Ethics in the Network Society
Fall 2004

Syllabus

Course description / Textbook and readings / Assignments and evaluation

Class meetings: 9:00-11:00 and 13:00-15:00, Monday-Friday, September 13-24

Course Description

Overview. The intention of this course is to introduce students to the variety of ethical issues they will need to address as information professionals. The class will be introduced to ethical theories and their application to information-related moral issues, as well as ethical codes of conduct for the information professions. The class discussion will focus on particular issues that are most salient to information professionals, such as information/data as intellectual property, software as intellectual property, data integrity/accuracy, software accuracy, privacy, access to information/censorship, access to information technology, effects of computerization on the work environment (job displacement, deskilling, ergonomic issues, electronic monitoring), effects of computer-mediated communication on understandings of identity and relationships, and/or effects of computerization on democracy and government.

Textbook and Readings

Rachels, J. (2003). The Elements of Moral Philosophy. 4th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Students should acquire the text prior to the start of the class. Additional readings may be assigned as noted in the class schedule. These readings will be selected by the instructor and class participants.

Assignments and Evaluation

Student performance in this module will be assessed on the basis of:

• A written scenario describing a dilemma in information ethics (30%),
• A response to such a scenario (either a scenario written by a classmate or one received from the instructor) (30%), and
• Their participation in class discussions and activities (40%).

Academic Integrity. It is expected that each student will complete his or her own assignments. Any published sources (in print or electronic) should be appropriately cited. (See the instructor if you have any questions about when and how to cite the sources you use.) Class discussion may be used to improve the quality of the written assignments; any unauthorized assistance from classmates will not be tolerated.

Other course policies

• You are encouraged and expected to participate in class discussions.
• Reading assignments should be done before class so that you can ask questions and participate in discussions.
• If there is something you don't understand, ask a question! If you don't want to ask during class, please see me after class.
• All cell phones and beepers should be turned off during class.

Schedule / Assignments