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The schedule of readings will almost certainly change during the course of the semester, depending on the interests in the class. We may not discuss all readings in class, but you should be prepared to discuss the readings if and when they come up in class discussions.
Week 1 (Jan 22): Course
Introduction and Concepts
Cybernetics, communication, codes, and control.
Begin Wiener, Human Use of Human Beings Preface.
Week 2 (Jan 27-29): Feedback
HUHB chapters 1-3
Response 1 (on negative feedback)
Week 3 (Feb 3-5): Homeostasis
HUHB chapters 4-8
Response 2 (on homeostasis)
Week 4 (Feb 10-12): the 2nd Industrial revolution
HUHB chapters 9-11
Response 3 (on 2nd Industrial Revolution)
Week 5 (Feb 17-19): Technological Singularity
Vernor Vinge, "Technological
Singularity."
Essay 1 due Feb 19
Week 6 (Feb 24-26): Technological Progress
Begin Kurzweil Age of Spiritual Machines Prologue, Chapters 1-2
Response 4 (on the life cycle of a technology)
Week 7 (March 3-5): Mind and Machine
ASM chapters 3-5
Response 5 (on uploading the human brain)
Week 8 (Spring
Break)
Week 9 (March 17-19): Identity and Embodiment
ASM chapters 6-7 and "How to Build an Intelligent Machine (pp 281-297)
Response 6 (on embodiment and identity)
Week 10 (March 24-26): Predicting the Future
ASM chapters 8-10
Essay 2 due March 26
Week 11 (March 31-April 2): Further into the Future
ASM chapters 11-12, Epilogue
Response 7 (on Predicting the Future)
Week 12 (April 7-9): On the Other Hand
Bill Joy "Why
the Future Doesn't Need Us"
Response 8 (on Joy)
Week 13 (April 14-16): Research and Technology
Google, Databases, and Wikipedia
Response 9 (Your Big Questions)
Week 14 (April 21-23): Big Questions
Edge.Org 2009 Question: What
Will Change Everything?
Response 10 (Research Topics)
Week 15 (April 28-30): Peer Review
Peer Review of Research paper, April 28
Exam Prep
Research Paper due May 5
Final Exam: Tuesday May 12, 7:30-10:15 am
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