Evaluating Bias and Human Value

This capstone unit synthesizes concepts of the impartial data paradox, the dual nature of biases, and distinctions between specific and systemic bias to prepare students for ethically grounded software design. Students will also examine societal valuations of human life and demonstrate scholarly mastery of the course readings (Chapters 1–8) to inform mitigation strategies and value-sensitive recommendations.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the impartial data paradoxes and dual nature of biases by comparing case examples and identifying trade-offs among fairness, accuracy, and transparency in algorithmic systems.
• Evaluate specific and systemic biases in society through root-cause analysis and produce a targeted mitigation plan for a real-world software scenario.
• Apply ethical and value-sensitive design frameworks to assess how differing valuations of human life influence technical and policy decisions, and justify a recommended design choice for a given use case.
• Demonstrate scholarly research and professional documentation skills by synthesizing Chapters 1–8 into an annotated bibliography and accurately citing sources according to accepted academic standards.