Writing Assignment 1 Solution

Situation




You are an intern at a major computer science-based technology firm. For this assignment, choose an existing company to join– Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, EA, Symantec, etc. This does not have to be the company with whom you will eventually intern.




You’ve been asked by your supervisor, Mary Moreno, to provide your thoughts on the following situation.




A recent article republished in JavaWorld Magazine asks the question whether software developers should have a separate code of ethics. The article can be found here: (http://www.javaworld.com/article/3156939/careers/should-software-developers-have-a-code-of-ethics.html)




Your company has been identified as a leader in the industry and wants to be included in this larger conversation. To understand the issue better, the company is asking everyone from VPs to lawyers to interns to offer their thoughts. As a result, your supervisor has identified you as a person with a promising future and has asked you to participate by providing your opinion.




To do so, you’ve been advised to first consider your own opinions and experiences. What do think are the most important ethical issues facing your profession in 2017? You have a unique background and your insight is invaluable to such an effort as this. Your own experiences and perceptions will be more persuasive than just general, generic thoughts on the topic.




Also, your supervisor has suggested that you review the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) code of ethics to understand how some have framed ethics in computer science-related industries. (Here is a link to the code: https://www.acm.org/about/code-of-ethics.) According to that website, that code consists of “24 imperatives formulated as statements of personal responsibility, (and) identifies the elements of such a commitment. It contains many, but not all, issues professionals are likely to face.” In the same spirit, your supervisor suggests that you think of your input as one of those “statements”.







Task




In 750 words or fewer, prepare a response. This should include:

An overview of your memo.
A brief history of your chosen company’s past ethical initiatives or ethical problems. Include only what is relevant.
Identification of the primary ethical issue with which you’re concerned or interested.
A discussion of that issue’s importance, including your own insights.
Inclusion of a “statement of personal responsibility” with an explanation.
A suggested action.



This is an internal document, not an academic research paper. You will use the course Memo Format and address the memo to your supervisor. Any references can be included in the memo’s prose, or any clear citations or footnotes can be used. The above bullet points reflect the content expectations of the reader, though you’re free to make any recommendation.




ASSIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS




Please note the following specifications for this assignment:




Main Criteria for Success:




Opening Summary/Focus
Clarity
Effective Sentence and Paragraph Length
Conciseness/Directness
Audience-appropriate Tone and Content
Authoritative Voice (Credibility)
Appropriate Balance



Assignments Specifics:




Due via course dropbox February 3 (by start of class)
Include Statement of Originality with Submission
750 word limit
Memo is addressed to your supervisor, Mary Moreno
The larger audience is the company’s Board of Directors
Use the course Memo Format