Feb 11 Writing Assignment

1. More Privacy. (From Baase, 2.36). Philosophers and ethicists often distinguish between positive and negative rights. A positive right is the right to be allowed to do something (for example, the right to vote). A negative right is the right to be protected from something (for example, the right not to be convicted without a trial). Baase provides a longer description on page 35.

Consider privacy, particularly digital privacy, from each point of view and give some examples and/or analogies of what it would mean for privacy to be either a positive right or a negative right. In your opinion, which formulation of privacy is more appropriate and why?


2. Read Chapter 3 of Cress and write a blog entry corresponding to the first two bullet points in Exercise 3.4 (p38). (you may skip the part about ALPs)

Feb 4 Writing Assignment

Due Feb 10 at 11:59 pm.

Please prepare a blog entry on each of the two following topics:

1. Privacy. (From Baase, 2.42, p 133). Last year, Google released Street View. Among other features, there are quite a few photos of people in places or circumstances that they might prefer not to be public. (you can see a few examples here) Many people felt that this was a privacy violation. How did Google address potential privacy concerns? Do you feel that their response was adequate?
(Note: you will need to do a little research to answer this question.)

2. Service Learning. Please read Chapter 1 of Learning Through Serving. One theme that's addressed in the book in the concept of educating students to be responsible citizens. What do you think this means? (You may find exercise 1.2 helpful in thinking about this.) Do you think it is reasonable and appropriate for colleges to educate their students about engaged citizenship, or should college focus solely on academics?

Jan 28 Writing Assignment

Due Feb 3 at 11:59 pm

Please write a blog entry that addresses each of the questions below. (you can do it as two separate entries if that's simpler) Please be sure to address all parts of the question.

1. Explain the difference between symmetric-key and asymmetric-key encryption. You should be sure to include the following details:

• How are keys distributed with each technique?
• Why is each technique cryptographically secure? In other words, what needs to be done to crack a ciphertext encrypted with each algorithm?
• How can each technique be used to confirm a sender's identity?
  
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of each approach?

2. (This is the more open-ended question) One of the points I'll make repeatedly this semester is that it's important to learn about the social and ethical implications of technology because you will be the people developing and implementing this technology in 5/10/20 years.

Write a blog post about your career plans and goals, at least as well as you understand the. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? What sorts of things are you doing today to help reach those goals?

Welcome to the Computers and Society Blog

Welcome CS 480 students!
Here's where I'll post readings, writing assignments, and other class-related material.