iSYS 202: Computers in Society
(Note: This course was COMS 202: Computers in Society before the 2007-8 catalog.)
Contents
This course seeks to confront participants with complex social and ethical issues associated with computers. Through thoughtful questions, informative readings, and the analysis of dichotomous viewpoints, courses participants will gain insight into the complexity of technology- related issues discussed as well as the lack of simplistic solutions to the problems. Cross-listed with IT as IT 202W.
This course (iSYS 202) is not a prerequisite for any other iSYS course.
This course is normally scheduled every fall and spring semester.
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under construction...)
The following content areas will be covered.
- Law, Investigations, and Ethics (about 12 hours)
- Ethics and the IS Professional (about 12 hours)
- IS and Society (about 12 hours)
- Evolution of IS Use (about 12 hours)
- Society and Ethics (about 12 hours)
Additional topics may also be covered based on time and student interest.
By the end of this course, you should be able to
- explain ethical and legal issues in development, ownership, sales, acquisition, use and maintenance of computer systems and software
- explain ethics and principled behavior and the concept of ethical practice in IS
- explain societal implications of IS and related ethical issues
- explain the basis and nature of questionable ethical approaches
- explain the burden of professionalism resulting from trust associated with computing knowledge and skills
- explain the difference between criminal law and civil law
- explain the ethical and social analysis of IS development
- explain the importance of making a duplicate of all data on a victim's or suspect's hard drive
- explain the use of professional codes of ethics
- explain why many organizations are uncomfortable with the prospect of reporting a computer crime incident
- apply a professional code of ethics to determine the appropriateness of specific IS actions
- determine stakeholders in a given IS development context, and the effect of development on these individuals
- explain the relevance and impact of information technology on society
- explain the role of information systems within a company versus a global environment
- identify drivers and inhibitors of modification in information technology
- identify evolving strategies utilizing internet technologies
- identify the impact of internet technologies on the evolution of organizations
- identify value and supply chain characteristics as influenced by internet technologies
- list technologies and their relevance to individual information technology
- explain ethical models and approaches
Final textbook choice is determined by the instructor, who may
choose a textbook similar to one the following. This list can give you an
idea of the course topics, coverage, and depth.
Additional readings may be assigned by the instructor.
