ENGR/PHIL 482 Ethics and Engineering Fall2013 Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:20-11:10am/1:50-2:40pm, Zachry 102 Dr. Ed Harris YMCA411
[email protected] .tamu.edu 979-845-5697 Office hrs: By appointment, please e-mail
Dr. Ray W. James, P.E. CE/TTl201
[email protected] 979-845-1353 Office Ill's: By appointment, please e-mail
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Development of techniques of moral analysis and their application to ethical problems encountered by engineers, such as professional employee rights and whistle blowing; environmental issues; ethical aspects of safety, risk and liability; conflicts of interest; emphasis on developing the capacity for independent ethical analysis of real and hypothetica l cases. LEARNING OUTCOMES AND MAJOR OBJECTIVES
As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to: ll Know some common methods for analyzing and resolving ethical problems 0 Develop the capacity to think analytically, critically, and creatively about ethical issues in engineering 0 Know some of the classic cases in engineering ethics and some of the typical ethical and professional issues which arise in engineering 0 Know the NSPE code, the code of their own professional society, and the major professional societies and organizations in engineering 0 Improve skills in effective communication, both oral and written
To achieve these outcomes and objectives, students will be given the opportunity and encouraged to pmticipate actively in class discussions. The methods of critical technical writing will be introduced, and students will be required to do a substantial amount ofwriting in response to the material presented in the course. PREREQUISITES:
Junior classification
REQUIRED TEXTS
Charles E. Harris, MichaelS. Pritchard, Michael J. Rabins, Ray James, and Elaine EngleJ1ardt Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases, 5th ed. (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2013). Additional readings are available on the course website.
ACCESS TO CLASS MATERIALS
Access class materials tlu-ough eLeaming at http://elearn ing.tamu.edu To log in, select the top box labeled "TAMU (Net ID)" and login with your NetiD and password. You will be presented with a screen with a list of courses associated with your name. Select the Ethics and Engineering course. ATTEN I>ANCE AN I> PARTIClPA TION
Student attendance is expected. Attendance will not be recorded and graded in the Monday/ Wednesday lectures. It will be recorded and graded in the Friday recitation sections. Students should arrive for c lass on time. Students should stay until class is dismissed. Abbreviated lecture notes will be made available on eLearning. ASSIGNMENTS
Reading Quizzes on E-leaming Assigned readings for a given date should be completed before class begins. There will be an assigned weekly quiz on eLearning before most Friday Recitation Sessions. The reading quizzes will cover the textbook and selected readings relevant to the lectures and recitation discussion. Students will have thirty minutes to complete the quiz, and may use their book. Quizzes must be completed before midnight on Thursday. These reading quizzes will be multiple choice.
In-Class Quizzes There will be frequent unannounced in-class Monday/ Wednesday quizzes to encourage attendance and to ensure that students are thinking reflectively about the course material. These quizzes may be given at any time and will be short answer of fill in the blank format. For the sake of the best use of class time, there will be a strict time limit for finishing quizzes. Students who arrive late to class will not receive any extra time to complete a quiz administered at the beginning of c lass. Students who arrive afte r the time limit for the quiz, will receive a zero for that quiz. TAs will grade, return, and review quizzes in recitation. Students will not be permitted to make up quizzes. If a student has a University-excused absence on a quiz day, then the quiz grade w ill be left blank, which will neither help nor hurt the student's final average.
Writing Assignments In-Class Writing Assignments In-class wl'iting assignments will be written during many Friday recitations and will be included in the student's participation grade for that Friday session. Barring a legitimate excuse, failure to complete the · in-class writing assignment will result in a participation grade of zero (0) for that particular recitation session, even if the student was otherwise in attendance that day. If a s~udent misses a recitation session but has a University Excused Absence, then he/she is excused from completing that day's in-class writing assignment.
2
Out-Of-Class Writing Assignments Sludents will complete several out-of-class writing assignments, to be described below. These writi ng assignments must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font with l-inch margins. C itations should be done in accordance with the iEEE citation manual (http://www.ieee.org/documents/iccccitationref.pdf). If a student prefers to use another citation manual, he/she must first get permission fi·om his/her TA.
Papers will be graded by the student's TA, and all papers submitted to theTA must also be submitted to turnitin.com. A link to turnitin.com can be found on eLearning. Each of the writing assignments has a minimum page length, as specified below. Many of these writing assigmnents have one ot· more mandatory peer review sessions.lfa student misses a peer review session and has no Unive1:s·ity Excused Absence, ten ( 10) points per peer review session missed w ill be deducted ji·om the student 'sfinal grade on that assignment. If a student misses a peer review but has a University Excused Absence, then he/she is required to attend a help session at the Univendty Writing Center and must show proofof this to his/her TA in order to avoid the ten point penalty. Failure to meet the length requirements on an assignment will result in a maximum grade ofa sixty {60) on the assignment. Tables ofcontents, works cited, figures, and blank spaces usedforformatling purposes will not count towards· the essay length. Personal and Professional Ethical Statement This assigmnent has two components: Students will fu·st discuss the foundation of and provide specific examples oftb.ir personal ethics. Second, students will discuss their professional aspirations (as an engineer, lawyer, physician, clergy member, etc.) and how these aspirations are connected to their personal commitments. Students must make specific reference to their intended discipline's professional code of ethics. This assignment must be at least two (2) full pages. Peer review tor this assigmnent will be held on Friday, Febmary l s1• This assignment is due Monday, Febmary 4 111 • Ethical Arguments Assignment This assignment consists of a series of arguments concerning the ethicality of the legal concept of eminent domain. First, students must write a brief introduction explaining what eminent domain is and how it is typically applied. Then, students must make six ethical arguments concerning eminent domain: l) An argument in favor of eminent domain using the rule utilitarian perspective. 2) An argument in favor of a specific instance of eminent domain using the act utilitarian perspective. 3) An argument in favor of em inent domain using the cost-benefit analysis. 4) An argument opposed to eminent domain using the golden rule perspective. 5) An argument opposed to eminent domain using the self-defeating perspective. 6) An argument opposed to eminent domain using the rights perspective. There is no need for this assignment as a whole to be written in essay format (i.e., there does not need to be an overall thesis, conclusion, etc.). Instead, the introduction and the six ethical arguments are independent sections that do not necessarily need to refer to one another. The purpose of this assignment is to help students practice applying these ethical tests in written form before the midterm exam and final project reports. This assigmnent must be at least two (2) fitll pages. This assignment is due Friday, February 15111 • Professional Email Students will select an engineering project about which to wri te; this prqject must have at least one ethical dimension. Then students will e-mail a Professional Project Proposal to their T A. This e-mail will explain the project topic and its ethical dimensions, the student's interest in the project, and why the project matters to society in general. Finally, the email will have a tentative thesis that the student will hope to defend in the fmal report. The Professional Project Proposal e-mail is due to the students' TA before midnight on Monday, March 4th. It will count as one quiz grade. Project Report Drajl 3
Students will complete a Project Report Draft. This draft, which must be at least six (6) pages, will receive substantive comments by theTA. Drafts shorter than six pages will not be accepted. Students who fail to complete the Project Report Draft will receive a zero on the Project Report Final Version. Students who turn in the Project Report Draft late will have five (5) points removed from their Final Report grade for each day the Draft is late. If a student puts in an unacceptable effort on the Draft, points will be removed from the Project Report Fiual Version at theTA's discretion. Bottom Line: We take the Draft seriously and hope that students will as well. A geer review will be held in recitation on Friday, March 22"d; the Draft is due on Wednesday, March 27 .
Project Report Final Version Students will revise and resubmit their project report. A peer review will be held in recitation on Friday, Aprill9111 • The Project Report Final Version is due before midnight on Monday, April22nd. This assignment must be at least six (6) pages in length. To improve technical writing skills, please visit the Undergraduate University Writing Center, located in the Evans Library. Exa.ns There will be one mid-term and one final exam. The mid-tenn will include both short-answer essay and multiple choice questions. Essay questions will involve real or hypothetical cases. Students will be asked to identifY the moral questions raised in a case and then provide analysis of how to answer these questions using specified ethical frameworks. The final exam will be multiple choice. EVALUATION
Pmticipation and Attendance in Recitation Sessions Quizzes Personal and Professional Ethical Statement Ethical Analysis Paper Project Report Final Version Midterm Exam
l 0% 10% I 0% 5% 25% 20%
Final Exam
20%
GRADlNG
A B
c
D F
90%- 100% 80%-<90% 70%-<80% 60%-<70% <60%
This is a Writing Intensive course. Accm·ding to guidelines, failure to earn an average of at least aD on the writing assignments (Personal and Protessional Ethical Statement and the Project Report Final Version) will result in a grade ofF in the course, regardless of other grades.
4
GRADE COMPLAINTS
We will be more than happy to discuss and possibly change grades. First, you must wait at least 24 hours after you get the assignment back. Take this time to carefully review all the comments give by instructors. Second, you must come with a written statement about why they think there is a discrepancy between the quality of the work and the grade it received. Third, you must present the written statement within one week ofthe date the assignment is returned. AGGIE HONOR CODE & A CADEM IC INTEGRJTY
"An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do." The Honor Code and the Honor Council Rules and Procedures can be found at http://aggiehonor. ta mu.edu/ University rules concerning scholastic dishonesty will be rigorously enforced in tltis class. Plagiarism is defined in the T AMU Student Rules as the "appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, o1· words without giving appropriate credit." You should credit your use of anyone else's words, graphic images, or ideas using standard citation styles. Moreover, you may not submit your own work fi·om another course. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System. A single incident of cheating may lead to an F* in the class.
Submitting an assignment late is faa· bettea· than plagial"izing. Late assignments will be penalized 5% foa· each day late. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) POLICY STATEMENT
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. lfyou believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B 118, or call 845-163 7. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu
5
Engineering & Ethics--Fall 2013 Sthedule MW 10:00·10:50 AM, or MW 1:50-12.:40-;md friday Recltattons TBA ~~Professors: Dr. Rav W. J~-;:;;~·;;p.E, (AM lecture); Dr. Christl Madsen, P.E. (PM teciUfe) ~HIL P;ofessors: Dr. C, E, "Ed" Harrill ___ ~ -TcxtbO{l)<: Ht~rrl$ et aJ., Engineering EthJcs.. concnpts ~llll Cllies, Sth nd., 20J4, 9m8age week Meeting Oate Topldotthls meeting EJI!GR/PHil<181
Rll~poMlblc-
Instructor
Assigned
R~adlng
As~lgnment{sj ou~
-~
{PH!l=Dr, ll~rrl~; ENGit<>Ors, (bef('lre thi~ JamesorMadsen) meeUng) l
Mon 26-Aug·B Wed 28·Aug-l3
Fri 30-Aug-13
Introduction -------------+-----;;;,Hc,/;-1..---··--· ·--·-·-·--+----------i "eo=,=,=~:,c,o:M;:o="""=tv=.•,,c.,=,c,:,;Ci&>poc,:,-;;f~$1;,;-aoi=E
2
Man 2·Sep-13
Assign Perlona/o;iiP{Oj;S$;:;;,:=,.=/O
·R.,dratfun: lntrodudlon,
Moral problems: Anal\lllng Into four components; creattve middle
PHIL
Eh.2
W>f'
r-- -··-·Wed o,.-,,:,.,.:cc13>-l,~,c,.:C,c,"':"c,:,:,1c.w"'"""c.,:,:,."'"'~:;-------·---------r----,;;;"'"'---t------+---------l Fri ~sec.,.c,;;,c-·l;,c,:""'c:o':,,c,:,c,:.,:,c.'":d•,~=.:,c.,:a"-l•"''"':,:,,:,c.~c-----·--
Mon
9-~p-13
Wed 1i·Scp·13
Fri 13-Sep-13
""
~t;;j·;r;i~;:;:.-and Respect for Persons
PHIL ...--.---·-·------------
Enwtleeifog·c;;m·m~i~i~~ti~~=~~~O"H•'l:ro-,.-,:,.-":,:,,-,,cb:!l:,:,,-,:,u,:,+----:EN;G;R:
-··-----------! Personal ~nd Profes~ional
safety, and welfaro {and foryourprofeSlional succeSl) Ethical Statementdu~ Redwtlon: /'eetrevlew for"P~,=~·:.,o,:i,':.,::Cd~P"'"''~'~:=.:,,c,:C,c,olhc;,c,:.,--i---~Tc.,.,c----+-------t==:c.:=====---1 Statement; using r:itations in pllperj; ossf{ln llllrl d~wss ethlwl onulys/s I)Qper
4
Mon 16-Sep-13
f----+--ww.:..,:;liiS~p--13 fri20·Sep-13 Moo
l.::l·Sep-13
Plofesslonal codes and profes~lon~l societi
Profe~~ional msponslbilities:
ctwllenger and 01lr1~bin
ENGR
Od
--·--,;EN;;c,G,;----t---+-----..---..- ·.. ·
R~cilation:Cosu;i;;rt0;,:,,cw:,c.u>eh~cc:,,c,.,c":"c":'"::--------i---~,c.,.c----+-------f--·-·--·~n·al raspoflslbllties: The Ma~o=o:odc,.:,o:,,:.=,c.,.:,:,o,o;lhc,c,,c,:,=,,.!-----,,c.NG~R;;----ii;oeo=,=,~4=G-----f----------j thn De~piVllter tforli:on
Wed 25-Sep-13
Frl 27-.'inp-.1.3 6
Mon 30-Sep-13
"Henry's Ormghters" (11/r!r.a) Recttutlon; k;slgn und discuss Pro]er:t Repcn; RWI!rse Outli11e exercise: Rl!kM~nagement:
ENGR
The Engineering viewpoint
Ch.6
-t--c,.:,cdt2:_0cttc·c1~,-'",:1 ,c,:M:,-,,-,-,m-,,=,-.:~-,-,-,c,1o1 c;~"d:go,,=,~,,c,.=c,~,,"1 o~:.,o1c,,",:,---r---,,;NoG""----t------i~---------l viewpulnt
--+---.,o:,,J,:;-;-o«"-13;;--f.,~,O
--··----------+---,,..
Wed 9-0ct-13
Fri11-0ct-13
Midterm £xarri flee/tat/an:
All
Wrltlng 11 StrongThesls, Olscus,c=t,c"c":.,coo:;lc,,.::::Nc,c,":,c,=, \----,,i,.:----t-------J------·--
by Wh~lchel and Soda/ Networking Technology and tho Virtues by
vanor
,
_______ ...._,____ Ch.4
' sftld/es 9
Mon 21-0ct-13
Wed ?3-0ct·13
Privacy and wmput!ng
,,:,,c.,:,'c,,c,"'cc,c,c,~,:w:,.=,=,,c,p-:-;'"c.':''"'•=ct=o=•l"p=,-,=,=nv=tll=,=,:,---+------ ..--....--- ---·-----+----------1
10
Fri 1-Nov·13 ll
Mon 4-Nov-13
Fr!S-I'{ov--13 Mon 11-Nov-.13
Fri 15-Nov--13 13
Mon 18·Nov-13 Wed 20.Nov-1a
Frt 22-Nov·B 14
Redtat/Qn:Casr< studies; dis(ussion.<
TA•
Cunent issues tn envlrunm~ntal ethics
Dr. Marl: Holbapple, f'E,
Recltotion:
'"'
Sustainable engineering
Or. Robin Autenrillth, P.E., ___ ,_j)_!,P.t of CM! Engrg. Or. Robin Autcnrl~th. P.E., Dept of Civil Engrg~
Casesludies TAs /nternatiooa1 en&i;;~M~g----·--------------1----.,oi/Cil___ ·-l~
~e--;;t-;;t-,;,;;:;;;~~01{Vide~---·--·-------j----.,,.NoGoRc----t------Recilntfun: Casll-Ifurlfes; PeerRevlew for l'rofl!'ct R~p
·cc-~~-::~--·_--_-t=====---c,~H~tLC=======r-------
Mon 2S·Nov·13
Asplratlonal ethlu
Mon 2-Dec-13
n~dt;;.;~~c~-;;-;1c,od,C:.,:,c;";:;"c,c,.o1,c,c,---------
TA>
"'H""''"c;;";;:m- - - - - - - ·..- -........
All
-·~wc,cdt2c7c·Ncoc,c.,",-lo,.~,cvcloocl~oc"_"c'"':.:_'"_':':':Pic~cuc,:,cl:,o,hci~:$-reporhfromstudents Involved in service l~arolng projec\s f----+--=cFrl29-Nov-13 - Thffli(;ST~tng:Hollday-nocla$s 15
Ch.8
.. ~~P.!·..':'L~~e1!'ical fngrg CUn<:nt Issue~ ln environmental ethiCs Dr. Mark Holtzapple, PE, "'~~;;----------------------------------1-·D0'"~"'c'cc''"r~~k~En~~-~f-----------1---------------
tba
ProJect Report oue -------·------
