Unit 5 Assignment: Ethics in Technology

Incorporate the technology-related computer ethics issues that you have learned in the past two weeks related to your topic, including cybersecurity, data analytics, IP rights and personal privacy.

Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 5
Points: 100

OVERVIEW

This is the third assignment related to your course project. Remember, the final project will be
completed over the course of the term as four summative assignments, consisting of 1) topic
selection with optional peer review, 2) a preliminary research assignment including a clear
thesis statement and focusing on the first stage of the course, 3) further development of your
thesis, evidence, and counterarguments to include elements of the second stage of the course,
and 4) final submission of your course project in your chosen format.

This week, you focus on conducting additional research, further developing your selected topic
and argumentative analysis, and relating it to the second stage of this course (i.e., ethics and
morality in a technology-specific context). Unlike your previous project assignments, you will not
be required to submit a paper, unless that is your chosen format. In this assignment, you will
submit your work in the format you have chosen for your final project. Again, you will have the
opportunity to share it with your classmates for peer review.

INSTRUCTIONS

In this assignment you will expand upon your work up to this point. Thus far, you have
constructed a problem statement utilizing the five-step decision-making process, identified the
ethical, moral, and/or legal implications of the topic you selected, begun to develop arguments
for and against your declared thesis statement, and developed an outline for your project. Now
you will begin to incorporate the technology-related computer ethics issues that you have
learned in the past two weeks related to your topic, including cybersecurity, data analytics, IP
rights and personal privacy. Specifically:

1. Your project will now take the form of your selected format.

2. In your chosen format, elaborate on your previous work and frame the issue within the
context of what you have learned in the second stage of the course (i.e., ethics and morality
in a technology context).

3. Examine the specific technology-related computer ethics issues and questions posed by
your topic, including cybersecurity, data collection, and data breaches.

4. Discuss how your topic affects computer ethics issues such as Intellectual Property, privacy
rights, and free speech.

5. Your project must contain each of the basic elements of an argumentative essay, including
(1) an introduction consisting of a topic and problem statement, background information on
the issue, and a thesis statement, (2) arguments and evidence supporting your position, (3)

CIS340 – Computer Ethics
Unit 5 Assignment: Ethics in Technology and First Draft

counterarguments to your position, how you view those arguments/positions, and how you
would refute those arguments with evidence, and (4) a conclusion. These basic elements
are required regardless of the format you select.

6. You must incorporate additional research that you used to develop your thesis and decision-
making. Include a reference list of sources cited in your essay in APA 7th edition format.

7. Your work this week will be considered a first draft. Submit the draft of your project to your
instructor, who will provide you with feedback to incorporate into your final deliverable.

8. You will have the option to resubmit your assignment during Unit 6 after receiving and
incorporating feedback from your instructor.

Percentage of total course grade: 5%

FORMAT:
The format of your final project is up to you. Some examples include a paper, a video,
presentation with notes, presentation with voice over, blog, vlog, or a web page. No one format
is better than another or preferable from the instructor’s perspective. The purpose of providing
you with options is to give you an opportunity to do what you do best. You may be very
analytical and can best get your point across in a traditional term paper format, or you may be
an extremely creative person and can be more persuasive in a video or presentation, or you
may be very technical and can shine through the creation of a web site or blog.

• If you have another format in mind, you must seek approval from your instructor. This is a
chance for you to demonstrate creativity, what you are passionate about, and the computer
skills you have learned in other courses.

• Choose the format that will motivate you, one you are most comfortable with, that will keep
you focused over an eight-week course, and that will enable you to produce your best work.

Please see the following requirements for each project format:

• Final Paper: 8-10 pages in APA format, not including Title or Reference pages.
• Video: 15-20 minutes recorded and uploaded to YouTube
• Presentation (with notes): 10-15 slides in PowerPoint. Use the Notes feature to

provide necessary context to explain the content of your slides.
• Presentation (with voice): 10-15 slides in PowerPoint with recorded voice presentation

of your slides. Voice recording should be approximately 1-2 minutes per slide.
• Web Page: if you create a web page, requirements will depend on the outline of your

site. For example, the site could consist of multiple pages, one page with several tabs,
blog or vlog style, etc. Confirm with your instructor. Be creative but ensure all the
elements of the project requirements are included.

• Regardless of the format you select, you are required to submit references.

OPTIONAL PEER REVIEW:

In Unit 6, you will have the opportunity to submit your work in the Peer Review Discussion
Board. This is optional and up to you to decide if you would like your classmates to review your
work and provide feedback.

Whether you submit your work for peer review or not, you are welcome and encouraged to visit
the discussion board to review and comment on your classmates’ submissions. To foster
discussion that is constructive and helpful, utilize the RISE Model of feedback when responding
to your classmates.

This element of the assignment will not be graded, but it is highly recommended that you utilize
this option as it will lead to improvement in your own work.

Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/502c5d7e24aca01df4766eb3/t/5c4e71ecf950b77130df9756/1548644844456/RISE-Model-Peer-by-Emily-Wray-2018

Criteria Exemplary Proficient Needs
Improvement

Deficient

9-10 points 7-8 points 5-6 points 0-4 points
Topic

Selection and
Thesis

Statement

Topic focus and
problem are stated
and fully described.
Rationale of topic
selection and clear
thesis are well
articulated. Overall
and personal
relevance and
importance of the
selected topic is
detailed.

The topic and
problem are
selected and
described, and a
rationale and
thesis provided,
but they are not
completely
developed.

Provides some
required information,
or the information is
incomplete and not
well-constructed.

Required information
is lacking or poorly
constructed.

19-20 points 15-18 points 11-14 points 0-10 points
Application
of Course
Concepts
(General
Ethics)

Course concepts
including moral
theories, critical
thinking, problem
solving, ethical
business cultures, the
value of ethics,
impact of technology
on society, and IT
relationships are fully
explored and
developed within the
context of the topic.

Course concepts
are explored and
discussed but are
not completely
developed.

Provides some
required information,
or the information is
incomplete and not
well-constructed.

Required information
is lacking or poorly
constructed.

19-20 points 15-18 points 11-14 points 0-10 points
Application
of Course
Concepts
(Ethics in

Technology)

Course concepts
including
cybersecurity, data
collection, data
breaches, Intellectual
Property, privacy
rights, and free
speech are fully
explored and
developed within the
context of the topic.

Course concepts
are explored and
discussed but are
not completely
developed.

Provides some
required information,
or the information is
incomplete and not
well-constructed.

Required information
is lacking or poorly
constructed.

19-20 points 15-18 points 11-14 points 0-10 points
Critical

Thinking and
Personal
Growth

The student
demonstrates deep
critical thinking and
analysis of the
problem, considering
various alternatives,
understanding
outcomes, and
reflecting on different
points view. Exhibits
an ability to accept
constructive criticism,
contributing to
personal growth.

The student
demonstrates
good critical
thinking and
analysis of the
problem,
considers some
alternatives and
their outcomes,
and reflects on
different points
view. Exhibits
personal growth.

Critical thinking,
analysis, and
personal growth are
present, but are
lacking or not fully
developed.

Lack of engagement
in critical thinking,
analysis, or personal
growth.

19-20 points 15-18 points 11-14 points 0-10 points
Quality of

Research and
Argumentativ

e Analysis

Strong evidence in
the form of
arguments and
research from reliable
sources supporting
and opposing your
position are utilized
consistently and are
fully developed.
Exhibits an ability to
argue for a position
and refute opposing
points of view with
evidence.

The arguments
and sources for
and against
positions with
counterarguments
is presented and
described, and a
rationale
provided, but they
are not completely
developed.

Provides some
required information,
or the information is
incomplete and not
well-constructed.

Required information
is lacking or poorly
constructed.

9-10 points 7-8 points 5-6 points 0-4 points
Clear and

Professional
Writing
and/or

Speaking

Well written/spoken
and clearly organized
using standard
English,
characterized by
elements of strong
style and basically
free from grammar,
punctuation, usage,
and spelling errors.
Consistent use of
APA format with no
errors.

Above average
style and logically
organized using
standard English
with minor errors
in grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling.
Consistent use of
APA format with
minor errors that
do not impede
reading and flow.

Average style
lacking in standard
English, clarity, and
contains errors in
grammar,
punctuation, usage,
and spelling.
Inconsistent use of
APA format.

Poor style lacking in
standard English,
clarity, language
used, and/or frequent
errors in grammar,
punctuation, usage,
and spelling. APA
format is significantly
below expectations
and detracts from the
content.

Evaluation Rubric for Course Project: Ethics in Technology and First Draft