Topic 1: Introduction to ethics and reasoning:
a. What exactly is "cyber ethics"? How is it different from and similar to computer ethics, information ethics, and Internet ethics?
b. Identify and describe some key aspects of each of the four phases in the evolution of cyber ethics as a field of applied ethics. (
2. Topic 2: Representing ethical arguments
a. What is critical reasoning, and how can it applied to ethical issues involving cyber technology?
b. Construct an argument for the view that a university should/should not have the right to monitor their students' emails. Analyse your argument to see if it is valid or invalid. If it is valid, then is it sound? If it is invalid, then is it inductive or fallacious?
3. Topic 3: Professionalism and information and communication technology:
a. What are professional codes of ethics, and what functions do they serve?
b. From ethics and professional practice point of view, what is whistle-blowing?
4. Topic 4: Privacy:
a. Identify and describe four ways in which the privacy threats posed by cyber technology differ from those posed by earlier technologies.
b. What is the data mining, and why is it considered controversial?
5. Choose one ethical issue arising from the use of ICT that has been reported in the press in the last one year, and discuss it in depth. Show why or how the technology creates or contributes to the problem. Produce an article, discussing both sides of the issue (pros and cons) drawing on both technical and philosophical literature. In addition, argue for your own view of the matter, giving your reasons for your point of view and showing why you believe that they are better than opposing views.
You will be assessed on your ability to reason, analyse and present cogent argument for the particular case. You should outline the main statement you wish to make about your chosen ethical issue along with your reasons and others' objections to it. You may use any appropriate technique to set out the basic structure of your article. (1600 words)