Computer science in the new millennium: convergence of the technical, social and ethical

Abstract

Convergence has been characterized as a key attribute of computer technology in the coming millennium. In this talk the issue of convergence will be examined as it relates to the computer science curriculum, and in particular, as it becomes a compelling reason to implement social and ethical learning objectives across the core CS curriculum as an integral component with the technical content. A case study that examines the creation of the social construct of trust on the internet through the developed of new telecommunications protocols will be presented as an example of why such an integrated approach to the teaching of computer science is criticzdto the preparation of future computer professionals. I?com the technical perspective, this case study illustrates the role of standards in software development, the evolving communications protocols, computer security, zmd all of the new client-server hardware and software technologies. From the perspectiveof soci~ malYsis, th=e te~ohgi= affect individual, communities, organizations such as trade associations and advocacy groups, institutional sectors such as education, government, and business, and even national versus global interests. From ~ the ethical perspective, the issues include individual and professional responsibility, personal and ‘ community values, quality of life, the use of power, privacy, and equity of access. The second part of the talk will describe the work of the ImpactCS Project. Over the past three \ years the project has produced three reports that have defined the core content, pedagogical objectives and implementation strategies for integrating social impact and ethics into the computer science curricuhun. The first report of Project ImpactCS provided a formal, theoretical framework as the foundation for a tenth subject area in computer science. The second report articulated this content area, in the context of actual knowledge units and learning objectives. The final report provides an integrated approach to implementing ethics and social impact across the CS curriculum. Starting with ethical awareness in the first year, us-mgcase studies in the sophomore and junior core CS courses to develop analysis and de&lon-making skills, and providing students -with opportunities to carry out analysis in real -world settings in their capstone projects, the purpose of this new curriculum area is to produce computer professionals capable of turning ethical dec~lons into responsible action in the new millennium. 9