Watch a video introduction to this course on YouTube.
This course considers the impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society. Its aim is to equip the student to make informed judgements about the social and ethical consequences of the deployment of computing technologies, and to foster critical thought and professional responsibility.
CS 492 is a course for CS major students, and is normally completed in a student's fourth year. A thorough knowledge of computing is assumed.
Prerequisites: CS 240 or SE 240; Computer Science students only.
Used in Course: Unix-based text editor/formatter of student's choice for preparing assignments and Web documents.
Computerization and Controversy, 2nd ed., edited by R. Kling, Academic Press, 1996. Instructors may also package additional topical readings on a term-by-term basis.
3 contact hours per week, split between lecture, discussion section, and tutorial at the discretion of the instructor. Normally available in Winter.
Following the introduction, the course will explore a number of themes through reference to specific technologies and case studies. Emphasis is placed on understanding the depth and range of possible problems before suggesting and evaluating possible solutions.
General issues which arise with the introduction of computer technologies. Comparisons with other forms of technology. Methodologies in the natural and social sciences. The philosophical basis of ethical discussion.
Major aspects of the impact of computing, including some of the following: privacy and social control, security and safety, utopianism and dystopianism, social interactions, the workplace, crime, intellectual property issues, public perception of computers, professionalism and responsibility, human rights.
Possible specific topics include: responsibility in the software engineering cycle, the Internet and its services, the information highway and convergence of media, computerized voting, the social responsibility of artificial intelligence researchers, educating the computer scientist, office automation and telecommuting, critical systems, hacking, and computer viruses.
David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Tel: 519-888-4567 x33293
Fax: 519-885-1208
Contact | Feedback: cs-uops@cs.uwaterloo.ca | David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science | Faculty of Mathematics
Last modified: Wednesday, 15-Feb-2012 13:02:00 EST
