Computer Ethics in the Computer Science Curriculum

Terrell Ward Bynum

• Technology and Human Values
• What is Computer Ethics?
• Three “Levels” of Computer Ethics
• Computer Ethics and the Curriculum
• Courses and Textbooks in “Para” Computer Ethics
• Courses and Textbooks in “Theoretical” Computer Ethics
• The Case-Study-in-Every-Course Approach
• The Software Engineering “Capstone” Approach
• Desired Outcomes of Computer Ethics Instruction
• Recommendations
• Selected Bibliography

Recommendations

Computer ethics should not be considered “something extra,” an after thought to be “added on” to the curriculum. And it certainly should be allocated more than a single credit out of 124 undergraduate credits needed to graduate from a typical college. Computing has become a complex and growing part of society – with profound and deep social and ethical implications! The only responsible way to include computer ethics in the curriculum, therefore, is to integrate it thoroughly:

1. Every computer teacher should become sensitized to the social and ethical impacts of computing. He or she should engage in “pop” computer ethics by discussing in the classroom current cases that are reported on TV or in the newspapers.
2. Every computer science program should include some teachers skilled in “para” computer ethics who integrate case studies into their courses in the way that Keith Miller recommends.
3. Every computer science program should require a three credit course in computer ethics to be taken relatively late in the student’s career. This could be a “capstone” course, or a “para” computer ethics course, or a “theoretical” course using theory from philosophy or social science or law to analyze cases and deepen student understanding.
4. Every college worthy of the name should have at least one scholar doing “theoretical” computer ethics research to deepen and broaden our society’s understanding of the impact of computing upon human values.

Such a computer science program – and such a college – would certainly fulfill national accreditation requirements in computer ethics. In addition, and much more importantly, the program and the college would thereby strive to make computing technology advance and protect human values, rather than damage them. Society should accept nothing less from its colleges and universities!

Southern Connecticut State University

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