significant body of satisfactory work has been completed in a course. For additional information, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Assignments, Quizzes, Exams and More:

The final course average is based upon the following areas:

· Homework Assignments

· Discussion Postings

· Quizzes

· Final Exam

Description	Weight
Homework Assignments (5)	30%
Discussion Postings (5)	25%
6 Quizzes	30%
1 Final Exam	15%

Homework Assignments:

Homework must be done completely on your own. You may use your textbook, notes or ask your instructor.

Honor code: While working on these homework assignments, you may not obtain assistance from anyone other than the instructor. Using AI tools is a violation of Honor Code.

One caveat: If you choose to use the web for help, you must be careful not to violate the honor code by receiving unauthorized help on a specific homework problem which is the same as seeking unauthorized assistance on campus and is not permitted. You could search for something general as long as you are not searching for a specific solution to a specific question. If you have questions about this policy, please contact your instructor.

Discussion Postings:

Discussion topics will be posted online on Brightspace. Students are responsible for reading and responding to the discussion post with a full paragraph of at least 150 words as well as responding thoughtfully to at least two students' posts with a different paragraph of at least 150 words. Each post will have a specific deadline. If you miss the deadline, you will receive a 0 for that discussion posting. No late submission will be accepted. Using AI tools to complete the discussion posts or comments is a violation of the Honor Code.

Honor code: If you choose to use the web to help with, or support your position on a discussion post, you must be careful to cite any references. If you have questions about this policy, please contact your instructor.

Quizzes:

You will have a quiz based on the readings. Quiz dates will be posted on the Calendar of Assignments in Brightspace. There are no make-up quizzes. You will be given 6 quizzes, of which you my drop the lowest quiz grade. Each quiz is given the same weight in the final grade regardless of the total point value on the quiz.

Honor code: During quizzes, you may neither receive unauthorized help nor give help to someone who is not permitted to receive it. Only your instructor is authorized to give you help. Note that help will not be given if it would provide unfair advantage.

Final Exam:

A final exam will be the last work you will turn in after completing the required discussion posts and assignments. The exam will be based on a review that will be posted a few days before the exam post date.

Honor code: You may neither receive unauthorized help nor give help. Only your instructor is authorized to give you help. Note that help will not be given if it would provide unfair advantage.

Homework Late Policy:

Any homework turned in after its stated deadline will be considered late and will automatically be subject to a late penalty. There may be exceptions, please consult with the instructor.

How and When It's Appropriate to Seek Help

	Collaborate with fellow students?	Seek help from instructor?	Use outside resources (textbook, Internet)
Homework Assignments	No	Yes	Yes (but see caveat above)
Quizzes and Exams	No	Yes	No
Discussion Postings	No	No	Yes (but see note above)

How To Check Your Progress:

Your grades will be posted on Brightspace regularly. It is your responsibility to check your grades on a regular basis in Brightspace to ensure they are correct.

How To Calculate Your Final Grade:

Although total points on an assignment or quiz may vary, the actual weighting for all quizzes is the same as is the weighting of all homeworks. You can calculate your weighted final course average as follows:

· For each area, (e.g., homework, quizzes, etc.), calculate your score as a percentage of the total possible points for that work. Remember that you can drop your lowest quiz grade.

· Calculate the weight of each area by multiplying the score from #1 by the weight assigned to that area.

· Calculate the percentage for your final exam and multiply that by the weight of the final exam.

· Add up your total points. The maximum should be 100 if you did it correctly.

Grade Appeals:

If you have a question about the grading of your homework or exam, talk to the instructor.

Course Ground Rules and Guidelines for Course Communication

Students are expected to:

· Participate in all aspects of the course.

· Abide by the Honor Code System as stated for this course.

· Communicate with other students in a polite and professional manner.

· Learn how to navigate the course in Brightspace.

· Keep abreast of course announcements.

· Ask questions when confused or needing clarification.

· Observe the Guidelines for Course Communication below.

Email:

· Be sure to check your course emails every 24-48 hours and respond to any requests for more information as needed.

· Be sure to always include a subject line that includes the course title (e.g., CS 1151- Question about HW 2).

· Be sure to sign your name (e.g., "Thanks for any help you can provide. -John Smith").

· Do not type in all capitals or use colored backgrounds.

Discussion Board:

· Be sure to check the course Discussion Board every 24-48 hours for important information.

· Be sure to always include an appropriate subject line when starting a thread (e.g., Question about HW 2)

· Be sure to post assistance in the "Help" area of the discussion board.

· Do not post off topic comments or threads.

· Try to be helpful and encouraging to your classmates