DB week 5 Homeland

The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.

At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Friday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Friday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation.

The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.

Technology—in whatever form—is generally not inherently unethical or immoral; rather, it is the manner in which a tool or capability is used and the decision-making process employed to determine that use that presents a potential dilemma.

Assignment Guidelines

• In 6–8 paragraphs, address the following:
  1. What do you think are 3 ways that emergency circumstances might require the setting aside of traditional ethics to manage the crisis or defeat an adversary?
     • In addition, provide your own perspective for each example you described, and justify or argue against the suspension of ethical considerations.
  2. Biometrics is 1 form of technology being explored, and in some cases applied, for widespread purposes ranging from access control to a proposed mass use in national identification cards. Go online and briefly search for sources that tell you more about biometrics and the ways they are—or could be—used. Based on your research, answer these questions:
     • Describe in detail 1 way that biometrics are currently used.
       • Does this usage have a linkage to homeland security? If so, explain the connection; if not, could it have linkage?
     • Do you believe this current usage of biometrics is ethical? Why or why not?
     • Describe the fundamental concerns opponents of biometrics’ use have regarding privacy. Do you find their concerns legitimate? Why or why not?
     • How are biometrics stored and maintained? Do you believe they are adequately secured? Why or why not? What risks and benefits exist with storing biometrics? Is there an ethical dilemma here; if so, identify and discuss it.
     • Biometrics are—or may potentially—be shared between government agencies (domestic and foreign) and private industries.
       • Identify and explain at least 1 benefit for such exchanges.
       • Identify and explain at least 1 example of how the information might be misused.
• Post a new topic to the Discussion Board that contains your responses to the above questions.
• Comment on at least 2 other students’ posts.

In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion Board and comment on at least two other postings. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.