Computer Ethics in Information Technology

Course Code: IT 113 No. of Hours: 5Course Goals:

At the end of the course, students will understand the ethical issues facing them as IT professionals. They will be able to analyze situations involving ethical conflicts and will be able to make decisions based on professional codes of ethics.

Major Topics Covered in the Course:

What is Computer Ethics

Professional Ethics

Software Theft

Property Rights in Computer Software

Computers and Privacy

The Invasion of Privacy

Crime, Abuse, and Hacker Ethics

Major Topics Covered in the Course:

Computer Crime

Hacking and Viruses

Responsibility and Liability

The Social Implications of Computers: Autonomy and Access

ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

IEEE Code of Ethics

Assignments1. Write a short essay (roughly 300 words) about some topic related to

computing and/or the Internet that interests you and has social or ethical implications. Describe the background; then identify the social or ethical issues, problems, or questions that you think are important. (Don't make your essay be just an argument for one point of view. You may express your views if you want to, but first explain what the issues are, why there is a problem or a controversy.)

2. Collect news articles, from print or electronic sources, on (1) benefits and valuable applications of computer technology and (2) failures and/or problems caused by computer technology. The articles should be current, that is, published during this time period. Write a brief summary and commentary on two articles in each category indicating how they relate to topics covered in this book.