BUSN 208 - Computer Ethics

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
The course is an introduction to ethics as it relates to information technology.  Students will be introduced to the foundations of ethical theory and how ethics is applicable to various topics in information technology including privacy, freedom of speech, intellectual property, security, and employment.  

Note Fall semester only.

Text
No text required.

Objectives
The student will be able to: 

A. Examine ethical problems from a variety of social and professional perspectives. 

B. Explain the principles underlying privacy expectations, rights, and threats. 

C. Examine how various cultures and countries approach the concepts of freedom of speech, censorship, and political freedom. 

D. Discuss the allowances for, and the limitations of, fair use of copyrighted material. 

E. Describe appropriate and inappropriate computer use in the work place. 

F. Identify how security weakness can be exploited for criminal activity. 

G. Describe policies and procedures for evaluating and controlling technology. 

H. Evaluate risk management policies and procedures. 

I. Identify ethically correct actions in professional case studies. 

Content
A. Ethics: Values, Principles, and Trade-offs. 

B. Privacy: Principles and Threats. 

C. Freedom of Speech: Various Global Perspectives. 

D. Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Fair Use. 

E. Crime and Security. 

F. Challenges of Computer Technology in the Workplace. 

G. Policies and Procedures for Controlling Technology. 

H. Errors, Failure, and Risks in Computer Information Systems. 

I. Professional Ethics and Responsibilities. 

Student Evaluation
A. Quizzes, tests, posted discussions. 

B. Quizzes, tests, and posted discussions. 

C. Posted discussions. 

D-I. Quizzes, tests, and posted discussions.