Issues Seminar — Syllabus
Computer Science 421, Spring, 2007

Instructor: Tom Fuller
Office: Science Center - Room 137
Phone: 5279 home (6 am - 10 pm unless you really need to talk!) 374-2001
e-mail: thf@prin.edu

Overview

We plan to explore a wide variety of topics raised by computer technology, such as ethics, personal, moral, legal and societal impacts, professional challenges, artificial intelligence, the computer state, the Net village, robotics, genetic engineering, and others. The exploration is through essays, articles, science fiction, movies, writing, debate, presentations, and much discussion. I expect that this course will widen our sphere of knowledge and interest. It should stimulate sincere, thoughtful, and heartfelt discussion about the issues. It should support, encourage, and cultivate the discussion skills of all of us. I hope that it will articulate clearly the ethical dimensions (deontological and utilitarian) of issues, and let us explore individual and societal solutions to the problems raised by technology. Finally, if this course is to be lastingly meaningful , we must adopt practical and meaningful citizen actions to solve the problems identified.

Here's our daily work plan.

Catalog Description

An examination and discussion of the most pressing computer issues facing society. Topics include personal impact, societal impact, artificial intelligence, privacy and ethics. Computer science majors must have taken CS 310 prior to taking this course. Majors from other disciplines should have taken another computer science course prior to taking this course.

Learning Themes

Effective Communication
Our students should convey and receive information and ideas accurately, consistently, and efficiently in oral, visual, and written form, formally and informally across a diversity of audiences and organizational levels. Good communication necessitates honesty and effective listening.

Leadership and Followership
Our students should understand the qualities of a true leader and develop the moral courage to lead with authority, thereby bringing out the best in others. It has been said that managers are appointed, but leaders are chosen by those who follow. Every role provides opportunities to be a spiritual leader, a thought leader, or an ethical leader, whether the forum is a business, political, or another organization.

Ability to Learn
Our students should demonstrate the desire and ability to continuously learn and improve their knowledge, attitudes, and methods in both individual and group settings. They should display accurate self-assessment, wise self-correction, and a growing mastery of their field.

Things you should know

This course gives five quarter hours credit. We meet TTh 2-4 pm, Fr 3-4 pm, and (maybe)Thursdays (usually at Tom's house) from 9-11 p.m. Tom Fuller's office is SC 137. You can sign up on the appointment schedule outside his door. Often you can just catch him there.

Grades and Policies

The course is built on essays, articles, science fiction, movies, writing, debate, presentations, and much discussion. The final grade depends on an extended paper (30%), four presentations on subjects of your choice (30%), journals (15%), discussions, debates, and active and supportive participation (25%). The success of this class depends on prepared, involved, supportive students. More than three unexcused absences can result (and, sadly, has) in failing the course. Other Policies

Journal

All I ask is three honest pages per week (250-300 words each - 750-900 words/week). I treat your journal with complete confidentiality. The subjects are freely individual. Entries may include your reflections on the reading or movies, reactions to class discussions, suggestions to me, observations about life, the universe, and everything. Part of the purpose is to learn by writing — indeed, learning by writing is one of the three pillars of this course; it may also furnish grist for the paper mill.

Presentations

The subjects are your choice (with approval). Each should last a full class period, and include a homework assignment (between one and two hours) to be completed by the class prior to the presentation.

Books and Resources

CyberEthics (2006 Third Edition) by Richard Spinello
The Age of Spiritual Machines (1999) by Ray Kurzweil.

We will also read short stories, essays, and articles (to be distributed in class). Every Thursday (?) night from 9 to about 11, we will watch a movie (or two one-hour shows). Other potential resources include:

Mind over Machine Herbert and Stuart Dreyfus
The Future does not Compute Steven L. Talbot
Issues Portfolio Christie Hanzlik
The Cuckoo's Egg Clifford Stoll
The Social Impact of Computers. Richard S. Rosenberg. (Boston: Academic Press, 1992)
Database Nation: The Death of Privacy in the 21^st Century Simpson Garfinkel
Rise of the Computer State David Burnham (shared, out of print)
Teaching as a subversive activity, Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner (Delecorte, 1968)

Statement Of Educational Philosophy

Since this course exists at the very intersection of technology and philosophy, it seems only appropriate to make an honest effort to define the course's educational philosophy. My hope is that each student will think deeply, courageously, and tolerantly about the issues raised by the relentless advance of technology. I believe that this course supports the ideals set forward by the following five educators.

Mary Kimball Morgan: Purpose and Policies of The Principia, Policy 6:

The Principia shall dedicate its service to the task of training its students to think — and to think clearly, vigorously, fearlessly, tolerantly, unselfishly. The ability to gather and weigh evidence and to form conclusions that are free from personal influence or selfish considerations is essential to the formation of sound judgment and to the exercise of constructive citizenship in a democracy. The Principia staff shall encourage its faculty, staff, and student body to learn by practice and experience to test their thinking by reference to divine law as given in the Bible and as interpreted in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy.

Mary Baker Eddy: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:

Whatever furnishes the semblance of an idea governed by its Principle, furnishes food for thought. Through astronomy, natural history, chemistry, music, mathematics, thought passes naturally from effect back to cause. Academics of the right sort are requisite. Observation, invention, study, and original thought are expansive and should promote the growth of mortal mind out of itself, out of all that is mortal.

Paul (II Tim 2:15):

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Peter: (2 Peter 1:2-8, as translated by James Moffatt):

Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the knowledge of our Lord. Inasmuch as his power divine has bestowed upon us every requisite for life and godliness by the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,... for this very reason, so you contrive to make it your whole concern to furnish your faith with resolution, resolution with intelligence, intelligence with self-control, self-control with steadfastness, steadfastness with godliness, godliness with brotherliness, and brotherliness with Christian love. For as these qualities exist and increase with you, they render you active and fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Albert Einstein (quoted in Science News, Volume 136, Number 8, August 19, 1989, p. 124):

Concern for man himself and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors, in order that the creations of our minds shall be a blessing and not a curse.

Mrs. Morgan (ibid., Policy 10):

Teaching at Principia shall emphasize the point of view that education carries with it the obligation to use technical skills and intellectual attainments for the betterment of humanity.

Last revised: 27 March, 2007 8:30 AM