Ethics Case Studies

Online Tutorial: Crash Course in Copyright

Who owns information and ideas?

How is intellectual property protected?

Should we consider a more "socialist" view of intellectual property and consider it more public than private property?

Some have argued that no government in the world knows more about its citizens than the United States Government, yet no citizenry in the world is as free as U.S. citizens.  If this is true, why is it true? 

What is distinctive about the American system of government that allows our balance of privacy and freedom?  How does the Internet affect this?

How can Americans protect privacy and freedom? 

Ethics/Law

General Information

YCP Policies

1. Schmidt Library: Acceptable Use Policy
2. YCP Information Systems Policy Statement
3. York College Student Handbook

1. The Electronic Frontier Foundation

Ethics

Plagiarism

1. Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It -- Indiana U Bloomington
2. Cut-and-Paste Plagiarism -- Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe
3. Plagiarism Articles, Case Studies, Detection Tools, and more -- Sharon Stoerger

Ethics of Group Work

1. Overview:  Working in Groups -- Colorado State U
2. Guidelines for Working in Groups -- West Chester U
3. The Essential Elements of Cooperative Learning in the Classroom - ERIC Digest

Digital Divide

1. The Digital Divide: A Resource List -- UCLA
2. The Digital Divide Network
3. Study finds gaps in digital divide theory -- CNET, October 29, 2003

Law

Computer Abuse & Crime

1. Cybercrime - Britannica Online
2. Identity Theft - Federal Trade Commission

1. Copyright Basics - U.S. Copyright Office
2. Purdue University Copyright Office - excellent overview of copyright issues and laws including basics, fair use, public domain, and current cases and legislation.
3. Copyright Website - see examples of famous copyright infringements; includes sound and video
4. 10 Big Myths about Copyright Explained -- Brad Templeton
5. Chilling Effects Clearinghouse: Monitoring the Legal Climate of the Internet -- Chilling Effects Clearinghouse
6. World Intellectual Property Organization
7. Fair Use Issues - Copyright Management Center
8. When Works Pass Into the Public Domain -- Cornell U

Freedom of Speech

1. First Amendment of the Bill of Rights - ALA
2. Free Expression and the Internet - Center for Dem and Tech

Patriot Act

1. Frequently Asked Questions about the USA PATRIOT Act - Colorado Association of Libraries

Privacy

1. privacy, rights of, Britannica Online
2. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
3. Online Privacy Tools -- Australian Govt, Office of the Privacy Commissioner
4. Spyware/Adware - NC State U
5. The Unofficial Cookie FAQs -- David Whalen

Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, ethical and security implications of creating, sharing and using information

Click here for specific outcomes

Plato

"Plato posed the central ethics issue addressed in this publication in The Republic: suppose you had a ring which, when you turned the stone, made you invisible.  Why then should you act justly?  The same question faces today's computer user who, with technology's aid, can effectively become invisible. 

The problem was ancient in Plato's time; the philosopher makes his point with the Ring of Gyges already a legend in 400 BC. The ethical questions we face today are as old as the pyramids, and the circumstances as new as the latest piece of computer software.  How do we best assure the just and effective use of the new technologies that are an increasingly vital part of both our personal and professional lives?"