Module Code - Title:
CS4187
-
PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN COMPUTING
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industries employ large numbers of people who create technologies affecting a wide range of different types of communities within society as a whole. It is very important that students who will be entering these industries do so with an understanding of ethical professional and cultural issues that they will need to engage with as professionals. To this end Professional Issues in Computing focuses on the ethical, legal and social consequences of the design, implementation and use of computer and information systems.
Syllabus:
What is a computer professional?
Ethical theories including: consequentialism and non-consequentialism; utilitariasm; deontological theory.
Ethical decision making frameworks.
Applying ethical theories to moral problems in ICT.
Codes of conduct of professional bodies in ICT.
Legal implications of being a professional including: Intellectual property law; privacy and data protection; computer crime; Irish, European and American laws and potential for conflict.
Conflict between the legal and the ethical approaches.
Social impacts of ICT including: Digital divide - exclusion based on: race, gender, age, language; North/South divide, power and democracy, unstoppable progress, physical and social disability.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Identify and critically evaluate the major ethical approaches to dealing with moral issues that may arise in computing.
2. Given a description of a relevant ethical dilemma in computing, students will be able to demonstrate solid ethical reasoning and effective communication skills.
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of professional codes of ethics and how they can be used to guide professional decisions.
4. Differentiate between legal systems in different jurisdictions and evaluate their consequence on the design, implementations and use of computer and information systems.
5. Critically assess the effects of the digital divide on access to computer and information technologies.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Justify legal and ethical decisions in the design and use of computer and information systems.
2. Participate in group based assignments and work as an effective team member.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Denis Kelleger and Karen Murray (2007)
Information Technology Law in Ireland (2nd edition)
, Tottel Publishing
Sara Baase (2002)
Gift of Fire: Social, Legal and Ethical issues for Computers and the Internet (2nd edition)
, Prentice Hall
David Bainbridge (2007)
Introduction to Information Technology Law (6th edition)
, Longman
Deborah G. Johnson (2003)
Computer Ethics (3rd edition)
, Pearson Education
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
Jim.Buckley@ul.ie