CS 4001: The USA Patriot Act, FISA, and Leakers/Whistleblowers

What you need to know for the final exam.

There's a lot of material about the USA Patriot Act, FISA, the Frontline Documentary about the NSA, and Edward Snowden. These are the things you are responsible for on the final exam:

• FISA
• What is the history of FISA?
• What are the key provisions of FISA?
• USA Patriot Act
• What is the history of the USA Patriot Act?
• What are the key provisions of the USA Patriot Act?
• What is section 215 of the Patriot Act and why is it controversial?
• Who is Brandon Mayfield, what happened to him, and why is this significant?
• Protect America Act and FISA Ammendments Act
• What are they key provisions of these acts?
• National Security Letters
• What is a National Security Letter (NSL)?
• How has the use of NSLs changed over time?
• Discuss arguments in favor of and against the use of NSLs
• The Program
• When was it created and why?
• What does it do?
• How does it go beyond what is allowed under FISA?
• What was the original legal basis for The Program?
• List arguments in favor of and against The Program
• Leakers or Whistleblowers?
• Who is Thomas Drake, what did he do, what happened to him, and how do you evaluate the ethics of his actions?
• Who is Edward Snowden, what did he do, what happened to him, and how do you evaluate the ethics of his actions?
• Compare and contrast the actions of Drake and Snowden.