Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - SDA 270 D100

Data, Ethics and Society (3)

Class Number: 4759

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course would introduce students to the ethical, legal, and privacy issues surrounding the collection and use of big data and the implications of these for vulnerable populations.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will examine ethical questions that arise in the collection and use of data, including the following:

  • When should considerations of privacy constrain what data we gather, and how should we balance privacy against other competing values?
  • Sometimes algorithms incorporate biases or lead to discriminatory analyses, rather than offering objectivity.  What ethical responsibilities does this give us?
  • Are there ethical reasons to avoid gathering data about some things (for example, if the information might be used in harmful ways)?
  • Can our priorities sometimes be distorted by what it’s easy to measure?  Do quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), for example, reflect what we should value in health policy?

Course assignments will focus on helping students to analyze the arguments in course readings, to develop well-supported critiques of those arguments, and to defend those analyses in clearly written papers.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course is required for the Social Data Analytics Minor, and will also be of special interest to Philosophy students. 

Grading

  • Two 4-5 page papers (30% each) 60%
  • Presentation 20%
  • Quality of Course Engagement (quality of written work in five, short, reading response exercises + quality of contributions to class discussion, including in break-out groups + (optionally) quality of in-class reading worksheets) 20%

NOTES:

Course delivery:  remote, synchronous.  All students must be available to participate in classes over Zoom during the scheduled class period.

 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

This course will meet over Zoom during the scheduled class period.  Students will need a microphone and high-speed internet access that will allow them to view live video and contribute to discussions and class activities over audio.  A camera is optional.  Technical specifications for compatibility with Zoom are available here

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available on the course’s Canvas page.


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).