The last two weeks of the term are devoted to individual student presentations of ethical issues related to computers. Each presentation will be approximately 15 minutes long, accompanied by a 8–12 page written report (double spaced, 12 point font). An objective of this assignment is that you gain experience researching an ethics topic by gathering multiple authoritative, external sources and integrating your findings into a well-structured report and presentation.
Due: Friday, November 22
Topics must be specific enough to adequately treat in the number of pages allowed for the paper and the time allotted for the presentation. For example, the topic of "spam" is too broad, but the topic of "email spoofing and mail authentication schemes to combat it" could be acceptable.
Topics that are directly covered in the course texts are acceptable, provided that your treatment (i.e., reading & writing) goes deeper than that given in the readings. To give you an idea of topic categories, here is a partial list of topics addressed by our text and related readings. However, this list is not meant to be exhaustive. You can choose a topic that interests you. Perhaps there is a topic that directly affects you or someone you know. I welcome topics that are not covered in our readings. The only requirements are that they are computer related and center on ethical issues. Remember, ethics is the study of morality, and morality is about rules of conduct (whether lawful or governed by societal norms) describing what ought or ought not to be done in various situations.
When you have settled on a topic, prepare a one (1) paragraph type-written description of the topic. This could be an introductory paragraph to your final paper. This one paragraph description and title is to be turned in to the course instructor (paper-copy please) by the due date.
I will check your topic for content and scope. It is permissible that more than one student choose a particular topic (to a limit - we want a variety of presentation topics!). However, there will be no collaboration; these are individual, not team, presentations and papers. If more than one student chooses the same topic, their presentations will be scheduled on the same day to facilitate the comparing and contrasting of content and points of view.
Due: Wednesday, November 27
Often it is useful to prepare an outline of a paper before starting to write the paper. This should be a point form summary of the main points you want to make in your paper. For example, one point (a short sentence) might summarize one or a few paragraphs that will eventually appear in the paper.
Presentations will be given using presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress, or a web browser. You can plug in your own laptop or use the computer permanently in the room. If applicable, programs may be run and demonstrated on the classroom computer. Be sure that you check that your presentation loads and runs without glitches well in advance of your presentation time and date.
Of course, you cannot create a presentation until you have done your research and drawn your conclusions. In fact, it is easiest to create a presentation after you have written most of the paper on which the presentation is based.
Due: Friday, December 13
Here are some guidelines for structuring your paper:
- Describe the issue by fully stating the problem and/or conflict that is central to it.
- Describe all related concepts, and define any terms, especially technical terms, that are necessary to understand the problem.
- Provide any historical, socio-cultural, or legal background and context in which to understand the problem.
- Since your audience is, for the most part, a class of CS majors, do not shy away from providing needed technical background to understand the problem.
- Describe what makes the issue an ethical one, drawing from the ethical theories presented in Chapter 2 of the text by Quinn or in readings from Spinello and Tavini.
- Describe the role that computers or software play, as well as your take on whether computers make the problem unique or it is a traditional ethical problem with a new cyber-twist.
- Give examples of real-world events relating to the issue: court rulings, news coverage, anecdotal data.
- Where there are opposing sides to the issue, describe their constituents. Give both perspectives and complete arguments supporting their positions.
- Give your judgment on the issue: Is it appropriately resolved? If not, how do you think it should be resolved? Why? Refrain from dismissing opposing arguments based on stereotypes about motivations
- What is the outlook for the future? Must anything change - underlying technology? Society itself?
- Conclusions
Here are more general considerations:
- The more in-depth and specific the better. Avoid vague generalities. Avoid speculation where it is possible to obtain empirical facts.
- Referring to concepts or points made in our readings is a plus.
- Do not plagiarize. Quote and cite sources where necessary.
Produce your final paper as a PDF document. Please email it to me by 5:00 p.m. on the due date. If you want preliminary comments before your presentation please email it at least 24 hours prior to your presentation.