Professor: Leah Buechley (buechley@unm.edu), FEC 2430A
Course: CS 293
Monday Time and Location: 1-1:50pm, CENT 1030
Wednesday Time and Location: 1-1:50pm, DSH 232
Office Hours: Tuesday 11am-12pm, Wednesday 11am-12pm
Description
This class provides an overview of the social and ethical issues surrounding computer science. It should prompt you to think deeply about what your professional and personal responsibilities are, as a computer scientist, technology developer, and citizen. We will cover topics including: privacy, security, professional codes of conduct, algorithmic bias, and the impact of social media on society.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, students should have a basic understanding of the social and ethical issues that are relevant to computer science. Students should also understand the professional ethical responsibilities of computer scientists.
Grading
Class participation: 50%
Written assignments: 25%
Presentation and discussion leadership: 25%
for more information see the Policies page.
Schedule Outline
Ethics Part 1
January 20
Class introduction
January 27th
Class introduction continued
February 5th
ACM Code of Ethics
Privacy and Security
February 10
Location tracking
One Nation, Tracked
February 17
Privacy
Student led discussion
Facebook and Teens, Genealogy Databases
February 24
Cyber warfare
Guest lecture: David Berg, CIA and UNM
Social Media
March 2
Social media intro
Discussion leader: Leah
Social Media and the Brain, Humane Technology
March 9
Social media and speech
Student led discussion
Algorithmic Amplification, Are Social Media Companies Media Companies?
March 16
No school, spring break
March 23
No school, extended spring break
March 30
No school, extended spring break
April 6 via Zoom
Social media and civil unrest
Student led discussion
Computing and the Corona Virus
April 13 via Zoom
Location Data & COVID-19
Student led discussion
April 17
CS and COVID-19 Project Plan Due
April 20 via Zoom
Tracking COVID-19 with IoT devices
Discussion leader: Leah
Algorithms and Data
April 27 via Zoom
Algorithmic Bias
Student led discussion
Computing and the Corona Virus cont.
May 4 via Zoom
CS and COVID-19 Projects Due