SI 621
Title: "Ethics, Values, and Information Dilemmas" SI 621
Credit: 3 Credit Hours
Time: Thursday 1:00-4:00
Professor: Virginia E. Rezmierski, Ph.D.
Office: 1601 Argus Building, 519 W. William
Office Phone: 647-4274
Home Phone: 971-6221
E-mail: ver@umich.edu
Office Hours: By appointment Thursday or Friday
Term Offered: Winter 2000
Prerequisites: SI 501, 504 or permission of the instructor

Course Description:

The "information" revolution and the expanding use of information technology within all organizations, profit and nonprofit, public and private, has created an environment in which access to massive quantities of information, at startling speeds, is now possible through electronic means. Within this environment, policy makers, managers -- indeed all individual users of the technology -- must make decisions about how they want to use new technological capabilities and in some cases, even if they will use technology in particular ways. The changing environment requires that all individuals clarify their values, understand ethical and unethical responses, and actively process information making informed decisions.

Discussion and lecture provide in-depth study of the development of moral and ethical reasoning. Course focuses on the ethical issues and value dilemmas that arise within this new information environment. It explores some of the information and technology-related incidents faced by individuals and institutions as they become familiar with, and adjust to the impact of technology on work, recreation, and education.

Participants have an opportunity to do investigation and data gathering on specific issues relating to the handling of personal information in various settings and the ethical issues involved. They analyze technology-related incidents. Incidents will be discussed in relation to ethical, moral, and social cognitive human development, conflicting values, existing literature, and law. Discussion topics include, among others, copyright, privacy, security, freedom of speech, personal boundaries, ownership, anonymity, and civil liberties. Participants learn methods of issue analysis and will practice solving dilemmas by understanding the values and ethical issues surrounding the dilemmas.

Objectives of the course are to:

  1. Develop a theoretical framework for understanding and responding to ethical and values issues
  2. Develop an individual points-of-view regarding various issues arising in the area of information technology use in personal life and organizations
  3. Identify and practice a methodology for analyzing and understanding the ethical and values issues embedded within information and organizational dilemmas
  4. Provide experience in problem solving where ethical and values issues are in conflict

Course is a discussion/lecture; therefore, the majority of class time is devoted to guide discussion of assigned topics. Topics are introduced by lecture, demonstration, distributed vignettes of behavioral incidents, assigned readings, and distributed materials. Students are expected to have completed required readings in advance of each class in order to be prepared for the discussions. Readings must be supplemented from library research as well.

Suggested Readings:

Items with (¥) notation are still be considered as required readings though not all will be selected. Materials will be distributed during classes as well.

Basic Syllabus