IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Overview. This course is an accelerated version of the semester long course and thus moves at a rapid pace. Since you are collapsing a 15 week course into seven classes you will need to adjust your schedule (e.g., life) accordingly. On an average you are looking at approximately 8 to 10 hours of quality study and reading outside of class each week. If you schedule does not permit this, you might consider waiting until you have more study time available to take this course. You are expected to attend all classes, arrive to class on time, be well prepared for class, to actively participate in seminar discussions and to submit all assignments on time. Since there are only seven classes, even one absence could adversely effect your grade. If you need to miss one class you might lose five (5) points off your final average unless there are verifiable medical reasons, if you miss two classes you will automatically lose ten (10) points, three or more absences will result in an automatic failing grade.

B. Class Preparation. Taking notes over or outlining the material is recommended not only for class participation but for assistance with the examinations. You should come to each class able to discuss the main issues of the assignment, all terminology, concepts, etc., be familiar with the study questions, if applicable, for each assignment, and you could be asked during class to present the main points of an article or reading or to respond to a question raised by another student. This is a seminar and not a lecture class so your well-prepared participation is crucial for a successful class. You should also be able to answer the following questions after having read each assigned chapter in the Baird book:

1. The main purpose of the article is?

2. The key question in the article is?

3. The crucial information presented is?

4. The main conclusion of the article is?

5. The key concepts are?

C. Moral Reasoning Essay. A short moral reasoning essay over an assigned case study is required. The essay should be a minimum of four, typed double-spaced pages (at least 1300 words - remember this is the minimum not the norm). Failure to meet the minimum requirements will result in an automatic "F" for that assignment. After you have read and thoroughly understood the assigned case study, you are to ethically assess and defend your moral judgment by using the Moral Reasoning Guidelines; the primary emphasis is on the Justification Section and the readings which deal with normative ethical theory. Basically, the assignment asks you to arrive at a moral judgment and then defend that judgment using sound ethical reasoning grounded in a normative theory. This assignment will be explained further in the first class. The grading emphasis is based on how well you demonstrate an understanding of the normative theory, the sophistication you show in applying the principles, and your depth of analysis. Late papers could be penalized one letter grade unless prior arrangement have been made. A paper is considered late if it is submitted after the due date listed on this syllabus. All late assignments must be submitted within seven days of the paper due date otherwise a failing grade will be given for that assignment. The grading emphasis will be on the objectivity and depth of your analysis, the sophistication of the application of the Discovery and Justification processes, as well as on epistemology, orthography, and graphology. This essay is due at the fourth class. You can see samples of student's work at Papers.

D. Examinations. There will be two in-class examinations during the course. The specific exam dates are listed under Assignments in Section VII. In grading your exams I look for specific examples from the text, correct use of technical terminology, coherent expression of basic lines of reasoning, explanations of all important claims, and detail sufficient to indicate familiarity with the entire relevant reading. Having studied the study questions, if applicable, for each assignment will be beneficial for exam preparation. Also, if you see that it is absolutely necessary to miss an examination, you may request to take it prior to the examination date.

E. Research Paper. A critical issues paper over an area in ethics and technology is required. This paper can serve as the foundation for your Capstone paper. You are asked to produce a eight to ten page paper over a controversial issue in technology. This is not a paper over a business or technology issue; it is a paper over a moral dilemma in technology. The following should assist you in preparing for and writing your paper.

- Points to Remember:
(1) The minimum length of the paper is at least eight full pages with at least four sources, three of which must be scholarly ones.
(2) If you are not sure what a scholarly source is, either review the materials from your Critical Inquiry class or ask your instructor. Unless approved, .com or .net sources are not allowed.
(3) Your research paper should not consist of all online sources. If you use online sources they should be no more than half your bibliography.
(4) When you submit your paper be sure to include not only your Works Cited section but your Bibliography as well.
(5) Your paper should use non-sexist language (e.g., if you are speaking of everyone do not use "man").
(6) The topic must be approved by the instructor. At the third class, a typed one to two page summary and your bibliography are due. In this summary you must clearly state what your paper's thesis question is (for example, should hackers be sentenced to death for hacking?)and what some of the aspects of the dilemma are.
(7) If you plan to do use any web sources, please review the site on Web Research This list of research sites could be beneficial. Remember, .com sites are usually not acceptable.

- Overview of Research Paper: Select an issue which involves some ethical controversy in technology or related areas and about which you have not reached a firm decision. Be sure to limit the issue such that it can be treated in an approximately eight to ten page paper. Use at least five sources, three of which must be scholarly, in your paper (if you are unsure what counts as a scholarly source please check with me) being sure you fairly discuss all aspects of the issue. More sources can be used and are encouraged, but be very careful about loading the argument in favor of the position to which you are most inclined. You may use online sources but your paper may contain no more than half online sources and only one source can be a .com site. All the sources you researched must be included in your bibliography. Use critical thinking and argumentation skills in analyzing research findings of opponents' and proponents' positions (hint: review your Critical Inquiry course notes and book). Examine their reasoning and stay objective and emotionally detached. Finally, state you own conclusion as the answer to the research question and then use a normative ethical theory to defend and argue for your conclusion Basically your paper will be:

A. Introduction: introduce topic and explain why your moral issue is important. End the introductory paragraph with the statement of your research question (e.g., the question I will research is . . .) . You may have more than one paragraph in the introduction, but for an eight to ten page paper it should not extend beyond one page.

B. Body: the body will have three sections: opponents' views, proponents' views, your conclusion and rationale. For example, in section one of the body, you will analyze and discuss the opponents' view objectively. Section two will be the proponents and in the final section you will state the conclusion you have reached and why you made this conclusion.

C. Theory: here you will use one normative ethical theory to defend and support your conclusion. This section should be one to two pages in length.

D. Conclusion: pull your paper together by restating your basic arguments and conclusion and then state what you want your reader to have gotten out of your research.

V. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity in all work for this course. Dishonesty in any work will result in a grade of "F" for the course and a letter to the Dean of New College will be sent. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that may result in the same penalty. In cases of mitigating circumstances, the instructor may assign a lesser penalty. Once a grade of "F" has been assigned on the basis of academic dishonesty, the student may not withdraw from the course.

VI. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

If you have a specific physical or learning disability and require accommodations, please let me know at the end of the first class meeting so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Learning Assistance Center at St. Edward's University.

VII. ASSIGNMENTS: All work should be completed before attending each class. It is your responsibility to manage your time appropriately in order to achieve this outcome.