CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT11223 Ethics and Social Issues
Ethics and Social Issues
All details in this unit profile for COIT11223 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The aim of this unit is to prepare students for a role as an informed professional within the IT/IS industry. It addresses the legal, social and ethical issues relating to the evolution of computer technology within society.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Co-requisite: COMM11003 Communication in Professional Contexts OR COIT11239 Professional Communications Skills for ICT

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2018

Brisbane
Cairns
Distance
Melbourne
Rockhampton
Sydney
Townsville

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Evaluations

Feedback

Distance students indicated they felt disconnected from the unit content to some degree and wanted more contact with staff.

Recommendation

Arrange for the weekly workshops to be connected to Zoom for distance students to join in, and also record these sessions so they can be viewed by students later.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Relate knowledge of the social context of computing to ethics.
  2. Describe and apply methods and tools of analysis for identifying and resolving ethical issues using philosophical frameworks.
  3. Identify and discuss professional and ethical responsibilities, including the purpose of codes of ethics for computing professionals.
  4. Outline and describe risks and liabilities of computer based systems and the critical characteristics of information.
  5. Identify and analyse legal, social, ethical and security issues in ICT.
  6. Describe the components of physical security and their roles in organisational information security.

Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles.

ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA. The SFIA code is included:

  • Business Analysis (BUAN)
  • Requirements Definition and Management (REQM)
  • IT Governance (GOVN)
  • Information Assurance (INAS)
  • Change Implementation Planning and Management (CIPM)
  • Information Content Authoring (INCA)
  • Human Factor Integration (HFIN)
  • IT Management (ITMG)
  • Problem Management (PBMG).

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Examination - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs To Know

(2016)
Authors: Kaplan, J
Oxford University Press
Oxford Oxford , United Kingdom
ISBN: 978-0190602390
Binding: Paperback
Prescribed

Ethics for the Information Age

Edition: 6th edn (2014)
Authors: Quinn, MJ
Pearson
Upper Saddle River Upper Saddle River , NJ , USA
ISBN: 9781292061238
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

An ebook version of the Quinn book is also available directly from Pearson: http://www.pearson.com.au/9780134296548

However, if paper copies are preferred, they are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au

For the Kaplan book, see the unit website for details of how to order an ebook version.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Michael Cowling Unit Coordinator
m.cowling@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

The Information Age

Chapter

Quinn: chapter 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Artificial Intelligence

Chapter

Kaplan: chapters 1, 2 and 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Computer and Network Security

Chapter

Quinn: chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Jul 2018

Module/Topic

Ethics and Ethical Theories

Chapter

Quinn: chapter 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Privacy

Chapter

Quinn: chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Intellectual Property

Chapter

Quinn: chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Ethical Issue Video & Speech Notes Due: Week 6 Friday (24 Aug 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Aug 2018

Module/Topic

Professional Ethics & Social Innovation

Chapter

Quinn: chapter 9

Social Innovation Handbook (e-book; to be provided)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 03 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Censorship and the Government

Chapter

Quinn: chapter 3 and 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Legal Issues

Chapter

Kaplan: chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 17 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

The Workforce

Chapter

Kaplan: chapters 6 and 7

Quinn: chapter 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Analysis of an ethical scenario Due: Week 10 Friday (21 Sept 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 24 Sep 2018

Module/Topic

Information Overload

Chapter

Individual readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Review

Chapter

Exam review Materials on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Oct 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Ethical Issue Video & Speech Notes

Task Description

Write a speech where you provide support for a particular position on an ethical issue in ICT. The issue must be selected from a list of topics provided on the Unit Moodle site. The speech must present a hypothesis, provide any necessary background or explanation of the issue, present arguments supporting your position as well as objections (supported with references), and recommend actions to take. You should then record a video of you presenting the speech and submit this to Moodle along with your notes/script.
See Moodle for further details on the required content, format and list of topics.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (24 Aug 2018) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (7 Sept 2018)

Marked submission will be made available to students two weeks after submission.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

The speech must provide:
- a clear explanation of the hypothesis and issue
- presentation of multiple arguments as to the positive and negative impacts of the issue on society
- relevant references that support the arguments
- summary of the position on the issue and recommendations to others as to actions to take
The video must also demonstrate professional and engaging presentation skills.
See Moodle for detailed marking criteria.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Relate knowledge of the social context of computing to ethics.
  • Describe and apply methods and tools of analysis for identifying and resolving ethical issues using philosophical frameworks.
  • Identify and analyse legal, social, ethical and security issues in ICT.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Analysis of an ethical scenario

Task Description

Write a report on a current or future technology and the social and ethical implications of that technology. You will be provided a scenario description and list of technologies to select from. The report must provide necessary background on the technology and discuss: the stakeholders in the technology; intellectual property issues that may arise in the technology development; the opportunities and benefits of the technology to society; and the risks and drawbacks of the technology.
See Moodle for further details on the scenario, and list of technologies, and required content and format of the report.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (21 Sept 2018) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018)

Returned via the unit website.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The report must demonstrate:
- a good understanding of the chosen technology
- understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of using intellectual property protection
- ability to identify and explain the opportunities/benefits of the technology to society, as well as the risks/drawbacks, for example, in relation to privacy, censorship, the workforce and cybercrime.
- use of references to support claims.
See Moodle for detailed marking criteria.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Outline and describe risks and liabilities of computer based systems and the critical characteristics of information.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?