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Course
Social Issues and Ethics in ECS
Professor Metta Alsobrook
Term Spring 2010
Meetings Thursday – 1:00 – 3:45 – ECS 2.410
Course Description
This course exposes students to major theoretical approaches and modes of thinking in the social sciences
while exploring a range of important issues in computing and engineering, and the interrelationship
between technology and important elements of social systems. Areas of exploration include the interface
between technology, culture, gender, and policy. Issues of professional scientific advances and the
acceptability of risk, globalization, and the relevance of constitutional issues are all explored by drawing
upon empirical research and important research methodologies in the social sciences.
Learning Objectives
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the social constructs in our society, especially as they
relate to engineering education and practice. Upon completing this course, students should be able to:
• Identify ethical conflict in a given situation and able to analyze those issues.
• Select strategies for assessing ethical dilemmas, and critically arrive at a resolution
• Prepare well-reasoned and researched professional position papers and oral presentations on
ethical issues
• Select and incorporate ideas derived from a variety of sources and present them in written and
oral work.
These course objectives will be conducted using a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and in
class exercises.
Required Texts:
Martin, Mike and Roland Schninzinger. 2000. Introduction to engineering ethics. 2nd ed. New York:
McGraw Hill.
You can buy the textbook as an eTextbook through CourseSmart (www.coursesmart.com). The e-
book price is cheaper than the traditional textbook.
Follow the link to buy the e-textbook:
Martin, Mike; Schinzinger, Roland, Introduction to Engineering Ethics, 2nd Edition,
http://www.coursesmart.com/givecoursesmartatry?xmlid=0077276361&__instructor=2444934
Recommended Text:
Weston, Anthony. 2006. A practical companion to ethics. 3rd.New York: Oxford University Press.
Password can be retrieved in e-learning. Other reading materials can be retrieved from the UTD library
databases or e-learning.
There are not official prerequisites for this class. However, you should have a working knowledge of
Microsoft Office (or similar word processing and presentation software).
Grading Scheme
Assignment Value
Exam 1(take home) 50 points
Group project 80 points
Homework/in-class assignments 100 points
Seminars participation 90 points
Final Exam (take home) 80 points
_________
TOTAL 400 points
A 372 - above
A- 360 - 371
B+ 346 - 359
B 334 - 345
B- 320 - 333
C+ 306 - 319
C 294 - 305
C- 280 - 293
D+ 266 - 279
D 254 - 265
D- 240 - 253
F 252 - below
EXAMS
There are two take home exams in this class. For exam 1, students will answer two out of three questions;
minimum 275 words and no more than 850 words (2 – 3 pages). Do not write more than 850 words, I will
not read more than three pages.
Final Exam
Every student will participate in an assigned team discussion covering a specific case from the cases listed
by the instructor. Using the case that the group used for the group project, students should write max
1400 words (5 pages more or less). Do not write more than 1400 words. You can have different solutions
from your group presentation. Detailed guidelines and grading criteria regarding the final exam will be
posted on e-learning and discussed in class. You can get 5 additional points if you submit your final exam
on April 29th.
GROUP PROJECT
Every student will participate in an assigned team discussion covering a specific topic assigned by the
instructor. There will be several roundtable discussions going on simultaneously in one class period.
Group assignment dates will be posted on e-learning at the beginning of the semester. Other students will
evaluate the group presentation. Group presentation will be 8-10 minutes and Q&A will be 8-10 minutes.
Detailed guidelines and grading criteria regarding the roundtable discussions will be posted on e-learning
and discussed in class.
There will be a team evaluation to evaluate the performance of each team member. The instructor will
deduct points for individual who has bad rating from his/her peers. The group will also going to prepare a
self evaluation that assesses success in realizing ethical values and avoiding obstacles (due by the end of
the semester). We will have a workshop on February 4th to help you work on this assignment. There will
be an additional time to work on group project on February 18th.
The group self evaluation is due two weeks after the group presentation. It will be no more than 750
words (3 pages more or less). The group self evaluation will be a part of the grading requirement of your
group project.
SEMINAR PARTICIPATION
There will be six seminars with panels (from UT Dallas and outside UT Dallas) in this course. Experts
will give their perspectives on the seminar’s theme. After each speaker’s presentation there will be a
Q&A time.
It is imperative that you not only attend the seminars but that you also engage and participate in the
seminars as well. You have to read the readings before the seminar and write two questions in 3X5 card.
After the seminar you have to do seminar evaluation and answer the questions in the seminar evaluation.
The seminar evaluation will be an online evaluation. You have to go to the e-learning to find the link to
the seminar evaluation. There will be several questions with likert scale and several open ended questions.
Due date for the seminar evaluation is 3 days after the seminar. The online evaluation link will be
closed by Monday at 8 a.m (3 days after the seminar). You will get points for doing seminar evaluation.
To get the points you have to answer all 8 seminar questions and one out of two content questions. Only
students who come to the seminar can get points for the seminar evaluation.
Writing questions for seminar (in 3X45 card)= 2 points (2 questions)
Answering questions 1- 8 in the online evaluation = 8 points
Answering question 9 or 10 in the online evaluation= 5 points
HOMEWORK/IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES
Homework will be given in a regular basis. They will not be graded but you will get points by doing
homework. Quiz is considered as in-class activities.
In each roundtable discussion you will evaluate the presenters. You will be given points for this activity.
You have to go to e-learning to get the link to the roundtable evaluation and submit the evaluation online.
Due date for the evaluation is Friday at 8 a.m (a day after the presentation). The online evaluation
will be closed on Friday at 8 a.m. Only students who come to the presentation can get points for the
online roundtable evaluation.
You will get 4 points for each group that you are evaluating.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
This course is designed as a workshop and in-class participation is crucial. Please come prepared to
contribute to class discussion by synthesizing the readings. Students are expected to read all assigned
material prior to class meetings and attend all meetings. If you read the information about the
assignments you will notice that poor classroom attendance may result not getting points on homework
/class-activities, seminar participations, or roundtable evaluation. Attendance is COMPULSORY.
Course Policies
In general, late submissions of all assignments will not be accepted. You will receive a zero for any
assignment not turned in on time. Exceptions will be made in extraordinary circumstances, but only with
written approval from the instructor prior to the submission date. Note that unless otherwise specified, all
assignments must be submitted in hard-copy during class meetings and electronically through e-learning.
Classroom Citizenship
Please maintain class decorum and be respectful towards other students in the class.
Syllabus Change
The professor reserve the right to amend this syllabus during the semester. Any changes will be
announced in class and students will be responsible for getting and following the new information.
Schedule
Readings:
Martin chapter 3: Moral Framework
(Finished the readings before you come to class on January 28th)
Readings:
Martin chapter 3: Moral Framework
Martin chapter 5: Commitment to Safety
E-reserve: Baier, K. (1984) ‘Duties to One's Employer’ in Regan, T. (ed.)
(1984) Just Business: New Introductory Essays in Business Ethics, New York:
Random House: 60-99
Panelists:
• Dr. Andy Blanchard - Vice Provost and Electrical Engineering Professor,
UT Dallas
• Dr. Robert Hilborn - Program Head of the Dept. of Science/Mathematics
Education and Physics Professor, UT Dallas
• Dr. Thomas Linehan – Director of the Institute for Interactive Arts and
Engineering, UT Dallas
• Mr. Robert Robb – Associate VP for Technology Commercialization and
Director venture Development the Institute for Innovation and
Entrepreneurship, UT Dallas
Readings:
Martin chapter 4: Engineering as Social Experimentation
Martin chapter 7.2: Honesty and Research Integrity
(Finished the readings before you come to class on January 28th)
Panelists:
• Mr. Eric D. Buskness – Professional Development Mission Assurance
Space and Airborne Systems, Raytheon
• Mr. Scott Clayton – Analyst, Government Accountability Office
• Dr. Euel Elliott – Professor of Public Policy and Political Economy and
the Senior Associate Dean in the School of Economic, Political and
Policy Sciences, UT Dallas
• Dr. Bruce Gnade - Professor of Electronic Engineering and Vice
President for Research , UT Dallas
• Mrs. Carlisle Walters - Administrative Judge, Trademark Trial & Appeal
Board, US Patent & Trademark Office
Readings:
Martin Chapter 9: Environmental Ethics
Martin Chapter 10.2: Weapons Development and Peace
Forge, J. 2004. The morality of weapons research. Science and Engineering
Ethics 10: 531-542.
(Finished the readings before you come to class on February 25th)
Readings:
Smith, Holly. 1983. Culpable Ignorance. Philosophical Review, 92(4):
543-571.
(Finished the readings before you come to class on March 4th)
Readings:
Brey, Philip. 1999. The ethics of representation and action in virtual reality.
Ethics and Information Technology Vol:1:5-14. (e-learning)
Readings:
Soutar, Geoffrey N, Margaret McNeil and Caron Molster. 2004. A
management perspective on business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 14,
No.8: 603-611.
Panelists:
• Mr. Kurt Hall- Assistant Fire Chief , City of Allen
• Dr. James Marquart- Associate Provost and Criminology Professor, UT
Dallas
• Mr. Tom Pierce – President, iLead Consulting and Training
• Dr. Charles Williams – retired Supervisory Special Agent (U.S. Dept. of
Homeland Security) and Associate Professor in Public Affairs and
Government, Collin College
Readings :
Martin Chapter 6: Workplace Responsibilities and Rights
(Finished the readings before you come to class on April 1st)
Readings:
Mittelstaedt, John and Robert A. Mittelstaedt 1997. The Protection of
Intellectual Property: Issues of Origination and Ownership. Journal of
Public Policy & Marketing, Vol. 16, No. 1 pp. 14-25
Panelists:
• Dr. Sook Kim – ECS Assistance Dean for Assessment, UT Dallas
• Dr. Marie Elena Labastida Tovar – International Finance lecturer, UT
Dallas
• Dr. Magaly Spector – VP for Diversity and Community Engagement, UT
Dallas
• Dr. Amy Walker – Assistant Professor Material Science and
Engineering, UT Dallas
Readings:
Martin chapter 10.1: Multinational Corporations
Panelists:
• Mr. Brian Bascom – Executive Director, Our Safer Community
• Dr. Stan Liebowitz – Director of Center of Economic Analysis of
Property Rights and Innovation and Ashbel Smith Distinguished
Professor of Managerial Economics, UT Dallas
• Dr. Mark Thouin – Director of Information Systems Programs, UT
Dallas
• Rym Z. Wenkstern – Associate Professor of Computer Science, UT
Dallas
Readings:
Martin chapter 8: Computer Ethics
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