Syllabus

Social, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Computing

SP21, CSE 2501, Section 0135, Lecture 11589

Dr. Bryan R. Weaver

The Ohio State University

This syllabus will be updated throughout the semester. It is each student’s responsibility to keep themselves apprised of any changes.

Course Logistics

Classes meet on Thursdays from 9:35-10:55AM online using CarmenZoom.

Office hours are on Tuesdays from 12:45-1:45PM online using CarmenZoom or by appointment.

The instructor’s email address is [email protected].

The course website is https://carmen.osu.edu.

Course Description

In this course, we will use ethical theory and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to learn how to solve social, ethical, and professional problems that computer scientists, programmers, and other computing professionals can expect to face in the course of doing their jobs.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of the following courses are prerequisites for enrollment in this course: CSE 2122, 2123, or 2231; and General Education Writing: Level 2. This course is not open to students with credit for CSE 5501.

Required Readings

Association for Computing Machinery (2018). “ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct”. Retrieved August 25, 2020, from https://www.acm.org/code-of-ethics.

Shafer-Landau, Russ (2020). The Fundamentals of Ethics, Fifth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University

Press.

Other readings will be made available in the “Files” folder on the CarmenCanvas course website. It is each student’s responsibility to regularly check the “Files” folder for the assigned readings.

Assessment

Participation (35%)

Discussion contributions (17%)

Attendance (10%)

Presentation peer feedback (8%)

Paper (32.5%)

Presentation (32.5%)

Grades Schemes

The final grades scheme for the course is the OSU Standard Grades Scheme:

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

E

EN

I

100% to 92.5%

<92.5% to 89.5%

<89.5% to 86.5%

<86.5% to 82.5%

<82.5% to 79.5%

<79.5% to 76.5%

<76.5% to 72.5%

<72.5% to 69.5%

<69.5% to 66.5%

<66.5% to 59.5%

Fail: <59.5% to 0%

Fail: stopped attending

Incomplete

The grades scheme for the paper and the presentation assignments is:

A	A	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C	C-	D+	D	D	E
100%	97%	94%	91%	88%	85%	82%	79%	76%	73%	70%	67%	64%	61%	≤58%
33	32	31	30	29	28	27	26	25	24	23	22	21	20	≤19

The grades scheme for the discussion contributions is:

A	A	A-	A-	B+	B+	B	B	B-	B-	C+	C+	C	C	C-	C-	D+	D+	D	D	E
100%	93%	92%	90%	89%	87%	86%	83%	82%	80%	79%	77%	76%	73%	72%	70%	69%	67%	66%	60%	0%
≤20	19	18	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1	0

The grades scheme for the presentation peer feedback is:

A	B	D+	E	E	E	E
100%	83%	67%	50%	33%	17%	0%
6	5	4	3	2	1	0

The grades scheme for the attendance is:

A	A-	B	E
100%	93%	86%	0%
14	13	12	≤11

Class Expectations

(1) You are expected to attend every class, be it in person or online. Your attendance grade will decrease proportionately for your first two unexcused absences; but if you miss more than two classes without an excuse approved by the instructor, then you will get 0% for your attendance grade. If you miss class on a presentation day, then you will also lose credit for not completing the presentation peer feedback for that day (see below). If you miss more than three classes, then you cannot complete the course.

(2) You are expected to participate in every class. You should listen attentively, take notes, ask questions, and comment when you have something to say.

(3) You are expected to complete every assigned reading before coming to class the day that we are scheduled to discuss it. You will be given some things to read in class, but readings that are assigned in advance should be read in advance.

(4) You are expected to bring Shafer-Landau’s The Fundamentals of Ethics, Fifth Edition, the “ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct”, and any other assigned readings to class every day. In addition, some short readings not assigned in advance will be assigned in class.

(5) You are expected to submit your paper to the paper assignment on CarmenCanvas by 11:59PM, Monday, 3/1/21. If you submit it late without an extension, then your grade for the paper will decrease by 25% for every 24-hour period it is late, beginning at 12:00AM, Tuesday, 3/2/21. If you do not submit a paper by 11:59PM, Friday, 3/5/21, then you cannot complete the course.

(6) You are expected to submit your presentation slides twice. The first time you should submit them to the presentation assignment on CarmenCanvas by the beginning of class one week before you are scheduled to give your presentation. If your presentation is the first day of class after a break, then your presentation slides are due on CarmenCanvas by the beginning of class the last day of class before the break – not during the break. If you do not submit them a week before your presentation, then your grade for the presentation will decrease by 25% for every 24-hour period that they are late, beginning at the start of class one week before your presentation. If you do not submit any slides in advance within four days and without an extension, then you cannot complete the course. The second time you should submit your slides to the same presentation assignment on CarmenCanvas by the end of the day that you present. Your final submission must be exactly what you present to the class.

(7) You are expected to give your presentation at the scheduled place, date, and time. Presentations cannot be rescheduled, so you must plan ahead from the very beginning of the semester. If you miss your presentation, then you cannot complete the course.

(8) You are expected to attend every presentation, listen attentively, take notes, ask questions, and comment. Your discussion contributions grade is determined in large part by your participation in your colleagues’ presentations.

(9) You are expected to complete presentation peer feedback for every presentation, except for those on the day that you present yourself. Your presentation peer feedback grade will decrease proportionately for the first two days you do not complete them, but if you fail to complete them for three days, then you will get 0% for your presentation peer feedback grade.

(10) You are expected to promptly notify the instructor of any circumstances that may interfere with your ability to take part in and complete the course to the best of your ability.

Health and Safety Requirements

All students, faculty, and staff are required to comply with and stay up to date on all university safety and health guidance (https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu), which includes wearing a face mask in any indoor space and maintaining a safe physical distance at all times. Non-compliance will be warned first and disciplinary actions will be taken for repeated offenses.

CarmenCanvas Access

You have to use BuckeyePass multi-factor authentication to access your courses in CarmenCanvas. To make sure that you are able to connect to CarmenCanvas at all times, you should take the following steps:

(1) Register more than one device in case something happens to your primary device. Visit the BuckeyePass - Adding a Device help article for step-by-step instructions.

(2) Request passcodes to keep as a backup authentication option. When you see the Duo login screen on your computer, click “Enter a Passcode” and then click “Text me new codes”. This will text you ten passcodes good for 365 days that can each be used once.

(3) Download the Duo Mobile application to all of your registered devices for the ability to generate one-time codes in the event that you lose cell, data, or Wi-Fi service.

(4) If none of these options will meet the needs of your situation, then you can contact the IT Service Desk at 614-688-4357 (HELP), and IT support staff will work out a solution with you.

Course Technology Resources

For help with your password, university email, CarmenCanvas, or any other technology issues, questions, or requests, contact the Ohio State IT Service Desk. Standard support hours are available at ocio.osu.edu/help/hours, and support for urgent issues is available 24/7. Here is their contact information:

(1) Self-Service and Chat support: ocio.osu.edu/help

(2) Phone: 614-688-4357(HELP)

(3) Email: [email protected]

(4) TDD: 614-688-8743

Required technology skills for this course:

(1) Basic computer and web-browsing skills.

(2) Ability to use CarmenCanvas. For questions about specific functionality, see the CarmenCanvas Student Guide.

(3) Ability to use CarmenZoom. For questions about specific functionality, see CarmenZoom Meetings Overview.

Required equipment for this course:

(1) Computer: current Mac (OS X) or PC (Windows 7+) with a high-speed internet connection.

(2) Webcam: built-in or external webcam, fully installed and tested.

(3) Microphone: built-in laptop or tablet microphone or external microphone.

(4) Other: a mobile device (e.g., smartphone or tablet), or a landline to use for BuckeyePass authentication.

Required software for this course:

Microsoft Office 365: All Ohio State students are now eligible for free Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus through Microsoft’s Student Advantage program. Full instructions for downloading and installation can be found at http://go.osu.edu/office365help.

Copyright Disclaimer

The materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection and are only for the use of students officially enrolled in the course for the educational purposes associated with the course. Copyright law must be considered before copying, retaining, or disseminating materials outside of this course.

Accessibility Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Requesting accommodations:

The university strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers based on your disability including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions, please let the instructor know immediately so that we can privately discuss options. To establish reasonable accommodations, the instructor may request that you register with Student Life Disability Services. After registration, make arrangements with the instructor as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations so that they may be implemented in a timely fashion. SLDS contact information: [email protected]; 614-292-3307; 098 Baker Hall, 113 W. 12^th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210.

Accessibility of course technology:

This course requires use of CarmenCanvas (Ohio State's learning management system) and other online communication and multimedia tools. If you need additional services to use these technologies, please request accommodations with your instructor:

(1) CarmenCanvas accessibility

(2) Streaming audio and video

(3) CarmenZoom accessibility

(4) Collaborative course tools

Ohio State Academic Integrity Policy

Academic integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities. Thus, The Ohio State University and the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) expect that all students have read and understand the university’s Code of Student Conduct, and that all students will complete all academic and scholarly assignments with fairness and honesty. Students must recognize that failure to follow the rules and guidelines established in the university’s Code of Student Conduct and this syllabus may constitute academic misconduct.

The Ohio State University’s Code of Student Conduct (Section 3335-23-04) defines academic misconduct as: “Any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the university or subvert the educational process.” Examples of academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarism, collusion (unauthorized collaboration), copying the work of another student, and possession of unauthorized materials during an examination. Ignorance of the university’s Code of Student Conduct is never considered an excuse for academic misconduct, so I recommend that you review the Code of Student Conduct and, specifically, the sections dealing with academic misconduct.

If the instructor suspects that a student has committed academic misconduct in this course, then the instructor is obligated by university rules to report their suspicions to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. If COAM determines that you have violated the university’s Code of Student Conduct (i.e., committed academic misconduct), then the sanctions for the misconduct could include a failing grade in this course and suspension or dismissal from the university.

If you have any questions about the above policy or what constitutes academic misconduct in this course, please contact the instructor at [email protected].

Other sources of information about academic misconduct and integrity include:

(1) The Committee on Academic Misconduct webpages (COAM Home)

(2) Ten Suggestions for Preserving Academic Integrity (Ten Suggestions)

(3) Eight Cardinal Rules of Academic Integrity (www.northwestern.edu/uacc/8cards.htm)

Statement on Title IX

All students and employees at the Ohio State have the right to work and learn in an environment free from harassment and discrimination based on sex or gender, and the university can arrange interim measures, provide support resources, and explain investigation options, including referral to confidential resources.

If you or someone you know has been harassed or discriminated against based on your sex or gender, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation, then you can find information about your rights and options at titleix.osu.edu or by contacting the Ohio State Title IX Coordinator at [email protected]. Title IX is part of the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) at the Ohio State, which responds to all bias-motivated incidents of harassment and discrimination, such as race, religion, national origin, and disability. For more information on OIE, visit equity.osu.edu or email [email protected].

Your Mental Health

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating, and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. The Ohio State University offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you find yourself feeling isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed, please know that there are resources to help: ccs.osu.edu. You can reach an on-call counselor when CCS is closed at 614-292-5766 and 24-hour emergency help is also available through the 24/7 National Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Ohio State Wellness app is also a great resource available at go.osu.edu/wellnessapp.

Student emergency financial support:

The Student Advocacy Center staff members are continuing to serve students during normal business hours and are accepting online appointments.

The Student Emergency Fund is available to students who may otherwise be at risk of dropping out of college due to an unexpected financial emergency. If you, or a student you know, are experiencing an unplanned expense, the Student Emergency Fund may be an option. Their office is accepting applications and may be able to award up to $1,000 to eligible students. Learn more and apply.

The Together As Buckeyes emergency grants program, funded primarily by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is available to all students – undergraduate, graduate and professional – through the Student Financial Aid office. To apply for a grant, students need to complete a one-page Emergency Request form and provide any supporting documentation. The Office of Student Financial Aid will process applications after determining eligibility based on each student’s circumstances and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.

Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services has amended its Prevention, Retention, and Contingency Program to provide targeted relief for families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Franklin County COVID-19 Response PRC Program provides eligible families with $500 in one-time cash assistance to help address emergent needs and expenses brought about by the public health emergency. Families can apply online today.

The Student Wellness Center offers financial coaching through the Scarlet and Gray Financial nationally recognized peer financial coaching program. Through the program, students will learn about financial goal setting, banking basics, budgeting, credit education, debt repayment education, and saving and retirement education. Learn more.