CS 4345B Computerization in Society

Summer 1999

Class Time: 10-11:45; Tuesdays & Thursdays
Room: 101 COC
Web Site: http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/cs4345b_99_summer
Instructor Colin Potts
CCB Room 257
404-894-5551
potts@cc
Hours: TBA
TA Deidre Paris
deidre@cc
Hours:11:45-12:45, Tuesdays
1:00-2:00 Thursdays
Text Zuboff,S. (1988) In the Age of the Smart Machine. Basic Books (Req'd)

Contents

Course Description

As a 4000-level course, Computerization in Society is offered primarily for seniors and graduate students as a required course for undergraduates majoring in computer science. Courses in the ethical considerations and social impact of computing have become an important component of computer science curricula. This is because the computer science community has come to believe that, as computer scientists, technologists, and engineers, we have a special responsibility to be well informed about the social aspects and consequences of the technologies we create. A well-educated computer professional is one who is aware of both the opportunities and problems created by computerization. As society becomes increasingly more dependent on computing, today's computing professional is challenged not only by decisions about technical issues, but also about the impacts of those choices on local and global communities.

Course Objective

This course explores computing as a social process and will introduce you to the ethical and social responsibilities shared by all computing professionals. The course emphasizes both knowledge and skill which require you to:
  1. Understand the impacts of computer use on individuals and social groups;

  2. Understand what are some of the major social controversies relating to computing, and how these are represented in different kinds of publications, including professional journals, books, and massmedia;

  3. Critically analyze situations in which computers are used, identifying the important social and ethical issues;

  4. Wrtie coherent and well-structured critiques of cases; and

  5. Work and interact collaboratively in groups to discuss and inform others about the social aspects of computing.

Schedule

Weeks 1 and 2: Introduction. Computing, knowledge and human expertise. Computers as decision makers. Software dependability, reliability and safety. Public trust in computing technology. Truth.

Weeks 3 and 4: The effects of computing technology on authority and communications within organizations and society. Electronic communities and electronic democracy. User autonomy and expression.

Weeks 5 and 6: Electronic enforcement of administrative processes. The "panopticon". Privacy and security. Models ofinformation ownership. Course review.

Most classes will NOT be standard lectures. Attendance is mandatory. Please contact the TA in advance if you are unavoidably unable to attend class. Because of our summer schedules, several classes will be held jointly between Prof. Potts's and Enslow's sections.