Instructor: Dr. Nelson Ford                                                            Office Location:  Lowder 409
E-mail Address: ford@auburn.edu                                                Phone: (O) 334-844-6503

Office Hours: T,W,Th: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; other times by appointment.

Prerequisites: PHIL 1020 or PHIL 1040; ISMN 3140 or the equivalent (with a "C" or better); and Junior standing.
                         Note: Students may not receive credit for both ISMN 5770 and ISMN 6770/6776

Text:
George Reynolds, Ethics in Information Technology, Fourth Edition. Course Technology: Boston, MA (2012).

Course Description: Comprehensive study of ethics related to information systems and their management, including fundamental concepts of ethics, ethical standards of information systems (IS) professionals and users, and ethical issues related to privacy, freedom of expression, intellectual property, software development, IS employees and employers, and the application IS in a variety areas.

Course Objective: Students will gain an excellent foundation for ethical decision-making in situations likely encountered by current and future IT professionals and managers.  Graduate students will also develop the ability to thoroughly research situations that create ethical dilemmas in order to choose the most appropriate course(s) of action which minimize personal and organizational exposure to negative consequences that might otherwise result.

Class Policy:

--Grading System:                                                                Undergraduate   Graduate
       Class prep./participation/discussion                                         55 %                48 %
       Written Case Analysis #1                                                       15 %                 12 %
       Written Case Analysis #2                                                       15 %                 12 %
       Final Exam                                                                             15 %                 10 %
       Research Paper/Case Development                                      0 %                 18 %
                                                                                     Total:      100 %               100 %

--Criteria for grading case analyses, presentations & discussion:  Demonstrated command/understanding of the facts; Statement and understanding of stakeholder positions; Development and statement of options/alternatives; Discussion of the evaluation/analysis of options/alternatives based upon relevant ethical principles, guidelines, laws, etc.; Statement and justification of recommended decision(s)/course(s) of action; and (for graduate students) discussion of how those recommendations minimize personal and organizational exposure to negative consequences that might otherwise result. [For outreach students, class participation and discussion will be accomplished through Canvas on-line discussion threads.  Student posts of case analyses and discussion participation will be graded on a class-by-class basis.]

--Grading scale: A: 90 to100;  B: 80 to below 90;  C: 70 to below 80;  D: 60 to below 70;  F: below 60.

--Class M.O.: Class time will be spent, for the most part, with student analysis, discussion, justification, and presentation of assigned cases and related material.  This will include both "cold calls" (no advance notice that you will be presenting a case assigned for that day) and "warm calls" (you will be assigned a case or cases on one class day that you will analyze and then present and lead the case discussion on the following class day).

--Preparation: Your preparation for class includes reading and studying the assigned material and being prepared to present your analysis of all assigned cases and to discuss cases presented by others, to answer questions regarding chapter material, and to discuss the material in the chapter. In addition, graduate students will be expected to contribute to the discussions based upon their additional independent research on the assigned topics, which they will document and present.

--E-mail: As a course requirement, you must have an active Auburn University e-mail address/account ending in:  @auburn.edu.  E-mail provides us with an effective means of communication.  In fact, you are responsible for everything that I communicate to you through this e-mail account.  My e-mail address is:   nford@auburn.edu

--Exams: Each exam will consist of an in-class, written case analysis.

--Excused Absences: Students are granted excused absences from class for the following reasons: Illness of the student or serious illness of a member of the student’s immediate family, the death of a member of the student’s immediate family, trips for student organizations sponsored by an academic unit, trips for University classes, trips for participation in intercollegiate athletic events, subpoena for a court appearance, and religious holidays. Students who wish to have an excused absence from this class for any other reason must contact the instructor in advance of the absence to request permission. The instructor will weigh the merits of the request and render a decision. When feasible, the student must notify the instructor prior to the occurrence of any excused absences, but in no case shall such notification occur more than one week after the absence. Appropriate documentation for all excused absences is required. Please see the Tiger Cub for more information on excused absences.

--Make-Up Policy: Arrangements to make up missed major examinations due to properly authorized excused absences must be initiated by the student within one week from the end of the period of the excused absence. Except in unusual circumstances, such as continued absence of the student or the presence of University holidays, a make-up exam will take place within two weeks from the time that the student initiates arrangements for it. Except in extraordinary circumstances, no make-up exams will be arranged during the last three days before the final exam period begins. The format of the make-up exam will be similar to the original exam.

--Academic Honesty Policy: All portions of the Auburn University student academic honesty code (Title XII) found in the Tiger Cub will apply to this class. All academic honesty violations or alleged violations of the SGA Code of Laws will be reported to the Office of the Provost, which will then refer the case to the Academic Honesty Committee.

--Disability Accommodations: Students who need special accommodations in class, as provided for by the American Disabilities Act, should arrange a confidential meeting with the instructor during office hours the first week of classes - or as soon as possible if accommodations are needed immediately. You must bring a copy of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting. If you do not have these forms but need accommodations, make an appointment with The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Halley Center, 844.2096 (V/TT) or email: scw0005@auburn.edu

--NOTE: This entire syllabus is tentative. The instructor may make additions, deletions, and/or changes to the course and/or syllabus at any time by verbal or written communication.

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