CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Page 1 of 4
Ethics Assignment Term 2, 2014
Topic
Freedom of Speech
Due Date
Week 6 – Friday, 29 August 2014, 5:00 pm
Worth
20% (40 marks – ITECH 3203)
20% (50 marks – ITECH 7203)
Course Objectives
This assessment task relates to the following course objectives:
· understand the principles of the Australian Computer Society Code of Ethics to IT professional practice
· value and understand the legal, social and ethical issues involved in IT professional practice within a
cultural context
Background
Proposed changes to the law that give more emphasis to freedom of speech are currently being considered by
the Australian parliament. Modern communication technologies allow for the transmission of opinion to a
larger and more diverse audience. To what extent should Australian law limit one person's speech to minimise
the impact on another?
Requirements
Prepare a business report on this issue that provides a brief historical background of freedom of speech as a
universal human right and outlines some examples of where free speech should be limited on the grounds of
each of the well-being of others (utilitarianism), impartiality (deontology), conflict with other human rights
(social contract), the behaviour of a virtuous person (character-based) and the principles of the ACS Code of
Ethics.
For assistance in report writing techniques, see: http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/report/4b.html 1
The report structure described by this source should be followed plus additional headings listed in the
Assessment Feedback tables at the end of this task description.
1
University of Wollongong. (n.d.). The Structure of Business Reports. Retrieved on 25 July, 2014.
ITECH3203/7203
Professional Development
Faculty of ScienceITECH3203/7203
Professional Development
Faculty of Science
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Prof. Dev. Ethics Assignment 2014_17 Page 2 of 4
The introduction section should provide context and background on the issue of freedom of speech. It should
clearly indicate the problem being discussed and provide an overview of how you intend to address
the problem and proposed solution(s).
The body section of the report should contain a brief background of the history of freedom of speech and an
overview of each of the four ethical theories, and the ACS code of ethics. It should include a discussion and
proposed solution for the problem, from each of the four ethical theoretical viewpoints, and the ACS code of
ethics. The discussion should show an analysis and synthesis of research undertaken and your own ideas.
Writing should be validated with concepts from other people’s work. Gather these references from various
sources such as the Internet, assigned text books and readings etc. For assistance with in-text referencing
and formatting your reference list in APA format, see the General Guide: APA citation style.
Academic Writing and Presentation
Please refer to the General guide to referencing, available electronically on the
university’s website. URL:
http://federation.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/164121/FedUni-General-Guide-to-Referencing-2014.pdf
Adhere to academic writing standards such as correct grammar and spelling as well as the rules for
referencing and in-text citing given in the guide.
Additional Tasks for Postgraduate (ITECH 7203) Students
Provide an annotated bibliography of your sources and discuss for this topic where and why you would rely on
the law to limit freedom of speech and where you would use education to encourage the right of freedom of
speech to be used ethically. The annotated bibliography should be included in an appendix. Allow an
additional 500 words.
Submission
Submit an ELECTRONIC copy via Moodle. Please refer to the “Course Description” for information
regarding late assignments, extensions, special consideration, and plagiarism. Remember that all academic
regulations can be accessed via the university’s website.
URL: http://federation.edu.au/students/essential-info/publications/handbookITECH3203/7203
Professional Development
Faculty of Science
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Prof. Dev. Ethics Assignment 2014_17 Page 3 of 4
Assessment Feedback
ITECH 3203 Students
Student
Elements Marking Scale
Poor Excellent
1 ……….. 5
Introduction 0
Background – freedom of speech 0
Theory outline & analysis - Utilitarianism 0
- Deontology 0
- Social contract 0
- Character based 0
- ACS 0
Academic writing and referencing 0
Total Mark [40 marks] 0.0
Total Work [20%] 0.0
CommentsITECH3203/7203
Professional Development
Faculty of Science
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D Prof. Dev. Ethics Assignment 2014_17 Page 4 of 4
Assessment Feedback
ITECH 7203 Students
Student
Elements Marking Scale
Poor Excellent
1 ……….. 5
Introduction 0
Background 0
Theory outline & analysis - Utilitarianism 0
- Deontology 0
- Social contract 0
- Character based 0
- ACS 0
- Legal/ethical balance 0
Academic writing and referencing 0
Annotated bibliography 0
Total Mark [50 marks] 0.0
Total Work [20%] 0.0
Comments