Tag Archives: MIS

by Jeffrey Anderson
(2002-02-07)

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the module, students should be able to:

• make distinctions between legal and ethical standards.

• recognize the need for ethical considerations in the course of business decision making.

• explain various theories used to characterize the nature of ethical dilemmas.

• identify important ethical issues that occur with information systems and methods for dealing with them.

• recognize the importance major concerns of a professional code of conduct

Timing and Duration

The MIS 202 Ethics module will last for two 2-hour class periods and occur in the first half of the academic quarter.

Learning Activities

Ethics Exercise – students will be divided into small groups (4-6) to discuss some ethical issue which has no clear-cut correct answer. Students will be forced to make some type of choice and justify their decision in ethical terms. The class will discuss and critique each group’s decision .

Lecture on Ethical Principles – The instructor will describe in a lecture format the major ethical theories including Utilitarianism, Deontological Ethics, and Moral Ethics. Additional topics will include storage and use of information; discussion of prudential vs. ethical concerns, intellectual property, and professional codes of conduct. Students will be given supporting resources (internet or print) outlining these principles.

Debate – students will be assigned opposing roles on critical ethical issues (eg. abortion, capital punishment, privacy vs. security) and argue a position.

Assessments

Tests – students will be given objective test questions on ethical theories

Case Studies – students will submit critical written analysis of contemporary ethical issues relative to information technology.