RESOURCES:  The following are only basic resources. You may have to search for others for additional information.

Basic definitions: A. http://whatis.techtarget.com/
B. http://www.atis.org/tg2k/
C. Basics of how almost all technologies work (How DVDs work, how digital television works, and much more).  You might start with the tabs “computer stuff ” or “electronic stuff,” or maybe do a search:  http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Each of the above has advantages and disadvantages. For example, A provides a definition for “frequency ” but not “frequency response” whereas C provides a definition for “frequency response.” A,B and C are good for simple definitions, but D is good for explaining the applications of technical devices.

Goal: To get a basic understanding of the public policy issues related to technologies as well as a quick look at regulatory agencies.

I. Look up the U. S. regulators of technologies (e.g., who regulates electronic transmissions, tech businesses, etc.). In the U.S., who regulates communication industries (advertising, broadcasting, etc.)?

Look up V-chip regulations

III. Read about electronic crimes:

The Washington RCW 9A.48.070 defines malicious mischief in the first degree as: (1) A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the first degree if he knowingly and maliciously: (a) Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars; and so on. But read: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9A.48.100 (note the effective date).

E-crimes: http://www.criminology.unimelb.edu.au/research/ecrime/ecrimedefn.html

I. Come to class prepared to answer the following questions about the topics above:

1. What government agencies regulate advertising? (more than one agency)
2. What government agencies regulate broadcasting? (more than one agency)
3. When did the requirement that “all new television sets 13 inches or larger to contain the V-chip technology” go into effect? Who required it?
4. Should V-chips and the rating system exist?
5. If you were (are) a parent, would you use the V-chip? Why? Does this constitute personal policy?
6. What are the various electronic crimes?
7. In 1978, back in the days before personal computers—when “mainframes” held files for thousands of people—suppose I erased or altered someone else’s files on a mainframe computer that I had legal access to, would that have been a crime? If I did it today would it be a crime?
8 . What new crimes do you need to anticipate over the next 20 years?