AIS3301 Science, Technology and Society for Computing

Course Aims & Objectives: 

• investigate the role of science and technology in social and economic development and change, with a particular focus on computers and related technologies;
• explore ethical and legal issues which arise as a result of developments in science and technology, with focus on computing and computer professionals, and help students who will work in the computing or in science and technology-related industries to develop informed analysis of these legal and ethical issues;
• explore the impact of social, economic, and political factors on the development and regulation of science and technology in various societies;
• help students in computing and other technology-related professions to become aware of challenges and opportunities on the horizon in commerce, science, and government as a result developments in science and technology.

Units: 3

Level: B3

Medium of Instruction: English

Keyword Syllabus:
Rise of high-technology industries. Implications for high technology industries in Hong Kong and East Asia. Social impact and changing uses of new technologies: Computers and artificial intelligence. Internet, in education, commerce, politics, and government. Legal and ethical issues for computer professionals; intellectual property rights and piracy: legal issues and economic consequences; professional ethics and responsibilities. Technology and demography. Role of computing in demography and in demographic projections by government and business. Technology and the environment. Role of computing and computing professionals in modeling, analysis, and projections of environment changes. Science and the globalization of knowledge.  The role of computers in the globalization of knowledge.
    
Teaching Pattern:
Duration of course: 1 semester
Current mix of lecture/tutorial/laboratory, other: 2 hrs lecture; 1 hr tutorital

Assessment Pattern:
Examination duration: Nil
Percentage distribution of marks for coursework, examination, other: 100% Coursework
Grading pattern: Standard (A+, A, A- ... F)

Pre-requisite(s): Nil

Pre-cursor(s): Nil

Equivalent Course(s): *SS1120 Science, Technology, and Society for Computing (from the old curriculum) or SS3301