Syllabus~IS 132 Computer Ethics

Instructor: Kris Townsend Term: Winter 2010 Office Phone: 533.3246	Class Hours: 11:30 - 1:00 RF, Room 18-129 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

None

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.

Be Professional

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.

Check Moodle frequently. Use it to get due dates, class schedules, assignment directions, scoring specifications, and to check your grades.
If you miss class, get caught up before the next class. Don't wait until the next week.
If you miss a presentation or due date, it is a professional courtesy to email your instructor on that day to open the discussion regarding your plans for doing the presentation or completing the assignment. Notice I am not asking for excuses.
Backup your work. Lost or failed drives are not considered an excuse for missing deadlines.
Finish early to leave room for the technical problems that inevitably happen.
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.
For more details, refer to the Performance Review sample posted at Moodle.

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

Your grade is based on the results of two rounds performance reviews and successful completion of three certification exams.

Performance Reviews

Performance reviews are conducted by yourself, two peers, and your instructor.
Refer to the performance review form posted at Moodle for specifications.

Certification Exams

The three tests: legal system, cyber law, public speaking
Certification tests are pass/fail.
Failing a certification results in a one point grade drop per certification. For example, assume you earned a 4.0 from performance reviews. Passing two of three tests would result in a final grade of 3.0.
For each certification test failed, you will get one more chance with a make-up exam.
Certification make-ups will be during our assigned day on finals week. Exception: The public speaking make-up must be completed by the last regular day of class.