This lecture aims to consider the impact that "information" broadly brings to our lives. It primarily focuses on issues related
to internet usage, including intellectual property rights, security, privacy, harmful information, the societal effects of
social networking services (SNS), the use of copyrighted works, and other internet-related crimes. It goes beyond acquiring
general knowledge to deepen understanding of the ethics required of professionals in the field.
After graduating from this department, many of you are expected to excel as IT professionals. It can be said that not only
advanced technical skills but also high ethical standards are expected of individuals.
In today's society where IT technology has become part of the social infrastructure, you will engage in tasks with significant societal impact and bear great responsibility. Engineers are generally expected to anticipate the potential impacts of their actions on the surroundings and take appropriate actions proactively. Information technology professionals, in particular, face new technologies every day. Rather than memorizing rules indiscriminately, it can be said that they are constantly required to think about problems in new situations and make appropriate judgments.
Therefore, in this lecture, while addressing past issues of information ethics, I would like to focus on understanding why problems occur and why specific rules are established. Although I plan to assign reports during the class, please consider this as an opportunity to practice thinking about problems on your own, conducting research, and exchanging opinions with others.
In today's society where IT technology has become part of the social infrastructure, you will engage in tasks with significant societal impact and bear great responsibility. Engineers are generally expected to anticipate the potential impacts of their actions on the surroundings and take appropriate actions proactively. Information technology professionals, in particular, face new technologies every day. Rather than memorizing rules indiscriminately, it can be said that they are constantly required to think about problems in new situations and make appropriate judgments.
Therefore, in this lecture, while addressing past issues of information ethics, I would like to focus on understanding why problems occur and why specific rules are established. Although I plan to assign reports during the class, please consider this as an opportunity to practice thinking about problems on your own, conducting research, and exchanging opinions with others.
- The goal is to understand and be able to explain the significance of information ethics and professional ethics.
- You will become someone who has gained a deep understanding of intellectual property rights, information security, harmful information, and the related regulations, and can explain them.
- The goal is to become able to anticipate potential issues that may arise on the internet through real-life examples related to information ethics and make appropriate judgments for handling them.
- The goal is to enhance understanding of information ethics through thought and reflection, enabling smooth communication with others and facilitating deep exchanges of opinions during the process.
| Group presentation | Class assignment | Final examination | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5% | 5% | 10% | 20% |
| 2. | 5% | 5% | 15% | 25% |
| 3. | 5% | 5% | 10% | 20% |
| 4. | 25% | 10% | 0% | 35% |
| Total. | 40% | 25% | 35% | - |
The grades will be evaluated based on group presentations (40%), in-class assignments (25%), and final reports (35%).
The assessment criteria for group assignments primarily focus on the research process, initiative in tackling the task, and the process of reaching conclusions.
In-class assignments require students to express their opinions on the topics covered in class. The evaluation will focus on the depth of understanding and the content of the arguments presented.
The final report entails students providing specific topics related to ICT technologies, regulations, copyright, information ethics, etc., learned in class, and expressing their opinions individually. The evaluation criteria are similar to those for group assignments. Additionally, students will be evaluated on whether they can explain the issues in their own words after obtaining a certain level of understanding of the content covered in class.
The standard for passing evaluation includes the following three points:
- Actively engaging in group presentations.
- Reflecting understanding of the content and expressing personal opinions in comments for in-class assignments.
- Meeting specified criteria such as referencing materials in the final report, while also being able to articulate personal opinions.
The assessment criteria for group assignments primarily focus on the research process, initiative in tackling the task, and the process of reaching conclusions.
In-class assignments require students to express their opinions on the topics covered in class. The evaluation will focus on the depth of understanding and the content of the arguments presented.
The final report entails students providing specific topics related to ICT technologies, regulations, copyright, information ethics, etc., learned in class, and expressing their opinions individually. The evaluation criteria are similar to those for group assignments. Additionally, students will be evaluated on whether they can explain the issues in their own words after obtaining a certain level of understanding of the content covered in class.
The standard for passing evaluation includes the following three points:
- Actively engaging in group presentations.
- Reflecting understanding of the content and expressing personal opinions in comments for in-class assignments.
- Meeting specified criteria such as referencing materials in the final report, while also being able to articulate personal opinions.
| Class schedule | HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) | Amount of Time Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction Ethics and Information Ethics Characteristics of Information Technology, Law, and Ethics |
As a preparatory step, consider what information ethics is and why it is necessary. | 190minutes |
| 2. | Characteristics and Evolution of Information Technology Characteristics, History, and Social Impact of Computers and the Internet |
Review the establishment process of computers and the internet, as well as their impact on society, mentioned in class. | 190minutes |
| 3. | Issues Arising Post-Internet Opportunities Enabled by Computers and the Internet Anonymity and Personal Data Protection |
As a review, investigate the behavior of individuals in a society where computers and the internet exist. | 190minutes |
| 4. | Posting on the Internet and Information Sharing Can information on the internet be trusted? Uniqueness of internet communities Advantages and disadvantages of information sharing on the internet |
Assignment based on the course content: Reflect on the advantages and motivations for using social networking services (SNS), as well as their disadvantages, using real-life examples (details will be explained in class). | 190minutes |
| 5. | Privacy and "Others" on the Internet Privacy Violation and Defamation Changes in the Concept of Privacy due to Societal Informationization Communication in Diverse Public Spaces |
As a preparation, research a case considered to have "gone viral" on the internet and its background (details will be explained in advance during the class). | 190minutes |
| 6. | Harmful Information and Freedom of Speech Legal Positioning of Defamation What Constitutes Harmful Information Freedom to Know / Freedom not to Know / Freedom to Inform / Freedom not to Inform |
As a review, consider why things classified as harmful information are deemed "harmful". Additionally, contemplate the meaning of defamation, comparing its legal definition with personal perceptions. | 190minutes |
| 7. | Protecting Content: Intellectual Property Rights (1) Is it permissible to upload MAD videos to a video-sharing website? Copyright and Moral Rights of Authors Regarding Winny (1) |
As a preparation, organize what you have previously heard about copyright (details will be explained in advance during the class). | 190minutes |
| 8. | Protecting Content: Intellectual Property Rights (2) Regarding Winny (2) Intellectual Property Rights of Software What is Software Development |
As a review, consider the appropriateness of your own and others' actions regarding content. | 190minutes |
| 9. | Free Software / Open Source Philosophy and Challenges of Free Software The Cathedral and the Bazaar Hacker Ethics |
As a review, research the types of free software, the objectives of developers, and the mechanisms for recovering profits. | 190minutes |
| 10. | Individual Rights and Publicness (1) Freedom of Remix and Copyright (1) How Technological Advancement Affects Rights (1) Cultural Development and Ethics/Design of Information Society (1) |
As preparation, I will research the definition and specific examples of "remix." Further details will be explained during the pre-class session. | 190minutes |
| 11. | Individual Rights and Publicness (2) Freedom of Remix and Copyright (2) How Technological Advancement Affects Rights (2) Cultural Development and Ethics/Design of Information Society (2) |
Assignment based on the course content: Consider the concepts of "freedom" and "ethics" from the perspectives of both the information sender and receiver (details will be explained in class). | 190minutes |
| 12. | Misconduct and Information Security - Illegal Uploads/Downloads - Cultivation of Culture and Infringement of Rights - Regulation through Legislation and Architecture and Individual Freedom |
As a review, research illegal activities related to content on the internet and their impacts. | 190minutes |
| 13. | Ethics of Information Technologists - Social Responsibility of Professionals - Social Responsibility of Information Technologists - What is a Code of Ethics |
As a preparatory step, search for places where information technologists are active in your surroundings and consider what responsibilities and obligations they carry and why (details will be explained in advance during the class). | 190minutes |
| 14. | Reflecting on Internet Society - Electronic Medical Records and the National ID System - The Internet and Surveillance Society Theory - Globalization of the Internet |
As a review, reflect on the lecture content thus far, organize what issues you perceive in the information society, and consider what responses are desirable. | 180minutes |
| Total. | - | - | 2650minutes |
| ways of feedback | specific contents about "Other" |
|---|---|
| Feedback in the class |
Textbook: Not specified
Reference Book: Edited by Shun Tsuchiya and Takafumi Ohtani, "Introduction to Information Ethics (Revised Edition)," ik publishing, 2014.
Reference Book: Edited by Shun Tsuchiya and Takafumi Ohtani, "Introduction to Information Ethics (Revised Edition)," ik publishing, 2014.
The ultimate goal of this course is not just to learn about ethics but to individually contemplate the significance and issues
surrounding it and to develop one's own understanding of how information technology should be utilized. This can be seen as
acquiring the ability to considerately address problems that arise when dealing with new technologies in our future lives.
I would like to share viewpoints with the students as much as possible, so please feel free to raise your hand if you have
any questions or doubts (while refraining from overly conspicuous side conversations). There will be several opportunities
to write essays, as articulating your opinions logically also aligns with the thinking process in programming, and active
participation will likely prove beneficial in the future. Additionally, contributions related to newspaper articles or online
content relevant to the lecture are welcomed.
- During the lunch break on class days, or after class in the instructor's office. Email correspondence is also acceptable (instructions will be provided during class).
- Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
- Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
- Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
| Work experience | Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable |
|---|---|
| N/A | N/A |
- 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
- 5.GENDER EQUALITY
- 8.DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
- 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
- 10.REDUCED INEQUALITIES
- 12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
- 16.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
- 17.PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Last modified : Tue Sep 17 18:14:28 JST 2024