CSC300F: Computers and Society

Eugene Fiume
Department of Computer Science
University of Toronto
Toronto , Ontario
Canada
M5S 3G4

elf at dgp dot toronto dot edu (e-mail is the best way to reach me ... apologies for the anti-spam e-mail address)
(+1) 416 978-5472


Course Particulars

Lecture Date, Time, Location: Thursdays, 2:00-4:00pm, Bahen Centre for Information Technology, Room BA1200
Tutorial Date, Time, Location: Mondays, 4:00pm, Bahen Centre for Information Technology, Rooms BA 1200/3116/3012
Office Hours: To be determined (send me e-mail)
Instructor: Eugene Fiume
Teaching Assistants: Christian Lessig (lessig at dgp.toronto.edu), Jonathan Lung (lungj at cs.toronto.edu), Michael Mior (mmior at cs.toronto.edu).
Tutorials: M4

Course Description

The innovations of computer science may scientifically exist in isolation, but once they are in the hands of real people, they have the potential to change our entire society. In this course we talk, argue and write about the ways in which computation, and more generally, information technology, interacts with the world.

Course Goals

The results of any science can have profound effects on society. Computer science (together with computer engineering) have had a particularly deep and rapid impact in this regard. The goal of this course is to stimulate thinking into the complex relationships between the contributions of computer science and how they play out in the world. Our classes will be discussion oriented, and your assignments will require considerable thought, research and reflection. In so doing, I expect you to develop a deeper appreciation in the following topics.
  1. The effect of information technology in society.
  2. The impact of the Internet, including net neutrality, net identity, and the delivery of digital media on everyday life.
  3. Evolving concepts of copyright of digital media.
  4. "Computing for good", or socially aware information technology.
  5. Ethical considerations in information technology.
  6. Algorithmic and system design in a social context.


Course Textbook or other Required Resource Material

There is no official course textbook. I will draw your attention to various readings throughout the course that generally will be available on the web. Please visit the content page for this course frequently. Because this is very much an open-ended course, I would be interested in hearing from you regarding works that are relevant to the topics we shall discuss.


Marking Scheme

This is not a "normal" computer science course, though it may become more normal in time. As such it has a different kind of marking scheme. The course will have considerable discussion, research and writing expectations. There will be 5 assignments worth 70-75% of your grade, and one final project worth 25-30%. The table below gives a provisional work schedule and marking scheme based on 5 assignments. If we move to fewer or more assignments, their weight will still be spread equally across the overall weight, and the due dates may be adjusted. I stress that the assignments are research oriented (meaning you will have to look things up yourself) and will often require essay-style answers.

The assignments web page is here. Individual assignments that are available can be clicked on in the table below.

Work Due Weight
Assignment 1 Monday 28 September 2009 15%
Assignment 2 Tuesday 13 October 2009 15%
Assignment 3 Wednesday 28 October 2009 15%
Assignment 4 Sunday 15 November 2009 15%
Assignment 5 Monday 23 November 2009 15%
Project Friday 4 December 2009 25%


Your written work is due, meaning it must have been submitted electronically, by midnight of the due date. The late policy is:
  1. 10% off for the first calendar day it is submitted late.
  2. An additional 20% off for the second calendar day it is late (30% total).
  3. An additional 30% off for the third calendar day it is late (60% total).
  4. An additional 40% off for the fourth calendar day it is late (100% total).
...in other words, don't be late unless you have a very good reason!

Computer Accounts

Everyone successfully enrolled in this class will get a computer login on the Linux-based network of machines operated, and collectively known as, Computing Disciplines Facility, or CDF (see the CDF Welcome page). Some may already know what your logins are. You can always ask me, but the easiest way is to do it online by going to the CDF webfinger, which allows you to search for your login. The form of your login will be c7LLLLLL, where "LLLLLL" is the first letters of your student card.

You won't be doing any programming in this course (unless you want to do it in your project), but you will need regular access to the Internet to look up articles and do research. Also, we are setting up a discussion page that will require your CDF login for access.

Undergraduate Announcements

Please consult the Undergraduate Announcements page regularly. You'll get the scoop on lots of things relevant to Computer Science undergraduates.

Last updated: 22 September, 2009