UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES

FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Department of Computer Science and Information Technology

COURSE OUTLINE

1.0 Lecturer and Course Information

Name of Lecturer Alex Asante
Email alex.asante@ucc.edu.gh
Blog
Course Code/Title Professional Computing
Credit Hours 3
Nature of Delivery Interactive Lectures, Discussions & Presentations
Academic Year/Semester 2020/2021 / 1st Semester
Prerequisite None
Class Schedule/Venue Monday, 8:30-9:30, Wednesday, 16:30-18:30

2.0 Course Description

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the ethical, social and legal issues
that students need to acquire as they are being prepared for their professional practice.
Additionally, the course builds up personal and professional qualities of students so
that they will be able to provide ethically leadership roles in their respective fields.

 To develop honest and responsible professionals who will be able to perform

leadership roles in their respective fields.

3.0 Objective:
After completing this course, students will be able to:
 Appreciate the need to attach professionalism in their career
 Understand the implications of social, ethical and legal issues on ICT practice
 Acquire some core soft skills needed to prepare them as ICT professionals
 Acquire the knowledge of basic global ethical principles enshrined in ICT
professional practice
 Analyze ethical issues and resolve the problems them professionally.
 Exhibit ethical leadership qualities.

4.0 Course Content/Topics

 Introduction professional computing and ethics

 Common Ethical Issues/ Practices for IT Users
 Professional code of ethics/ethical responsibilities
 Computer/Cyber crime
 Uses, misuses and risks of software
 Information systems security, privacy and civil liberties.
 Privacy issues to storing and accessing information
 Professional ethics and the development of safety critical software system.
 Software licensing.
 Social network and ethical issues
 Creative commons licenses
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  Data Protection Laws and Cyber (Internet laws)
 Intellectual Property Rights in Information technology
 Health concerns of computer use and ergonomics
 Social and ethical implications of the Internet
 Social and ethical implications of social media
 Ethics and freedom of expression
 Surveillance ethics
 Presentation and other soft skills

5.0 Nature, Weighting and Schedule for Assessments

 Assignment – 20% ………………. Week 4
 Quiz – 20% ………………. Week 8
 Examination- 60% …………………Weeks 15-16

6.0 Suggested Reading List

Bynum, T. W. and Rogerson, S. (2003) Computer Ethics and

Professional Responsibility. Blackwell publishing

Deborah G. Johnson, D. G (1996). Computer Ethics

Floridi, L. (Ed.). (2010). The Cambridge Handbook of Information and Computer
Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Kizza, J. M. (Ed.). (1996). Social and Ethical Effects of the Computer Revolution.
McFarland Publishing