Below is a general schedule for weekly topics this semester. Please refer to the learning management system (LMS) for all assignment deadlines and expected deliverables.

Week 1

  • Tue., Jan. 14 Welcome and Overview
  • Fri., Jan. 17 Case Study: Therac-25

Week 2

  • Tue., Jan. 21 Argument Structure
  • Fri., Jan. 24 Utilitarianism

Week 3

  • Tue., Jan. 28 Deontology & Social Contract Theory
  • Fri., Jan. 31 Virtue Ethics

Week 4

  • Tue., Feb. 4 Professional Ethics
  • Fri., Feb. 7 Using Evidence Effectively and Moving Your Audience

Week 5

  • Tue., Feb. 11 Do Artifacts Have Politics?
  • Fri., Feb. 14 Privacy

Week 6

  • Tue., Feb. 18 Privacy and the Government
  • Fri., Feb. 21 Freedom of Speech & Networked Communications

Week 7

  • Tue., Feb. 25 Midterm
  • Fri., Feb. 28 Freedom of Speech & Networked Communications

Week 8

  • Tue., Mar. 4 Freedom of Speech & Networked Communications
  • Fri., Mar. 7 Networked Communications

Week 9

  • Tue., Mar. 11 Spring break; no classes, university offices open Monday through Friday
  • Fri., Mar. 14 Spring break; no classes, university offices open Monday through Friday

Week 10

  • Tue., Mar. 18 Analyzing Arguments Rhetorically
  • Fri., Mar. 21 Argument Types

Week 11

  • Tue., Mar. 25 Intellectual Property
  • Fri., Mar. 28 Software as Intellectual Property

Week 12

  • Tue., Apr. 1 Visual Arguments
  • Fri., Apr. 4 AI, Algorithms, and Bias

Week 13

  • Tue., Apr. 8 Computer Reliability and Software Warranties
  • Fri., Apr. 11 Term Paper Discussion.
  • Term paper draft due before Class. Bring a printed copy to class to share.

Week 14

  • Tue., Apr. 15 Automation and Globalization
  • Fri., Apr. 18 Generative AI

Week 15

  • Tue., Apr. 22 Misinformation and Simulation
  • Fri., Apr. 25 Midterm 2

Finals

  • Fri., May 2 Final Paper Due on Canvas by 08:10AM