London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Ethics of information systems [113] (half-unit)

Prerequisites (if taken as part of a BSc degree):
21 Principles of sociology or 10 Introduction to sociology and 37 Computer-based information systems or 60 Introduction to information systems.

Ethics of Information technology
   · On the nature of moral problems and moral knowledge
   · Information technology and moral problems
   · Dealing with moral problems
Privacy and surveillance
   · The notion of privacy
   · The importance of privacy to the individual and society
   · Surveillance in the modern mind and society
   · Surveillance in the workplace
   · Privacy and fairness in surveillance
Liability and responsibility
   · Responsible and liability
   · Risks of computing
   · Preventing risks, increasing reliability
   · Responsibility and machines
Intellectual property
The philosophical basis for property
Intellectual Property as a moral problem
Different intellectual property regimes
Information technology and the future of work
Information technology and the changing work environment
Information technology and the way we work
Information technology and workplace injury
Computer crime
Crime and information technology
Computer sabotage: hackers, viruses and worms
Controlling (Information) Technology
Technological determinism
The neutrality of technology