Information Ethics and Social Responsibility
Code
722051375
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Formação ao Longo da Vida
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
Paula Ôchoa
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Understand the key concepts and theories on the Information Society
Critically analyze the impact of the Information Society and the resulting ethical challenges for information professionals
Identify legal and ethical issues that arise in the process of creating, processing and use of information
Understand the major ethical theories and develop the ability to reflect the moral issues in a rational and reasoned manner
Apply ethical and legal principles in everyday practices of information professionals
To demonstrate the social responsibility of information professionals in contemporary society
Create an ethical and socially committed information services
Promote the development of active citizens and participatory communities in different information services
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Subject matter
1. Ethics in Information Science
1.1. Information Society and the action of information professionals
Theoretical perspectives
Aspects of the technological revolution
Political, economical, social, labor and cultural impacts
2. Information Ethics
2.1. Etichal theories and models of decison making
2.2. Ethical codes for information professionals
2.3. Ethical issues within information life cycle
Freedom of expression and intelectual property
Autenticity and plagiarism
Acess to information and censorship
Illicit contents and child protection
Privacity, confidenciality and personal data protection
Cultural diversity andd social inclusion
2.4. Internet and information difusion
Transparency and security
Social networks
Cybercrime
Cyberspace regulation
3. Information professionals and social responsability
3.1. Social Responsability principles
3.2. Social responsability in information services
Bibliography
COOK, Michael (2006) - Professional ethics and practice in archives and records management in a human rights context. Journal of the Society of Archivists. [Em linha]. 27 (1), p. 1-15.
FEATHER, J. (2008) - The information society: A study of continuity and change. London: Facet.
FROELICH, T. J. (2004) - A Brief History of Information Ethics. Textos Universitaris de Biblioteconomia i Documentació (BiD) [Em linha]. Nº 13.
HIMMA, Kenneth; TAVANI, Herman T. (2008) - The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics. New Jersey: Wiley.
ISO/TMB Working Group on Social Responsibility (2010) - ISO 26000: Guidance on social responsibility.
Teaching method
The seminar will be developed through classroom lectures, tutorials and independent student work. The classes will have a theoretical and practical nature, consisting of a first moment of theoretical exposition of themes, concepts and vocabulary specific area, followed by practical exercises, oral presentations and discussions participated by students. At the beginning of the school year, calendar of classes and practical activities of the evaluation will be set, also distributing the set of required readings essentials tasks to different proposals. The tutorials will be geared towards promoting independent learning by students, while also ensuring the custom accompaniment from research work in provisional steps, for discussion of the theoretical framework and improving the methodological choices.
Evaluation method
The evaluation will be based on the following weighting:
- Written work of individual research (4000 to 5000 words), with oral presentation to the class (40%);
- Oral presentation of texts (20%) and reviews (10%) in the classroom;
- Analysis of a case or specific issue, 1000 to 1500 words (20%);
- Participation in activities proposed in class (10%).