CSSE 490: Ethical and Societal Implications of Computing: Syllabus
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Computer Science and Software Engineering Department
Winter 2019/20
Instructors
Kim Tracy, Michael Wollowski and Steve Chenoweth
Credits
2
Prerequisites
Junior standing
Meeting times
MW/3:00-3:50/Myers
Course Description
This course will be held in the style of a graduate seminar in which
the instructors as well as the students present and discuss materials
relevant to the course topic. This course will focus on the societal
and ethical impacts of computing. We will focus on the somewhat
overseeable near future of five to 15 years. We will study papers as
well as form our own thoughts on how computing, in particular software
will influence aspects of the future. We will study intended as well
as project unintended consequences of the adoption of select computing
technologies.
Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:
- Explain social and ethical issues associated with computing
- Analyze social and ethical issues by using ethical theories
- Apply effective, technical communication skills related to social and
ethical matters.
Major Assignments
- A five-page, single-spaced essay expressing your stance on a
specific issue related to the course. Cite and incorporate appropriate
literature. Essay topics must be approved by the instructors. This is
a pair assignment. During the last three weeks of the term, you will
be asked to present your paper and lead a discussion on it.
- Pairs of students will give a one 15-minute class presentation on a
paper or issue of interest to the class. Must use slides. Paper or
issue must be approved by the instructors. Notice
that the topics are assigned to specific dates; they cannot be
moved. You have about 10 minutes to present the work you studied and
then will lead a 15 min. class discussion.
- Attend at least 80% of the class sessions.
- Actively participate in class discussions. Must take a stance, make a
major contribution to the class discussion in at least 30% of class
sessions.
Grading Scheme
Course grades will be determined by weighing the scores of items 1-4
from the “Major Assignments” section as follows: 40%, 30%, 5%, 25%.
List of Topics
The following list covers the major themes and topics addressed in
this seminar. It is not a complete list.
- Living without technology
- Ethical behavior
- Key ethical codes
- The impact of AI (and automation in general, such as produced by the
IoT) on the job market
- AI and the future of work
- AI and superior intelligence
- Role of software in changing ethical values
- Amplifying issues of personal accountability
- Cultural sensitivity
- The uncanny
- The unconscious as our guiding force
- The need to “deconstruct” alternatives