CS
105 Computer Ethics and Society, 1 unit
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Department of Computer Science
Course Description – Spring 2011
Section 001 M 1:30-2:45 p.m. KH 253
Class Dates: 1/24-4/4 Final Exam: 4/11/11
Section 002 M 3:00-4:15 p.m. KH 253 Class Dates: 1/24-4/4
Final Exam: 4/11/11
Section 003 T 1:30-2:45 p.m. ENT 275
Class Dates: 1/25-4/5 Final Exam: 4/12/11
Section 004 T 3:00-4:15 p.m. ENT 275 Class Dates: 1/25-4/5
Final Exam: 4/12/11
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 009 T 7:20-8:35 p.m. R B102
Class Dates: 1/25-4/5 Final Exam: 4/12/11
Section 010 T 8:45-10:00 p.m. R B102 Class Dates: 1/25-4/5
Final Exam: 4/12/11
Instructor: Prof. Michael W. Tompkins
Tel. (703) 299-3440 Email: mtompki2@gmu.edu Office: ENGR., Rm. 5323
Office hours: After class in the classroom, or by appointmentUndergraduate Teaching Assistants -- Office Hours Available upon Request
Section -001 & -002: Michael Ryan, email: mryank@gmu.edu
Sections -003 & -004: Irtifa Islam, email:
iislam2@masonlive.gmu.edu
Sections -009 and -010: Rachel Galang, email: rgalang@masonlive.gmu.edu
At large / Special Projects: Kevin St. Andrie, email: kstandri@masonlive.gmu.edu
All Sections will use Blackboard for communications
and for out-of-class discussion. Students are responsible for checking
Blackboard on a regular basis. For Blackboard link, click here. Please note that the individual section
folders will NOT be used. You should hide this folder
to avoid confusion. Instead, we will use the "CS 105 Combined Section"
folder for ALL sections.
REQ'D TEXT: Quinn, Michael J., "Ethics for the Information Age" 3rd Ed., Add. Wesley, 2009.
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. 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: Completion of at least 12 credit hours.
CLASS SCHEDULE: See Blackboard 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 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. This is noted correctly on PatriotWeb
for Sections -001 through -004, but sections -009 and -010 incorrectly are
listed as full-semester courses. Accordingly, please note that ALL sections
should rely on the class dates and exam times listed above.
The final deadline for dropping
this class without tuition liability is February 8, 2011. **
The FINAL date to drop this course without permission of the Dean
is February 25, 2011. For students eligible for selective withdrawal,
the selective withdrawal period ends April 1, 2011. ** 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 April 11, 2011 for Sections -001 and -002, and on April 12, 2011 for Sections -003, -004, -009 and -010.
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.