IS 1091: Ethical and Social Implications of Technology.

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Click here for paper I requirements and suggestions.

Click here for suggested topics for presentations

Click here for paper II requirements and suggestions. The paper is due on March 16th.

Guidleines for presentations, Some advice on preparing a presentation.

Final paper requirements Please submit two copies!

Syllabus

The syllabus will be updated throughout the semester. Dates, topics, assigned reading, and problem set due dates will be added or might change. All changes in assigned reading and due dates will be announced in class (and occasionally by e-mail). While I will do my best to update the web site accordingly, it is a student's responsibility to keep track of the problem set due dates and reading assignments. If you are not sure about due dates, please don't hesitate to ask.

All reading is from Morton Winston, Ralph Edelbach (editors) "Society, Ethics, and Technology ", unless specified otherwise. Reading appears in the syllabus on the day when it's due. It is your responsibility to keep track of reading assignments and to come to class prepared.

Tuesday Thursday
Week 1: January 12 -- January 16
Introduction, course overview. Definitions of ethics, social issues, and technology. Click here for the list of topics.
Week 2: January 19 -- January 23
History of technology. Discussion of implications of various technological innovations.
Lab: Introduction to blog.
Week 3: January 26 -- January 30
Discussion of implications of various technological innovations (cont.) Reading: introduction.
Week 4: Feb. 2 -- Feb. 6
Reading: I.1. Reading: I.4, the handout.
Week 5: Feb. 9 -- Feb. 13
Discussion of articles on automated driver's license readers. The discussion will focus on the following questions. Discussion of articles on automated driver's license readers (cont.) Paper I due.
Week 6: Feb. 16 -- Feb. 20
Reading: I.6. Requirements for presentations, Q&A.
Discussion: government regulation of technology.
Week 7: Feb. 23 -- Feb. 27
Reading: I.10 Reading: II.2.
Week 8: March 1 -- March 5
Group work on presentations. Biotechnology.
Reading: II.10 + handout.
Questions for discussion
March 8 -- March 12: SPRING BREAK, NO CLASSES
Week 9: March 15 -- March 19
Paper II due.
Continue discussion of bioethics.
Overview of biometrics (See resources)
Discussion of applications of biometrics.
Week 10: March 22 -- March 26
Article II.5 from the textbook ("Computers and Privacy"). questions on the reading.
A UMM event today (optional, but highly recommended).
Presentation 1: stem cell research.
Randy Parker, Scott Lembcke, Matt Bryan, Sam Johnston, Marlys Marsh.
Week 11: March 29 -- April 2
Continue discussion of "Computer and Privacy" paper. For this class, find out what the software product Carnivore is. What do you think of it?
A couple more articles on this subject: Access to other customers' orders on Victoria's Secret web site, One recent security breach involving debit cards.
Presentation 2: implantable computers.
Laura McMullin, Steve Caudill, Patrick Boyle, Patrick Christenson, Christa Pfannenstein.
Week 12: April 5 -- April 9
Population, energy, and the environment. Assignment, due Monday 5pm:Please send me (by e-mail) at least one link on environment, ecology, and/or demographic trends. Links can be to general resources or recent news articles on the subject. Make sure that the sources are reliable and the information is recent. Click here for links submitted so far. Presentation 3: computers in education.
Joe Boucha, Ona Johnson, Sarah Shelton, Kate Thanel, Andrea Thielke.
Week 13: April 12 -- April 16
Presentation 4: file sharing.
Patrick Van Zandt, Rachael Carlson, Kate Beyer, Andy LaBerge, Ryan Mace.
Population, energy, and the environment (cont. discussion).
Week 14: April 19 -- April 23
TBA
Final paper due. Please submit two copies
Presentation 5: SPAM.
Victor Balling, Tom Henchal, Mike Anderson, Dana Woods.
Week 15: April 26 -- April 30
TBA
Feedback on the final paper due.
Wrap-up discussion. Please be there!
Final paper due: before Wedn., May 5th, 1:30pm