CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society, 1 unit
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Department of Computer Science
Course Description -- Spring, 2002

Section 001    Tue/Thu    3:00-4:15 p.m.    R, A111    Class Dates: 1/22 - 2/19  /  Final Exam:  2/26/2002
Section 004    Tue/Thu    3:00-4:15 p.m.    R, A111    Class Dates: 3/19 - 4/16  /  Final Exam:  4/23/2002



Section 002    Wed        4:30-7:20 p.m.    R, A111    Class Dates: 1/23 - 2/20  /  Final Exam:    2/27/2002
Instructor:    Tamara Maddox
                    Tel. (703) 993-3471    Email: tmaddox@cs.gmu.edu    Office: S&T2, Rm. 437
                    Undergraduate Peer Assistant:    Aliza George (cs10502@osf1.gmu.edu or ageorge2@osf1.gmu.edu)
                    Instructor's Web Site:  http://www.cs.gmu.edu/~tmaddox/cs105
                    Office hours:  TR    12-1:30 p.m.

Section 005    ** CANCELLED **

Section 003   Thurs      7:20-10:00 p.m.    R, B113   Class Dates: 1/24 - 2/21 /  Final Exam: 2/28/2002
Instructor:  Fred Geldon
                 Tel. (703) 742-1270        Email:  fgeldon@cs.gmu.edu        Office: S&T2, Rm. 435
                 Undergraduate Peer Assistant:  Matthew Shepley  (cs10501@osf1.gmu.edu or mshepley@osf1.gmu.edu)
                 Instructor's Web Site:
                 Office hours:  After class and by appointment

Section 006   ** CANCELLED **

Section 007   Tues    4:30-7:10 p.m.    R, Rm A249    Class Dates: 1/22-2/19  /  Final Exam: 2/26/2002
Instructor:  James Ingold
                  Tel. (703) 352-1900                 Email:  jingold@cs.gmu.edu    Office:  S&T2, Rm. 435
                  Undergraduate Peer Assistant:  Akram Al-Mudallal (cs10503@osf1.gmu.edu or aalmudal@gmu.edu)
                  Office hours:  After class and by appointment

Section 008   ** CANCELLED **

Joint Class Syllabus (all sections):     http://www.cs.gmu.edu/syllabus/syllabi-spring02/cs105-maddox.html

                                          IMPORTANT NOTE  -- ALL SECTIONS !!!
                                                                                 ***
First Half of Semester:  Sections 001, 002, 003 and 007

**  Please be aware that because this is a one-credit class that ends mid-semester, it has special early add/drop deadlines.**
 

        Sections 001, 002, 003 and 007:   NO adds will be permitted after the first day of class.
                                                                Last day to drop without tuition liability: Jan. 28, 2002
             ** Last day to drop without the Dean's permission: Feb. 1, 2002 **
 

Second Half of Semester:  Section 004

***  Please be aware that because this is a one-credit class that begins mid-semester, it has special late add/drop deadlines!

           Sections 004:    These section will allow adds until the first day of class.
                                      Last day to add or to drop without tuition liability:  March 25, 2002
                           Last day to drop without the Dean's permission:  March 29, 2002

                             For interim tuition penalties, please check with the GMU registrar.



** REMINDER =>  The Final Exam for each section will be held at the time and place of the regular class sessions for that section, on the class date that would immediately follow the 5th (final) week of class.

FINAL EXAM TIMES =>

                    Sections 001 and 007:    Tuesday, February 26, 2002
                       Section 002:                    Wednesday, February 27, 2002
                       Section 003:                    Thursday, February 28, 2002

                        Section 004:                   Tuesday, April 23, 2002
 

                       While each instructor may prepare a different type of exam, it may help to review the following Practice Exam.


Undergraduate Peer Assistants:

    Sections 001, 002 and 004:  Aliza George (cs10502@osf1.gmu.edu or ageorge2@osf1.gmu.edu)
    Sections 003:  Matthew Shepley  (cs10501@osf1.gmu.edu or mshepley@osf1.gmu.edu)
    Section 007:  Akram Al-Mudallal  (cs10503@osf1.gmu.edu or aalmudal@gmu.edu)



REQUIRED TEXT:     Johnson, Deborah G., Computer Ethics, Third Ed., Prentice Hall, 2001.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Legal, social, and ethical issues surrounding software development and computer use. Professional conduct, social responsibility and rigorous standards for software testing and reliability will be stressed. Issues such as liability, intellectual property rights, privacy, security, and crime will be examined in the context of computer use. Students will read, write, discuss and present reports on these topics. There are no prerequisites for this course. However, students are expected to be able to do research on the Internet.

GRADING POLICY
   1. Ethical Decisions Paper (3-5 pages) (20%)
   2. Research Paper (30%)
   3. Instructor Evaluation (including homework, in-class assignments, pop quizzes, etc.) (20%)
   4. Final Exam (30%)

Instructor evaluation criteria may vary from section to section, and may include grading for class participation.  Any questions regarding due dates and specific requirements for your section should be addressed directly to your individual instructor.  To assist your instructor in responding promptly to emailed questions, please indicate your full name, class section and reason for your message in the subject line of your email (e.g. Smith, Bob / CS 105-005 / Homework #1).

Due to the short nature of this class, late work creates grading difficulties and may either be penalized or not accepted, depending upon your instructor's policy.  Homework assignments will either be presented in class or placed on your instructor's individual web site.   You will receive details from your instructor regarding the two major written assignments (Ethics Essay and Research Paper/Project) -- specific requirements and topics for these assignments may also vary from section to section.

This class relies strongly on class participation.  Therefore, it is important that you attend class on a regular basis.  While you are welcome to attend an alternate lecture session if you miss your own, please note that you may *not* rely on different sections to present the same materials, and you may not assume that a paper topic accepted by one instructor will be acceptable by another.  Unless you obtain permission from your own instructor in advance, you also may not receive credit for class participation or other in-class activities by attending a section other than your own.

** Class papers and homework are to be individual efforts.  Certain portions of group assignments may require individual efforts as well. Be careful to follow instructions regarding acceptable group efforts. Plagiarism is governed by the GMU Honor Code and will not be tolerated.  Instances of cheating will be referred to the Honor Committee.

Prof. Maddox's Class Lecture Notes

Reading and Homework Assignments

Assistance with Essay/Report Writing:
GMU New Century College: Online Writing Guide
GMU Writing Center

Other helpful sites:
GMU Counseling Center
 


IMPORTANT NOTICE: None of the information presented in this course should be considered specific legal advice. Each situation is unique and requires individual attention. Students with individual legal concerns should not rely on information obtained in this course in making any legal decisions. Should you have a problem or concern requiring legal attention, you should seek specific advice from an attorney of your choosing.