School of Engineering and Applied Science Department of Computer Science CSci 110 -- Technology and Society http://www.seas.gwu.edu/~mfeldman/csci110/summer10 Prof. Michael B. Feldman, course instructor mfeldman@gwu.edu

Week 1: Introductions, History, and Ethics

Readings:

History of Computers, Baase, chapt. 1.1, plus URL's
Developing a Moral Framework, Baase, chapt. 9

Professional Codes of Ethics, Spinello/Tavani, chapt. 1, 6

Ethical Coordinate System (PDF file)

Prof. C. Dianne Martin's Notes on Ethical Systems (PDF file)

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) Code of Ethics

ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Code of Ethics (which Prof. Martin helped to write)

ACM-IEEE Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice

Learning Activities:

Photo of yourself (by Friday 5/21, 11:59 PM) - using your Blackboard assignment menu, upload a digital photo of yourself for the class photo gallery. Because this is a distance-learning course, we never see each others' faces in class; the photo gallery will help us associate actual people with all the e-mail and forum discussions.

Please try to provide a passport-type "head shot" in GIF or JPG form. I can shrink your photo if necessary, but please don't make me edit it to make your face reasonably visible.  Check out the "blank" gallery HERE on the class website; I will fill in the other photos when you submit them.

Please use this standard file naming rule: Suppose your name is Jane Smith: call your file smith-jane-photo.jpg or smith-jane-photo.gif.

Electronic Introductions (by Friday 5/21, 11:59 pm) - in the Blackboard discussion area, write a brief description of your background, interests, experience with computers, discussion of the following: Since many cultures may be represented in this class, briefly describe how you think technology is viewed within your culture (good, evil, frightening, morally corrupting, progress, etc.). In particular, comment on how the general public in your country feels about "western" technology. If your culture is American, your thoughts on American culture and technology are welcome, of course!

Personal ethical frameworks (by Friday 5/21, 11:59 PM) - in the Blackboard discussion area, locate yourself on the ethical coordinate system. Given the hypothetical ethical Cartesian coordinate system (see attached Ethical Coordinates file), locate (plot) where you think your own ethical philosophy falls and discuss why.

Discussion of ethics scenario (by Tuesday 5/25 at 11:59 pm) - in the Blackboard discussion area, discuss the following ethics scenario to identify the ethical situation, the stakeholders, the alternatives and the possible correct action based upon a code of ethics.

First look at the ACM Code of Ethics and the IEEE Ethics Code and discuss where you think they each fall in the moral coordinate system.

Now consider the situation described below. Each person will represent the views of one or two of the stakeholders shown below. Generate a set of alternative actions possible from the point of view of the stakeholders you represent. (For the professionals, use the ACM or IEEE code of ethics to develop alternatives)

1. The civil engineers of the state agency
2. The editor of the local newspaper who finds about the situation
3. The managers of the company developing the software
4. The programmers in the company developing the software
5. The local elected officials; state agency that licenses engineers
6. Members of the public

Scenario:
 
Civil engineers employed by a state agency were engaged in numerous construction design projects, such as flood control, where safety of humans is a factor. They were held personally responsible for their work under a professional and business responsibility law. In their design activities, the engineers increasingly relied on computer programs that were designed by systems analysts and implemented by computer programmers. The engineers specified the problems requiring solution and, to various degrees, specified the methods of solution and test cases for demonstrating that the computer programs functioned correctly. Several of the computer programs included logic where decisions were based on engineer-specified criteria and where the program output selected types and quantities of construction materials and stated how deliverable end products were to be constructed.
 
The engineers complained to their management that they were not able to determine the correctness and integrity of the computer programs, and the results of their work relied heavily on those qualities. Therefore, an error in a computer program or an error in operation of the computer (that could be detected by a programmer) could result in a serious design flaw that could cause harm to people. The engineers wanted the systems analysts and computer programmers to share in the responsibilities for any losses under the professional and business law. The systems analysts and programmer stated that they were merely providing tools and had no involvement in their use. The engineers could test and analyze the programs to assure themselves of their accuracy. Therefore, the systems analysts and programmers should not be held responsible.

Now do the Individual Ethics Scenario Evaluation (due Friday 5/28)