Using information technology to integrate social and ethical issues into the computer science and information systems curriculum

Abstract

This report presents the results of a collaborative working group activity focusing on the use of information technology (IT) to integrate social and ethical issues within computer science or information systems courses. The report provides an organizational approach for classifying exercises, based on the issue each one addresses and the course or courses in which it may fit. The exercises in this report are classified by the information technology to be used and the course or courses addressed by the exercise. Ten sample exercises are provided, each given in a recommended standardized format.

Perspectives on developing and assessing professional values in computing

“…The prior work on the incorporation of professionalism in computing into academic settings was described by an ITiCSE 1999 Working Group [14]. This used the sociological definition of a profession from Benveniste [5], which requires these six characteristics:  "The professional has a high degree of individual responsibility, a willingness to take initiatives, and a sense of obligation to identify client (and employer) needs as well as client (and employer) wants.…”

Creating an organizational awareness of ethical responsibility about information technology

“…7 Conferences for computer science and information systems faculty have often had panel sessions on the subject, and several papers have been published in their journals. 8,9,10,11 As a result, many universities are now beginning to address this issue throughout the computer science, computer engineering, and computer information systems curricula. Some support the development of a separate course, often a capstone course, while others support the mainstreaming of these topics throughout the curriculum.…”

ThetenthStrand == 3 * ethicaldebates + solution

“…Some faculty adopt the view that ethics should be separated from the regular curriculum in a designated course or in a significant unit of the senior capstone course, while others maintain that "ethics-across-the-CS-curriculum" should prevail [9].…”

“…Controversy over inclusion of these issues exists. Not all faculty are supportive of the integration of these topics into technical courses and the academic reward structure generally does not recognize faculty efforts in this area [9]. "…”