Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Professional Issues in Computing
Code CKIT522
Coordinator Prof FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

  1. Identify and understand the professional and ethical issues arising in the use, implementation, operation and monitoring of such systems and organisations

  2. Provide exposure to the legal and social issues that computing professionals may encounter as part of their practice

     

  3. Develop the key management skills required for effective utilisation and operation of IT

Learning Outcomes

Differentiate between ethics, and ethical behaviour, and approach to ethical decision making in an IT context

Explain the roles and responsibilities of IT professionals in organisations and society, and evaluate relevant work-related behaviours and issues and how professionals should respond

Identify the legislative and regulatory obligations and standards as they relate to IT environments in organisations, including freedom of speech and intellectual property, and appreciate their impact on the work of the IT professional

Assess the impact of business compliance imperatives and how these impact on the work of the IT professional

Analyse the issues involved in consulting and contracting
Demonstrate a sound understanding of the full range of impacts of IT on human societies & organisations

Analyse trends that have increased the risk of misusing information technology

 

Identify and describe the elements of Risk Management:  Planning, identification, analysis, response, monitoring and control as they relate to IT

Syllabus
1 

Seminar 1: Introduction:

Technology within Society Define key terms; Compare different perspectives for identifying and approaching ethical issues in technology; Identify roles that ethical theories play in the analysis of issues and controversies involving technology

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Seminar 2: Professionalism in IT 

Compare professional codes of conduct; Create a code of conduct for the workplace; Evaluate the responsibilities of IT professionals to themselves, their employers and clients and to society; Understand the importance of communication 

 

Seminar 3: Legal Perspectives, Privacy and Data Protection

Describe legislation that applies to the computing profession and evaluate its impact; Evaluate privacy concerns generated by the evolution of technology; Explain the legislative and regulatory obligations and standards as they relate to the Internet; Assess whether current privacy laws and data protection plans are adequate

 

Seminar 4:  Censorship and Intellectual Property in the Context of IT

Evaluate methods of computer software protection: Copyright, patent and trademarks; Apply the principle of fair use to proprietary information in digital format; Compare and contrast the Free Software Movement and the Open Space Initiative; Assess how censorship and freedom of sp eech impact on IT

 

Seminar 5: Security and Cybercrime

Discuss various types o f technology related crime and enforcement efforts; Examine the implications of cyber-security issues, including the question of whether computer break-ins can ever be justified; Evaluate the challenges that emerging technologies such as cloud computing poses for IT security

 

Seminar 6: IT investments, Contracts and Outsourcing

Discuss vendor selection processes; Examine and evaluate vendors; Describe variouis types of contracts

 

Seminar 7: Elements of Risk Management

Describe risk and the terminology used in risk assessment and management; Assess techniques to identify, analyse, respond to and monitor risk; Design an approach to managing risk

 

Seminar 8: Social Aspects of Technology, Emergence and Convergence of Technologies

Demonstrate a sound understanding of the full range of impacts of IT on human societies and organisations; Evaluate the impact technology has had on the nature of work and the quality of work life; Discuss the social and ethical impact of the emergence and convergence of technology as it relates to topics such as online communities, virtual reality and artificial intelligence


 



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Teaching and Learning Strategies

Virtual classroom hours (for online modules) -

Number of hours per week, per student expected in the virtual classroom in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 8.75.

Non-classroom hours (for online modules) -

Number of hours per week, per student expected for reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 10.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           70

80

 150
Timetable (if known)           Number of hours per week, per student expected in the virtual classroom in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 8.75.
Number of hours per week, per student expected for reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 10.
  		 
Private Study 0
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  Weekly Discussion Qu  Whole Session  35  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 
Coursework  Weekly Hand In Assig  Whole Session  35  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 
Coursework  Weekly Project Work  Whole Session  30  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) 1. Due to nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously 2. Students who fail the module have the opportunity to repeat the entire module, thus all failed assessments 3. The "Standard UoL Penalty" for late submission that applies is the "Standard UoL Penalty" agreed with respect to online programmes offered in collaboration with Laureate Online Education 

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: