Section 001     R 10:30-11:45 a.m. IN  203 Class Dates: 8/28-10/30  Final Exam: 11/06/08

Section 002     R  Noon-1:15 p.m. IN  203 Class Dates: 8/28-10/30  Final Exam: 11/06/08

Instructor:        Tamara A. Maddox

Tel.   (703) 993-1525   Email: tmaddox@gmu.edu    Office: S&T2, Rm. 369

Office hours: Immediately before and after class in the classroom

Section 003     T  7:20-8:35 p.m. Robinson  A101 Class Dates: 8/26-11/04  Final Exam: 11/11/08

Section 004     T  8:45-10:00 p.m. Robinson A101 Class Dates: 8/26-11/04  Final Exam: 11/11/08

Instructor:        Michael P. Maddox

Tel.   (202) 466-8270   Email: mmaddox@gmu.edu    Office: S&T2, Rm. 435

Office hours: After class in the classroom, or by appointment

Section 005     W  7:20-8:35 p.m. Robinson A105 Class Dates: 8/27-11/05  Final Exam: 11/12/08

Section 006     W  8:45-10:00 p.m. Robinson A105 Class Dates: 8/27-11/05 Final Exam: 11/12/08

Instructor:        Fred W. Geldon

Tel.   (703) 742-1270   Email: fgeldon@gmu.edu    Office: S&T2, Rm. 435

Office hours:   After class in the classroom, or by appointment

 Undergraduate Teaching Assistants -- Office Hours Available upon Request

 

Sections -001 & -002: Sarah Yarbrough    Email: syarbrou@gmu.edu

Sections -003 & -004:  Richard Julian    Email: rjulian@gmu.edu

Sections -005 & -006: Alexandra Savage   Email: asavage1@gmu.edu

 

All Sections will use WebCT for communications and for out-of-class discussion.  Students are responsible for checking WebCT on a regular basis.  For WebCT link, click here.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Legal, social, and ethical issues surrounding software development and computer use. Professional conduct, social responsibility and rigorous standards for software testing and reliability will be stressed. Issues such as liability, intellectual property rights, security and crime will be examined in the context of computer use. Students are expected to be able to conduct research on the Internet.

 
COURSE OUTCOMES:

    1. Be able to describe and apply traditional philosophical ethical theories to contemporary situations of technology and computer science.

    2.  Recognize the importance of achieving safety and demanding accountability in CS-related projects, along with some of the difficulties involved.

    3.  Understand the concept of intellectual property rights and their place in our society.
    4.  Be able to critically examine online sources to determine their reliability for scholarly purposes or other uses.

COURSE PREREQUISITE:    Completion of at least 12 credit hours.

CLASS SCHEDULE:    See WebCT for assignment details and any class slides or lecture notes.

 

1.  Out-of-class Assignments (35%)
2.  Quizzes (15%)
3.  Instructor Evaluation (incl. in-class assignments and class particip.) (15%)
4.  Final Exam (35%)

 

Instructor evaluation criteria may vary from section to section.  Any questions regarding late penalties or specific requirements for your section should be addressed directly to your individual UTA or instructor.  If you email questions, please indicate your full name, class section and reason for your message in the subject line of your email (e.g. Smith, Bob / CS 105-005 / Assignment #1).

 

Note: *NO* assignments will be accepted for credit after the final regular class session for your section.  Remember that the final exam is the week *after* the final regular class session.

 

This class relies strongly on class participation.  Therefore, it is important that you attend class on a regular basis.  While you are welcome to attend an alternate lecture session if you miss your own, please note that you may *not* rely on different sections to present the same materials.  Similarly, unless you obtain advance approval from your instructor, you may not receive credit for class participation or other in-class activities when attending a section other than your own.

 

** Unless otherwise specified, all papers and other written assignments are to be individual efforts.  Certain portions of group assignments may require individual efforts as well. Be careful to follow instructions regarding acceptable group efforts. Plagiarism is governed by the GMU Honor Code and will not be tolerated.  Instances of cheating and/or plagiarism will be referred to the Honor Committee.

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IMPORTANT NOTE – ALL SECTIONS !!!
                                                                                
Please be aware that because this is a one-credit, partial-semester course, it has special early add/drop deadlines. The final deadline for dropping this class without tuition liability is September 5, 2008. ** The FINAL date to drop this course without permission of the Dean is 9/19/2008.  For students eligible for selective withdrawal, the selective withdrawal period ends 10/03/2008. **  For specific details on dates and penalties, please check with the GMU registrar.

 

** REMINDER =>  The Final Exam for each section will be held at the time and place of the regular class sessions for that section, on the class date that would immediately follow the 10th (final) week of class. The final exam is scheduled to take place on Nov. 6, 2008 for Sections 1-2, Nov. 11 for Sections 3-4, and Nov. 12, 2008 for Sections 5-6.

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 Assistance with Essay/Report Writing:
GMU New Century College: Online Writing Guide
GMU Writing Center

 

Other helpful sites:
GMU Counseling Center

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: None of the information presented in this course should be considered specific legal advice. Each situation is unique and requires individual attention. Students with individual legal concerns should not rely on information obtained in this course in making any legal decisions. Should you have a problem or concern requiring legal attention, you should seek specific advice from an attorney of your choosing.