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Computer Animation and Digital SFX BSc (Hons)


Module CG0052 - Social and Current Issues in Computing

(10.00 Credits)

SYNOPSIS OF MODULE The aim of the module is to develop students' critical awareness of the social implications, ethical development and use of information systems in business and industry. In order to achieve this students will examine how organisations can integrate social and ethical approaches to systems development and examine the economic issues associated with ethics in computing. Students will be encouraged to discuss how the critical awareness of ethical issues can be developed in industry, business and society, (for example the judgement or use of evidence on deciding which issues are important and how solutions may be found). On completion of this module the student will be able to: 1. Identify and critically evaluate the social issues, and their impact in computing and society. 2. Identify and critically analyse the ethical requirements associated with organisations' systems development, raising ethical awareness in organisations and making use of ethical audits. 3. Evaluate the implications (social and ethical) of the development and use of information systems. Assessment will be by one assessment, where students will explore ethical and social issues in a real and / or simulated environment. The assessment will have sections to cover the learning outcomes of the module. Students are also expected to participate in student led seminars. The material for the seminars produced will be assessed as a supplement to the written report.


INDICATIVE READING LIST OR OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES There is no core text for this module. Students are expected to read widely. The following are all recommended texts. Baase, S., (2008) A Gift of Fire, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall Bynum, T.W., & Rogerson, S., Eds (2004) Computer Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Blackwell Publishing Bott, F., (2005) Professional Issues in Information Technology, BCS Publications Spinello, R.A., (2006) 3rd edition, Cyberethics. Morality and Law in Cyberspace. Jones and Barlett Publishers Johnson, D., (2003) Computer Ethics Prentice Hall; 3Rev Ed edition (27 Nov 2003) Bynum, T.W., and Rogerson, S., Eds. (2004) Computer Ethics and Social Responsibility, Blackwell Publishing Bainbridge, D. I. (2004) Introduction to Computer Law, 5th edition, Longman Holt, J., & Newton, J., Eds. (2004) A Manager’s Guide to IT Law, BCS Publications Quinn, M. J, (2006)Ethics for the Information Age, 2nd edition. Addison Wesley.


OUTLINE SYLLABUS The development of social issues in computing (50 %) Critical investigation of how social issues in computing can be integrated into the computer professional's work in systems development and the business and industry community's use of computer systems, including the social implications of Internet use. How to raise social and ethical awareness in organisations (35 %) An examination and critical evaluation of the strategies which can be employed by organisations in realising the need for an ethical approach in the development of systems and how to implement strategies to ensure ethical compliance. Integrating social and ethical issues with systems development (15%) A critical analysis of how the various stages in systems development, from initiation to implementation, can use ethical ideas and principles to ensure an ethical approach is maintained through the whole life cycle, including ethical audits of systems development and ethical audit of developed systems.


AIMS OF MODULE The aim of the module is to develop students' critical awareness of the social implications, ethical development and use of information systems in business and industry. In order to achieve this, students will examine how organisations can integrate social and ethical approaches to systems development and examine the economic issues associated with ethics in computing. Students will be encouraged to discuss how the critical awareness of ethical issues can be developed in industry, business and society, (for example the judgement, or use, of evidence, in determining which issues are important and how solutions may be found).


LEARNING OUTCOMES On completion of this module the student will be able to: 1. Identify and critically evaluate the social issues in computing, and the impact on society. 2. Identify and critically analyse the ethical requirements associated with organisations' systems development, raising ethical awareness in organisations and making use of ethical audits. 3. Evaluate the implications (social and ethical) of the development and use of information systems.


PREREQUISITES None


COREQUISITE(S) None


DISTANCE LEARNING DELIVERY Module booklet with materials from the lectures and seminars to complete and indicative reading. Also a book issued which is: Baase, S., (2008) A Gift of Fire, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall


LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY The learning and teaching strategy will be provided for by a delivery which will normally consist of a mix of lectures, tutor-led seminars, student-led seminars and tutorials. Topics will be introduced through lectures and explored in further detail through seminars. The learning and teaching strategy will be provided for by a delivery which will normally consist of a mix of lectures, tutor-led seminars, student-led seminars and tutorials. Topics will be introduced through lectures and explored in further detail through seminars. All lecture and seminar material will be available on Blackboard. Case studies will be used to develop material from the lectures. It is expected that students will carry out the tasks in the case studies as independent learning. At appropriate times in the module, feedback will be given on the case studies. Students will be encouraged to lead debates on the issues raised in the subject area, through student-led seminars. These seminars and the presentations associated with them will be assessed.


ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK STRATEGY a Summative assessment and rationale for tasks Assessment will be by report and short presentation, where students will explore ethical and social issues in a real and / or simulated environment. The assessment will be developed to cover the learning outcomes of the module. Additional formative assessment - detail of process and rationale A seminar in week 4 is given over specifically to providing formative assessment and advice on students’ work and time set aside after lectures and seminars to give advice/answer questions/feedforward expectations. b. Indication of how students will get feedback and how this will support their learning Feedback is given both in writing on the assessment and on an accompanying feedback form which indicates both where marks were gained and lost with indications of where further marks could have potentially been available.



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