2015/16 | Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences Intranet

MODULE TITLE	Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	ECM1407	MODULE CONVENER	Dr Simon McGinnes (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	12		0

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	75

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The module aims to provide you with the tools to reflect upon your role in the interface between digital technologies and society and on the moral and ethical use of information and information systems. By taking this module, you will become aware of your legal responsibilities and rights as an IT professional and as a user of digital technologies. The module will cover ethical theories, computer law and professional codes of conduct, and will address the ways in which broader areas of law (e.g. defamation, contracts, privacy and freedom of information legislation) impact upon technology users and IT professionals.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module will introduce you to the law regulating the use of information and digital technology. It will enhance your awareness and critical thinking skills regarding the social impact of information technology, and help you relate professional codes of conduct to ethical theories.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 comprehend those aspects of computing regulated by the law;
2 grasp the impact of information technology and related work practices on society;
3 understand how a Code of Conduct (such as that of the BCS) relates to practical professional dilemmas;
4 appreciate the different perspectives of different ethical theories on issues relating to information technology.
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
5 recognise where ethical and legal issues apply throughout the subject.
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
6 relate reading materials to lecture content;
7 construct a well-structured argument;
8 question assumptions confidently, and critically evaluate competing viewpoints.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The syllabus will be based around five themes:

- computers and the law: computer misuse, copyright, patents, data protection, contracts, software ownership, piracy;

- progress and dependence: safety-critical systems & software development, artificial intelligence, computerisation, efficiency, working practices, communication, quality of life;

- individuals vs. society: data protection, Freedom of Information, cryptography, artificial expertise;

- professional issues and doing the right thing: ethical dilemmas, ethical notions (duty, utility, choice), professional codes (e.g. that of the BCS);

- writing CVs and identifying your own skills.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	28.00	Guided Independent Study	122.00	Placement / Study Abroad	0.00

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	22	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	6	Seminars and group presentations
Guided independent study	54	Individual assessed work (summative and formative)
Guided independent study	68	Wider reading and exam preparation

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Formative group presentation outline and report	1,000 words	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8	Peer and staff evaluation in podium discussion sessions

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	20	Written Exams	70	Practical Exams	10

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Written exam - closed book	70	2 hours	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8	Oral, on request
Assessment – group presentation and report	30	12 hours	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8	Group and individual feedback sheet.

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All above	Written exam (100%)	All	August Ref/Def period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by written exam only. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%. For deferred candidates, the exam mark will be uncapped, and the candidate will be awarded the higher of the exam mark alone and the exam mark combined with previously obtained coursework marks in the ratio 70:10:20.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	Year	ISBN	Search
Set	Forrester T and Morrison P	Computer Ethics: Cautionary tales and ethical dilemmas in computing	2nd	MIT	1994	978-0262560733	[Library]
Set	Ludlow P	High Noon on the Electronic Frontier: Conceptual Issues in Cyberspace	1st	MIT	1996	978-0262621038	[Library]
Set	Langford, Duncan	Business Computer Ethics		Addison-Wesley	1999	978-0201342796	[Library]
Set	Quinn, Michael J	Ethics for the Information Age	2	Pearson International Edition	2009		[Library]
Set	Bainbridge, David	Introduction to Information Technology Law	Electronic	Pearson Longman	2008	978-1405846660	[Library]
Set	Baase, S.	A Gift of Fire: social, legal and ethical issues for computers and the Internet	1st	Prentice Hall	1997		[Library]
Set	Ayres R	The Essence of Professional Issues in Computing	1st	Prentice Hall	1999		[Library]
Extended	Baase, S.	A Gift of Fire: social, legal and ethical issues for computers and the Internet	1st	Prentice Hall	1997		[Library]
Extended	Forrester T and Morrison P	Computer Ethics: Cautionary tales and ethical dilemmas in computing	2nd	MIT	1994	978-0262560733	[Library]
Extended	Adams A, McCrindle R	Pandora's Box: Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age		Wiley	2008	978-0470065532	[Library]
Extended	Johnson D	Computer Ethics	3rd	Prentice Hall	2001		[Library]

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	1	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Friday 09 January 2015	LAST REVISION DATE	Monday 17 August 2015

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Computer ethics; cybercrime.

Computer Science

ECM1407 - Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age (2015)