COT 4935 (003/06S) Senior Seminar

Last modified: 20 January 2006 by R.Levow
Professor: Roy B. Levow Class Time:  Sat 9:00 am - 11:50 noon, LA-333 (Davie)
     Class meets only  January 21, February 4 & 11, March 25, and April 8
Textbook: A Gift of Fire:  Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing, 2nd edition, by Sara Baase, Prentice Hall, 2003.
Current Events: ACM TECHNews, C-Net Tech News, Ziff-Davis Tech Update
Reference Sites: ACM Code of Ethics, IEEE Code of Ethics

Prerequisite: Senior Standing

Catalog Description: Discussion of appropriate topics, with an emphasis on social and ethical aspects of computing.  (S/U grading)  Open only to CSE undergraduate majors.

Course Syllabus

While this course deals with social and ethical issues facing computing professionals, it is loosely structured as far as the specific material to be covered is concerned.  Student presentations are a major component of the course, both in terms of content and student effort.  The topics chosen for the reports will determine much of the specific topical material of the course.

Course Objectives

  1. Students will gain an understanding of social issues related to computing.
  2. Students will gain an understanding of ethical issues related to computing.
  3. Students will demonstrate the ability to do oral presentations.
  4. Students will demonstrate the ability to do written presentations.

Grading & Attendance Policy

 This course is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory scale. Regular attendance is required.  A one point penalty will be assessed for each hour of class missed.  Additional penalty points may be assessed for participate in class discussions, complete written assignments, and make presentations as assigned..  A student with 4 or more penalty points will receive a grade of unsatisfactory for the course.  Absence will be excused only for documented circumstances beyond the student's control.

Assignments

For the second, thrid, and fourth classes, each student will be prepared to briefly describe to the class any two topics of their choice from the assigned areas and any two current events topics concerned with computing issues relevant to the course.  Students will submit a written list of the four topics at the start of the class session.  Only the topic names need be submitted.

Student Reports

Each student will be responsible for an individual oral presentation and written report.  The topic must deal with social, political, or ethical issues directly related to computing.  Within these constraints, there are a wide range of possible topics.  Any topic discussed in the text is okay, but the presentation must be based primarily on materials other than the text.

Each talk should last 20 to 25 minutes, including 5 minutes for questions and discussion.  The time limits will be strictly enforced.  Here are some guidelines for PowerPoint presentations.

In addition to the oral report, a written report of at least 10 text pages will be submitted by the deadline listed below. Images, charts, diagrams, direct quotations, and extra blank lines between sections do not count in calculating the 10 page limit.  The report must be prepared using a word processor that produces MS Word compatible output files.  Reports shall be double spaced with 1.5" left margin and 1" margins on the right, top, and bottom.  A proportional font such as Times Roman with font size no larger than 12 points must be used.  A printed copy of the report must be submitted and an electronic copy must be filed with TurnItIn.

Reports, oral and written, that do not meet normal standards for professional presentation will result in a grade of unsatisfactory.  The presentation accompanying the oral report cannot be essentially the text or the talk and the talk cannot be read from a script.  Presentation materials -- PowerPoint or other media -- must be used for the oral report.  A computer and projector with internet access and PowerPoint will be available for class.

Report Schedule

February 18:  Each student must prepare a one to two page report proposal specifying the topic of the report and briefly describing the issues to be addressed.  The proposal must be in narrative form; outline form is not acceptable.  Proposals are to be submitted by email as attachments in MS Word form.

March 25:  First draft of report and PowerPoint presentation due.  Submitted with TurnItIn

April 8:  Oral reports in class

April 17:  Final report due.  Submitted with TurnItIn

Failure to meet each of these deadlines carries a 1 point penalty.

Choice of Topics

Only one talk will be permitted on a given topic.  Topics may be reserved for one week, pending submission of a complete proposal, by submitting only the topic.  Topics will be assigned in the order in which they are received. 

The order in which reports are to be delivered will be determined by lottery except that volunteers to go first will be accepted.

TurnItIn.com

Reports will be submitted electronically to TurnItIn.com, a plagiarism detection service.  Material in your report that is quoted from or derived from another source must be appropriately identified and referenced with an appropriate citation.  Significant failure to follow these guidelines will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the course and may lead to the filing of an Academic Irregularity report.