17-702 / 19-602 / 95-862 

Instructors: Aleecia M. McDonald <am40@andrew.cmu.edu> and Norman Sadeh <sadeh@cs.cmu.edu>

The Current Topics in Privacy Seminar will meet on Thursdays from 11:50 am to 1:10 pm ET in HBH 1002. Our speakers will join us on Zoom. You are welcome to join on Zoom in the HBH 1002 room if that is more convenient for you, or on your own laptop from a different location, as you like. Our Zoom link is <https://cmu.zoom.us/j/97719097658?pwd=YklpY0lVWkIxNTcvSFkrRTRLektXQT09> (you can also click the Zoom link to the left in the menu bar if you prefer.)

REMINDER: courses begin online-only for the first two weeks. That means for this course, we start on Zoom and expect to meet in person for the first time on February 3rd. 

In this seminar course students, privacy professionals from industry, government, and non-profits will deliver guest lectures each semester. A few sessions will also be used to discuss capstone experiences and current public policy issues related to privacy.

Grading

25% Class participation

Students are expected to attend on time and participate actively in discussions. Thoughtful questions, comments, and reflections are preferred and graded most favorably: quality over quantity. To ensure that you are recorded as present, join the Zoom link on time with a name that matches well enough to your name as listed in S3. 

We understand that "life happens, especially to students" so you will automatically drop one absence without penalty. 

75% Talk Summaries (3)

For three presentations students will submit a 2-page paper which includes a summary of the talk and reading and discussion of at least two challenges identified by the speaker or yourself. Your reflections are appropriate. 

No book reports due this semester. 

A note about closed captioning: Our zoom sessions use closed captioning, which most students prefer. However if you feel that the captions interfere with your learning experience, you can turn them off - see the following instructions

Seminar schedule

Subject to change! For the latest schedule see: https://privacy.cs.cmu.edu/masters/seminar/index.html

University Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism

You are expected to read and attend to the information in the University Policy on Academic Integrity. The full policy is available at https://www.cmu.edu/academic-integrity/. You are expected to work independently on your assignments for this seminar and to properly cite any materials you use to complete your assignments.

Take Care of Yourself and Ask for Help

Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress. All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. There are many helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for support sooner rather than later is often helpful. If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) is here to help: call 412-268-2922 and visit their website at http://www.cmu.edu/counseling. Consider reaching out to a friend, faculty or family member you trust for help getting connected to the support that can help.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal or in danger of self-harm, call someone immediately, day or night:

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS): 412-268-2922
• Re:solve Crisis Network: 888-796-8226

If the situation is life threatening, call the police:

• On campus - CMU Police: 412-268-2323
• Off campus: 911