From Awareness to Action - Page 13 of 20
3.2.3 Capstone Course: Responsible Action
The capstone projects course presents the final opportunity for students to reflect upon the principles and operationalize the skills they have learned in all of their courses through the design, development and implementation of a large scale project. Like their previous computer science courses, this integrative experience should put emphasis on the ethical and social as well as the technical aspects of their project [10]. Appendix D briefly describes how to incorporate a social impact statement as part of the capstone course.
- The Curriculum Models
A strategy for accomplishing the goal of a coordinated curriculum is shown in two models that follow. The first model illustrates how this can be accomplished in the context of a traditional CS curriculum based upon the recommendations of CC91. The second model illustrates how to do it in the context of computer science as part of a liberal arts curriculum based upon the revised model proposed by Walker and Schneider [24]. Both models specify the core courses and electives. In addition, the traditional CS model also specifies a capstone project course. Topics related to ethics and social impact are indicated and are based upon the traditional content of each course. Where appropriate, the ethical and social impact knowledge units and learning objectives that relate to each topic are also indicated.
