CS 1050 - Computers in Society

Survey of the social issues that surround the increasingly pervasive roles that computers play in society. Topics include privacy of personal information, encryption and interception of communications, risks posed by unreliable computer systems, freedom of speech in cyberspace, intellectual property as it relates to downloadable media, computer-based crime, and computers in the workplace. Case studies will focus on computer-related issues of current public interest. No background in computer technology is required or assumed beyond the ability to use a computer to send e-mail, browse the web, and write papers.