Updates:

Discussion Rules for Internet Images Section

These are important issues that society will have to address, or accept with defacto complete de-regulation as the default. They have come as part of the digital revolution in the current generation. Thus there is no existing ethical structure.

We can discuss almost all of the ethical issues without having to be explicit about details. For this reason please stick to the following rules for discussion:

  1. Never discuss your own browsing habits, or tastes, with regard to internet images.

  2. Never ask anyone else about their browsing habits, or tastes, with regard to internet images.

  3. Respect your classmates. Keep in mind that DePaul is a university of many cultures, many nationalities, many ages, many religions. The more sensitive the subjects, the more need there is for us to be sensitive to the standards that others may have. Err on the side of being conservative. Always consider that there will be a wide range of acceptance of various practices, with many strong feelings about this issue.

  4. For these discussions, in particular, show your understanding of others' perspective, and avoid being confrontational.

  5. We will discuss the structure of the problem, the structure of proposed solutions, and the ethics involved. It should not be necessary to discuss the details of the content involved. The extensive details of the ethics involved will be sufficient.

  6. You are not required to participate in these discussions if they make you uncomfortable. You will meet in a different group to discuss a different topic. If there are no others in the group, you will write a paper on this, or a different, topic. Attendence in class is still required during discussion days.

  7. Never stay in a discussion where you are not comfortable. Simply leave and send mail later, or, if appropriate, let me know in class that you are not comfortable so we can address the issue directly.

  8. It is the sensitive nature of these issues in the modern digital world that suggests a particular need for educated citizens to make rational, ethical, decisions about them.