- To be aware of the influence of computer on the evolution of society
- To take into account the specific responsabilities of computer professional
Main themes
1. Ethics:
- definition and stakes
- ethical codes (ACM, IEEE);
- security of computer systems, hacking, virus;
- cryptography, private life respect, law respect;
- intellectual property of software and information.
2. Computer and society:
- actors, computer evolution;
- new functions, services (i.e. business, education, culture, health, state management);
- universal acces to internet.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
References
- M. Mc Farland, Urgency of ethical standards intensifies in computer community, IEEE Computer, March 1990.
- R. Anderson et al., Using the new ACM code of ethics in decision making, CACM, Feb. 1993
- G. Farris, Diversity in the high-tech workplace, IEEE Spectrum, June 1992
- CPSR, Computer Professionals for Social Responsability, http://www.cpsr.org
- Social Informatics, http://www-slis.lib.indiana.edu