George Mason University · School of Computing
Course Overview
IT 304 examines the far-reaching impact of information technology on society, business, and governance across the globe. This course fulfills the core ethics requirement for the Information Technology major, challenging students to think critically about the responsibilities that come with building and deploying technology at scale.
Through real-world case studies — from data privacy legislation and AI regulation to digital divides and cross-border cybersecurity — students develop the ethical reasoning skills they will need throughout their careers. Technology decisions are never made in a vacuum; they ripple outward in ways that affect communities, economies, and democratic institutions.
Key Topics
Frameworks for ethical reasoning applied to real technology decisions
How IT reshapes trade, labor, and economic power across borders
Data governance, surveillance, and the regulatory landscape
AI, automation, and their societal consequences
Course Game
IT 304 includes a simulation game that challenges students to navigate ethical technology decisions under real-world constraints.
IT 304 Interactive Simulation
Ship-It
Launch the course game — make decisions, face consequences
Instructor Note
This is one of the courses I find most rewarding to teach. Having worked inside the Federal Government, led cybersecurity for a financial institution, and participated in industry groups like the FS-ISAC AI Risk Group and IEEE Computer Group, I've seen first-hand how technology decisions made in a boardroom or a government office affect millions of people. I try to bring those experiences into every class discussion.