ENGR 350-1       Computers, Ethics, and Society       Syllabus     Fall 2006

Dr. Art Gittleman  ECS 534 (310)985-1530  artg@csulb.edu
Office Hours: M 4:45-5:30 pm, 7-8 pm, W 7-8 pm
Code: 2955 lecture W 1:00-2:15 VEC 518 
Grading:  Midterm  exam                                     Wed. Oct. 18,                        100 points 
                  Final exam                                            Wed. Dec. 20, 12:30-2:30, 100 points
                                                                                    (different than final's schedule)
                  Chapter presentations and
                      	research reports (2)      	                                                          100 points                        
                  Attendance and participation                                                              50 points
        
	Exams will consist of some short answer and some essay questions.  All questions will be chosen from the author's sample exam questions web page, both short answer and essay (not the quiz questions).   
	Chapter presentations will be based on sections of the textbook.  Make powerpoint or other similar slide presentations.  Submit with each a written report of the research you have done to supplement the book section.  The sources can be primarily online.  Try for professional speaking as if it were a work presentation, and for professional writing as it were a work report.
       No make-up exams without a written medical excuse or the equivalent.  All work is to be your own.  The penalty for cheating or plagiarism is failure from the course.  Attendance is required.  One absence will be allowed for illness or other emergencies. Withdrawal deadline is the end of the twelfth week, Fri. Nov. 17.
                    
Text:  A Gift of Fire, Second Edition
           Sara Baase
           Prentice-Hall 2003
	http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/giftfire/

Topics: 
          Privacy, Security, Safety, Freedom of Speech, Intellectual Property, Computer
          Crime, Computers and Work, Impact of Computers, Professional Ethics

Goals:
          Understand the impact of the computer in society as appropriate to a 
          professional in the field and a citizen.  Develop writing, speaking, and critical 
          thinking skills.  

          None of us knows the "right" answer.  We respect and learn from others, 
          evaluating the pros and cons of each issue.