Description
This course presents an overview of the relationship between computers and society,
focussing particularly on the social impact of computers and information technologies,
and the ethical issues raised by their development and deployment.
Objectives
The objectives of the course include:
To identify and discuss issuses relating to the effects of computers on
individuals and society
To encourage critical thinking about the social and ethical issues
To direct students to sources where they can learn more about these issues
To enhance skills in the written and oral expression of ideas
Synopsis
Although concern about Computers and Society is more than 30 years old, in recent years there has been a dramatic upsurge of interest in the subject, as seen by an increase in the number of books and journals, the creation of new institutes that focus on the topics at prestigious universities, and the World Summit on Information Technology at the United Nations.
In previous years this course has attempted to cover all of the many aspects. This has resulted in some important issues receiving scant attention and in too little time for class discussion. The major topics are as outlined below. This year, after the first (A Framework) only a selection of topics will be treated in class, although any of the others are suitable for the term essay which is an important component of the final mark.
A Framework
Ethical Systems
Computers and Professionalsism
Technologies and Society
Privacy and Freedom of Information
Background and History
Surveillance by Computers
Data Mining
Privacy Laws
Whistleblowing
Computers and Work
Technology and Employment
The Information Society
Outsourcing, E-Commerce
The Future of Work
Computers and Development
The Digital Divide
The World Summit on Information Technology
Open Source Software
E-learning and E-Teaching
Virtual Classes
Books, Libraries and Google
Restructuring Society
Community Networks
E-Government and E-Democracy
Blogs and the New Journalism
The Internet
Origins and Development
Content Regulation and Control
Intellectual Property Rights
The Future of the Internet
Trust in Cyberspace
System reliability
Security, Spyware, Malware
WhatÕs Next?
For the Internet
For Society
There is a newsgroup for the course which you are expected to read regularly. It is ut.cdf.csc300h. Part of the term mark is based on this participation.
For other examples on how the Internet serves as a general forum for discussions on social and political issues see the site at www.learning.org , and that maintained by Steven Cllift at www.publicus.net .
The debates are organized as follows:
1. Brief introduction by the TA
2. Introductory presentation by first member affirmative 4 mins.
3. Introductory presentation by first member negative 4 mins.
4. Rebuttal by second member affirmative 4 mins.
5. Rebuttal by second member negative 6 mins.
6. Rebuttal by first member afirmative 2 mins.
Time limitations, and the fact that there are two debates in each period make it necessary to enforce time limits strictly. This means that you must be well organized, concise and succint in making your points. Do not read your presentation, but brief notes are helpful.
Evaluation criteria will include knowledge of the subject, presentation of the material, cogency of the arguments, responses to the issues raised, speaking style and teamwork. Each student's grade will be determined both by his or her individual presentation, and by the overall work of the team. This is worth 15% of the final grade.
Tutorial BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
October 19 Canadians are right to value Security over Privacy
Licensing of computer professionals is of net benefit to the public
October 26 Outsourcing is beneficial to all of the countries involved
The Digital Divide is temporary; no government action is needed
November 2 The Web, like television, has been captured by commercial interests
Current trends in copyright legislation (DMCA, Bill C-60) are untenable
November 9 Libraries should filter Internet sites available to young readers
Computers should not be used in early school years
Standard essays are due on November 29, and require a scholarly analysis of the topic. This may be taken from the list provided below, or on a subject where you have had personal experience. The subject must be on an issue, and not on some technical aspect of computers, and if it is your own, should be approved by your TA. You need to gather lots of data, and ground your paper in facts. Although you are encouraged to state your own opinions, you should present all plausible sides of an issue.
The body of your paper should be about 15-20 typed, double-spaced pages (3000+ words), and must include a Reference list of all sources and quotations. There should be a separate cover page, giving your name, student number, course name, your TA name, the date, and title. In addition you should provide an Abstract, consisting of a single paragraph of 50-150 words, stating the thesis and scope of your paper, and a Table of Contents. To help you select your topic and get started early, you are to hand in a Preliminary Abstract of 50-100 words describing your planned topic and scope on the November 1 tutorial. (You may change your topic by submitting a new preliminary abstract). It will be returned, possibly with comments and suggestions. There are no marks assigned for this preliminary abstract, but 5 marks will be deducted for any essay for which none was submitted.
Dr. Margaret Proctor is the UniversityÕs Coordinator for Writing Support. A copy of her leaflet ÒWriting at the UniversityÓ is available at the Computer Science Undergraduate office, and at her web site www.utoronto.ca/writing. She also has a document ÒHow Not to PlagiarizeÓ (www.utoronto.ca/writing/plagiarism.html ) Plagiarism is a serious offence, and will be dealt with accordingly, if detected and proven.
Students who elect the Standard essay option agree that the essay will be submitted in machine-readable as well as paper form so that it can be reviewed by Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin reference database, solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism in such papers.The terms that apply to the UniversityÕs use of the Turnitin.com service are described in the Turnitin.com web site.
In-class Essays. Because there have been objections to having essays submitted to, and retained by Turnitin, you have the option of writing your essay in a tutorial period, on a topic chosen from a list of four which will provided beforehand. Although it is understood that in this form you are cannot provide exact citations, your essay is still expected to show scholarship, depth, and evidence that you have consulted other sources on the topic.
For both forms, the evaluation criteria will include the degree of depth and clarity exhibited in the thinking, and the quality and style of writing, including clarity of expression, document organization, sentence structure, spelling, and formatting.