CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society, 1 unit
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Department of Computer Science
Course Description – Fall 2012

Section 001    T    9-10:15 a.m. ENGR 2608 Class Dates: 8/28-11/6  Final Exam: 11/13/12

Section 002    R    9-10:15 a.m. ENGR 2608 Class Dates: 8/30-11/1  Final Exam: 11/8/12

Section 007    R    1:30-2:45 p.m. ENGR 2608 Class Dates: 8/30-11/1  Final Exam: 11/8/12

Section 008    R    3:00-4:15 p.m. ENGR 2608 Class Dates: 8/30-11/1  Final Exam: 11/8/12


Instructor:    Prof. Chris Kauffman
        Tel.    (703) 993-5194    Email: ckauffm2@gmu.edu        Office: ENGR, Rm. 5341
        Office hours: Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m.

Section 003    T    1:30-2:45 p.m. ENGR 2608 Class Dates: 8/28-11/6  Final Exam: 11/13/12

Section 004    T    3:00-4:15 p.m. ENGR 2608 Class Dates: 8/28-11/6  Final Exam: 11/13/12


Instructor:        Prof. Fred W. Geldon

Tel.   (301) 424-4554   Email: fgeldon@gmu.edu    Office:  ENGR, Rm. 5323

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

Section 005    W   7:20-8:35 p.m. IN 131 Class Dates: 8/29-10/31  Final Exam: 11/07/12
Section 006    W   8:45-10 p.m. IN 131  Class Dates: 8/29-11/31 Final Exam: 11/07/12


Instructor:        Prof. Michael P. Maddox

Tel. (202) 452-1525, Ext. 106   Email: mmaddox@gmu.edu  Office:  ENGR, Rm. 5323

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

 Undergraduate Teaching Assistants -- Office Hours Available upon Request


Sections -001 and -002:  Rachel Galang, email: rgalang@masonlive.gmu.edu
Sections -003 and -004:  Candice Clark, email: cclark20@masonlive.gmu.edu

Sections -005 and -006:  Joshua Wells, email: jwells10@masonlive.gmu.edu
Sections -007 and -008:  Fathima Shajahan, email: fshajana@masonlive.gmu.edu


All Sections will use Blackboard for communications, for submitting most assignments, and for out-of-class discussion.  Students are responsible for checking Blackboard on a regular basis.  For Blackboard link, go to: mymason.gmu.edu and select "courses".  Please note that we will use the "CS 105 Combined Section" folder for ALL sections.  If you see a blackboard link for your individual section, please IGNORE that link, as it will not be activated.

REQ'D TEXT:   Quinn, Michael J., "Ethics for the Information Age" 5th Ed., Addison-Wesley, 2013.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Legal, social, and ethical issues surrounding use of computers and the internet.  The course will stress ethical decision-making as well as legal and social responsibility in connection with technology-related concerns.   Issues such as security, crime, privacy and intellectual property will be examined in the context of computer use.   Students may be requested to conduct research on the internet in any of these areas and/or learn to use practical technological tools related to privacy and security.  

 
COURSE OUTCOMES:


    1. Students will understand many of the key ethical, legal and social issues related to information technology and how to interpret and comply with ethical principles, laws, regulations and institutional policies.

    2.  Students will understand the essential issues related to information security, how to take precautions and use techniques and tools to defend against computer crimes.


COURSE PREREQUISITE:    None.


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

 

1.  Out-of-class Assignments (30%)
2.  Quizzes (20%)
3.  Instructor Evaluation (incl. attendance and class participation) (20%)
4.  Final Exam (30%)

 

Instructor evaluation criteria may vary from section to section.  Any questions regarding 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.


IMPORTANT NOTE – ALL SECTIONS !!!
                                                                                
Please note that this class meets for 10 weeks, followed by the final exam during the 11th week of class. Because there is a holiday during some sections and not others, this 10 weeks completes at different times, depending upon the section.  For Sections -003 and -004, there will be an additional holiday during the week of October 2, 2012, which delays the final class and exam dates for those sections by one additional week.


The final deadline for dropping this class without tuition liability is September 4, 2012.  ** The FINAL date to drop this course without permission of the Dean is September 28, 2012.  For students eligible for selective withdrawal, the selective withdrawal period ends October 26, 2012. **  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 November 13, 2012 for Section -001, -003 and -004;  November 8, 2012 for sections -007 and -008, and November 7 for sections -005 and -006. 


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

 

Other helpful sites:
GMU Counseling Center

Special Accomodations:    If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accomodations, please see your instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at (703) 993-2474.  All academic accomodations must be arranged through the DRC.

General Education:  This course has been approved to satisfy the GMU General Education requirement for one credit of IT Ethics.

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.