Task
Length:
Minimum 1500 words
Maximum 2000 words
Instructions

Choose one ethical issue arising from the use of ICT that has been reported in the press in the last one year, and discuss it in depth. Show why or how the technology creates or contributes to the problem. Produce an article, discussing both sides of the issue (pros and cons) drawing on both technical and philosophical literature. In addition, argue for your own view of the matter, giving your reasons for your point of view and showing why you believe that they are better than opposing views.
You will be assessed on your ability to reason, analyse and present cogent argument for the particular case. You should outline the main statement you wish to make about your chosen ethical issue along with your reasons and others’ objections to it. You may use any appropriate technique to set out the basic structure of your article.
Examples

1. In the recent years there have been considerable discussions on Internet content regulation. In an examination of this issue, you may like to present a discussion of the pros and cons of censorship in general, and how these general principles apply to the Internet, and also some of the technical issues associated with Internet content regulation. Your main focus statements could be, for example: Internet content ought to be regulated (alternatively, Internet content ought not to be regulated); information wants to be free and Content regulation is just censorship under another name.

2. Privacy is a perennial issue. Hardly a week passes without some report in the press about something that is causing concern, whether it be new data manipulation tools, online social media, search engines, new legislation, or whatever. Your main focus statements could be, for example: privacy on the internet ought to be protected; both government and relevant industry sector should come together to ensure personal privacy on the internet. There are of course many other arguments that could be presented about the issue of privacy.
You are required to submit the following:

A comprehensive and coherent article containing your critical analysis of the ICT related ethical issue.

Your article should present the following:

- the main point(s) of the issue.

- the pros and cons for the main point(s) (your reasons and objections as well as those of others) including a critique of the effectiveness of the arguments presented.
- conclusions logically drawn from the analysis presented.

- the ethics technique worksheet you used to form the basis of your analysis. [Use the technique described in Reading 3: Simpson, R. et. al. (2003). Doing ethics: A universal technique in an accessibility context. AJIS, 10(2), 127-133. The article is also available from http://journal.acs.org.au/index.php/ajis/article/view/159/141 ]
Referencing
All sources of information must be appropriately referenced using the APA style ( http://student.csu.edu.au/library/integrity/referencing-at-csu )

Online submission via Turnitin is required for this assignment. Details will be provided by your subject lecturer.

Rationale
This assignment relates to the following subject learning outcomes:
be able to discuss various philosophical theories of ethics and how these relate to the ethical and legal issues raised by current practices involving ICT;
be able to apply ethical theories and concepts to analyse ICT related ethical dilemmas;
Depending on the ethical scenario chosen, the assignment also relates to one or more of the following subject learning outcomes:
be able to discuss professionalism and professional responsibility in the context of the ICT profession;
be able to critically analyse and apply the various concepts of professional ethics;
be able to critique ethical issues related to privacy, intellectual property and regulating the cyberspace;
be able to analyse and evaluate social and work related ethical issues and principles.
Marking criteria
CRITERIA
STANDARDS
FL
PS
CR
DI
HD
1. Description of scenario to be analysed

Marks: 10
Major omissions.
Description of the scenario to be analysed has been presented. Some omissions.
Mostly clear and comprehensive description of the scenario to be analysed. Some omissions.
Mostly clear and comprehensive description of the scenario to be analysed.
Clear and comprehensive description of the scenario to be analysed.
2. Identification of relevant ethical issue(s)

Marks: 10
Major omissions.
Ethical issues involved in the chosen scenario identified and introduced. Some omissions.
Ethical issues involved in the chosen scenario clearly identified and introduced. Some omissions.
All ethical issues involved in the chosen scenario clearly identified and introduced. Minor omissions only.
All ethical issues involved in the chosen scenario clearly identified and introduced.
3. Evidence of research
Marks: 25
Either no evidence of literature being consulted or irrelevant to the assignment set.
Literature is presented uncritically, in a purely descriptive way and indicates limitations of understanding. Referencing style mostly correctly used. Some errors.
Clear evidence and application of readings relevant to the subject; uses indicative texts identified. Referencing style mostly correctly used. Minor errors only.
Able to critically appraise the literature and theory gained from variety of sources, developing own ideas in the process. Referencing style correctly used.
Developed and justified own ideas based on a wide range of sources which have been thoroughly analysed, applied and discussed. Referencing style correctly used.
4. Reasoning/Analysis (subdivided as follows)

Marks: 45
- Knowledge and application of ethical principles

Marks: 20

Major omissions.
Relevant ethical theories are applied to substantiate arguments. Some omissions.
Relevant ethical theories are appropriately applied to substantiate arguments. Some omissions.
All relevant ethical theories are mostly appropriately applied to substantiate arguments. Minor omissions only.
All relevant ethical theories are appropriately applied to substantiate arguments.
- Balance of pros and cons in arguments

Marks: 15
Major omissions.
Pros and cons in arguments are presented. Some omissions.
Pros and cons in arguments are mostly appropriately balanced. Some omissions.
Pros and cons in arguments are mostly correctly presented and are appropriately balanced. Minor omissions only.
Pros and cons in arguments are correctly presented and are appropriately balanced.
- Coherence and logical presentation of ethics technique worksheet

Marks: 10
Major omissions
The Ethics Technique Worksheet is presented in the Appendix. Some omissions.
The Ethics Technique Worksheet is mostly complete and correctly presented in the Appendix. Some omissions.
The Ethics Technique Worksheet is mostly complete and correctly presented in the Appendix. Very minor omissions only.
The Ethics Technique Worksheet is complete and correctly presented in the Appendix.
5. Presentation (including title, subheadings, 1 1/2 spacing, paragraphs) and grammar and spelling.
Marks: 10

Writing style not fluent or well-organised, and many grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Writing style not always fluent or well organised and grammar and spelling contain errors.
Mostly fluent writing style appropriate to the assignment with mostly accurate grammar and spelling. Minor omissions only.
Mostly Fluent writing style appropriate to assignment with accurate grammar and spelling.
Fluent writing style appropriate to the assignment with accurate grammar and spelling.