Dr. Dunlap dunlapd [at] vt [dot] edu
GTA: Mark Lawson malawso4 [at] vt [dot] edu

CS 3604: Professionalism in Computing
This course is intended to study the ethical, social, and professional concerns of the computer science field. It covers the social impact of the computer, implications and effects of computers on society, and the responsibilities of computer professionals in directing the emerging technology.

This course emphasizes oral communications, and it is a writing intensive course. It is a web-based course, so course materials (syllabus, assignments, activities, etc.) are maintained online. Be sure to be check the website each week for updates.

This course is NOT intended to challenge your ethics and values. My hope, as instructor, is to provide situations that encourage you to practice articulating, explaining, and applying related concepts in complex situations related to professional understandings.

PREREQUISITES
Successful completion of CS2604 and COMM 2004.

NOTE
This course does not fulfill the requirements for CS minors as a 3000-level course option, or a higher level course for potential internal transfer applicants.

TEXTS
  • Ethics and Technology: Ethical Issues in an Age of Information and Communication Technology , Herman T. Tavani, Wiley.
  • Writing Arguments: A rhetoric with readings, Concise Edition, Third Edition (2004) Ramage, J. D., Bean, J.C., Johnson, J. New York: Pearson Longman. ISBN 0-321-16338-9
  • Various articles and online materials.