Ethics and sustainability of information in the digital world

Objectives

- Understand the main legal and ethical concepts and theories about the information society


- Critically analyze the impacts of the Information Society and the consequent ethical challenges- Identify the main legal and ethical issues that arise in the processes creation, processing and use of information


- Know the main ethical theories and develop the ability to reflect the moral issues in a rational and reasoned way


- Apply ethical and legal principles in the daily practices of the use of information


- Evidencing the social responsibility of information professionals in contemporary society


- Promote the development of active citizens and participatory communities in the information society

General characterization

Code

02111066

Credits

10.0

Responsible teacher

Paula Alexandra Ochôa de Carvalho Telo

Hours

Weekly - 3

Total - 280

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

Ascensão, J. O. (2008)- Direito da sociedade da informação. Coimbra: Coimbra Editora.


Feather, J. (2008)- The information society: A study of continuity and change. London: Facet.


Floridi, L (2013) The ethics of information. Oxford: Oxford University Press.


Himma, K.; Tavani, H. 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.


Reynolds, G.W (2012)- Ethics in information technology. 4 ed. Boston: Cengage


Trabuco, C. (2006)- O direito de reprodução de obras literárias e artísticas no ambiente digital. Coimbra : Coimbra Editora.


Véliz, C. (2020) Privacy Is Power. London: Bantam Press.


Venâncio, P. D.- Lei do cibercrime: anotada e comentada. Coimbra: Coimbra Editora, 2011.


Zuboff, S. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. New York: Public Affairs, 2019.

Teaching method

The seminar will be developed through classroom lectures, tutorials and independent work of students with 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 the students. The schedule of classes and practical activities of the evaluation will be defined as well as the set of required readings. The tutorials are aimed to promote independent learning of students, ensuring personal attention to the research work on interim steps, to discuss the methodological choices.

Evaluation method

The evaluation will be based on the following weighting:


- Individual written work (5000 words), oral presentation (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%)

Subject matter

1 Philosophy of Information, Law and Ethics in Information Science: theoretical perspectives


1.1. Ethical and legal responsibility of information professionals: economic, social, labor and cultural impacts


1.2. Codes of Ethics for Information Professionals


2. Legal and ethical issues in the information lifecycle


2.1 Freedom of Expression and Intellectual Property


2.2 Authenticity and Plagiarism


2.3 Access to information, censorship and misinformation


2.4 Illicit content and protection of minors


2.5 Privacy, consent, confidentiality and protection of personal data


2.6 Cultural diversity and social inclusion


2.7 Internet and information dissemination


2.8 Transparency and security


2.9 Social Networks


2.10 Computer crime


2.11 Cyberspace regulation and Artificial Intelligence


3. Information professionals and 2030 Agenda and Letter of digital human rights


3.1. Sustainability and social responsibility in the digital world