ISM-E2002 - Ethical Issues and Concerns in Digital Innovation , Lecture, 2.3.2023-18.4.2023

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Learn about key concepts and theories of ethics
  • Understand the ethical issues around the design and use of information systems
  • Apply IS ethical principles/concepts in practice
  • Knowledge regarding ethical debates around emerging technologies

Credits: 6

Schedule: 02.03.2023 - 18.04.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Kari M. Koskinen, Hadi Ghanbari

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Introduction to the foundations of ethics and technology
    • Ethics and regulations, policies and laws
    • Ethical issues and concerns in designing digital services
    • Ethical issues and concerns in using digital services
    • Ethical issues and concerns in data collection and use in digital innovation
    • Other/emerging topics

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    1. Essay (based on provided topic areas and a framework)
    2. Group presentation (Topic areas given, the students prepare a presentation by looking into few research papers and a case on the topic) in class or recorded (depending on the number of groups)
    3. Exam

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lectures, exam, independent and group work

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    5 Gender Equality

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Nowadays, Information Systems (IS) are deeply embedded into business operations and daily life in modern societies. The more we rely on IS, the more they and their underlying design decisions influence our habits and behaviours. As a result, any design decision made while developing and implementing these systems and digital services (i.e., digital innovation) is associated with a set of social, economic, and environmental responsibilities. These responsibilities are even more serious in autonomous and robotic systems that can operate with little human intervention and beyond the boundaries intended by different groups of stakeholders.

    Therefore, it is essential for IS students, as the next generation of practitioners and managers, to gain a deep understanding of ethical considerations associated with digital innovation processes and products.

    In this course, we aim at providing an overview of concepts and theories of ethics and their implications in the IS discipline. Additionally, we will discuss the impact and consequences of design decisions for different groups of IS stakeholders in organizational contexts and digital societies. In so doing, we consider different risks, consequences, and responsibilities associated with implementing and using IS in organizations.

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring IV
    2023-2024 Spring IV

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof