• The Virtual Classroom (Chat) sessions are scheduled on alternate Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm (beginning August 25). All students are expected to be present and participate.
• Readings should be completed prior to class on the assigned date. Please note there is an assignment for the first class period.
• All written assignments should be submitted on or before the due date. Grades will be reduced for materials submitted late.

• Complete everything specified under “First Day Preparation,” including your student biography.
• Optional Reading, “Introduction to Philosophy” (under Supplementary Readings).
• Look over “Tips for Understanding Philosophy” (under Miscellaneous Study Materials).
• Read “The Meaning of Justification” (under Miscellaneous Study Materials). Be prepared to explain in your own words what is meant by rationally justifying a belief or claim.
• Familiarize yourself with basic ethical terminology. (See “Definitions” under Miscellaneous Study Materials.)
• Read Reynolds, CH.1 (pp. 1-14) and CH.2. View PowerPoint presentation for CH.2.
• Read and reflect upon Lecture 1.
• Scan the four professional codes of ethics given in the textbook (Appendices I-IV). Also use the Internet to look up one or more additional professional codes of ethics relating to information technology. Links can be found under “Web Resources for Ethics and Technology” (under Miscellaneous Study Materials).
• Think about and be prepared to share your answers to the following questions:
  a) Why do people “argue” about what is morally right or wrong?
  b) What does it mean to “give reasons” to support judgments about what is morally right or wrong? What counts as “good reasons”?
  c) Would you accept the view that “moral behavior is nothing more nor less than obeying the law”? Why or why not?
  d) What role, if any, should professional codes of ethics play in determining whether a certain type of behavior is morally right or wrong? What value, if any, are professional codes of ethics as a set of guidelines for moral decision making? What are some possible limitations or drawbacks of professional codes of ethics?
  e) What does it mean to be an information technology “professional”? What types of responsibilities often come with being a professional? To what extent, if any, is high moral character a reasonably expected attribute of professionals?

• Contribute to the threaded discussion on the Discussion Board by responding to the forum topics posted by the instructor, offering personal observations, or asking relevant questions.
• Read Reynolds, pages 14-25 of CH.1. View PowerPoint presentation for CH.1.
• Complete the supplementary reading “Problems with Relativism,” and be prepared to discuss the various flaws and shortcomings of this theory.
• Complete the supplementary reading “Problems with Utilitarianism,” and be prepared to discuss the various flaws and shortcomings of this theory.
• Read and reflect upon Lecture 2.
• Review the threaded discussions on the Discussion Board, and be prepared to raise specific questions and offer your observations or conclusions on the topics discussed.

• Exam #1 is due by 5:00 p.m.
  

September 22 Chat Session

• Contribute to the threaded discussion on the Discussion Board by responding to the forum topics posted by the instructor, offering personal observations, or asking related questions.
• Optional supplementary reading by Kant, “On the Categorical Imperative.” For further clarification of Kant’s theory refer to “Observations on Kant’s Moral Theory” (under Miscellaneous Study Materials).
• Study Reynolds, CH.4. View PowerPoint presentation for CH.4.
• Review Lecture 2.
• Read and reflect upon Lecture 3.
• Review the threaded discussions on the Discussion Board, and be prepared to raise specific questions and offer your observations or conclusions on the topics discussed.

• Keepers #1 is due by 5:00 p.m.
• Group project report is due by 5:00 p.m.

October 6 Chat Session

• Contribute to the threaded discussion on the Discussion Board by responding to the forum topics posted by the instructor, offering personal observations, or asking related questions.
• Study Reynolds, CH.5. View PowerPoint presentation for CH.5.
• Read and reflect upon Lecture 4.
• Review the threaded discussions on the Discussion Board, and be prepared to raise specific questions and offer your observations or conclusions on the topics discussed.

October 20 Chat Session

• Contribute to the threaded discussion on the Discussion Board by responding to the forum topics posted by the instructor, offering personal observations, or asking related questions.
• Review Reynolds, CH.6. View PowerPoint presentation for CH.6.
• Read and reflect upon Lecture 5.
• Review the threaded discussions on the Discussion Board, and be prepared to raise specific questions and offer your observations or conclusions on the topics discussed.

• Exam #2 is due by 5:00 p.m.

• Contribute to the threaded discussion on the Discussion Board by responding to the forum topics posted by the instructor, offering personal observations, or asking related questions.
• Study Reynolds, CH.7. View PowerPoint presentation for CH.7.
• Read and reflect upon Lecture 6.
• Review the threaded discussions on the Discussion Board, and be prepared to raise specific questions and offer your observations or conclusions on the topics discussed.

November 17 Chat Session

• Contribute to the threaded discussion on the Discussion Board by responding to the forum topics posted by the instructor, offering personal observations, or asking related questions.
• Study Reynolds, CH.8. View PowerPoint presentation for CH.8.
• See observations “On Whistle Blowing” (under Miscellaneous Study Materials).
• Read and reflect upon Lecture 7.
• Review the threaded discussions on the Discussion Board, and be prepared to raise specific questions and offer your observations or conclusions on the topics discussed.

Thursday, November 20

• Case Study due by 5:00 p.m.

• Contribute to the threaded discussion on the Discussion Board by responding to the forum topics posted by the instructor, offering personal observations, or asking related questions.
• Study Reynolds, CH.3. View PowerPoint presentation on CH.3.
• Read Lecture 8 (for a course summary).
• Review the threaded discussions on the Discussion Board, and be prepared to raise specific questions and offer your observations or conclusions on the topics discussed.

• Keepers #2 due by 5:00 p.m.
• Self-evaluation (for participation grade) due. See “Participation Grade Criteria” (under Keepers and Class Participation Grade).

• Exam #3 is due by 5:00 p.m.