Welcome to the Spring, 2024 semester!

Please see the tabs at the top to navigate to announcements like this one (the “Home” tab), course details (the “Course Information” tab), or the syllabus tab. The syllabus contains all topics and links to assignments and lectures. In this course, in the assignments you are encouraged to go in directions that are interesting to you. The details of how you do this will, of course, be different for different people. I hope you enjoy this course!

For those attending class, it will be by videoconference from Blackboard on Tu/Th.Time: as stated on the course start page on Blackboard.

Welcome to Fall, 2023

Everyone,

    Welcome to the Fall, 2023 semester!

    IFSC 2200 Ethics in the Profession is online (so there is no physical classroom). It is also asynchronous (so there are no scheduled videoconferences or other meetings). However there is a syllabus and a schedule with dates for activities and when things are due.

    The course website has the complete schedule. It is at:

https://ifsc2200ethics.wordpress.com/syllabus-online-section/.

There you will find the schedule for the introduction segment of the course. For convenience, here it is:

Topic 0: Welcome and Introduction – HW0

See the tabs at the top, especially the “Course Information” tab, and the “Syllabus (section 991 or 999 – ‘asynchronous’)” tab. The “Home” tab goes to blog entries, since the course website is a blog platform.

Let me know of any questions or concerns!

Regards,

DB

Here are some guidelines for using ChatGPT, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and other AIs for your term project

  • If your project is a web site: It can be informative, for example. It can focus on content, like a paper, but be in the form of a site. Some of the work involved in the project therefore involves developing content (you can use ChatGPT to help develop this) and some is technical development.
  • The length target for a non-ChatGPT-assisted paper is 2,250 words per person. This length target only applies to an essay exploring ethics as it relates to your own life, plans, an actual incident you had to deal with, etc. (because you would probably not use ChatGPT a lot for this option)
  • For paper writing projects, in most cases this semester you should use ChatGPT to help, resulting in a considerably longer paper than you could do by yourself. If you don’t edit the output much, you could create an entire book. For example, here is a “short” story I composed using ChatGPT in about 20 minutes. I could easily expand it by asking about Ada’s family, the village, her parents, her friends, other things she thinks about, and so on. Pretty soon it would be a book! So you could write a book for your project.
  • If your project is creating an ethical code (and explaining/discussing it) for a hypothetical or real group of people with some common interest, job, or activity, ChatGPT might or might not help for this option. If you use ChatGPT, include an appendix explaining how you used it, in what ways it helped, and in what ways it did not help.
  • If your project is an ethical analysis of a celebrity‘s life or something in their life, include use of ethics ideas discussed in this course. ChatGPT might or might not help for this option. Include an appendix explaining how you used it, in what ways it helped, and in what ways it did not help.
  • If your project is developing a painting (some people do that), then if it is a real painting you can use DALL-E or Stable Diffusion to help, but don’t just duplicate it – what fun is that?
  • If your product is computer art not involving physical media, then you should probably use DALL-E or Stable Diffusion, in which case, make a collage or collection of images that they generate, not just one. Also, include an explanation of how you did it.

Welcome to Spring, 2023!

This is the main website for the course. Welcome! Please see the tabs near the top of the screen. For day-to-day activities, due dates, etc., there is a tab especially for online students. This semester there is only the online section. Please let me know of any questions, and I hope you find the course enlightening.

Feel free to read the short story I just generated using ChatGPT, in the posting below! (Not required!)

Ada

A short story with an ethical theme, by ChatGPT (as told to D. Berleant)

DB: Can you write a short story with an ethics theme?

ChatGPT: ONCE upon a time, in a small village nestled in the mountains, there lived a young girl named Ada. Ada was known for her kind heart and her strong sense of right and wrong. One day, while walking through the village, Ada came across an old man who was struggling to carry a heavy load of firewood. Without hesitation, Ada offered to help the man carry the wood to his home.

As they walked, the old man told Ada of his troubles. He explained that his son, who was the only one who could help him with the heavy work, had recently passed away and he was struggling to make ends meet. Ada listened with a heavy heart, and knew that she had to do something to help.

That night, Ada went to the village council and proposed that a system be put in place to help the elderly and disabled members of the community with their heavy chores. The council was hesitant at first, but Ada’s passion and determination won them over and they agreed to implement her plan.

Word of Ada’s kindness and generosity spread quickly throughout the village, and soon other young people were volunteering to help their elderly and disabled neighbors. The community was stronger and happier for it, and Ada’s actions served as a shining example of the importance of empathy and ethical behavior.

Ada’s act of kindness not only helped the old man but also helped the whole community to come together and help each other. It was a small act of kindness with a ripple effect that changed the village forever.

DB: Then what happened?

ChatGPT: As the years passed, Ada’s plan continued to help the elderly and disabled members of the village. Many lives were improved because of her actions and the community continued to thrive. Ada’s reputation as a compassionate and ethical person only grew stronger, and she became a respected leader in the village.

Ada’s actions also inspired other young people to volunteer and get involved in the community, which helped to build a strong sense of community spirit. The village council recognized her contributions and Ada was awarded the title of “Community Hero”.

As Ada grew older, she continued to be a positive influence in the village. She passed on her strong sense of ethics and compassion to the next generation and her legacy lived on. The village continued to thrive and be a shining example of a community that cares for one another.

Years later, long after Ada had passed away, the village built a statue in her honor, as a reminder of her selfless act of kindness and the positive impact it had on their community. Her story was passed down from generation to generation, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in the world.

DB: Then what happened?

As the village continued to grow, the system Ada put in place to help the elderly and disabled members of the community became a model for other villages and towns. Many communities started to adopt similar programs, and the idea of helping one’s community spread throughout the region.

With the help of the local government, Ada’s plan was expanded to include more people in need, such as single parents and low-income families. The program was successful in reducing poverty and improving the quality of life for many people in the region.

As the program expanded, Ada’s name became well-known throughout the region and she became a symbol of compassion and selflessness. Her story was featured in local newspapers and even a national magazine.

Years passed, and the village continued to evolve, but the memory of Ada and her kindness was never forgotten. Every year on the anniversary of Ada’s act of kindness, the village holds a celebration in her honor, where they remember her legacy and the positive impact it had on the community.

Ada’s story continued to be an inspiration to many, her selfless act of kindness had a ripple effect that lasted for generations, changing not only her village but also the surrounding communities, and making the world a better place.

DB: What happened after that?

ChatGPT: After that, Ada’s story and the program she started continued to be an inspiration to many people in the region, encouraging others to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in their own communities.

The program she started, which helped the elderly and disabled, as well as single parents and low-income families, became a national model and was eventually implemented in cities and towns across the country.

Ada’s legacy lived on as her story was taught in schools as an example of how one person can make a difference in the world and inspire others to do the same. Many young people in the village and beyond were motivated by her story to volunteer and get involved in their own communities, helping to make the world a better place.

As the years passed, Ada’s village continued to thrive and be a shining example of a community that cares for one another. Her statue was still standing there and people continued to visit and pay their respects to Ada, and her act of kindness that changed the village and the surrounding communities forever.

Ada’s selfless act of kindness was a reminder that one person can make a difference and inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that can change the world for the better.

DB: Please Continue

ChatGPT: As time went by, the program Ada started became a well-established organization, with dedicated staff and resources to help even more people in need. The organization expanded its reach and started to provide assistance to people in different areas such as education, healthcare and housing.

Many people who were helped by the organization went on to become successful and independent, and they in turn started to give back to the community. They volunteered their time, skills, and resources to help others, keeping Ada’s legacy alive.

Ada’s story also inspired many young people to pursue careers in social work, nonprofit management, and community development. Some of these young people went on to become leaders in these fields, working to improve the lives of people in their own communities and beyond.

As a result of Ada’s selfless act of kindness, the community became a place where people look out for each other, and where everyone has a chance to succeed. The village was no longer a place where the elderly, disabled, or low-income families struggle alone, but a place of support, compassion and unity.

The village where Ada once lived became a shining example of what a community can achieve when it works together, and Ada’s legacy lived on, inspiring people for generations to come. Her story was a reminder that a small act of kindness can create a ripple effect that can change the world.

DB: Then what happened?

As the years went on, the organization that Ada started continued to grow and evolve, adapting to the changing needs of the community. It became a national organization with branches in different cities, providing aid and assistance to people in need all over the country.

The organization was recognized for its work and was awarded numerous grants and awards for its contributions to society. It was also invited to share its successful program with other countries, and it began to help people in need in other parts of the world as well.

Ada’s legacy continued to inspire people all over the world, her story was told in books, articles, and documentaries, and her name became synonymous with selflessness and compassion. Her statue was now a tourist attraction, and people came from all over the world to visit the village where she lived and hear her story.

As the organization continued to grow and make a difference in the lives of people all over the world, it never forgot its roots and the young girl who started it all. It honored Ada by naming its headquarters after her, and a scholarship was established in her name, to help young people who wanted to pursue careers in community service.

Ada’s story continued to inspire people to do good in the world, her selfless act of kindness had a ripple effect that lasted for generations, making the world a better place for all.

Welcome to Fall, 2022!

Everyone,

This is the main website for the course. Welcome! Please see the tabs near the top of the screen. For day-to-day activities, due dates, etc., there is a tab especially for in-class students, and another tab especially for online students. Please let me know of any questions.

Some FAQs, Spring 2022

Everyone,
There were quite a few questions people had about how the course
works! For the benefit of all, I’ve listed them below with the
answers. Feel free to ask additional questions by email.

DB
——–
Q: If I decide to use the website format for the project, how do you
judge what is a sufficient amount of content to include for the topic?
in pages?

A: The total amount of words would be less than for a paper, because
some of your effort would be in setting up the website. But the
overall effort should be the same. If you reuse content you found on
the web, be sure to give credit to the source, otherwise it would be
plagiarizing and there is no credit for an assignment containing any
plagiarism.

Q: Would I need to present the video and show my self? Kind of like a
reporter or could I just show content related to the video and not
appear in front of a camera?

A: You would not present the video to the class. Online students would
instead hand in the video itself or link to it. The video format is up
to you, it could show yourself or not, depending on how you do it.

Q: My main question is: Do you receive a lot of complaints about all
the nuisance ads that display on the WordPress blog?

A: No, but maybe people don’t like them even if they don’t complain. I
don’t know. Blackboard doesn’t have ads but Blackboard is also a
terrible example of software design especially for computing students
who need to learn about good design, not bad design. Also learning how
to use Blackboard will be totally useless to you after you graduate,
while learning about major blogging platforms could have applicability
outside of your college years. Maybe another student will respond with
a solution or partial solution… A good ad blocker add-on for your
browser? If I tried to get UALR to pay for a no-ad account they would
probably just say, they’re already paying an arm and a leg for
Blackboard, so just use that.

Q: You’ve done a very good job of setting up this course! I wish more
of the instructors in the CS department put this much effort into
clearly laying out their courses. All my what, when, and where
questions were all answered in the course info and syllabus.

A: Thanks!

Q: How long does my game have to be? How long does my paper need to be?

A: Papers are 2,250 words. They used to be 2,500 words until a student
said they never wrote a paper that long in their life, not even in an
English class. A game should be equivalent in amount of effort to a
paper.

Q: Is explicit language a major concern? Obviously offensive slurs are
a no-go, but I am concerned about whether using it would be
off-putting. In fact, I would probably have already dropped the
occasional swear in this blog if I knew the definitive answer. I’ll
keep it in moderation, of course.

A: The grader’s first language is not English. I won’t get offended
myself, but think about the concept of effective writing style: how to
best reach your reader. Maybe the “moderation” idea has some value…

Q: When an assignment says “Due Friday or over the weekend”, for
example, does “over the weekend” constitute a late submission?

A: “Over the weekend” would certainly count as on time.

Q: If I were to do a video presentation or skit with friends and
family, how long does it have to be?

A: Equivalent in effort to a 2,250-word paper. It’s not really
possible to judge effort based only on video length. Other things are
very important too.

Q: I know that if we choose a presentation for the format we don’t
have to present it, but for the 5-minute presentation will we send in
a video or slideshow?

A: You would send the slides, but do not need to record a slide show
presentation. For a video, skit, etc., just send that instead of
slides.

Q: if you choose a 50-minute presentation as the project format what
is the 5-minute presentation?

A: Pick out 5 minutes worth of slides and hand in two slide decks, one
long (the “project”), and one short (the “5-minute presentation”).

Q: Also will I be notified if my blogs are not written
correctly/coherently? I am worried that I may have read the directions
wrong

A: Yes. Just do your best on the directions. And ask if you are
confused about any of them.

Q: In terms of the course information, my questions are these:
Assignments are considered on time if they are submitted within two
days of the due date, correct? For example, I would get points if I
submitted Tuesday’s assignment on Wednesday.

A: Whoa! Regular 100-point assignments are due on the stated due dates.
On the other hand, for the 10-point lecture engagement exercises,
according to the assignment statement, these are each due 2 days after
the scheduled day of the lecture itself (which as an online student
you don’t attend). This is in part because Blackboard does not put the
recording of my lecture online immediately, so it takes me a day
sometimes to post a link to the recording. However you can certainly
use recordings from previous semesters if you want. Please spend about
50 minutes on each one (the same time commitment of attending an
actual lecture).
Regular HWs are worth 100 points and are due on the stated due dates,
no two days extra.

Q: Secondly, I’ve just been typing to this blog for submission and
publishing it. I assume that’s how we turn things in.

A: Exactly. We will check your blog. Please do not send an email
unless it’s late. If it is late, do send an email because we might
have already checked the blog and won’t check it again, so if it is
late you should email it to make sure we see it.

Q: One question I have is what questions is the second option for the
Today’s Assignment talking about? I read through the lecture outline
and it is hard to tell which question are part of the lecture and
which are the ones I am to answer. Or if they are the same thing.

A: Same thing. The lecture bullet points have questions there for
discussion purposes and those are the questions to think about and
answer. (This question was about the 10-point lecture exercises.)

Q: How will feedback be offered for the homework? Both the project HWs
and the cases?

A: Yes. All grades below full credit should come with an explanation.
Feel free to ask for more feedback by email as needed.

Q: What turnaround time for grading is to be expected?

A: Please send me a reminder if it’s been more than a week.

Welcome

2/3/2022: Campus closed due to ice, but the online section is unaffected. HWcase1, Q2 (commenting on each others’ blogs) is due today. It will be interesting, hopefully.

To get to the syllabus/schedule of activities, click a tab at the top of this page (might have to scroll up to the top).

  • Click the
    “Syllabus (section 991 – ‘asynchronous’)” tab for online students.
  • Click the “Syllabus (section 01 – ‘in class’)” tab for in-class students.
  • For general course information, click the “Course Information” tab.
Don’t see the tabs at the top of the screen? Try scrolling up. Or contact the instructor for further help.

Orientation

Updated 1/16/24

IFSC 2200  Ethics in the Profession — Orientation

  • Make sure you can use your PC, Blackboard, the UALR network, etc.
  • Problems?
    • For IT issues: cstem-help@ualr.edu
    • For Blackboard issues: https://ualr.edu/blackboard
    • Or let me know – let’s share problems & solutions
  • Questions about Blackboard?
  • Let’s discuss:
    • Section:
      • In-class (“01” section)

vs.

      • Asynchronous online (“991” or “999” section)

vs.

      • Synchronous online (“9S1” section)
    • Course info (see tab above!)
    • Syllabus (see tab above!)
    • Workload
    • Attendance
    • Group formation (for in-class students)
      • 5-6 up to as much as 8-9 people per group are possibilities … at 10 we’d just have two 5’s
      • Different groups should have approximately equal sizes
  • Icebreaker activities for groups (in-class section only)
    • Name cards:
      • Make one! Write BIG (please hand it in at the end of class)
      • Hold them on your knee or something, visible to group
    • Each person opines, then all discuss:
      • Which is better to do on the next vacation day?
        • barbecue, or
        • couch potato
    • Name card scramble:
      • put’em in a pile,
      • each person gets to distribute them out again!
    • Discuss any questions about how the course will work
      • E.g. from HW0
      • Raise hand if any Qs are unresolved
    • (As time allows):
      • 2 truths and a nontruth:
        • each person says 3 things about self
        • others try to guess which one is not true
          • (anything, year in college, major, shoe size, hobbies, whatever)

Welcome to Spring, 2022!

This is the website for IFSC 2200 Ethics in the Profession. You can navigate the site by using the tabs above. Be sure to choose the “Syllabus” tab for your own section, as other sections are not exactly the same. Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. Welcome back and have a good semester!