CISC 355: Computers, Ethics, and Society
Fall 2008
Instructor: Richard
Gordon
Course Info, Grades, and Texts
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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, 3:30 - 4:45 pm
204 Kirkbride Hall
- Required Texts:
-
- Quinn, M. (2009[sic]) Ethics
for the Information Age. 3rd Edition (Quinn)
- An assortment of readings on the World-Wide Web (and possibly
at UD Library's Reserve Room).
- Course Requirements:
-
This year, I'm trying to update the course--use Sakai
for the daily quizzes (instead of paper), drop exams in favor of
projects and individual issues for you to respond to, and beef
up the research component a bit, find more meaningful uses for
the wiki and blog areas. So, the actual percentages are subject
to change.
Here's what we'll start with:
Research Project (20%):
In lieu of a final exam, I'd like to hold a "research meeting."
In a class of this size, what has worked best for me in the past
is giving you a choice of two research topics. Then, in pairs,
you prepare a 12- to 15-page report on one of the topics. Finally,
instead of an exam, we discuss what you all have found on those
two topics.
Projects, Assignments, Wiki Assignments, etc. (40%):
Past sections have asked that the exams be take-home exams.
This semester, I'd prefer to give you more smaller assignments
rather than 2 take-home mid-terms. The idea would be that,
instead of having 200 points worth of exam questions, you'd have
roughly the equivalent amount of work in assignments. For
example, instead of everyone answering a question about
intellectual property, we might build a wiki area with each of you
taking responsibility for part of the topic.
Blogs and Forums (10%):
I don't have the assignments in mind for these two tools yet;
however, we will have some assignments here to encourage all to
share ideas with each other.
In addition, the Blog Wow! area will be an area in which you
post your ideas about readings: I will require you to do that on
days you miss with an absence--if you want your quiz credit for
the day.
Class Attendance, Participation, Late Assignments,
Academic Honesty:
- 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 make you
an active participant.
- 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.
- 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.
Seriously, use common sense and
courtesy and let your instructors know when you have to miss
class.
However, if you want your
"quiz credit" for a day you've missed, you'd better have negotiated an
"excused" absence with me AND had better have blogged about part
of the reading for the day you've missed.
- 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 you
to collaborate with classmates.
- 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+ = 88.0 - 90.9; B = 84.0 - 87.9; 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 nine 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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The syllabus was last updated on September 3.
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: September 4, 2008