Assigned Date: Monday, Jan. 27, 2025
Due Date – Present your Case: during class – different dates for different people
Assignment
Background
You have already identified and received feedback on a case involving an ethical dilemma related to computing – one to which the ACM Code of Ethics applies. The more pronounced, wider-impact, the better.
It must have been reported by at least four reputable news sources (or research publications), i.e., news networks, or entities, with decades-old infrastructure – such as print / magazine, newspaper, or TV. Examples, include Fox News, CNN, US News & World Report, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, New York Times, Post & Courier, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post (BUT NOT New York Post, National Inquirer, Sun, or Daily Mail). For research publications, these must have been presented in reputable research conferences or journals, and must have gone through thorough review.
In general, check with me – if you are unsure about your references.
Details
Present your case to your classmates via a PowerPoint presentation.
The duration of your presentation should be between 12 to 15 mins max.
Analyze the case study you have selected, along the following dimensions.
VERY IMPORTANT: Organize your presentation using this outline – i.e., use these titles and subtitles, so we can best follow you.
1) Description
Write a general description of the case:
- What is it about? (Yes, use these subtitles, too!!!)
- Why is it important?
- How did it unfold / play out / get revealed?
2) CARE Process
Here, use the CARE outline (the four-step process defined on page 13 of the ACM Code of Ethics) to analyze the case.
The CARE framework provides an outline for judging whether possible actions in each case would be consistent with both the letter and the spirit of the Code. These questions establish a general approach to assist computing professionals in ethical decision-making:
2.1) Consider
Who are the relevant actors and stakeholders? What were the anticipated and/or observable effects of the actions or decisions for those stakeholders? What additional details would provide a greater understanding of the situational context?
2.2) Analyze
What stakeholder rights (legal, natural, or social) were impacted and to what extent? What technical facts are most relevant to the actors’ decision? What principles of the Code were most relevant? What personal, institutional, or legal values should be considered?
2.3) Review
What responsibilities, authority, practices, or policies shaped the actors’ choices? What potential actions could have changed the outcomes?
2.4) Evaluate
How might the decision in this case be used as a foundation for similar future cases? What actions (or lack of action) supported or violated the Code? Are the actions taken in this case justified, particularly when considering the rights of and impact on all stakeholders?
NOTE: What follows is probably the most important part of your presentation.
Evaluate (decisions and future impact).
- You should develop a clear, persuasive argument:
- State the question – i.e., clearly and formally present a question for discussion and consideration, asking everyone to focus on the specific issue at hand, and prepare to answer it; clarify the key point of contention. It should have the form “Did xyz act ethically in doing such and such?”. There could be subsets to this question, i.e., where one part may turn out to be positive, and another negative. So, make sure you state the question (or subquestions) very carefully. Your whole analysis (and subsequent discussion) depends on it.
- Put forth the moral principle(s) you are using. What ethical theory or theories are you using in your analysis? Using more than one theory may be beneficial in exploring the breadth of the question.
- State the facts of the situation.
- Apply the facts to the principle or ethical theory you are applying, and persuasively argue for your conclusion: convince the reader that you properly analyzed the situation and that they should adopt your conclusion.
- Raise the strongest objections that you can foresee to your argument. Using alternate ethical theories is beneficial here.
- Respond to those objections, and argue as to why your conclusion still stands.
MOST IMPORTANT: In the spirit of The Code, strive to select theories and analyses that maximize positive impact. Demonstrate your understanding of our work’s societal effects and our commitment to the public good. Base your decisions on fundamental ethical principles, prioritizing the public good above all else. Open and accountable ethical decision-making strengthens the entire computing profession. This is the main focus of our class.
3) References
Finally, provide at least four references (more is fine) from reputable sources (as described above).
Provide author name (reporter), title of article, news source, publication date, page numbers (if applicable), and – most important – a permalink / link / URL, so we can find it / read the original.
NOTE: Very important – Look for balanced coverage, e.g., from different sides of the political spectrum, or different sides of the case. Truth sometimes is far more complex… than a simplistic view along party lines can capture / accommodate. Open up your mind, and look at things from different angles / perspectives.
Presentation
During your presentation, make sure you focus on the following:
- What is this case about?
- Why is it important?
- How did it unfold / play out / get revealed?
- Use the CARE outline (the four-step process defined on page 13 of the ACM Code of Ethics):
- Consider (stakeholders and consequences),
- Analyze (how the Code applies to the context),
- Review (possible actions), and
- Evaluate (decisions and future impact).
- You should develop a clear, persuasive argument:
- State the question.
- Put forth the moral principle(s) you are using.
- State the facts of the situation.
- Apply the facts to the principle, and persuasively argue for your conclusion: convince the reader that you properly analyzed the situation and that they should adopt your conclusion.
- Raise the strongest objections that you can foresee to your argument.
- Respond to those objections, and argue as to why your conclusion still stands.
- References: Mention your references. Give a chance to people to evaluate them.
- Discussion: Your presentation will be followed by discussion among your classmates. This is probably the most important part of the class, where everyone gets the opportunity to hear and react to your arguments, with their counterarguments.
Submissions
Present your work in class, on the assigned date.
Upon completion of your presentation, submit your slides as a PDF(!!!) on the Ed Discussion board.
Grading
Your grade will be based on how well you followed the above instructions, and the depth/quality of your work.
Your work will be evaluated by others based on above specs.
