CISC 355: Computers, Ethics, and Society

Fall 2007
Instructor: Richard Gordon

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General Information

Instructor:
Richard Gordon
Office: 027 Smith Hall
Office Hours: Tuesdays, Noon - 1:00 p.m. and by appointment
Phone: (302) 831-1717

Meeting Information:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 - 9:15 a.m.
219 Gore Hall

Required Texts:

  • Quinn, M. (2006) Ethics for the Information Age. 2nd Edition (Quinn)

  • Rachels, James and Stuart Rachels (2007). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (5th edition). (Rachels)

  • Singh, S. (1999) The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy From Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography. (Singh)

  • An assortment of readings on the World-Wide Web (and possibly at UD Library's Reserve Room).

Course Requirements:
  • Ongoing work: 30%
    Keep up with the reading. Read ahead if you are caught up and have some spare time. Expect daily 30-second to 5-minute quizzes to make sure you are staying up with the reading. There will also be some out-of-class homework assignments, discussion postings, work in a wiki, and in-class exercises that will also count towards the "quiz" average.

    Most quizzes and homework will be scored credit/no-credit, with occasional half-credit or extra credit. Some quizzes or assignments will be worth multiple "quiz points" -- their worth will be announced as the assignment is made or the quiz is given.

    Your quiz and homework average can be an easy A+ for 30% of your semester grade!

  • Projects: 30%
    You will have 3 project assignments, together worth 30% of your semester grade.
    • One project will be a decryption of encrypted text as part of our study of privacy and encryption. (10%)
    • We'll discuss other projects during the first two weeks of the term and see what we all want to do. I'm leaning towards a structured participation in the class Wiki (5%) and a Research project--done collaboratively with 1 or 2 of your classmates (15%).

  • 2 Mid-Term Exams: (20% each)
    Past sections have asked that the exams be take-home exams. We can decide to make them in-class exams if the majority prefers. But if you prefer take-home exams, we may be able to come up with a way in which you write 200 points worth of answers over the course of the semester--so you can choose NOT to have 100 points worth of answers due twice. I'm flexible.

  • Class Attendance, Participation, Late Assignments, Academic Honesty:

    1. Students are expected to participate actively in all class discussions. Hence the daily quizzes. Being an active listener is fine. However, being physically present and reading the newspaper or studying for an exam in another class or "chatting on line with babes all day" does not.
      (Extra credit for quiz on Tu 8/28: "What movie did the instructor quote on the course information page?"

    2. The instructor reserves the right to cancel quiz credit for students who "take the quiz then take flight." The purpose of the daily quizzes is to allow you to prove you are ready to discuss the material, even if you are a shy person who prefers to be an active listener. Taking the quiz then leaving does not allow you to participate in our discussion.

    3. During the first two weeks of class, we will also discuss using e-mail, Sakai, and/or an electronic discussion group to extend class discussion. The leading contender, unless you all hate it, is UD's experimental Sakai server: http://www.udel.edu/mycoursesplus. It's supposed to be ready for use on Friday 8/31.

    4. You are adults and can make your own decisions about class attendance. Rule of thumb for this and all classes: try not to cut class more often than the instructor does.

    5. Students are expected to do their own work. I fully expect you to discuss things outside of class with your colleagues; however, when it comes time to take a quiz, do an individual project, write an exam, etc., all students need to write independently--unless the assignment spcifically asks for your to collaborate with classmates.

    6. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated. Any change in a due date must be negotiated with the instructor ahead of time. Do not assume that a date change has been granted just because you asked for one. Wait for the instructor's written approval or denial of your request. However, ask for an extension rather than copy someone else's assignment. Two students received zeros on their exams during a recent semester because one copied the other's exam with that student's permission.

Grade Scale: 
                   A = 94.0 and up; A- = 91.0 - 93.9
B+ = 88.5 - 90.9;  B = 84.0 - 88.4; B- = 81.0 - 83.9
C+ = 78.0 - 80.9;  C = 74.0 - 77.9; C- = 72.0 - 73.9
D+ = 68.0 - 71.9;  D = 65.0 - 67.9; D- = 63.0 - 64.9
F  = under 63.0

If you keep up with the work, grades are not usually too much of an issue. In aggregate, over 80% of the students in the last eight sections did work that earned a grade of B or higher. Given how easy the quizzes usually are, it is rare for a student's work to earn a grade under 75 in my sections. But it does happen. Keep up and things will work themselves out.

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Fall 2007 Syllabus

The syllabus was last updated on August 27. It will be updated from time to time during the semester.

The on-line syllabus is the official syllabus. Check it frequently.

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Last Updated: August 27, 2007