This project-based capstone is intended for computer science seniors. Students will meet weekly to discuss seminal papers and issues in computer science, many of which will focus on the ethical and professional responsibilities of computer scientists. In addition, each student will co-design, implement, and present a project that integrates computer science content from his or her major courses. It is expected that the project will involve building a software and/or Web-based product, such as database of resources for a non-profit organization, a mobile app for locating classrooms on campus, or an interactive, multimedia Web site for a student group.

Specific objectives:

• Students will study and understand the significance of seminal works in computer science as well as cutting edge research and technologies.
• Students will address ethical issues within the computing discipline, and be able to apply and evaluate arguments from different viewpoints (e.g., rule-based ethics, utilitarianism) to real-world situations within the profession.
• Students will co-design and implement a semester-long project that integrates concepts from across the computer science curriculum.
• Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills through a project presentation.

This course meets the Magis Core requirements for Designated Ethics and Designated Oral Communication. As such, it has the following additional goals:

• Students will adapt the content and style of communication to a variety of rhetorical and aesthetic situations.
• Students will effectively use oral ... and/or non-verbal language appropriate to the audience, occasion, and context.
• Students will distinguish the morally relevant features of complex practical situations in the context of a chosen academic discipline, profession, or sphere of ethical responsibility.
• Students will use fundamental moral theories to form well-reasoned judgments about how to conduct themselves ethically in the context of a chosen academic discipline, profession, or sphere of ethical responsibility.
• Students will evaluate critically the relationship between their ethical presuppositions, their responsibilities to society, and the values of their chosen academic discipline, profession, or sphere of ethical responsibility.

The class will meet weekly to discuss current and historical papers in computer science. Many of these papers will focus on ethical issues in computer science, and the responsibilities of computing professionals. Students will provide summaries of each paper before the assigned discussion period, and will also present two 5-10 minute biographies of computing pioneers during the semester.

Each student will complete a 10 page midterm paper on the ethical issues related to a real-world situation. This will involve researching different viewpoints, taking a position, and justifying that position using data and supporting arguments. An example topic might be the case of Edward Snowden, exploring whether his actions were ethical and justified.

In addition, students will work in 3-person teams to design, develop, and present a software project. The project must integrate content from the computer science curriculum. For example, developing a mobile application that connects to a customer database would integrate concepts from Data Structures, Web Programming, and Databases.

The final grade for the course will be based on the following weightings:

Seminar-style discussions	25%
Biographical presentations	10%
Midterm paper     paper outline (5%)     midway checkpoint (20%)	25%
Capstone project     project proposal (4%)     project status report (3%)     project demo (3%)     deliverables (15%)     practice presentation (5%)     presentation (10%)	40%

At the minimum, departmental grading cutoffs for the final average will apply. That is, 93-100% guarantees an A, 90-92 an A-, 87-89% a B+, 83-86% a B, 80-82 a B-, 77-79% a C+, 73-76% a C, 70-72 a C-, and 60-70% a D. Depending on class performance, some shifting of grades (in an upward direction only) may occur as final letter grades are assigned.

Students are expected to attend in-person and be actively engaged in the discussion. If you must miss a class because of an emergency (non-health related), you are expected to notify the instructor as soon as possible. In the event of illness (fever/chills, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, lack of taste/smell, etc.) please register your condition with the COVID-19 Screening App CampusClear and notify the instructor. Unexcused absences will adversely affect the student's discussion grade.

Students in this course will adhere to all Creighton community standards, including treating each other with respect and maintaining confidence with respect to comments made during discussions. It is expected that all students check their Creighton email accounts regularly. Official announcements, such as assignment revisions or class cancellations, will be distributed through Creighton email.

Instructor office hours will be conducted in person, but Zoom meeting can be scheduled by request.

Creighton's policy on cheating and plagiarism is spelled out in the Student Handbook, with college procedures available online. In addition, the Capstone project must be an original work of the student or team of students for this course. When the project builds upon existing ideas or code, the sources must be appropriately referenced.