Professional Practice and Ethics (50% option only)

Lecturer: Dr R.C. Jennings (rcj11@cam.ac.uk)

No. of lectures: 8

Introduction.

The central and growing importance of computers in society. Examples of ethical problems in the use of computers. Use and misuse of computing facilities. [0.5 lecture]

Ethical theory.

Basic questions in ethics. Survey of ethical theories: authoritarian, intuitionist, egoist, utilitarian, deontologist. Advantages and disadvantages of the two main theories - utilitarian and deontological. [1.5 lectures]

Professions and professional ethics.

Origin and purpose of professions. Internal regulation versus external regulation. Dimensions of professional responsibility. Professional organisations: ethics and codes of conduct. [1.5 lectures]

Computer misuse.

Computer hacking, computer cracking: when does the fun become crime? Computer Misuse Act 1990. Difficulties with traditional legal concepts. [1.5 lectures]

Privacy and data protection.

What is Privacy? Computer data and human dignity. The problematic status of information stored on computers. The Data Protection Act 1984. [1.5 lectures]

Property ownership.

Theories of property and ownership: Patent, Copyright, and trade secrets. Ownership of computer software - a new problem in intellectual property rights. [1.5 lectures]

Recommended books:

Brown, G. (1990). The Information Game: Ethical Issues in a Microchip World. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press.

Forester, T. & Morrison, P. (1990). Computer Ethics: Cautionary Tales and Ethical Dilemmas in Computing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Gould, C. (ed.) (1989). The Information Web: Ethical and Social Implications of Computer Networking. Boulder, CO: Westview.

Johnson, D.G. (1985). Computer Ethics. Englewood, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Johnson, D.G. & Snapper, J.W. (1985). Ethical Issues in the Use of Computers. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Kling, R. (1991). Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. London: Academic Press (2nd ed.).

Langford, D. Practical Computer Ethics. Maidenhead, Berkshire: McGraw-Hill.

Traber, M. (1986). The Myth of the Information Revolution: Social and Ethical Implications of Communication Technology. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

WWW pages:

Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility (CCSR):
    http://www.cms.dmu.ac.uk/CCSR/

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR):
    http://snyside.sunnyside.com/home/