Implementing the Tenth Strand - Page 5 of 18
In order to understand the basis for personal and professional responsibility, students need to learn about several major ethical models that can be used to evaluate alternatives and aid in decision-making. Ethical models developed by philosophers such as Bentham's Utilitarianism, Kant's Moral Imperative, and Rawles' negotiation of social contracts have been effectively used to provide a formal basis for discussion of ethical dilemmas.
ES1.4 Definition of computing as a profession.
A major criterion for "professional"
status is the expectation of some autonomy in the exercise of responsibilities. Some
computer professionals have a great deal of autonomy in the decisions they make. Other
computer professionals are employees of large firms and software shops where they are quite
restricted in their duties and autonomy. They often work on only a small part of a larger
system and have little knowledge of or control over decisions made about the larger project.
The extent to which computer professionals are 'professional' is more analogous to
accountants or engineers who claim special expertise, have professional associations, and
adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct. As they prepare for a computing
career, it is very important for computing students to realize early in their education that
they will be entering a profession, not just a job market.
ES1.5 Codes of ethics and professional responsibility for computer professionals.
To the extent that computing is a profession, its adherents have a responsibility to shape
that profession in ways that are benefit society. An important part of the evolution of
computing into a profession has been the development of codes of ethics and professional
practice which delineate the responsibilities of the computer professional. The knowledge
of these responsibilities, and the practice of them, is fundamental to ethical thought and
behavior among computer professionals. For this reason, a careful study and application of
professional codes of ethics is crucial to ethical practice in computer science.
Suggested laboratories (4 hours):
1. Divide students into small groups and assign an important technology, such as the clock, the internal combustion engine, electricity, or television to each group and have them discuss how the invention and widespread adoption of this technology changed society. Who were the winners and who were the losers when the new technology was adopted?
2. Have individual students read or view a work of science fiction and then report back to their small groups about the author's view of technology. Is technology viewed as beneficial or evil? Who is in control in the work - people or technology?
3. Have students identify where their personal values fit into classical ethical models and professional codes of ethics presented. Then have them discuss a case study in small groups using their own personal values as the basis for decision-making.
4. Have students do a written case study analysis using a professional code of ethics and then discuss their analysis with other students in small groups.
Connections: Related to: ES2, ES4, SE3, SE4, SE5 Prerequisites: a semester of computer programming
