Course Syllabus
Course Objectives
This course examines technology from the perspective of law, policy, and ethics. Students will learn about technology governance and apply what they learn to case studies and hypotheticals. The class will cover technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics and concepts such as privacy, misinformation, and liability. Assessment includes class participation and short answer questions.
Course Expectations/Grading
There are two elements to your final grade. A final, short answer take-home exam will account for 50%. The remaining 50% of your grade is class participation, which is measured by quality, not quantity. I expect students to attend class and discussion groups and to be prepared. I understand there may be times when you cannot attend a class or need to pass on participating. If this is the case, please let me know in advance. Note that I will never penalize you for offering a “wrong” answer in class; there is seldom one “right” answer in policy and ethics anyway, which is part of what makes the area interesting. Not to mention the fact that you’re probably new to the subject matter. But a consistent lack of attendance or preparation will harm your grade, whereas an obvious engagement with the material will improve it.
Undergraduate and graduate students will be assessed separately. Undergraduate students are required to attend weekly labs after the first week. The purpose of the labs, which are run by one or more teaching assistants, is to provide additional space for conversation and questions regarding class material.
Office Hours
I will hold office hours by appointment in Room 340 of William H. Gates Hall. If something in class or anywhere is making you uncomfortable, please let me know. Another person you can talk to is the Dean of Students in the Dean’s suite.
Covid Protocols
We will be meeting in person. University of Washington guidelines require vaccination or formal wavier and recommends the donning of face masks over the mouth and nose at all times.
Resources
Student Resources
A number of challenges from a variety of directions can affect your ability to bring your optimal attention and energy to a course. Student Resources is a set of links to campus resources that UW makes available to students in trying to mitigate and cope with some of these challenges.
iSchool Technology Requirements
The iSchool has a set of technology requirements for both online and residential students. We highly recommend that students adhere to these standards which are updated annually. Students who do not meet these standards may experience technology problems throughout the course.
iSchool Learning Technologies Support Site
Knowledge base for Canvas, VoiceThread, Zoom, and other learning technologies tools.
UW Libraries
In this course you may be required to access a large number of databases through the Internet. Several of these databases are publicly available, but some are proprietary and access requires authentication through the UW Libraries. Information about logging in to use these databases is available on the Connecting to the Libraries page.
Academic Conduct
Please review the iSchool Academic Policies which cover:
- Academic and Behavioral Misconduct
- Academic Integrity
- Copyright
- Privacy
- Concerns About a Course
- Evaluation of Student Work
Disability Accommodations
UW Disability Resources for Students (DRS) helps students establish academic accommodations for their disabilities, and provides services to support them throughout the process. Their office is in room 011 of Mary Gates Hall, and they can be reached at 206-543-8924. To start the process, students submit an online accommodation request with medical documentation, then meet with DRS to discuss accommodation needs. DRS will then contact students’ instructors to arrange appropriate accommodations, and will support students in communicating with instructors. The process can take several weeks, so start early!
Religious Accommodations
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form.
Inclusivity
The Information School is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive learning environment. Faculty are encouraged to write or adapt a statement of values in their own voice, display this prominently in their syllabus / course website, and discuss it with students on the first day of class. The statement should address topics such as:
- Learning in an environment of mutual respect in the classroom, and giving behavioral examples of what that means.
- Establishing guidelines for discussion of sensitive topics or having difficult conversations.
- Promoting active listening and establishing the classroom (both in person and all virtual extensions) as a safe space for the sharing ideas and contrasting perspectives.
- Use vocabulary and language the signals awareness of ideas and concepts regarding equity, inclusion, and social justice.
- Identifying one’s own positionality as it may relate to the subject matter of the course.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|