Embedded EthiCSTM @ Harvard Bringing ethical reasoning into the computer science curriculum

Modules

Big Data Systems (CS 265) – 2023 Spring

Module Topic: Privacy and Promoting Public Health with Big Data Systems
Module Author: Michael Pope

Optimized Democracy (CS 238) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Democracy, Ignorance, and Power over Others
Module Author: Megan Entwistle

Machine Learning (CS 181) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Bias in Machine Learning Design
Module Author: Michael Pope

Engineering Usable Interactive Systems (CS 178) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Gamification, value analysis, and value capture
Module Author: Aksel Braanen Sterri

Programming Languages (CS 152) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Managing Risks in Software Design
Module Author: Michael Pope

Computer Architecture (CS 146) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Contractualism and Carbon Emissions
Module Author: Danny Belgrad

Networking at Scale (CS 145) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: The Ethics of Cloud Computing
Module Author: Danny Belgrad

System Design Projects: Machine Learning for Social Impact (CS 96) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: How could we improve the expected moral value of machine learning projects?
Module Author: Aksel Sterri

Abstraction and Design in Computation (CS 51) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: System Design Projects: Machine Learning for Social Impact
Module Author: Megan Entwistle

Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (CS 20) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Graph Theory & Testimonial Injustice
Module Author: Danny Belgrad

Great Ideas in Computer Science (CS 1) – Spring 2023

Module Topic: Fairness in algorithmic and human-decision making
Module Author: Aksel Sterri

Research Topics in Human-Computer Interaction (CS 279r) – Fall 2022

Module Topic: Stereotypes, Reflection and Transparency
Module Author: Megan Entwistle

Seminar on Effective Research Practices & Academic Culture (CS 290a) – Fall 2022

Module Topic: Moral and Professional Responsibility in Computing
Module Author: Trystan S. Goetze

AI for Social Impact (CS 288) – Fall 2022

Module Topic: Value Sensitive Design for AI4SI
Module Authors: Michael Pope

Reinforcement Learning (CS 184) – Fall 2022

Module Topic: Reward functions and Ethical Implications
Module Authors: Jenna L Donohue

Artificial Intelligence (CS 182) – Fall 2022

Module Topic: Designing Responsible AI
Module Authors: Michael Pope

Introduction to Computer Science (CS 50) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Cultivating Moral Imagination with Value Sensitive Design
Module Authors: William Cochran

Computer Hardware (CS 141) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Hardware Backdoors and Responsibility
Module Author: Eliza Wells

Programming Languages (CS152) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Designing Usable Programming Languages
Module Author: Eliza Wells

Operating Systems (CS 161) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Ethical Tradeoffs in Operating Systems Design: A Look at Cost-Benefit Analysis
Module Author: Sophie Gibert

Optimized Democracy (CS 238) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Democracy, Ignorance, and Power over Others
Module Author: Krupa K. Appleton

Design of Useful and Usable Interactive Systems (CS 179) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Justice In Design: Developing Your Moral Stance
Module Author: Sophie Gibert

Applied Privacy for Data Science (CS 208) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Differential Privacy in Context
Module Author: Sophie Gibert

Great Ideas in Computer Science (CS 1) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Algorithmic Fairness
Module Author: Krupa K. Appleton

Machine Learning (CS 181) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Moral Responsibility in Development
Module Author: Ellie Lasater-Guttmann

Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (CS 20) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Graph Theory & Testimonial Injustice
Module Author: Ellie Lasater-Guttmann

Abstraction and Design in Computation (CS 51) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Privacy vs. Perfection
Module Author: Ellie Lasater-Guttmann

PhD Grad Cohort Seminar (CS 290) – Spring 2022

Module Topic: Value-Sensitive Design
Module Author: Trystan S. Goetze

Artificial Intelligence (CS 182) – Fall 2021-2022

Module Topic: Thinking Responsibly About AI Systems
Module Author: Eliza Wells

Cryptography (CS 127/227) – Fall 2021-2022

Module Topic: Privacy and the Ethics of Client-Side Scanning
Module Author: Eliza Wells

Systems Programming and Machine Organization (CS 61) – Fall 2021-2022

Module Topic: Ethics of Language Encoding
Module Author: Eliza Wells

Compilers (CS 153) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: Free Software: Freedoms and Responsibilities
Module Author: Trystan S. Goetze

Systems Security (CS 263) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: The Ethics of Hacking Back
Module Author: Sophie Gibert

Data Systems (CS 165) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: Data Privacy
Module Author: Sophie Gibert

Advanced Computer Vision (CS 283) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: Facial Recognition: when, where, who
Module Author: J. L. A. Donohue

Data Science 1: Introduction to Data Science (CS 109A) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: Algorithmic (Un)fairness
Module Author: Sophie Gibert

Introduction to Computational Linguistics and Natural-language Processing (CS 187) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: Free Speech and Content Moderation Online
Module Author: Ellie Lasater-Guttmann

Economics and Computation (CS 136) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: Fair Equal Opportunity & Mechanism Design
Module Author: Ellie Lasater-Guttmann

Deep Learning for NLP (AC 295) – Fall 2021

Module Topic: Embedding Bias
Module Author: Ellie Lasater-Guttmann

Introduction to Computer Science (CS 50) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Democracy and the Digital Public Sphere
Module Author: Meica Magnani and Susan Kennedy

AI for Social Impact (CS 288) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Ethical Reasoning in AI for Social Impact
Module Author: Samuel Dishaw

Optimized Democracy (CS 238) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Democracy, Ignorance, and Power over Others
Module Author: Samuel Dishaw

Useful and Interactive Systems (CS 179) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Gamification
Module Author: Elís Miller Larsen

Machine Learning (CS 181) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Discrimination
Module Author: Lyndal Grant

Operating Systems (CS 161) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Ethical Tradeoffs in System Design: An Application of Cost-Benefit Analysis
Module Author: Elís Miller Larsen

Cloud Networking and Computing (CS 145-245) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Regulation of Cloud Service Providers
Module Author: Lyndal Grant

Computer Architecture (CS 146) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Sustainable AI
Module Author: Elís Miller Larsen

Programming Languages (CS152) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Programming Ethical Performance
Module Author: Zachary Gabor

Computer Hardware (CS 141) – Spring 2021

Module Topic:  Hardware Backdoors and the Doctrine of Double Effect
Module Author: Zachary Gabor

Abstraction and Design in Computation (CS 51) – Spring 2021

Module Topic: Moral Responsibility and Social Networks
Module Author: 
Samuel Dishaw

Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (CS 20) – Spring 2021

Module Topic: Core-Periphery Structures in Social Networks
Module Author: 
Zachary Gabor

Research Topics in Human-Computer Interaction (CS 279r) – Fall 2020

Module Topic:  Ignorance & Algorithms
Module Author: Elís Miller Larsen

Systems Security (CS 263) – Fall 2020

Module Topic:  The Ethics of Hacking Back
Module Author: Elís Miller Larsen

Advanced Topics in Programming Languages (CS 252r) – Fall 2020

Module Topic:  Interpretability and the Right to an ExplanationPerformance
Module Author: Zachary Gabor

Algorithms at the End of the Wire (CS 222) – Fall 2020

Module Topic:  Fair Queuing
Module Author: Samuel Dishaw

Introduction to Computational Linguistic (CS 187) – Fall 2020

Module Topic:  Defending Against Neural Fake News
Module Author: Samuel Dishaw

Visualization (CS 171) – Fall 2020

Module Topic:  The Ethics of Data Visualization
Module Author: Samuel Dishaw

Tiny Machine Learning (CS 249r) – Fall 2020

Module Topic: Privacy in Context
Module Author: 
Susan Kennedy

Topics at the Interface between Computer Science and Economics: Behavioral Economics and Computation (CS 236r) – Fall 2020

Module Topic: Ethics of Digital Nudging
Module Author:
Meica Magnani

Computer Networks (CS 143) – Fall 2020

Module Topic: 5G and Privacy in the Workplace
Module Author:
Zachary Gabor

Intro to Data Science (CS 109A) – Fall 2020

Module Topic: Injustice Ex(tra) Machina
Module Author:
Elís Miller Larsen

Systems Programming and Machine Organization (CS 61) – Fall 2020

Module Topic: Balancing Accessibility and Efficiency in Design
Module Author:
Zachary Gabor

Great Ideas in Computer Science (CS 1) – Spring 2020-2021

Module Topic: Electronic Privacy
Module Author: 
Lyndal Grant

Big Data Systems (CS 265) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: Privacy and Big Data
Module Author:
Diana Acosta Navas

Autonomous Robot Systems (CS 189) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: Autonomous weapons systems
Module Author:
Lyndal Grant

Machine Learning (CS 181) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: Discrimination in ML
Module Author:
Diana Acosta Navas

Design of Useful and Usable Interactive Systems (CS179) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: Moral obligation for inclusive design
Module Author:
Marion Boulicault

Cloud Networking and Computing (CS 145-245) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: Ownership and privacy
Module Author:
Lyndal Grant

Cryptography/Topics in Cryptography and Privacy (CS 127/227) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: Privacy and security
Module Author:
Marion Boulicault

Great Ideas in Computer Science (CS 1) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: The ethics of electronic privacy
Module Author:
Lyndal Grant

Operating Systems (CS 161) – Spring 2020

Module Topic: Ethical Tradeoffs in System Design
Module Author:
Diana Acosta Navas

Systems Programming and Machine Organization (CS 61) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: Representational Harm
Module Author:
Marion Boulicault

Systems Security (CS 263) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: The Ethics of Hacking Back
Module Author:
David Gray Grant

Visualization (CS 171) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: The Normativity of Data Visualization
Module Author:
Marion Boulicault

Economics and Computation (CS 136) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: Recommender Systems
Module Author:
Heather Spradley

Introduction to Data Science (CS 109A) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: The Ethics of Predicting Recidivism
Module Author:
Heather Spradley

Research Topics in Human-Computer Interaction (CS 279) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: Accessible Programming
Module Author:
Cat Wade

Advanced Computer Networks (CS 243) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: Tackling Censorship by Compromising Privacy
Module Author:
Cat Wade

Computer Architecture (CS 146/246) – Fall 2019

Module Topic: Ethics and Energy Use in Computing
Module Author:
Cat Wade

Programming Languages (CS 152) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Specification of ethical concerns
Module Author:
Diana Acosta Navas

Machine Learning (CS 181) Spring 2019

Module Topic: Discrimination in ML
Module Author:
Cat Wade

Natural Language Processing (CS 287) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Translation, bias and discrimination
Module Author:
Diana Acosta-Navas

Big Data Systems (CS 265) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Privacy and statistical inference from data
Module Author:
Diana Acosta-Navas

Autonomous Robot Systems (CS 189) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Automation and the value of work
Module Author:
Kate Vredenburgh

Design of Useful and Usable Interactive Systems (CS 179) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Moral obligation for inclusive design
Module Author:
Cat Wade

Operating Systems (CS 161) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Safety and design of Operating Systems
Module Author: Kate Vredenburgh

Cloud Networking and Computing (CS 145/245) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Security (privacy) and ethics
Module Author: Cat Wade

Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 124) – Spring 2019

Module Topic: Matching mechanisms and fairness
Module Author: Cat Wade

Great Ideas in Computer Science (CS 1) – 2019 Spring

Module Topic: Electronic Privacy
Module Author: Diana Acosta-Navas

Systems Security (CS 263) – Fall 2018

Module Topic: The Ethics of Hacking Back
Module Author: David Gray Grant

Systems Programming and Machine Organization (CS 61) – Fall 2018

Module Topic: The ethics of natural language representation
Module Author: Cat Wade

Topics at the Interface Between Computer Science and Economics (CS 236) – Spring 2018

Module Topic: Interpretability and fairness
Module Author: Kate Vredenburgh

Machine Learning (CS 181) – Spring 2018

Module Topic: Machine learning and discrimination
Module Author: Kate Vredenburgh

Programming Languages (CS 152) – Spring 2018

Module Topic: Verifiably ethical software systems
Module Author: David Gray Grant

Data Systems (CS 165) – Fall 2017

Module Topic: Data and privacy
Module Author: Kate Vredenburgh

Networks (CS 134) – Spring 2017

Module Topic: Facebook, fake news, and the ethics of censorship
Module Author: David Gray Grant

Scroll to:
Spring 2023
Fall 2022
Spring 2022
Fall 2021
Spring 2021
Fall 2020
Spring 2020
Fall 2019
Spring 2019
Fall 2018
Spring 2019
Fall 2017
Spring 2017

Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Embedded EthiCS is a trademark of President and Fellows of Harvard College | Contact us