CIS*2050 - Computers and Society
Course Description
Students in this course will investigate and study the social impacts of computing technology. The course will provide a brief introduction to ethics and the history of computing and the Internet. Additional content will focus on areas in which computers and information technology are having an impact on individuals and society including privacy, safety, freedom of speech, intellectual property, work, distribution of wealth, and the environment. This course is intended for students in any discipline.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:
- Identify and describe current trends in computing technology that shapes our society;
- Describe the relationship between complex problems and innovative solutions in computer science;
- Examine the historical perspectives of critical moments in computer science;
- Characterize the range of methodologies in computing technology to problem-solving and developing design solutions to challenges;
- Discuss the benefits and risks of computational advancements and explore how they cause changes in our day-to-day lives and society;
- Critically evaluate scholarly literature and other sources related to computing technology;
- Develop design thinking to define and create innovative technology solutions in computing technology to meet current and future societal needs.
Course Topics
- Computing in Medicine and Food
- Vehicular Computing
- Computational Photography
- Intelligence Technology in Computing
- Security Using Computing
- Privacy and Information Technology
- Consumer Computing-Related Products
- Multimedia Computing
- Computing in Education
- Historical Perspectives on Computing and Society
Additional Requirements
Restriction(s): CIS*3000. This course may not be taken for credit by students in the Software Engineering Major.
Assessment
| Assessment Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| Discussions (10 x 2%) | 20% |
| Midterm 1 | 10% |
| Midterm 2 | 10% |
| On Campus Final Exam | 60% |
| Total | 100% |
Technical Requirements
You are responsible for ensuring that your computer system meets the necessary system requirements. Use the browser check tool to ensure your browser settings are compatible and up to date (results will be displayed in a new browser window).
*Course details are subject to change.