Course Catalog

CIS111E Introduction to Computers and Information Technology Ethics (1 credit) 9650

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides a study of ethical reasoning concepts related to Computers and Information Technology, and the role of Christians as computer users or professionals. The ethical concerns of Computer and Information Technology and its relationship to one's faith are an integral part of this course.
Topics include the philosophical and religious foundations of computer ethics theories, electronic privacy issues, intellectual property rights, computer system security, and personal accountability.
(There are no prerequisites, but this course is intended primarily for students with previous introductory computer concepts coursework that lacked a strong ethics component, or as an elective for students wishing to study Information Technology ethics in more detail. This course addresses the ethics component of the required general education computer literacy curriculum.)

LEARNING RESULTS
1. To challenge the student to develop a deep professional commitment to a CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE in everything, including the use of computer and information systems.
2. To prepare students for other academic courses requiring ethical judgment skills and for future employment where they may use Information Technology. (FOUNDATION)
3. To help students understand how to apply ethical reasoning to resolving real-life issues. (APPLICATION)
METHODS:
1. Readings in textbooks, current literature and e-media.
2. Independent research and critical thinking (position and reflection writings)
3. Learning assessment and reinforcement (homework assignments, quizzes, and exams)

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Ethics for the Information Age, 2nd ed., M. Quinn. Addison-Wesley, 2006. ISBN#0321375262.
Optional: Computer Ethics 3rd ed., Deborah Johnson; Prentice Hall, 2001. ISBN# 0130836990 [No assignments will be taken directly from this optional text, but it is a recognized standard for computer ethics courses and has much supplementary material, so perhaps you might try to borrow it from a library and read through it during this course.]
In addition, we will make use of current periodicals, and electronic media resources.

To purchase textbooks, click here - AMAZON.com
 

SOFTWARE: Any general word processor capable of saving in MS Word “doc” or RTF format is acceptable.

INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The learner will encounter the integration of faith and learning in several ways throughout this course.
Although the course textbook is not written from a Christian perspective, it includes a discussion about the “Diving Command” theory of ethics but then turns to other ethical theories. This is good because it challenges the learner to consider how Divine Command and Faith fit into the rest of the material. Beyond that, the written assignments in many learning units help guide the student into considering the relation between one’s personal faith and their ethical decisions. A "Soul Project" assignment helps learners develop the habit of quiet communication with God and reflection on their spiritual being and its relation to the physical and technical world around us. Finally, learners are encouraged to apply a Christian worldview perspective to their own ethical application of technology in practical everyday situations as reflected in written assignments and exam questions.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
The course grade will be calculated on a combination of homework (Review and Discussion Questions, written reflection and position papers, short quizzes), and a final exam. Point values for each assignment are clearly listed in the assignment and gradebook.
All course work is to be completed "alone". However, feel free to discuss ethical issues with others to help you develop or clarify your thinking, but in the end you must be able to support your position. Flagrant copying of someone else’s work will result in penalties more severe than not completing an assignment in the first place, including negative points on the assignment, and possible failure of the course or referral to the university for disciplinary action.
(This is an ETHICS course, so cheating should not be an issue, right?)
Grading will be based on the usual letter grades A-F in accordance with TU policies and the grading percentage table below.

Grade Percent Point Range
A 93 - 100% 930-1000
A- 90 - 92% 900-929
B+ 88 - 89% 880-899
B 83 - 87% 830-869
B- 80 - 82% 800-829
C+ 78 - 79% 780-799
C 73 - 77% 730-769
C- 70 - 72% 700-729
D+ 68 - 69% 680-699
D 63 - 67% 630-679
D- 60 - 62% 600-629
F Below 60% Below 600