CS 306 Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional, 3
units
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Department of Computer Science
Course Description -- Spring, 2012
Sec. -001 Fri. 4:30-7:10 p.m. IN, Room 134
Class Dates: 1/27-5/04; Final Exam: Friday,
5 /11/12 from 4:30-7:15 p.m.
Sec. -002 Tues. 10:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. IN,
Room 134
Class Dates: 1/27-5/04; Final Exam: Friday,
5/11/12, from 10:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Instructor: Tamara A. Maddox Email address: tmaddox@cs.gmu.edu
Telephone: (703) 993-1525 Office: The Engineering
Building, Room 5347
Office Hours: Thursdays
1:30-2:30 PM, Fridays 3-4:00 PM, or by appt.
Instructor's Home Page: http://cs.gmu.edu/~tmaddox
Online Class Syllabus: http://cs.gmu.edu/syllabus/syllabi-spring12/CS306MaddoxT.html
Class Schedule: http://www.cs.gmu.edu/~tmaddox/cs306/Class_Schedule.html
Blackboard Link (use the CS 306 Combined
Courses folder): http://mymason.gmu.edu
UTAs: Nina Garcia (ggarcia5@masonlive.gmu.edu)
At large / Special Projects: Matt Szaro (mszaro@masonlive.gmu.edu)
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, 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.
Throughout the course, students will be expected to apply critical thinking skills in individual and group settings to evaluate various issues related to computer law and ethics. Students will connect issues of technology to wider societal concerns through class discussion, a mock trial, and the creation of a hypothetical trial scenario. Students will use critical thinking skills to evaluate and prepare formal arguments concerning their assigned mock trial topics, which they will present to their classmates. Students should be prepared to participate during class activities, to interact with their classmates, and to reflect upon and refine their personal points of view on various ethical issues.
Course Outcomes:
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 Program. 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 preparing either an original scenario or a paper on
a topic of law and ethics, to be submitted in several stages, including
at least one draft that will be given feedback and revised for an additional
grade. Students will also complete various short writing assignments individually,
as well as working with partners to research and write materials in preparation
for their Mock Trials.
Grading Policy:
1. Law & Ethics Paper or Original Scenario (including drafts and revisions) (15%)
2. Mock Trial preparatory assignments (15% total)
3. In-Class Mock Trial {expected trial dates: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 and 5/04} (15%)
4. Midterm Exam (Tentative exam date: March 9, 2012) (10%)
5. Homework, Class Participation, In-class Exercises & Instructor Evaluation (20%)
6. Final Exam (25%)
Students should plan to attend class regularly, prepared to participate. Failure to do so will be reflected in your class participation grade. Group project grading may include a confidential review of participating group members by each student. All major assignments require inclusion of the Class Honor Code Pledge found here, or they will not be accepted.
Special Accommodations: 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 is approved to satisfy the
GMU Synthesis Gen. Ed. requirement.