Syllabus~IS 132 Computer Ethics

Instructor: Kris Townsend Term: Fall 2009 Office Phone: 533.3246	Class Hours: 9:30 - 10:20 MTW Office: 18-112A Email: krist at spokanefalls.edu
»Class Web Site: http://faculty.spokanefalls.edu/ktownsend/IS132 »Moodle: http://www.sfcc-iscs.us

Required Text and Materials

The Gift of Fire, Sara Baase
Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (January 6, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0136008488
ISBN-13: 978-0136008484

Course Description

"This class addresses basic cyberspace legal issues and policy problems. Specific problems in applying law to cyberspace in areas such as intellectual, property, privacy, computer crime and the bounds of jurisdiction are explored."
— CSS Catalog

Prerequisites

»none

Course Outcomes

Students will...

Understand and apply the process of ethical decision making to workplace and cyberspace scenarios.
Understand and apply current laws regarding free speech and content control in cyberspace.
Understand and apply current laws regarding intellectual property in cyberspace.
Understand and apply current laws regarding privacy in cyberspace.
Communicate effectively in small groups and formal presentation.
Collaborate with others to complete projects.

Policies

Be responsible

Be professional. Your enrollment in this class indicates that you plan to work professionally in a technical field. That professionalism needs to start now, not then.
Do your own work. Working with others to solve problems and foster learning is encouraged. Blindly relying on the work of others is discouraged and considered cheating. Cheating is grounds for assigning a failing grade and it can be placed in your academic record.

Come to class

This class is designed for students to work together on a common set of problems and challenges in the presence of an instructor. Missing class or using class time to work on other projects greatly increases your risk for poor quality work or failure.
Excuses for absences are not asked for or accepted.
An excuse is needed only if you want a Z grade for the course.
If you miss a class, check with another student to find out what you missed before the next class. Waiting to 'catch up' during the next class places the entire class at a disadvantage.
Contact your instructor via email before missing a 3rd consecutive day. I don't want to hear excuses, but I do want to know what your plan is for returning and catching up.
Missing 7 or more classes will result in a grade of 0.0.
When class is conducted online or outside of the classroom, not completing the assigned task is considered missing one day of class.

Conduct yourself with courtesy, respect, and consideration for others.

I do not want to share your attention with others. Engaging yourself with the computer or other electronic devices during lectures, demonstrations, and class discussions is distracting to other students and rude. You may be asked to leave at the discretion of the instructor.
Cell phones and pagers need to be turned off.
Leaving the class for food or a smoke is not allowed.
Food and drink are not allowed in the computer classroom.

Manage Your Files

Corrupted disks and computer failure will not be considered an acceptable excuse for missing a due date.
Backup your work every day on a separate disk.
Submit or complete each task at least 24 hours before each deadline. IT professionals know to make room for any technical problems could happen.

Rules for discussion and forums*

Be courteous.
Give accurate information in the spirit of being helpful.
Respectfully disagree.
Use the correct venue for your post.
Admit the possibility of fault and respect different points of views.
If you screw up, take responsibility for your actions.

*Based on the Gentoo-Linux code of conduct

Moodle

You are expected to use Moodle in the following ways:

Upload your picture
Maintain a current email address
Check grades frequently
Other tasks will be assigned such as downloading assignments, submitting work, participating in forums, or taking online tests.

SFCC Statement on Diversity

In order for learning to take place, students must feel safe; this safety is due all students, not only those who share your values and beliefs. For this reason, courtesy, thoughtfulness, and acceptance are essential in our discussions in and out of the classroom. Acceptance should not be confused with agreement; one need not agree with a person to listen, and one must listen well in order to disagree respectfully. Every student in this course has a voice and so deserves the courtesy of attentive listening and the freedom to express diverse ideas.

Disability Support Services

If you have a health condition or disability that may require you to have accommodations in order to effectively participate in this class, please contact the Disability Support Services in Building 17, Room 201 (Phone 533-4166). Information about conditions or disabilities will be regarded as confidential.

Grading

Participation (31 days @ 10 points each)	300
Bias Presentation	40
Privacy Research	40
Mid-term Quiz	40
Intellectual Property Debate	40
Professionalism Debate	40
Total	500

Grading is determined by your placement on a 500 point scale.

Participation

Each day is worth 10 points for a maximum of 300 points.
5 points is given for not scraping your knuckles on the floor when you enter the room.
2 points is taken away for being late, or leaving early, or not paying attention. Both being late and leaving early would result in a 4 point deduction.
5 points is given for the quality of your participation. Quality participation will require proper study and preparation.
To prepare for class, be sure to complete the assigned readings or exercises. These will be posted at Moodle.
There are no makeups or late work. Excuses may get you sympathy, but they won't get you an exception.