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CS292 Computer Ethics
Senior Seminar
Alison Pechenick
Fall 2006

This weekly seminar explores challenges to
the ethical use of technologies in
government, industry, academia, and society.

Topics may include computer security, copyright and patent law, privacy, intellectual property,
morality vs. legality, censorship, anti-trust, historical and Constitutional precedents,
and cybercrime in its ever-expanding manifestations.

Students will participate in the following activities (see Course Logistics for details):

One oral presentation, leading discussions on relevant topics of students' choice
Regular, constructive contributions to online and classroom online discussions
One of the following instructor-approved activities:

a. Needs assessment: Canvas local or home community institution(s) to assess technology requirements

         Are there insufficiencies? If so, for what reason(s)?
        Do these lackings place the institution at a disadvantage?
        Has there been progress over time?

b. Service/volunteer project

Course Logistics

Last updated August 28, 2006

Class Meeting Time	Mondays 4:40 - 5:30 p.m. 367 Votey
Instructor Contact Information	apecheni@cems.uvm.edu 319 Votey (802)656-2547 Mondays, 11 a.m. - noon Tuesdays, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. or by Appointment, WebCT BB, WebCT Chat
Course Materials	Readings as assigned (no textbook) Postings regularly updated in WebCT
Class Discussions and Group Presentations	We will use WebCT (restricted access) as our online interactive course space. Students are responsible for logging onto their accounts on a regular basis. Chat rooms are available for group collaboration.
Academic Honesty	Each student is responsible for adhering to UVM's Code of Academic Integrity rigorously supported by the CS Department Please cite your references at all times, using appropriate citation style.
Course Components & Grading There will be no exams in this course. All grades are based on presentations, in-class participation, postings to WebCT, and project. Please note: Attendance is mandatory. One excused absence is permitted, but your presence will be missed, so please try to reserve these absences for circumstances beyond your control.	One Group Presentation - 35% Each pair/trio of students will be responsible for making one presentation. Select a topic Identify appropriate readings Assign a reading to classmates one week ahead of presentation (Monday evening) Prepare a seminar session to include each of the following: Thorough, well-informed presentation of the material Group-led follow-up discussion, involving entire class Participation- 35% Contribute at least once to the Current Events thread on WebCT BB Read the assigned material(s) in advance of the seminar Raise questions and comments during the presentation and/or Contribute a written posting in response to the group presentations, using WebCT BB, during the week following that presentation. Everyone must speak in class at least once. Everyone must post a written comment at least once. Each person must contribute in some way to at least 2/3 of the topics presented, not counting your own presentation. (Note: Follow-up responses to your own presentation are appreciated, and will count toward your presentation grade, but NOT toward this requirement.) Service/VolunteerProject 30% Each student's activity must be pre-approved by instructor. Collaborative efforts will also be considered. Some suggestions include: Volunteer Project (may be of weekly or limited duration) Assist with CS/CSSA Outreach Activities (e.g., Design TASC, Scout Badge) Conduct and Prepare Technology Needs Assessment for some group or organization Original work, such as short story, critical analysis, book report, Technology Bill of Rights, presentation prepared for some subset of local K-12 classes; organize and participate in ethics debates with other CS students in region, or with UVM students in Sociology, Debate Team, etc., ...