Course Syllabus

Course Information
ECS 2361 Social Issues & Ethics in Science and Technology. Fall 2019

ECS 2361.001: Tuesdays, Thursdays: 10:00am – 11:15am, ECSS 2.410

ECS 2361.002: Mondays, Wednesdays: 2:30pm – 3:45pm, ECSS 2.410
ECS 2361.003: Mondays, Wednesdays 10:00am – 11:15am, ECSS 2.412

Census date: Last day to drop a class without a W. Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Withdrawal date: Last day to drop a class with a W grade. Thursday, Oct. 24.

Professor Contact Information

Senior Lecturer: Rabah Mezenner, PhD
E-mail: rabah.mezenner@utdallas.edu
Phone number: 972-883-6871
Office: ECSN 3.920
Office Hours: Mondays/Wednesdays 11:30am - 1:30pm,
Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:30am - 12:30pm

General Core Area 080 Social and Behavioral Sciences

Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods
that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the
exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and
events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture.

Objectives of Core Area

Critical Thinking (CT): to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,
evaluation, and synthesis of information
Communication (COM): to include effective development, interpretation, and
expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
Empirical and Quantitative Skills (EQS): to include the manipulation and analysis of
numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
Social Responsibility (SR): to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic
responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global
communities.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

Completion of an 030 core course.

Students must be capable to check their UTD eLearning account and submit
assignments and assessments online IN and OUT of the classroom.
All assignments and assessments are through eLearning.

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Course Description

ECS 2361 - Social Issues and Ethics in Science and Technology (3 semester credit
hours). This course exposes students to major theoretical frameworks and principles
of ethics as analysis of human character and moral concepts and values. Codes of
ethics principles and moral values are used to illustrate the ethical concepts as
applied to explore a range of important social issues in the information age. Issues
of personal and professional ethics, computer crime and privacy, intellectual
property, the balance between risk and benefits are analyzed using the ethical
principles and moral values. The role of globalization and various important
constitutional issues are explored by drawing upon case studies and contemporary
scenarios. (3-0) Y

Course Learning Objective/Outcomes: To make students aware of the

importance of, and criteria for, professional and ethical conduct in personal and
professional life.

 An understanding of theoretical and practical guidelines of ethics as analysis

of human behavior and how to apply them to analyze professional, ethical,
legal, security and social issues and the implications of these issues on social
and personal responsibilities. (CLO-1: Discussions, Exam 1)

 An ability to analyze human behavior and suggest solutions for contemporary

social issues based on ethical concepts and guidelines as well evaluating the
local and global impacts these issues have on individuals, societies,
economy, and the environment. (CLO-2: Project and Exam 2)

Textbooks and Materials

“Ethics for the Information Age”, by: Michael J. Quinn, 7th edition. ISBN 13:
9780134296548

Sixth edition is acceptable. A copy of 5th and 6th editions are on reserve at the library.

Other materials as posted on eLearning. Topics not in the textbook include

interpersonal skills and personality styles, project management ethics, bioethics, conflict
resolution, harassment, gene editing and stem cell research, bribery and kickbacks,
euthanasia, privacy in the workplace and society. Project topics and scenarios are
added periodically to address recent events and issues.
The intent of the course is to raise awareness of social issues and provide ethical
principles and moral concepts and values to improve one’s character and help
evaluate actions, suggest solutions and make decisions to do the right thing.

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Course Content

Lectures: There are 10 lectures covering the material in the textbook as well as
additional material. Topics are listed in the course outline below. Lecture notes will be
posted on eLearning after the lecture session. Lecture review sessions are conducted
weekly. Answers to lecture review questions are not posted on eLearning.

Lecture homeworks (CT, SR)

Over the course of the semester, 10 homeworks will be assigned covering the material
in the textbook and lecture notes. Homeworks will be a combination multiple choice,
multiple answers, matching and T/F questions. All homeworks are submitted individually
through eLearning.

Discussions (CT, COM, EQS, SR)

In addition to informal discussions during the lecture sessions, there are five graded
team discussion sessions in the first half of the semester. The objective is to learn how
to apply the ethical theories, principles and moral values to a variety of issues. Topics
cover professional and personal situations and case studies. Teams will share with the
class their contribution on a topic after they submit a file on eLearning summarizing their
contributions on all topics for that week.

Team Projects (CT, COM, EQS, SR)

Students work in teams on projects covering a specific topic chosen by the teams from a
list of options. Teams are encouraged to suggest topics dealing with more
contemporary issues or events. No two teams may select the same topic. A final power
point file of the presentation must be submitted on eLearning by the due date. Oral in-
class presentations and project questions assignments are conducted in the second half
of the semester. The objective is to identify contributing factors leading to some event or
contemporary issues and use ethical theories and principles to evaluate actions or
inactions and propose solutions to issues. Once the oral presentations start, each
student will submit weekly project questions and answers based on the topics presented
that week.

List of project topics to choose from include:

o Citicorp tower crisis
o Civilian use of Drones
o Deep Water Horizon/BP oil spill
o Enron Bankruptcy
o Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal
o Flint water Crisis
o Fracking
o Fukushima Nuclear meltdown
o Hubble Space Telescope Failure
o Human/Animal Gene Engineering
o Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse

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o Kobe Steel scandal
o Military use of Drones
o NSA information gathering/Leaks
o Plant (food) Gene Engineering
o Huawei ban
o Self-Driving Cars
o Stuxnet
o Tissue Engineering/Stem cells
o VW Emission scandal
o WikiLeaks
o 2008 Financial Crisis
o Social credit scores
o Genomic privacy
o Other of your choice (preferably within last 7 years and must be approved by
instructor)

Exams (CT, SR)

Over the course of the semester, there will be 2 exams. Exams will be taken online at
the testing center. Exams are a combination of multiple choice, multiple answers,
matching, and T/F questions. Questions assess student’s understanding of ethical
issues and how to address them as well as facts and definitions encountered in lectures
and discussions of situations and case studies.

Assignments & Academic Calendar

Tentative Course Outline *(Subject to change to allow for unforeseen
circumstances).
Every week, we will have a review/lecture/homework and class discussion or
presentation by students.

Week 1 Starting August 19

Introductions/Course syllabus/Teams formation
Lecture 0 - Interpersonal skills and personality styles

Week 2 starting August 26

Project topic selection
Discussion 1 (COM, SR)
Lecture 1_Chapter 1,3- IT Milestones, issues
HMW1 (CT, SR)

Week 3 starting September 2

Discussion 2 (CT, COM)
Lecture 2_Chapter 2- Introduction to Ethics
HMW2 (CT, SR)
Semester Project assigned
Census day

Week 4 starting September 9

Discussion 3 (COM, EQS)

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Lecture 3a_Chapter 9a- Professional Ethics (SECE code of ethics), conflict of interest
No lecture homework
Project plan

Week 5 starting September 16

Discussion 4 (COM, SR)
Lecture 3b_Chapter 9b- Whistleblowing, IEEE code of ethics
HMW3_Lectures 3a and 3b (CT, SR)

Week 6 starting September 23

Discussion 5 (COM, CT)
Lecture 4 Extra material- Codes of Ethics (PMI, BMES), Conflict resolution
HMW4 (CT, SR)

Week 7 starting September 30

Lecture 5_Chapter 3.9 Internet addiction/case analysis/ Harassment
HMW5 (CT, SR)
Project plan update

Week 8 starting October 7

Exam 1 online in Testing Center (CT, SR)
Project Presentation and plan update files due
Midterm Grade due

Week 9 starting October 14

Lecture 6_Chapter 4- Intellectual Property
HMW6 (CT, SR)
Project Presentations A, B, C and project questions 1 (CT, COM, EQS, SR)

Week 10 starting October 21

Drop Deadline
Lecture 7_Chapter 5- Information Privacy (individual and workplace)
HMW7 (CT, SR)
Project Presentations D, E, F and project questions 2 (CT, COM, EQS, SR)

Week 11 starting October 28

Lecture 8_Chapter 6- Privacy and the Government
HMW8 (SR)
Project Presentations G, H, I and project questions 3 (CT, COM, EQS, SR)

Week 12 starting November 4

Lecture 9_Chapter 7,8- Computer security, Reliability
HMW9 (CT, SR)
Project Presentations J, K, L and project questions 4 (CT, COM, EQS, SR)

Week 13 starting November 11

Lecture 10 PE licensing, NSPE code, Chap. 10 (Automation, Globalization, Gig
economy)
HMW10 (CT, SR)

Course Syllabus Page 5

Project Presentations M, N, O and project questions 5 (CT, COM, EQS, SR)

Week 14 starting November 18

Presentations P, Q, R, S, T (CT, COM, EQS, SR)
Final remarks

Week 15 starting November 25

Fall Break

Week 16 starting December 2

Exam 2 online in Testing Center (CT, SR)

Week 17 starting December 9

No Final

Course Grade due December 16

.
Grading Policy

Homeworks 20%
Discussions 20%
Exam 1 online 20%
Project grade 20% (18% presentation and 2% project questions)
Exam 2 online 20%

The letter grades will be assigned as follows:

97+ A+ 87 to 89+ B+ 77 to 79+ C+ 66 to 69+ D+ < 55 F

93 to 96+ A 83 to 86+ B 73 to 76+ C 61 to 65+ D
90 to 92+ A- 80 to 82+ B- 70 to 72+ C- 55 to 60+ D-

Course & Instructor Policies

Homeworks
Late Homework: Accepted up to 5 days from due date with late submission penalties.
The penalty is 5 points per day late.

Discussions and Team Project

Failure to attend/participate in team activities will result in a zero/partial credit for the
assignment. To get credit, students must contribute through their team, make sure they
are included in the team’s submission and notify the instructor by email for any missed
session of graded discussions.

Exams
Make-up Exams: No make-up exams will be allowed except for a documented extended
medical condition or family emergency.

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Extra Credit: There will be bonus opportunities assigned during the course of the
semester. Only attending students are eligible. They will be added to the exam scores
and will help if you are close to the next grade letter. There will not be any curving or
extra credit assignments. Rounding will be considered only to the nearest tenth.

Classroom Citizenship: I expect students to be attentive during class and to actively

participate in class discussions and reviews. You are expected to listen respectfully to
the instructor and to other students when they are speaking.

Academic Dishonesty: Any student who is found responsible for committing an act of
academic dishonesty will receive a grade of zero on that assignment.

UT Dallas Syllabus Policies and Procedures

The information contained in the following link constitutes the University’s policies and procedures
segment of the course syllabus. Please go to http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies for these
policies.

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at
the discretion of the Professor.

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