CS 492The Social Implications of Computing
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 6 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 4 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course is designed to consider the problems encountered by individuals, organizations and society as computer technology is adopted, with a view towards assessing possible courses of action.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Enrolled in H-BBA & BCS Double Degree, H-Computer Science (BCS), H-Computer Science (BMath), JH-Computer Science (BCS), JH-Computer Science (BMath), H-Computing & Financial Management, H-Data Science (BCS), or H-Software Engineering
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5621 | 0 / 60 | TTh 16:00–17:20 |
| LEC 002 | 5979 | 0 / 60 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 003 | 6435 | 0 / 60 | TTh 14:30–15:50 |
| LEC 701 | 2205 | 163 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 492.
- CS 492 Redirection Course website · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- Remove
Course notes, 9 PDFs cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Robin Cohen’s site
Reviewed on UW Flow
71% liked it84% easy50% useful
From 72 ratings and 31 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
One guy in class during discussion basically said we should sacrifice ethics for algorithm efficiency
Sep 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I found it a memorable course, although the 8:30am start time wasn't favourable. You get to roleplay a perspective in the computing industry, whether you're advocating for the good or evil. The highest graded Piazza participation happens here, but in a good nerdy way. Carmen was a quite supportive guy, and I liked his discussion initiations or offtracks. Also, don't give up if you ruined your first essay.
Aug 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I'm borderline on this course. It was not implementation or theory oriented like all the other CS courses I'd taken. It was all about writing essays and reading up about current issues in computing. The class is largely discussion based, so there aren't any lectures. You have to attend class to get attendance marks. You'll also do group presentations/debates. The essays can be pretty lengthy as well, upwards of 2000-2500 words. Just a note that the prof said straight off that it was difficult to get higher than 90 on essays, and you can't just BS the papers and expect a high mark (like other writing heavy courses). It's pretty thick on analysis as well, so you could treat it as an English…
Dec 2019 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Easy, chill and the discussions were interesting. Although the writing assignments were meh (ugh - work!) This course exceeded expectations. Bill Cowan was great.
Jul 2014 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Honestly should be a required course for all of CS. Each "lecture" was an open discussion led by the prof about the offline readings on a topic. A portion of your grade was in participation, which meant in-class contributions to the discussion. Its pretty easy to get full points on this. This class widened my perspective on a number of ethical issues in CS that I hadn't considered as deeply before, and I found this really valuable. The essays themselves were graded on a "how well did you follow the rubric"-basis though, which hurt their usefulness.
Grade breakdown: 5x10% written essays assignments; 25% participation; 25% group presentation (role-playing assignment)Sep 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
141 posts and comments in 124 threads mention CS 492, December 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
CS 431 Final 7 points, 3 comments
“Why is the prof avoiding every question about the final on Piazza? I'm cooked 💀”
u/Maremesscamm: [deleted]
u/Lorenza21: “Seems like most cs courses have that pass the exam thing. Cs492 was only one that didn't have for me”
CS 452, CS 488 + one other course. Doable? 3 points, 1 comment
u/s01arpunk: “… It was just gonna be CS 488, CS 492, and then a history class (with a good amount of reading). If I add 452 I'll be replacing 492 with it since I've wanted to do 488 since first year. Is this even doable? I just barely have a 90 average (and I'd like to keep it that way). …”
Most interesting upper-year CS classes 13 points, 8 comments
u/s01arpunk: “… Currently on my schedule I have 488 (Graphics) since I’ve been meaning to take that since like 2nd year and CS 492 since I feel like it’d be fun to talk about the social implications of my field with the people I’ll be graduating with. …”
How is CS 492? 4 points, 1 comment
u/s01arpunk: “I've heard lots of things both good and bad about it. 1) Are the discussions interesting? I get the feeling that tech bros might not be the brightest when it comes to ethics. But I would hope that there are a decent number of people taking it out of genuine interest. …”
MSE442 vs. STV208 1 point, 1 comment
“I'm considering taking either MSE442 or STV208 next term. Has anyone taken these before and have any recommendations?”
u/Ok-Conclusion-5481: “… I was previously enrolled in the course and enjoyed the delivery - content-wise it's similar to CS 492 but also online so it's very flexible Based on STV 210 (maybe a fallacy), I believe STV courses are generally more work. …”
What are some CS courses without an in person midterm? 1 point, 6 comments
“I need some recs for upper year CS courses without in person midterms, and preferably without exams either. Need something as chill as possible to take on the side while I do coop.”
u/YaffaOrange: “CS 449, CS 492”
Easy 4th year level courses? 1 point, 1 comment
“Preferrably no final exam”
u/YaffaOrange: “No final exam: CS 449, CS 492 Final exam: CS 489 (Software Delivery), CO 487, CS 445 Idk you provided like no other context”
Spring 2024
How much sex would this semester provide me? 28 points, 5 comments
“3B CS, thinking about taking these courses (only 4): - CS 350 - CS 346 - CS 449 (holy grail of cs 🦅s) - CO 489 Is this semester easy-ish, or should I remove 489? …”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “Don't worry, CS 350 alone will satisfy your libido and more. The others are closer to foreplay. If I might suggest, I recommend CS 492 as a popular lubricant. If you prefer it... rough, then CS 452 may suit your exquisite tastes”
easy upper year cs courses 14 points, 12 comments
“pls recommend ez course for aimless hoeless jobless soon-to-be-homeless brainrotted individuals like me tysm!”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “CS 492”
thoughts on workload 4 points, 1 comment
u/goose-ctrl: “would this workload be manageable on top of coop search as 3rd year cs? planning to take them in fall CS 341 Algorithms CS 350 Operating Systems CS 370 Numerical Computation CS 492 The Social Implications of Computing ECON 424 Machine Learning in Economics PHYS 121L Mechanics Lab”
Winter 2024
Cs 4A Course Load 8 points, 5 comments
“Hey does anyone know how manageable this course load is lol. Cs349 user interfaces Cs449 human-computer interaction Cs456 computer networks Cs489 advanced topics: privacy, crypto, data security …”
u/_KareemCheese_: “… You did a good job picking out the easier CS electives, unless you wanted to do CS492 instead of CS456 to make it easier.”
Spring 2024 CS492 swap 2 points, 0 comments
u/No-Charity5138: “Hi all! Is there anyone who is curretnly in LEC001 (8:30 section) and want to switch to LEC002 (11:30) section. Please send me a message if you do. Thank you!”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them