ClassInfo

IT 228 Ethics in Computer Games and Cinema

Travis Chandler

Winter 2017-2018
Class number: 20604
Section number: 801
W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
LEWIS 01509 Loop Campus

Summary

IT 228/DC 228/GAM 228 Ethics in Computer Games and Cinema

Winter 2018
5:45PM - 9:00PM

Office hours are directly after class, in our classroom.

Loop Campus, Lewis Center rm. 1509

Travis Chandler

tchandle@cdm.depaul.edu
travischandler@mac.com

Course Description

Societies function based on normative ethics, using common sense to distinguish between ethical and unethical behavior. Most of us are not aware of the underlying theories when arriving at ethical judgments about right and wrong. However, the fast pace of progress in information technologies and digital entertainment creates an environment in which ethical challenges are particularly complex, both for the professional in the field and for the casual user. Several philosophical frameworks will be covered including; Kant's First and Second Categorical Imperatives, Utilitarianism, and Social Contract Theory. We will concentrate on the application of ethical concepts to the context of digital entertainment and its impact on an individual and society. In the eyes of many, games and movies are often violent, offensive and immoral: what are the ethical bases for these judgments? Implications of certain values embedded in games and movies will be discussed. The issue of balancing individual creativity vs. cultural impact will also be addressed.

PREREQUISITES: none

Learning Domain Description

IT 228/DC 228/GAM 228 Ethics in Computer Games and Cinema is included in the Liberal Studies program as a course with credit in the Philosophical Inquiry domain. Philosophical Inquiry examines the most basic questions of human existence. It considers the fundamental beliefs and convictions that shape what it means to be human, our relationships with others, and the nature of the world itself. Its aim is to develop our critical, imaginative, and analytical abilities, and it enables students to understand various kinds of important intellectual problems from a variety of perspectives and approaches, interpret and assess historical and contemporary texts concerned with these issues, and articulate reasoned judgments about these most basic concerns of human life. Philosophical inquiry is thus committed to the task of reflecting on the ideas and events that make up the cultures, societies, and traditions within which we live and to enhancing our understanding of their significance and complexity. Courses in Philosophical Inquiry support the mission of the Liberal Studies Program by fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of the worlds of meaning and of value and of the enterprise of intellectual inquiry and social dialogue.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course students will:

Use multiple perspectives to address, analyze, and think critically about a wide range of philosophical questions and problems.

Evaluate philosophical questions, issues, and/or problems using informed judgment.

Analyze and interpret the methods used by philosophers in addressing philosophical questions, issues, and/or problems.

Develop an understanding of the historical context of philosophical topics, figures, and texts.

Write an analytic essay treating a philosophical question, issue, and/or problem that forwards an identifiable thesis, argument, and conclusion.

Apply philosophical tools drawn from various ethical traditions to analyze ethical issues in concrete cases pertinent to a variety of subject matters.

How Learning Outcomes Will Be Met

Students will demonstrate these learning objectives by creating a series of 5 robust multimedia presentations that will be executed in small groups to the rest of the class. These presentations will include direct references to the text, which they will analyze in order to compare with their chosen game or film.

Each presentation will cover at least one chapter of the book, specifically contextualizing the philosophical theme being presented in its historical context as well as in relationship to their media choice. As a companion to the presentations, each student will produce an accompanying written essay that explicitly expresses their thesis, argument, and conclusion.

Writing Expectations:

Students will complete a minimum of 10 pages of writing for this course.

How Writing Expectations Will Be Met

As a companion to each of the 5 presentations, each student will produce an accompanying 2 page written essay that explicitly expresses their thesis, argument, and conclusion.

D2L

We are using D2L (http://d2l.depaul.edu) as the supporting learning platform for this course. All course materials including weekly lecture slides and class info (i.e. syllabus, lesson plan, assignment descriptions etc.) are available through D2L under ?contents?.

Assignments are submitted to its dedicated folder on Dropbox on D2L.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Rachels James, Rachels Stuart (2012): The Elements Of Moral Philosophy, Seventh edition, Mcgraw-Hill Education: Europe (United States).

As well as various articles and media posted on D2L.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes and participate in class activities as scheduled. Class will start promptly. I will take attendance. Arrival more than 10 minutes late for class will constitute an absence. Students are individually responsible for material they may have missed due to absence or tardiness.

All assignments will be submitted to Dropbox on D2L (except for presentations). Do not submit assignments by email. All assignments are due before class on the due date.

Email: Email is the preferred means of communication between faculty and students enrolled in this course outside of class time. tchandle@cdm.depaul.edu

CHANGES TO SYLLABUS

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class and posted under Announcements in D2L.

College Policies

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in HYPERLINK "https://campusconnect.depaul.edu/" CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at HYPERLINK "http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/" http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/. If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the HYPERLINK "http://oaa.depaul.edu/what/calendar.jsp" University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at: HYPERLINK "http://cdm.depaul.edu/enrollment" cdm.depaul.edu/enrollment.

Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at: HYPERLINK "mailto:csd@depaul.edu" csd@depaul.edu.

Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296



School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296