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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 20): Course
Introduction and Concepts
Cybernetics, communication, codes, and control.
Begin Wiener, Human Use of Human Beings Preface.
Week 2 (Jan 25 - 27): Feedback
HUHB chapters 1-3
Response 1 (on negative feedback)
Week 3 (Feb 1 - 3): Homeostasis
HUHB chapters 4-8
Response 2 (on homeostasis)
Week 4 (Feb 6 - 10): the 2nd Industrial
revolution
HUHB chapters 9-11
Response 3 (on 2nd Industrial Revolution)
Week 5 (Feb 15 - 17): Technological Singularity
Finish HUHB
Vernor Vinge, "Technological
Singularity."
Essay 1 due
Feb 17
Week 6 (Feb 22 - 24): Technological Progress
Begin Kurzweil Age of Spiritual Machines Prologue, Chapters 1-2
Response 4 (on the life cycle of a technology)
Week 7 (March 1 - 3): Mind and Machine
ASM chapters 3-5
Response 5 (on uploading the human brain)
Week 8 (Spring
Break)
Week 9 (March 15 - 17): 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 22 - 24): Predicting the Future
ASM chapters 8-10
Essay 2 due March
24
Week 11 (March 29 - 31): Further into the Future
ASM chapters 11-12, Epilogue
Response 7 (on Predicting the Future)
Week 14 (April 19 - 21): Big Questions
Edge.Org 2009 Question: What
Will Change Everything?
Response 10 (Your Big Questions)
Week 15 (April 26 - 28): Synthesis
Using & Citing Sources
Week 16: (May 3 - 7):
Make up
Exam Prep
Peer Review of Research paper, May 3
Research Paper due
May 7
Final Exam: Wednesday, May12, 9:45 - 11:45 am
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