Incorporating Knowledge of Legal and Ethical Aspects into Computing Curricula of South African Universities

Abstract

Executive SummaryAs students in computing disciplines are introduced to modern information technologies, numerous unethical practices also escalate. With the increase in stringent legislations on use of IT, users of technology could easily be held liable for violation of this legislation. There is however lack of understanding of social aspects of computing, and institutions have not integrated many of these aspects into their curricula. The present study investigates the extent to which legal and ethical issues relating to IT are integrated in the undergraduate curricula in South African Universities. It also examines the factors that impede such integration.A review of literature on ethics, computing legislation, and curriculum development was conducted. Research questions were formulated and mixed methods consisting of the study of handbooks, a survey, and follow-up interviews were employed to collect data from different universities in South Africa offering computing disciplines.The main findings suggest low levels of knowledge of especially legal aspects which constrains their incorporation into the curriculum. The process of integration is mainly influenced by departmental policies and politics. Most institutions have, however, integrated legal and ethical aspects as add-ons topics to existing computing curriculum courses as opposed to running separate courses focusing on the subjects. A guide is being developed to facilitate the incorporation of legal content elements into undergraduate computing curricula.

A Framework to Integrate ICT Security Awareness into the South African Schooling System

“…The curriculum issue is further observed and reiterated by Wayman and Kyobe [25] by stating that South African academic institutions have not integrated the social aspects of computing in their curricula. These and many other reasons have led one to conclude that there is still a lack of integration of ICT security awareness in the South African education.…”