Social and Professional Issues in IT
Knowledge Objectives
Understand the ethical principles and guidelines that govern IT
professionals.
Recognize the social and economic implications of technological
advancements.
Be aware of current trends and emerging challenges in the IT industry.
Develop critical thinking skills to analyze complex ethical dilemmas.
Appreciate the importance of professional responsibility and ethical
conduct in IT.
Skills Objectives
Apply ethical frameworks to make informed decisions in IT-related
situations.
Evaluate the impact of technology on society and individuals.
Communicate effectively on complex ethical issues.
Collaborate with others to address social and professional challenges in
IT.
Stay updated on emerging technologies and their implications.
Attitude Objectives
Develop a sense of professional responsibility and ethical conduct.
Foster a commitment to using technology for positive social impact.
Cultivate a critical and reflective mindset towards technology.
Appreciate the importance of lifelong learning and professional
development in IT.
Demonstrate respect for diversity and inclusivity in the IT field.
Module 1: Introduction to Social and Professional Issues in IT
Definition of IT: Understanding the scope and applications of
information technology.
Social and Professional Impact: How IT has influenced society and
professional practices.
Ethical Considerations: Introducing fundamental ethical principles in
IT.
Module 2: Ethical Issues in IT
Privacy and Surveillance: Discussing the ethical implications of data
collection, storage, and use.
Bias and Discrimination: Analyzing how algorithms and AI can
perpetuate biases.
Intellectual Property: Examining issues related to copyright,
patents, and trademarks.
Digital Divide: Exploring the unequal access to technology and its
implications.
Module 3: Professional Ethics and Conduct
Code of Ethics: Understanding the principles and guidelines that
govern IT professionals.
Conflict of Interest: Identifying potential conflicts of interest and how
to manage them.
Professional Responsibility: Discussing the obligations of IT
professionals to their employers, clients, and society.
Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks: Learning various approaches
to making ethical choices in IT.
Module 4: Social Impact of IT
Job Displacement: Analyzing the impact of automation and AI on
employment.
Cybersecurity Threats: Exploring the risks and challenges of
protecting digital information.
Digital Addiction: Understanding the negative consequences of
excessive technology use.
Digital Divide: Examining strategies to bridge the digital divide.
Module 5: Current Trends and Future Challenges
Emerging Technologies: Discuss the potential social and ethical
implications of new technologies (e.g., AI, IoT, blockchain).
Global Issues: Exploring IT-related challenges on a global scale (e.g.,
cybersecurity, data privacy).
Future Trends: Predicting potential developments and their impact on
society.
Case Studies and Discussions
Real-world examples: Analyzing case studies of ethical dilemmas,
social impacts, and professional challenges in IT.
Group discussions: Facilitating discussions on controversial topics
and encouraging critical thinking.
These topics (modules), except for the first one, will be discussed
alternately by the class (class president to identify presenters). It is a
must that you should present real case studies (minimum of 2) about the
lesson. Local cases are encouraged.
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