CS 301: Social Implications of Computer Technology

Course Syllabus

SPRING, 2026

Section 1001: 1-1:50pm Mon; TBE B-176

Section 1002: 1-1:50pm Wed; TBE B-176

Section 1003: 10-10:50am Tues; TBE B-178

Prof. Hal Berghel; office: TBE B-378A; phone: 702-895-2441;

pick one: {hal.berghel \\unlv //edu, hlb \\acm//org, hlb \\computer//org }

office hours: Monday-Friday - 8:30 am to 9:50 am and by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Alexa Bosze, boszea1 \\unlv.nevada // edu

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Course Description:

Examination of ethical and social issues relating to the use of computing and networking technology. Discussion of social trends and their possible effects. Review and discussion of the ACM Code of Ethics for computing professionals. Fulfillment of ABET Outcome 3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts and Outcome 4: Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.

General notes:

• The Syllabus for this course will be maintained on the instructor's website at www.berghel.net/sat. 
• Students are responsible for assigned readings during the semester (generally <100 pages). These assigned readings will be provided in the form of an ONLINE TEXT made up of online resources. URLs for the readings will be clearly identified. Instructor will discuss as much of the reading assignments as possible in the class time available. However, students are responsible for all reading assignments whether or not they are discussed in the lectures.
• Test questions covering the reading assignments are available in the class STUDY GUIDE . All exam questions will come from this study guide.
• UNLV POLICIES AND RESOURCES
1. The current UNLV policies that govern instruction are posted on the website of the The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost at https://www.unlv.edu/policies/students.
2. In addition, these resources may be of interest:
3. Writing Center Statement
4. Tutoring Availability
5. UNLV Annual Security Report
6. UNLV campus police crime log
7. UNLV Institutional Metrics
8. Additional University Policies: https://www.unlv.edu/policies/additional
9. Recommended supplementary readings (general interest, optional):
   1. Jaron Lanier, Ten Arguments for Deleting your Social Media Accounts Right Now, Picador reprint, 2019.
   2. Richard Spinello, Cyberethics: Morality and Law in Cyberspace, 7th ed., Jones and Bartlett, 2021.
   3. Nataliya Kosmyna, et al, Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task , MIT Report, 10 Jun 2025.
10. 2023 ACLU Report on School Surveillance

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• CLASS POLICIES
1. EXAMS: All exams are closed book, closed notes, all electronic devices turned off.
2. USE OF GENERATIVE AI: All students are responsible for submitted work, irrespective of tools used to create it. Any use of generative AI to create content or make translations for use in coursework must be completely transparent and acknowledged in the submitted work. A minimum for complete transparency will include disclosure of (a) acknowledgement of the use of GenAI, (b) name of GenAI tool(s), and (c) identifying the "imported" GenAI content in the document(s) affected (either by quotation, footnote, or endnote). Students must retain the complete GenAI content until the end-of-term should this be requested by the instructor for comparison purposes. It must be noted that any use of GenAI must be consistent with existing intellectual property laws and UNLV policies.

Recommended readings on the use of GenAI in higher education:

• H. Berghel, An Overview of Generative AI Acceptable Use Policies by Universities With Top 25 Computer Science Programs (2025) IEEE Computer, September, 2025. doi: 10.1109/MC.2025.3587371.
• D. Berry, Why Large Language Models Appear to Be Intelligent and Creative: Because They Generate Bullsh*t!, IEEE Computer, June, 2025. doi: 10.1109/MC.2025.354745
• H. Berghel, Generative Artificial Intelligence, Semantic Entropy, and the Big Sort, IEEE Computer, January, 2024. DOI: 10.1109/MC.2023.3331594
• H. Berghel, Cyberdidacticism: The New Epistemic Paradigm..., IEEE Computer, 58:5 (2025) DOI: 10.1109/MC.2025.3548920
• Google Threat Intelligence Group, Adversarial Misuse of Generative AI, 2025 January.
• E. Shein, The Impact of AI on Computer Science Education CACM, July 30,2024: DOI: 10.1145/3673428
• R. Thubronk University cancels publication of coding competition results over AI cheating fears, Techspot, April 28,2025.
• K. Hawkinson, ChatGPT use linked to cognitive decline, research reveals, the Independent, 20 June, 2025.
• M. Lepp, J. Kaimre, Does generative AI help in learning programming: Students perceptions, reported use and relation to performance. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, May 2025
• Gary Marcus on the Massive Problems Facing AI and LLM Scaling (YouTube, Jan 19, 2026)
• F. Neffke, et al, AI is already writing almost one-third of new software code, Complexity Science*Hub, 22.01.2026
• S. Daniotti, et. al, Who is using AI to code? Global diffusion and impact of generative AI Science, 22 Jan 2026.
3. ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be taken, but is not required. Students with at most 1 (one) unexcused absence (for any reason) as recorded by the classroom attendance sheet, will receive a bonus of 10% on their mid-term exam grade. For this purpose, class attendance will mean attending for the entire class period. You are responsible for the material covered during any HOLIDAYS that are listed in the UNLV Academic Calendar, so you may elect to attend one of the other sections if your class is cancelled; else contact instructor or TA for other arrangements.
4. GRADING SCALE: Grading will be on a standard "university scale," i.e., 90-100=A; 80-89=B; etc.
5. FINAL GRADE will be determined by two components, in equal measure:
• (A) MID-TERM EXAM. (note: The questions from which the exams are drawn are provided in the study guide which is linked to this syllabus and available on the first day of class! If there are no questions in the study guide that correspond to a particular reading assignment, no questions relating to that assignment will appear on the exam. AND
• (B) IN-CLASS PRESENTATION on a topic of your choice that relates to Social Implications of Computer Technology. This IN-CLASS PRESENTATION, in turn, will consist of both:
• (B.1) 25 powerpoint slides (to be submitted at the time of presentation in "handout style" (preferably 6 slides per page) with duplex (both side) printing, AND
• (B.2) oral presentation [based on those slides]
• The presentation must not exceed 10 minutes. Presentations will be timed! This time constraint is necessary so that all students may be assured equal time for their presentations. Do not plan to cover all slides in 10 minutes - just select a represented sample of them that collectively will make an interesting talk.
• Do not "read" the slides - the audience can read the slides quicker than you can read them aloud. Talk over the slides, or expound on them, but don't read them. Your goal is to make the 10 minute presentation both interesting for the audience and fun for you.
• The secret to success is to rehearse your presentation before you present it.
• The presentation schedule will be listed on the class syllabus the week of the mid-term exam. Presentations will be scheduled alphabetically based on student last name. If you can document a conflict with an activity that is officially-recognized by UNLV, inform the TA or instructor by the third week of the semester, and the presentation schedule will be adjusted to accommodate your activity. Due to the large class sizes, re-scheduling will not be allowed unless a student provides a written excuse from UNLV student health, a registered health care professional, the UNLV office of student affairs, or a UNLV administrator at least three weeks before the scheduled presentation.
• Any topic relating to Social Issues in Computing is acceptable for purposes of presentations, slides and reports. However the topics, themes, and references of the slides and presentations must correspond with one another.
• It is recommended that you use an unencrypted USB memory stick formatted in FAT32 to load your presentation on the classroom computer. I recommend against using cloud storage as any network/interface/authentication problem will cause unnecessary delays and shorten the time for your presentation.
• You are encouraged to direct any questions about the presentation or slides to either the TA or instructor. They are there to help.
• Criteria used for Grading Slides and Presentations
6. FORMATS for written work: Provide references for all non-original material. Quotation according to the principles of "fair use" under the U.S. Copyright laws apply. i.e., quoting and identifying a source is acceptable, but plagiarizing a source is not. Any student found to have plagiarized will receive an "F" for the assignment. If you have any questions about this policy, consult with the instructor.
7. ADDITIONAL NOTES ON SLIDES AND PRESENTATION: In the case of exceptional circumstances (e.g., auditory or visual impairment, etc.) an accommodation request from the UNLV, Disability Resource Center (DRC) will be honored. In this case, a written report may be substituted in lieu of the oral presentation. This written report will consist of BOTH of the following: (1) 25 powerpoint slides (same requirements as above), and (2) a written paper of 2,500 words on the same theme to be submitted in hardcopy (duplex printed & collated). Use any reference format accepted at UNLV . The DUE DATE is the date of the scheduled presentation. Late penalty is 10% per day with a maximum of 3 days. Criteria used for Grading Reports
8. EXTRA CREDIT: You may elect to submit a 2,500 word report in addition to the oral presentation and slides. This report will add up to 10% points to your mid-term exam grade. Thus, there are two ways to improve your mid-term exam grade: the perfect attendance bonus and by submitting a written report for extra credit.

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What you will need for your presentation:

1. A small USB memory stick formatted in either NTFS or FAT32 format (preferred) for your presentation slides (see above)
2. You will need access to a computer that can be used to prepare your presentation slides. The UNLV Office of IT has Windows labs for students on campus. Alternative formats (such as PDF) are acceptable so long as OIT can confirm that they can be rendered by the classroom computer.
3. Only hardcopy will be accepted for the slides (these documents will be retained for ABET accreditation purposes). To minimize the amount of paper used, you must submit the slides "handout style" 4 or 6 to a page, double sided. Failure to use handout style will result in a 25% grade penalty. The course TA will provide advice on how to print handout style should you need help.

ABET Course Outcomes:

· By the end of the term, you will:

1. Learn about the intersection of technology, Information and Innovation , such as:
• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of the use of GenerativeAI in education
• Understand the implications of the velocity of innovation
• Understand how technology may be used to spread disinformation
• Understand how technology can be created in "bad faith"
• Be introduced to the study of disinformatics
• Understand the technical issues that relate to intellectual property (copyrights, patents, EULAs)
• Develop a basic understanding of copyright law in the U.S. (e.g., PIPA, SOPA, COPA, etc.)
• Understand the social advantages and disadvantages of the use of social media
2. Learn about Social and Anti-Social Uses of the Internet, such as:
• Understand computing and network issues involved in the protection of privacy
• Understand something about cyber and information warfare
• Understand the causes and effects of phishing, trolling, doxxing and 911 swatting
• Understand the motivation behind and technical implications of anonymizing and remailing technology
• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of "social networking"
• Understand the difficulty in controlling computing and networking technology for the good of society
• Understand the nature of typical hacking activities and exploits
• Understand the nature of financial fraud and identity theft
3. Learn About the Implications of Information Technology on Democracy, such as:
• Understand the challenges facing reliable voting technology
• Understand the implications of net neutrality
• Understand the effect of fake news on social media
• Understand how social media has been used to influence elections
• Understand the computing and network issues behind free speech
• Understand the difference between cultural and legal perspectives on free speech
4. Learn How Information Technology Affects You, such as:
• Understand the security and privacy threats incurred with computer and networking technology
• Understand the nature of illegal uses of computers and networks
• Understand how IT practices affect your online activities
• Understand the difference between the surface, dark, and deep 'Webs'
• Understand how computers and networks are used to commit identity theft and financial fraud
• Understand the implications of computing and network technology on employment and work
5. Understand basic ethical and legal issues relating to the Profession of Computing
• Become acquainted with general ethical frameworks
• Understand the nature of moral and legal "rights"
• Understand the implications of privacy law on computing
• Understand the difference between "hacking," "ethical hacking," and "hactivism"
• Understand the ethical and legal issues concerning copyright
• Understand ethical and legal issues concerning software licensing
• Understanding the individual's responsibilities in software and systems development
6. Become familiar with the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (Reviewed during last class period of semester)
7. Understand how to create professional presentations and reports for a technical audiences (re: ABET Learning Objective 3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts)
8. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles. (re: ABET Learning Objective 4)

ABET Core Competencies

• You will develop an appreciation of the implications of computing and network technology on people, society and government
• You will understand how computing and network technology may be used both for and against the common good
• You will be able to articulate the difference between risk averse, risk-neutral, and risk positive deployments of technology
• You will develop some understanding of best practices in computing and network technology
• You will develop professional presentation skills to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
• You will be able to look at the use of social media, online media sources, and generative AI tools from a balanced perspective
• You will be able to recognize common "threat vectors" that result from the misuse of computer and network technology
• You will develop some understanding of disinformatics
• You will experience the implications of computing and networking technology on democracy
• You will understand the essence of digital crime
• You will learn about the interrelationship between information, technology and culture

ABET Direct Assessment Measures:

• Student Learning Objective #3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts. [Satisfied by lectures and measured by in-class student presentations]
• Student Learning Objective #4: Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles. [Satisfied by reading assignments as measured by examination]

Weekly Syllabus

(reminder: When UNLV closes during the classweek, students are advised to attend other sections. You are still responsible for the material covered.)

General Overview of Course

• How to use the online course resources (syllabus, readings, links to digital libraries)
• Discussion of Required in-class presentations
• Calculation of final grade: presentation and slides -or- semester report will each count 50% toward your final grade. The mid-term exam will also count 50%. There will be no final in this class
• quality of presentation slides (at least 25 slides to be submitted to me in hardcopy on the day of presentation: 4/6 slide/page handout style)
• quality of oral presentation (10 minutes maximum; you are not expected to cover all of the slides. This will be your opportunity to have fun sharing the more interesting information with the class.)
• quality of 2500 word written report fully referenced (any style of your choosing)
• Grading Criteria for Presentation, Slides and Report: (Re: ABET Student Learning Outcome 3, above).
• Click here for an illustration of an acceptable slide format.
• assignment: look over the assigned readings and think of a few topics that might suit you for an in-class presentation. Finalize a topic within the first two weeks of class. If you want my opinion on the suitability of the topic(s), just ask in class, speak with me after class or during office hours, or send me an email.
• Study Guide to the assigned readings
• Video: Dr. Chuck's iPad Steering Wheel Mount. What is wrong with this message?
• about Pa$Sw0rDZ

Lectures by date and topics: (see the CS301 online text for links to reading assignments.)

Week of January 19: Technology, Information, and Innovation

Week of January 26: Disinformatics

Week of February 2: Information Technology and Democracy

Week of February 9 : Computing Crime, Education and Professional Ethics

Week of February 16 : study week: office hours held during classtime (note: UNLV is closed for President's Day on February 16)

Week of February 23 - Mid-Term Exam -Exam is "closed everything": e.g., "closed book," "closed notes," PDAs and computers turned off, cell phones off, etc. The detection of any mobile device in use will result in an exam grade of F. Make sure to confirm that you have the latest revision of the study guide.

Student Presentations Begin (Speakers: provide slides in handout form to instructor on your way to the lectern. USB port available on lectern computer. Attendance will be taken!)

Week of March 2- Student Presentations / written reports due

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Abraham,Michael
  2. Aquiningoc,Alexander
  3. Arcenas,Adrian L
  4. Aydogdu,Merve
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Aldaco Flores,Carlos
  2. Andersen,Lucas
  3. Atout,Yasmeen Hesham
  4. Benhayoune,Ismael
  5. Bledsoe,Jacob
• section 1002 (Wednesday)
  1. Armstrong,Jacob
  2. Burggraf,Brayden
  3. Burke,Isaiah Wayne Ruth
  4. Khan,Fardeen

Week of March 9 -- Student Presentations

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Bautista,John
  2. Covaciu,Alexander
  3. Dickson,John Cooper
  4. England,Dalejose Chio
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Bondoc,Carl
  2. Burton,Jada
  3. Cameron,Charles
  4. Castro,Joshua Meily
  5. Chen,Vincent
• section 1002 (Wednesday)
  1. Lingo,Brandon
  2. Liu,Wei H
  3. Loveday-Kiechler,Gregory Zane
  4. Song,Zhaocheng

Week of March 16 - Spring Break

Week of March 23 - Student Presentations

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Ferranti,Peter
  2. Garcia,Angel
  3. Garcia,Renato
  4. Hernandez,Adrian
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Choi,Austin
  2. Chua,Justin Vicson Pe Ong
  3. Culbertson,Cade Logan
  4. Curiel,Gerardo Enrique
  5. Dagum,Jimmy
• section 1002 (Wednesday)
  1. Talabucon,Charlon
  2. Tran,Tri
  3. Trenholm,Torin
  4. Williams,Jaden
  5. Yager,Jahlen

Week of March 30 - Student Presentations

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Iwuajoku,Lester
  2. Lee,Kaeden
  3. Leyva,Jose
  4. Macaldo,Arlim
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Demeke,Eliyad T
  2. Farias,Ivan
  3. Fernandez,Louis Clark Santiago
  4. Galvan,Kasai
  5. Ghirmay,Siem Ablelom
• section 1002 (Wednesday) - No Class

Week of April 6- Student Presentations

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Marquez,Luis
  2. Medina,Jefferson Jay
  3. Medina,Joseph
  4. O'Brien,Gabriel L
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Gonzalez Hernandez,Britney
  2. Jimenez,Astrid
  3. Kittiyan,Gongsak
  4. Kuropatkina,Nataliya
  5. Lambou-selgestad,Aaron
• section 1002 (Wednesday) - No Class

Week of April 13- Student Presentations

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Ortega,Sophia
  2. Ortiz,Aleisha
  3. Phan,Dien Buu
  4. Phung,Han Gia
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Lee,Andre
  2. McAllister,Joshua
  3. Minasyan,Edgar
  4. Morgensen,Sarah May
  5. Myers,Billie
• section 1002 (Wednesday) - No class

Week of April 20 - Student Presentations

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Sell,Samuel Thomas
  2. Sirak,Esrom
  3. Unzicker,Toby
  4. Velasquez,Carlos
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Parra,Ignacio
  2. Pearce,Robert
  3. Perdelwitz,James Lee
  4. Schneider,Blake
  5. Sin,Zachary
• section 1002 (Wednesday) - No Class

Week of April 27 - Student Presentations

• section 1001 (Monday)
  1. Wantland,Finn
  2. Zuppas,Nick
• section 1003 (Tuesday)
  1. Siu,Tsz choi
  2. Slivka,Deven
  3. Tagarao,Aubrey
  4. Titte,Jayden
  5. Valencia,Cindy
• section 1002 (Wednesday) - No Class

Week of May 4 - (all sections) Student Outcome Assessment, review of ACM Code of Ethics, and course review (Re: ABET Student Learning Outcome 4, above). Attendance in this Class is Mandatory!

• Review of your comments on the video shown during the first class period. Have your views changed?
• Dr. Chuck's iPad Steering Wheel Mount
• We will review the The Association for Computing Machinery Ethics and Professional Conduct Guide for computing professionals in this class. Read it before coming to class. (20 minutes)
• Completion of ABET Outcome 4 form (20 min)