CS 306 Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional, 3
units
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Department of Computer Science
Course Description -- Fall, 2021
Sec. DL1 Mon/Wed Noon-1:15 p.m. ONLINE
Maddox (Class Dates: 8/23-12/1)
Sec. DL2 Mon/Wed 1:30-2:45 p.m. ONLINE Maddox (Class Dates: 8/23-12/1)
Sec. DL3 Tue/Thu 9-10:15 a.m. ONLINE Maddox
(Class Dates: 8/24-12/2)
Sec. DL4 Tue/Thu 10:30-11:45 a.m. ONLINE Maddox (Class Dates: 8/24-12/2
Sec. DL5 Tue/Thu 9-10:15 a.m. ONLINE
Otten (Class Dates: 8/24-12/2)
Sec. DL6 Tue/Thu 10:30-11:45
a.m. ONLINE Otten (Class Dates:
8/24-12/2)
Sec. DL7 Tue/Thu 3-4:15 p.m. ONLINE Geldon (Class Dates: 8/23-12/1)
Block Final Exam (ALL sections) Date(s): TBD
Instructor for Sections DL1-DL4: Tamara A. Maddox Email:
tmaddox@gmu.edu
Instructor for Sections DL5-DL6: John E. Otten Email: jotten2@gmu.edu
Instructor for Section DL7: Fred Geldon Email: fgeldon@gmu.edu
Office Hours for all instructors: after class and/or by appt.
Online Class Syllabus:
http://cs.gmu.edu/syllabus/syllabi-fall21/CS_306Geldon_Maddox_OttenAll.html
Blackboard Link: http://mymasonportal.gmu.edu
GTA's: Sonia Deana, Andres Rosero, Abdulmajeed Alrashed
UTA's:
Sec. DL1 (M/W, Noon-1:15
PM): Reza Khoshhal
Sec. DL2
(M/W 1:30-2:45 PM): Frank Costantino
Sec. DL3 (T/R 9-10:30
AM): Christine Nguyen
Sec. DL4 (T/R,
10:30-11:45 AM): Bill Bock
Sec. DL5 (T/R, 9-10:15
AM): Deepak Rayapati
Sec. DL6 (T/R
10:30-11:45 AM): Naumi Varma
Sec. DL7 (M/W, 3-4:15
PM): Kenny Peng
UTA's not
assigned to specific sections: Meghana Puduru
Req'd Textbook: Maddox, Tompkins, Maddox, "CS 306 Supplementary Cases and Materials," Fall, 2021 or other recent semester. Online textbook by Geldon and Maddox will be made available through the Blackboard Course site.
**Note: The course supplement is available through the GMU bookstore. To order, go to: gmu.bncollege.comCourse 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 us 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:
- a device that can access Blackboard class materials
- Internet access sufficient to attend synchronous class virtually through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and/or Zoom
- the use of a working microphone and webcam to allow full participation in class activities.
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, most of which may be revised and resubmitted for an improved grade after receiving feedback. Each of the 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. Students will also be writing in-class essays for short exams. In addition, students will work with partners to research and write materials in preparation for their Mock Trials.
Grading Policy:
1. Class Participation (incl. short assignments and
discussion boards) (15%)
2. Short quizzes on assigned reading and recent lecture
material (20%)
3. Essay "Quest" on specific cases or course
topics (5%)
4. Essays on topics of law/ethics (15%)
5. Mock Trial Group Project and
Presentation (25% total)
6. Final Exam (20%)
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.