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CMPUT 300 -
Winter 2012 Computers and
Society
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A 5 to 8 pages paper is required for
each unit. Topics and due dates will be announced in advance. You only
need to turn in five of the six papers; you get to choose which one you skip. Ethics Due February 11 The main idea of this essay is to
apply what you have learned in class to discuss ethical issues associated to
computer technologies. I would like you to take a specific topic, present why
it is important (20 pts), discuss other opinions (10 pts), discuss the pros
and cons of each argument (20 pts), analyze this topic using four of the
major ethical theories I have presented in class (30 pts), and then present
your own arguments (20 pts). Possible topics are: 1.
Ethics of the link between war and
computer technologies 2.
Ethics of computers and democracy 3.
Ethics of computer mediated
whistleblowers (Wikileaks) 4.
Ethics of open source movement 5.
Ethics of privacy and security 6.
Ethics of Video Games 7.
Ethics of government and corporate
control of the internet 8.
Etc. Privacy Due March 14 The main idea of this essay is to
apply what you have learned in class to discuss privacy issues associated to
computer technologies. I would like you to take a specific privacy issue,
present the privacy challenges (30 pts), discuss other opinions (20 pts),
discuss the pros and cons of each argument (20 pts), and then present your
own arguments on how to solve the challenges (30 pts). Possible topics are: 1.
Privacy law and computer
technologies 2.
Mass surveillance by Government 3.
Surveillance by corporations and
individuals 4.
Privacy and commercial use of
personal information 5.
Privacy protection technologies 6.
Privacy and Smart-Cards with RFID 7.
Link between privacy and freedom 8.
Corporate privacy and industrial
espionage 9.
Etc. Freedom of Speech and e-Democracy Due March 24 The main idea of this essay is to
apply what you have learned in class to discuss freedom of speech issues
associated to computer technologies. I would like you to discuss a specific
aspect of freedom of speech on the internet, present the challenges (30 pts),
discuss other opinions (20 pts), discuss the pros and cons of each argument
(20 pts), and then present your own arguments on how to solve the challenges
(30 pts). Possible topics are: 1.
Freedom of speech and blogs 2.
Freedom of speech and hate
propaganda on the internet 3.
Internet censorship 4.
Internet and the promotion of
democracy 5.
Direct democracy using the internet 6.
Libel and Facebook 7.
Electronic Voting 8.
Anonymity and the Internet 9.
Direct democracy and the internet 10.
Etc. Social Networks Due March 31 The main idea of this essay is to
apply what you have learned in class to discuss social networks issues. I
would like you to discuss a specific aspect of social networking, present the
challenges (30 pts), discuss other opinions (20 pts), discuss the pros and
cons of each argument (20 pts), and then present your own arguments on how to
solve the challenges (30 pts). Possible topics are: 1.
The role of social networks and
virtual communities 2.
What is the future of social
networks? 3.
Is Facebook
a mass-spying information system or just a simple apps? 4.
Should social network be protected
by a special legislation? 5.
Social networks vs
the modern nomadic society 6.
Are social networks a fashion or
here to stay? 7.
How should user define privacy of social
networks? 8.
Etc. Intellectual Property Due April 8 The main idea of this essay is to
apply what you have learned in class and discuss intellectual property
issues. I would like you to discuss an aspect of a specific intellectual
property issue, present the challenges (30 pts), discuss other opinions (20
pts), discuss the pros and cons of each argument (20 pts), and then present
your own arguments on how to solve the challenges (30 pts). Possible topics
are: 1.
Is strong IP control necessary or
even possible on the internet? 2.
Can we solve the IP problems using
technologies like MPEG-20? 3.
Who should be in charge if IP
policing on the internet? 4.
Should corporations have IP rights
on the internet? 5.
Should individuals have IP rights on
the internet? 6.
Are the current US and Canadian
legislations necessaries? 7.
Etc. Risks/Benefits of Computer Systems Due April 18 |
The main idea of this essay is to
apply what you have learned in class on the risk/benefit analysis of computer systems.
I would like you to choose a specific issue, present the challenges (30 pts),
discuss other opinions (20 pts), discuss the pros and cons of each argument (20
pts), and then present your own arguments on how to solve the challenges (30
pts) using a risk-benefit analysis framework. Possible topics are:
1. How can we design secure internet systems?
2. Impact of computer on the private/public life
3. Issues with e-democracy
4. Should the internet be redesigned?
5. How can we improve computers to preserve privacy?
6. Should computer take more decisions using AI?
7. Should we have computer everywhere?
8. Should we get rid of money and only use e-money?
9. Etc.