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CMPUT 300 -
Winter 2012 Computers
and Society
Colossus:
The Forbin Project (produced in 1969 though released in 1970) is an American science
fiction thriller film. It is based upon the 1966 novel Colossus, by Dennis
Feltham Jones, about a massive American defence computer named Colossus
becoming sentient and deciding to assume world control. See Internet
Archive Version |
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General Information Instructor: Pierre Boulanger URL: www.cs.ualberta.ca/~pierreb |
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Course
Requirements and Objectives The course
deals with moral, legal and social issues of computer technology. Many
ethical issues that did not exist before are now omnipresent. For example, one can get news from
many accessible online sources, but their existence threatens the existence
of the newspapers that employ the reporters who gather the news. Social media
are a great way to interact, but they can threaten personal privacy. This
course will explore such issues and more. It will combine lectures and seminars;
discussion and opinions are strongly
encouraged. |
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Course
Topics
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Student Evaluation There will be several graded assignments. Most of the
assignment grades will be given as soon as possible (max one week). |
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Grade Distribution The graded
assignments constitute the final grade of this course.
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Class Website The content of this website is
organized to provide a learning framework where:
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The text is A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and
Ethical Issues for Computing and the Internet, Sara Baase,
Prentice-Hall, 2008, 3rd edition, 978-0136008484. Some readings will be from
primary sources. There appears to be an electronic version; I have
not examined it. The
Risks Digest Please become
a regular reader of the Risks Digest, using any of
the mechanisms listed. |
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Prerequisites No computer
science background is required other than the usual familiarity with the
Internet. An open mind and a willingness to discuss things are strongly
preferred. |
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Homework Policy There will be
one paper for each major unit. Late assignments are subject to increased
penalties. There are no grace days unless for extreme cases. See the slides
from the first class for details. |
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Class Policies Academic Integrity The University of Alberta is
committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic
honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect.
Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions
of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/gfcpolicymanual/) and avoid any
behavior which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating,
plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence.
Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or
expulsion from the University. (GFC 29 SEP 2003) Collaboration All course components must be done
individually. Department Policies Refer to Department
Policy to learn about: 1. Collaboration 2. Excused Absences 3. Conditions of Use University Policies The University of Alberta policies
include, but are not limited to, the following: Electronic Communication Policy Version
January 5, 2012
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