Homework 3

Regarding Professional Responsibility

810:171

Software Systems

Goals

1. To consider in greater detail issues related to the professional responsibilities of computing professionals.

2. To gain experience in writing about issues in computer science.

Tasks

Write essays for each of the following exercises.

1. Suppose that you are a frequent participant in discussions with Bob, Sue, George, and the rest of the gang down at the Angry Ostrich Bar and Grill, as reported by Pam Pulitzer in The Killer Robot Papers (pages 72-80).
   • Analyze the points made by your colleagues.
   • What points would you make in such a discussion?

2. Consider the issue of visual profiling, as reported by Pam Pulitzer in The Killer Robot Papers (pages 132-137).
   • Is visual profiling ethical?
   • Should use of such systems be legal, legal but regulated, or illegal?
   • Should the government be able to use such systems, or would use violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure?

   Be sure to support your answers with reference to a computing code of ethics.

This is not a team exercise. Do the preceding tasks individually.

Submission

Submit at or before 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 22, your answers to the homework exercises. You may deliver the paper to me directly or to the department office in 219 Wright. (I prefer submission at class time.)