Short Paper

Assignment:  Write a 4-5 page paper on a current controversy in the the use of information technology.  Specifically, you are to take a position as to the correct side of the controversy and support that thesis.  You are to write a persuasive paper to try to sway the reader to your point of view.  Listed here are 5 possible topics.  The questions listed are exemplary of the issues that you might want to address.  You are welcome to choose another.  The only requirement is that it cover a specific issue that has been in the news this month (August).

Important Deadlines:
Thesis (and URL) due: Tuesday,  September 5, 5 p.m. (by email)
Paper due: Monday, September 11
Paper copy: 9:30 am. (in class)
Electronic copy: 5 pm.  (Blackboard)

Important notes:
Length of paper: 4-5 pages of text, double spaced, excluding cover page and references.  Please note that 5 pages is the maximum that I will read.

Caveat:  If you really want to do a topic for your Term Project, DO NOT select a short paper topic in the same area.  I will explicitly preclude that!

Format of the paper should follow the rules as outlined in  Written Assignment Guidelines

A minimum of four outside sources is required.  Four is the bare minimum -- wou will likely require considerably more to do a credible job.  Should you use them, no more than twenty percent of your sources should come from personal interviews with related professionals.

Within your paper, you should address those issues and/or questions that make sense to what you plan to discuss based on your thesis statement.  There are many other questions that could be asked and, if appropriate to your thesis statement, should be addressed.  Do not simply state each question and answer as though you are taking a test.  Rather, integrate the essence of what's being asked or stated into the body of your paper as you argue for your position.


News articles
August 9:
Warnings Against Thwarting Technological Innovation
The issue:  Congress is considering legislation that would impose standards that attempt to inhibit copyright infringement.  Assuming that such standards are possile, is that appropriate legislation?  Is this just a question of  balancing the rights of the hardware manufacturers and content producers or are there consumer  considerations as well?

August 14:
A Sentinel to Screen Phone Calls
The issue:  The software is intended to prevent phone spam by determining if the call should go through.  Is such a sentinel protection for the person who would receive the call or an interference of the free speech rights of the caller?  Are there differences between phone calls and emails?  What are the consequences of bloccking calls inappropriately?

August 21:
Shut Down Guitar Sites
The issue:  Music companies are trying to close down guitar tablature sites.  A guitar tablature is the description of how to play a guitar piece.  Is this the same kind of information as sheet music?  Should it follow the same rules?  Or should tablatures be considered in a different category? 

August 23:
Researchers Yearn to Use AOL Logs, but They Hesitate
The issue:  After AOL made the user logs publicly available, researchers made copies of the data.  Then AOL removed it from public access.  Should the researchers feel free to use the information or not?  Is it alright to use the data if it is managed "appropriately"? What would be appropriate and inappropriate uses of the data?

August 29:
Digital cameras focus on revised reality
The issue:  The latest cameras are capable of changing pictures directly on the camera.  Does this change the value or the perception of a photograph?