NORTHERN SAMAR COLLEGES

Catarman, Northern Samar

COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Number:
Title:

IT 221
Computer Ethics
(Pre-requisite:
IT

110

Computer

Fundamentals)
Department/Program:
Technology

Bachelor of Science in Information

Semester & School Year:

2nd Sem., SY 2010-2011

Instructor:

Farah Kathrine Evasco-Cuanico

Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the ethical and social issues
sparked by the ever-growing information society at the local and global
level. This course will also familiarize students with the impact of
digitized information on individuals and societies. It focuses on privacy,
reliability, security, intellectual property, control, equality of access, and
authenticity. The course also explores the social impact of information
technology in different areas of human life such as business, health,
education,
entertainment
and
politics.
The course is intended for those students in undergraduate
programs that focus on computer, information technology, business, and
applied ethics.
Course Objectives (Desirable Objectives):
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
1. Understand and discuss various kinds of social impact of computers
in the information society.
2. Become familiar with the meaning of terms such as: ethics, integrity,
values, social responsibility.
3. Understand the importance of ethical issues that emerge from the
widespread use of information technology.
4. Have the ability to apply the techniques, tools and topics from the
course in decision making personal and professional situations.
5. Become familiar with organizations, laws and regulations related to
computer ethics and individuals conduct in the cyberspace.
6. Apply the Framework for Ethical Decision Making.
Course Outline and Timeframe:
Topics and Readings
1. An Overview of Ethics
What are Ethics?
Definition of Ethics
The Importance of Integrity
Ethics in the Business World

Date

2.

3.

4.

5.

Why Fostering Good Business

Ethics Is Important
Improving Corporate Ethics
When Good Ethics Result in Short Term
Losses
Creating an Ethical Work Environment
Ethical Decision-Making
Ethics in Information Technology
Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users
IT Professionals
Definition of an IT Professional
Professional Relationships That Must Be
Managed
The Ethical Behavior of IT Professionals
Professional Codes of Ethics
Professional Organizations
Certification
IT Users
IT Users and Common Ethical Issues
Supporting the Ethical Practices of IT
Users
Computer and Internet Crime
IT Security Incidents: A Worsening
Problem
Types of Attacks
Perpetrator Types
Reducing Vulnerabilities
Risk Assessment
Establish a Security Policy
Educate Employees, Contractors, and
Part-Time Workers
Prevention
Detection
Response
Privacy
Privacy Protection and the Law
The Right of Privacy
Recent History of Privacy Protection
Key Privacy and Anonymity Issues
Data Encryption
Key Privacy and Anonymity Issues
Consumer Profiling
Treating Consumer Data Responsibly
Workplace Monitoring
Spamming
Carnivore
Advanced Surveillance Technology
Freedom of Expression
First Amendment Rights
Obscene Speech
Defamation
Key Freedom of Expression Issues
Controlling Access to Information on the
Internet
Anonymity
Defamation and Hate Speech

Pornography
6. Intellectual Property
What is Intellectual Property?
Copyrights
Patents
Trade Secret Laws
Key Intellectual Property Issues
Reverse Engineering
Uniform Computer Information
Transaction Act (UCITA)
Competitive Intelligence
Cybersquatting
7. Software Development
Strategies to Engineer Quality Software
The Importance of Software Quality
Software Development Process
Capability Maturity Model for Software
Development of Safety-Critical Systems
Quality Management Standards
8. Employer/Employee Issues
Use of Non-Traditional Workers
Contingent Workers
H-1B Workers
Offshore Outsourcing
Whistle Blowing
Protection for Whistle Blowers
Dealing with a Whistle Blowing Situation
Required Reading:
Ethics in Information Technology by George Reynolds
Course Requirements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Regular Attendance
Active Participation in the Class
Projects/Assignments
Oral Reporting
Case Studies
Satisfactory result on minor and major exams