Information Ethics and Social Responsibility
Objectives
Understand the main concepts and theories about the Information Society:
- Critically analyze the impacts of the Information Society and the consequent ethical challenges posed to information professionals;
- Identify the main legal and ethical issues that arise in the processes of creating, processing and using information;
- Know the main ethical theories and develop the ability to reflect moral issues in a rational and grounded way;
- Apply ethical and legal principles in the daily practices of information professionals;
- Evidence the social responsibility of information professionals in contemporary society;
- Create ethical and socially committed information services;
- Promote the development of active citizens and participatory communities in the different information services.
General characterization
Code
722051375
Credits
10.0
Responsible teacher
Paula Alexandra Ochôa de Carvalho Telo
Hours
Weekly - 3
Total - 280
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
Available soon
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.
Floridi, L. (2016). Mature information societies—a matter of expectations. Philosophy & Technology, 29(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-016-0214-6.
FROELICH, T. J. (2004) - A Brief History of Information Ethics. Textos Universitaris de Biblioteconomia iDocumentació (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 lessons, tutorials and autonomous work by students.
The face-to-face classes will have a theoretical-practical character, consisting of a first moment of theoretical exposition of the themes, concepts and vocabulary specific to the area, followed by practical exercises, oral presentations and debates participated by the students.
At the beginning of the academic year, the schedule of practical activities for classes and assessment will be defined, and the set of mandatory readings essential for the different tasks proposed will also be distributed.
The tutorials will be oriented towards promoting autonomous learning on the part of the students, also guaranteeing the personalized monitoring of the research work in provisional stages, to discuss the theoretical framework and improve the methodological options.
Evaluation method
Evaluation Method - Attendance and Participation(10%), Oral presentation of texts (20%), Synthesis work(20%), Text commentary(10%), Written Test(40%)
Subject matter
1. Ethics in the scope of Information Science.
1.2. The Information Society and the action of information professionals:
- Theoretical perspectives;
- Aspects of the technological revolution;
- Political, economic, social, labor and cultural impacts.
2. Ethics of Information:
2.1. Ethical theories and decision-making models;
2.2. Codes of ethics for information workers;
2.3. Ethical issues in the information life cycle:
- Freedom of expression and Intellectual Property;
- Authenticity and plagiarism;
- Access to information and censorship;
- Illicit content and protection of minors;
- Privacy, confidentiality and protection of personal data;
- Cultural diversity and social inclusion.
2.4. Internet and information dissemination:
- Transparency and security;
- Social networks;
- Computer crime;
- Cyberspace regulation.
3. Information professionals and social responsibility:
3.1. Principles of social responsibility;
3.2. Social responsibility in information services.
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: