ITM 2000 Ethics AssignmentDue December 5, 2017

This assignment is intended to assess your:

  1. Awareness of ethical dimensions of Technology related issues
  2. Ability to evaluate business problems from multiple perspectives
  3. Ability to present a cogent argument to support your ethical position
  4. Understanding of the role of Corporate Social Responsibility in the area of technology/data aggregation
  5. Observe that parts D and E carry the greatest weigh in terms of how you will be assessed.
  6. The below grading rubric will assist you in assessing your own work. This is the same rubric that will be used by your instructor.

Attribute / Exceeds Expectations / Meets Expectations / Does Not Meet Expectations
Students are able to demonstrate an awareness of the ethical dimensions of the subject matter. / A very thorough recognition of the ethical issue(s) and dilemma(s), and of the alternative perspectives on the problem. / A reasonably complete recognition of the ethical issue(s) and dilemma(s), and of the alternative perspectives on the problem. / Little to partial recognition of the ethical issue(s) and dilemmas(s).
Students will demonstrate an ability to evaluate business problems from multiple ethical perspectives. / A very thorough and accurate analysis of the alternatives considered. / A reasonably complete and accurate analysis of the alternatives considered. / Little to incomplete analysis or a faculty analysis performed on the alternatives considered.
Students will demonstrate an ability to present a cogent argument to support their ethical position. / A very thorough review of pertinent facts; an absence of misinformation; use of authority is justified and elaborated; own experiences and observations are appropriately incorporated. / A consistent use of pertinent facts; an absence of misinformation; use of authority is justified and elaborated. / Little to incomplete use of pertinent facts; a reliance on misinformation; defaults to an authority without sufficient elaboration.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of Corporate Social Responsibility in the subject area. / A very thorough recognition of Corporate Social Responsibility relevant to the subject matter. / A reasonably complete recognition of Corporate Social Responsibility relevant to the subject matter. / Little to partial recognition of Corporate Social Responsibility relevant to the subject matter.

Part A (5%)

Section B of this assignment requires you to watch several on-line videos about the subject of Ethics developed by Santa Clara University, another Jesuit university. As you read/watch the videos and as you complete the other portions of this exercise, keep a vocabulary list of both new terms and terms that you have learned during the semester. A few terms are given below as examples. Define each term using either the course textbook, the definition given by the reading citation/video or using your own words. (Note: The number of entries given in the below table does not indicate the number of terms you should define. Add more rows as necessary.) Place the terms in alphabetical order.

Term / Definition
Accuracy (Data Accuracy)
Aggregate (Aggregation)
Big Data
Reliability (Data reliability)

Part B (5%)

Watch the 4 videos at the below locations for a broad discussion about the subject of “ethics in business.” Remember to update the above vocabulary list as you watch. Also as you watch the videos, take notes in the spaces provided. These notes will be helpful to you when you respond to the questions in Part D. Your notes should be typed and included with your completed assignment.

Video / Notes
What is Ethics
5 Ways to Think Ethically
Strategies for Managing Ethics
Am I Responsible?

Part C (5%)

Read the discussion about the ethics of data aggregation at the below location. Remember to update the above vocabulary list as/after you read it.

After reading the discussion, make a list of as many ways in which you can think of that collect data about you. For each, list an example of a benefit/drawback to you or the entity that is collecting your data. Also list an ethical issue associated with the data collection. A few examples are given to stimulate your thinking. (Note: The number of entries given in the below table does not indicate the number of items you should list. Add more rows as necessary.)

Collection Category / Benefits/Drawbacks / Ethical Issue
Amazon Echo
Keychain barcode (i.e. those used by Walgreens/CVS to apply discounts)
Opting into using cell phone location services when accessing web pages on a cell phone browser

Part D (75%)

Using the above article about data aggregation as a reference, respond to the below questions. (In total, your responses to the below questions should be 2 -3 typed pages, double spaced with standard margins.)

  1. What issue is discussed by the author, Michael McFarland, SJ? What are the ethical dimensions of the subject of ‘data aggregation?’
  2. What is the position of the author? What are other ethical perspectives on the issue of data aggregation?
  3. What is your position on the subject of data aggregation by companies? What support can you give for your position?
  4. What responsibilities do companies/organizations have related to the subject of data aggregation?

Part E (10%)

Taking into consideration what you have read and learned from the previous exercises, discuss what ethical issues you envision yourself needing to respond to in your chosen profession/major. If you have not yet chosen one, pick one that you are considering. (In total, your responses to the below questions should be 1-2 typed pages, double spaced with standard margins.)