CS 306 Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional, 3 units
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Department of Computer Science
Course Description -- Fall, 2019

Sec. -001 Mon/Wed  Noon-1:15 p.m.  Planetary Hall 122   Maddox
Class Dates: 8/26 - 12/4; Final Exam:  Mon. 12/16/19 from 10:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Sec. -002 Mon/Wed  1:30-2:45 p.m.  Nguyen ENGR 1110   Maddox
Class Dates: 8/26-12/4; Final Exam:  Wed. 12/11/19 from 1:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Sec. -003 Mon/Wed  9-10:15 a.m.  Nguyen ENGR 1110    Maddox
Class Dates: 8/26-12/4; Final Exam: Mon 12/16/19 from 7:30-10:15 a.m. 

Sec. -004 Friday  10:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.  Nguyen ENGR 1110    Maddox
Class Dates: 8/26-12/6; Final Exam: Fri 12/13/19 from 10:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. 

Instructor: Tamara A. Maddox  Email: tmaddox@gmu.edu   Office: ENGR 5347
Telephone: (703) 993-1525  Office Hours: Mon 3:30-5:30 p.m. and by appt.

Online Class Syllabus: http://cs.gmu.edu/syllabus/syllabi-fall19/CS306.html
Class Schedule: http://www.cs.gmu.edu/~tmaddox/cs306/Class_Schedule.html
Blackboard Link: http://mymasonportal.gmu.edu

GTA's:  Sec. 2 & 4: John Walter;  Sec. 1,3: TBA
UTA's: Sec. 1: (MW, Noon-1:15): Kevin Andrews
            Sec. 2: (MW, 1:30-2:45): Ahmed Ali
            Sec. 3 (MW, 9-10:15): Paul Doody
            Sec. 4 (Fri, 10:30-1:15): Benjamin Grimes

Course Prerequisites: CS 105/110, COMM 100/101, ENGH 302; Completion of at least 60 credit hours
Req'd Textbooks: Herman T. Tavani, "Ethics & Technology," 2nd+ ed.; Maddox, Tompkins, Maddox, "Supplementary Cases and Materials," Fall, 2019.

Course Description: This course is intended to help students become effective professionals in the field of computer science by examining many of the challenging legal and ethical issues surrounding computer technology and its use, and building a foundation for dealing with those challenges. Students will examine the philosophical bases for ethical decision-making and how to apply them to issues raised by computers and technology. Specific topics covered in CS 105/110, such as intellectual property concerns, will be addressed by this course in a more intensive manner. Emerging legal and ethical issues involved in the computer profession and e-commerce will also be addressed.

Why you should care: This is a course about law, ethics, and big ideas.  We will spend much of our time reading, discussing, and writing about actual legal cases dealing with constitutional and computer-related issues.  It is a chance for you to understand how the law really works, and how it may apply to your future career in computing.  It is also an opportunity to consider the ethics of many computer-related issues that may actually affect you.  We hope to provide you with new insights, and we may challenge what you think you know!  We expect that you will bring me new insights as well.  YOU are the most important component of this class, so please come prepared to think, discuss, and argue!  At the same time, remember to treat others respectfully, even if you disagree with their positions.

Course Outcomes:

  1. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  2. Be able to connect issues of computer technology to wider community and societal concerns using perspectives of law, ethics and computer science.
  3. Be able to communicate effectively in oral form.
  4. Be able to communicate effectively in written form.
  5. Be able to work with a partner and/or group to satisfy a complex task.
  6. Be able to apply critical thinking skills to evaluate the quality, credibility and limitations of an argument or a solution using appropriate evidence or resources.

Writing Intensive Component: CS 306 is a Writing Intensive (WI) Course that, together with CS 321, meets the GMU WI Requirements for the BS CS and BS ACS programs. Accordingly, each student in CS 306 is required to write a minimum of 1750 individual words, which will be graded and returned to the student with feedback. This requirement will be fulfilled by a series of short essays analyzing legal and ethical issues, the first three of which may be revised and resubmitted for an improved grade after receiving feedback.  These first three essays must meet minimum wordcount requirements and earn a final grade of C or better in order to receive a C or better in the course.  Some exams also include short essays. In addition, students will work with partners to research and write materials in preparation for their Mock Trials or Creative Research Projects. 

Grading Policy:
    1. Homework and Class Participation (10%)
    2. Short quizzes on assigned reading and recent lecture material (10%)
    3. "Quests" on specific cases or course topics (10%)
    4. Essays on topics of law/ethics (15%)
    5. Mock Trial or Legal Research Group Project and Presentation (30% total)
    6. Final Exam (25%)

Late Work:  You are expected to submit all work by the due date.  Late work may be accepted at the discretion of the instructor, but  will be subject to a late penalty, typically 5-10% per day (incl. weekends and holidays).  The group project is divided into five parts, and no late work will be accepted after the due date for the next sequential part.  NO late work of any kind will be accepted after the final regular day of class (Dec. 4 for Sections 1-3, Dec. 6 for section 4).  

Attendance:  Students should plan to attend class regularly, prepared to participate. Failure to do so will be reflected in your class participation and quiz grades. Group project grading may include a confidential review of participating group members by each student. If an assignment requires inclusion of the Class Honor Code Pledge, it may be found here.

Honor Code: Certain assignments, such as the series of analysis essays, are to be individual efforts. Certain homework and portions of group or team assignments may require individual effort as well. Failure to give proper credit by using quotes and cites constitutes plagiarism. See here for an explanation of quotes and cites for this class. If you have any questions about proper citation method, contact your instructor. Plagiarism is governed by the GMU Honor Code and will not be tolerated. Suspected honor code violations will be referred to the Honor Committee.

Special Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability, please see your instructor and contact the Office of Disability Services (ORS) at (703) 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS: http://ods.gmu.edu.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS):  Contact CAPS at (703) 993-2380 or http://caps.gmu.edu.
Writing Center: Robinson Hall, Room A114, (703) 993-1200 or http://writingcenter.gmu.edu.

General Education: This course is approved to satisfy the GMU Synthesis Core (gen. ed.) requirement.

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.