CS 222 - Computing, Data, and Society

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 55
Lab Hours: 0
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Exploration of the use and impact of technology on society including artificial intelligence, algorithmic bias, social media, mass data collection and the spread of disinformation. Topics include privacy, spying, mass personalization and copyright.

Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 with a C or higher.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Describe the history of computing and identify key social, regulatory, political or technical advances, which resulted in significant impact on society.
Compare and contrast the benefits and risks of generative AI systems to solve a given problem.
Describe Algorithmic Bias and identify impacts on society.
Analyze the effects of Social Media on society including mass data collection, mass personalization and the spread of disinformation.
Compare and contrast disinformation and misinformation.
Evaluate ways that technology erodes privacy and facilitates spying, providing assessment on the benefits and risks to society.
Describe ways that technology has benefited (and challenged) society.
Explain the application of copyright and patents to computer software such as FOSS, CopyLeft, standard license types and Open-source software.

Course Contents

History of computing and copyright.
Generative AI.
Algorithmic bias.
Social Media and effects on society including mass data collection and the spread of disinformation (effects of mass personalization).
Disinformation and misinformation.
Privacy and spying (“little brother” and “big brother”).
Critically conscious computing.

Instructional Units: 5