Study information

Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLESocial and Professional Issues of the Information Age CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM1407 MODULE CONVENERDr Marcos Oliveira (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 110
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The module aims to provide you with the tools to reflect upon your role in the interface between digital technologies and society and on the moral and ethical use of information and information systems. By taking this module, you will become aware of your legal responsibilities and rights as an IT professional and as a user of digital technologies. The module will cover ethical theories, computer law and professional codes of conduct, and will address the ways in which broader areas of law (e.g. defamation, contracts, privacy and freedom of information legislation) impact upon technology users and IT professionals.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module will introduce you to the law regulating the use of information and digital technology. It will enhance your awareness and critical thinking skills regarding the social impact of information technology, and help you relate professional codes of conduct to ethical theories.
 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:


Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 comprehend those aspects of information technology regulated by the law;

2 grasp the impact of information technology and related work practices on society;

3 understand how a code of conduct (such as that of the BCS) relates to practical professional dilemmas;

4 appreciate the different perspectives of different ethical theories on issues relating to information technology.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

5 recognise where ethical and legal issues apply throughout the subject.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

6 relate reading materials to lecture content;

7 construct a well-structured argument;

8 question assumptions confidently, and critically evaluate competing viewpoints;

9 communicate effectively;

10 gain employment in the IT Industry.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

- History of computing;

- IT law and computer crime;

- IT ethics;

- Intellectual property and piracy;

- Privacy and data protection

- Cryptography and society;

- Software safety and dependability;

- Societal impacts of computing technology;

- Professional codes of conduct;

- Communication skills;

- Employment skills.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 32 Guided Independent Study 118 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10 Tutorials
Guided independent study 10 Preparation for utorials
Guided independent study 108 Wider reading and exam preparation

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam - open book 60 1 hour 1-10 Oral, on request
Essay 40 1,000 words 1-9 Individual feedback sheet

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Written exam Written exam (1 hour) 1-10 August Ref/Def period
Essay 1,000 words 1-9 August Ref/Def period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by coursework or written exam in the referred/deferred element only. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 40%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Baase, S. A Gift of Fire: social, legal and ethical issues for computers and the Internet 1st Prentice Hall 1997
Set Forrester T and Morrison P Computer Ethics: Cautionary tales and ethical dilemmas in computing 2nd MIT 1994 978-0262560733
Set Johnson D Computer Ethics 3rd Prentice Hall 2001
Set Ludlow P High Noon on the Electronic Frontier: Conceptual Issues in Cyberspace 1st MIT 1996 978-0262621038
Set Ayres R The Essence of Professional Issues in Computing 1st Prentice Hall 1999
Set Quinn, Michael J Ethics for the Information Age 2 Pearson International Edition 2009
Set Langford, Duncan Business Computer Ethics Addison-Wesley 1999 978-0201342796
Set Bainbridge, David Introduction to Information Technology Law Electronic Pearson Longman 2008 978-1405846660
Set Adams A, McCrindle R Pandora's Box: Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age Wiley 2008 978-0470065532
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 1 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 19th October 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Computer ethics; cybercrime.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.