London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Modules

Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences -

Units113 The ethics and politics of information systems (half unit)

Prerequisite

10 Introduction to sociology or 21 Principles of sociology and 136 Information systems and organisations or 37 Computer-based information
systems or 60 Introduction to information systems.

Exclusion

This unit may not be taken with 106 Sociology and ethics of information systems.

Aims and objectives

The main aim for you in studying this unit is to develop a sophisticated
understanding of the political and moral issues associated with the development
and use of information technology in society. Thus the unit aims:
? To provide a comprehensive introduction to some of the ethical theories that
can be used to understand the ethical significance of information systems.
? To use these ethical theories to understand the variety of setting in which
information systems function as normative and political systems.
? To develop critical insights to inform organisational and social policy about
the appropriate use of information systems.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the unit and relevant readings you should be able to:
? to understand the way in which information technology raises social, political
and moral issues and controversies.
? to understand the importance of privacy in the Information Society. This
includes the manner in which privacy can be protected as well as the
legitimate basis for limiting individual privacy.
? to understand what it means to be responsible and or liable for one’s work as a
designer of technology artifacts. This includes the degree to which this
responsibility can be delegated to machines.
? to understand the philosophical basis for property and the controversy
surrounding intellectual property.
? to understand the impact of information technology on the workplace as well
as the very nature of work itself.
? to have an appreciation of the manner in which information technology creates
new opportunities for crime and the way in which society deals with it.
? to understand the society technology relationship as well as the political
implications of technology.

Syllabus
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: Responsibility 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
IT 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.
Essential reading
You are advised to buy at least one of these key basic texts:
Baase, S. A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal and Ethical Issues in Computing. (Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1997) second edition [ISBN 978-0134587790].
Johnson, D.G. Computer Ethics. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2006)
international edition [ISBN 978-0131230224]. If you have any difficulty
obtaining this edition, the third edition (2000) is ISBN 978-0130836991.
You are advised to buy at least one of these collections of relevant papers:
Johnson, D.G. and Helen F. Nissenbaum (eds) Computers, Ethics & Social Values.
(Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2006) second edition [ISBN 978-
0130923790].
Spinello, R. A. and H.T. Tavani Readings in CyberEthics. (Sudbury, MA: Jones
and Bartlett Publishers, 2004) second edition [ISBN 978-0763724108].
Assessment
This half unit is assessed by a two hour unseen written examination.
All information in this document is subject to confirmation in the Programme Regulations for
degrees and diplomas in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences that are
reviewed annually. Notice is also given in the Regulations of any units which are being phased
out and students are advised to check unit availability.