CMSC 304

Social and Ethical Issues in Information Technology

Today's Agenda:

Course Orientation and Important Info
- About me
- What is this class?
- Course components and rhythm
- Policies
Day 1 questionnaire

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE)

Also: Senior Engineer & Researcher at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (JHU/APL)

Education and Teaching:

Current Hobbies:

Theme for my teaching & research is experience

Readings & in-class quizzes about these readings
- Please read the posted readings before coming to class, and be prepared to take a short 5-7 minute quiz about it at the start of class
Notetaking
- It's a good idea Why?
- Hand-written notes only are allowed on quizzes. Why?
- You can get extra credit at the end of course course by keeping excellent notes
Mini-lectures that complement the readings (~20 mins or less)
In-class discussion + small group activities
Individual and Group Writing / Project
For class activities that require it, I'll ask you to please bring a device (and its charger) that can connect to the internet
- In all other cases, please do not do other work on your laptop or phone during class

This is contingent on everyone doing the readings, taking notes, coming to class prepared to discuss, and mindfully completing the in-class activities
If we're struggling to do this, the contributions will change to something more like
- midterm exam: 25%
- final exam: 35%
- final 15 page paper: 35%
- individual writing: 5%

We will use Discord for course communication. I’ll send out an invite after Week 1
We will use Blackboard as the hub for assignment submissions and grade tracking
We will use Google Drive for your individual writing and for Group items and feedback
We may use Padlet and/or Poll Everywhere for discussion
We may use ChatGPT for outlining, discussion, roleplaying
- Note: we will NOT use ChatGPT for writing entire assignments or reflections
You should use Zotero for reference management and citation formatting

Define ethical reasoning as it relates to computer science and apply ethical principles to the profession of computer science.
Be able to identify and differentiate between ethical, social, and legal issues, and recognize their importance for CS professionals.
Analyze cases and issues using ethical principles, professional standards, legal standards, economic consequences, and social effects.
Given an issue or problem of ethical, social, legal, and/or economic relevance to the computing profession, analyze the relevant information, formulate an opinion, defend this opinion clearly in a written document or oral presentation, and understand and explain opposing perspectives.
Understand the ACM Code of Ethics and the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and how these documents relate to theoretical ethical principles and professional and social responsibilities
Understand key legal concepts related to computing and its use, including patent protection, digital copyright, cybersecurity, and software licensing

As this is also a writing-intensive class, the following objectives are also required by the university:

Require effective writing for critical inquiry and/or the presentation of scholarly research.
Require students to submit at least 3000-3750 words (12-15 standard [double-spaced] pages) of graded finished written assignments. (In-class tests, drafts, un-graded journals, exercises, and similar informal assignments are considered supplemental.)
Provide opportunities for extensive feedback and/or revision, typically on two or more papers outside of class (if a single term paper is used, there must be an opportunity for a formal revision and feedback stage).
Evaluate students on the basis of effective writing as well as content.
Use class time to provide guidelines for written assignments and address effective writing in the academic discipline.
Include consideration of the ways in which the principle and practice of academic integrity apply to written assignment (consistent with UMBC’s Academic Integrity Policy).

Gain practical skills that will help you obtain and flourish in a career of your choice
- Writing well can be a distinguishing skill for your resume
- Writing is a process for thinking, not just performative blather
Developing a well-reasoned personal ethic can help you tell compelling stories in your interview e.g. "Tell me about a time when you...."
Gaining skills managing conflict and difficult topics

"I believe that in the future, each of us will need to become a mini “AI ethicist.”"

"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast" - some guy

Each week (except for "writing weeks") there will be approximately 1-3 hours of reading
You should aim to practice deep reading
- hand-written notes only will be allowed on the quiz and for discussions
I use myself as a model for what is reasonable (I am an extremely slow reader, often needing to go back and re-read entire paragraphs multiple times)
I'll try to provide a time estimate for each reading/watching
I recommend reading in 20 minute blocks, then take a break, digest, and repeat

Join the course Discord server
- If you're unfamiliar with Discord, please see this Beginner's Guide to Discord
- Change your name to whatever you want to be called in class
  - Please don't make me call you a weird handle e.g. SlipperySaxaphone98
- Tip: Set Discord to open automatically, and keep it open all semester, to be sure you get course announcements. I will NOT be sending announcements through Blackboard

2. Log in to Padlet using your UMBC email (not your personal email!) and answer the prompt