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Course Description
The course will begin with the concept of Cybernetics, popularized by Norbert Wiener's Human Use of Human Beings, a book he wrote (in 1950) specifically to explain cybernetics to the interested non-expert. Cybernetics, as Wiener and the first generation of computer engineers defined it, is the science of control and communication in machines, animals, and human beings. Cybernetics gave us the concepts of "cyberspace" and the "cybernetic organism"—the cyborg. The cybernetic concept of the transhuman (or posthuman) forces us to question what it means to be human. We will explore these concepts by studying later technological advances in computer science, biology, sociology, philosophy, and the arts.
Texts:
Print:
Norbert Wiener. The Human Use of Human Beings. ($15.00)
Kurzweil, Ray. The Singularity is Near. ($22.00)
Prices as of January 2015. If you are charged more at the bookstore,
let me know.
Both texts are available as e-books as well, but the Wiener e-book is of poor quality.
Online:
Vernor Vinge, "Technological
Singularity"
Future of Life Institute Resources & AI Research Priorities
Nick Bostrom, "A History of Transhumanist Thought"
Bill Joy "Why
the Future Doesn't Need Us"
Francis Fukuyama, "Transhumanism"
Several talks from the TED Talks series
Course Site:
We will use Blackboard for online discussions and essay submissions.
Assignments:
The assignments in this course consist of three essays, weekly reading responses, and a final exam. The first essay will be an analysis of some complex system in light of Norbert Wiener's concept of cybernetics. The system may be biological, social, mechanical, digital, or any combination of these. The second essay will be on Kurzweil's vision of technological progress. The third essay will be research topic on a specific technology or a specific issue related to technology.
The weekly responses will be posted to Blackboard. The weekly responses will be on a specific question which I will post, and they will be due before class on most Tuesdays (if there is an essay due that week, there is no weekly response). You may add to your posts after class, of course. I will also ask you to comment on the posts of other students. To earn full credit for the responses, you must post 10 weekly responses, and comment on at least five of your fellow students' posts.
The final exam will be a cumulative in-class short essay exam. I will post study terms a week or so before the exam. The exam date is. Bluebooks are not required, but they are convenient.
| Essay 1 | Feb. 20 | 20% |
| Essay 2 | March 27 | 20% |
| Essay 3 | May 4 | 25% |
| Weekly reading responses | most Tuesdays | 15% |
| Final Exam | May 12 | 20% |
Course Policies
Grading: Grades on the essays will be based primarily on the quality of the writing. I value clear, focused writing with plenty of examples. Grades on the research essay will be based on the quality of the research as well: I expect you to use the GMU Library databases as well as the Internet.
Late Assignments: Late papers will
lose 5% per day unless you make prior arrangements with
me.
Revision Policy: The essays may be revised for a higher grade,
but they must be substantially revised. You cannot lose a grade by
revising, but a higher grade is not guaranteed. I have found that "B" papers
(or higher) are often more difficult to revise, since serious revision
requires thoroughly changing the essay's structure, and "B" papers
usually have a fairly good structure. "C" papers (or lower) often
respond more dramatically to revision, since the major changes they require
are often more straightforward. I recommend revising "C" papers
or lower only. If you plan to revise a "B" paper, please
see me beforehand so we can discuss a revision strategy.
All revisions must be turned in by April 23
Plagiarism: The
GMU Honor Code is available online. I will report suspected
cases of plagiarism to the Honor Committee.
Important Dates
| Martin Luther King Day (no classes) | Mon Jan 19 |
| First day of classes; last day to submit Domicile Reclassification Application; Payment Due Date; full semester waitlists removed | Tues Jan 20 |
| Summer 2015 Graduation Intent Available via Patriot Web | Mon Jan 26 |
| Last day to add classes—all individualized section forms due Last day to drop with no tuition penalty |
Tues Jan 27 |
| Last day to drop with a 33% tuition penalty | Tues Feb 10 |
| Final Drop Deadline (67% tuition penalty) | Fri Feb 20 |
| Last day to file your Spring 2015 Graduation Intent | Fri Feb 20 |
| Immunization Record Deadline | Sun Mar 1 |
| Midterm progress reporting period (100-200 level classes)—grades available via Patriot Web | Mon Feb 16 – Fri Mar 20 |
| Selective Withdrawal Period (undergraduate students only) | Mon Feb 23 – Fri Mar 27 |
| Spring Break | Mon Mar 9 – Sun Mar 15 |
| Incomplete work from Fall 2014 due to Instructor | Fri Mar 27 |
| Incomplete grade changes from Fall 2014 due to Registrar | Fri Apr 3 |
| Dissertation/Thesis Deadline | Fri May 1 |
| Last day of classes | Mon May 4 |
| Reading Days Reading days provide students with additional study time for final examinations. Faculty may schedule optional study sessions, but regular classes or exams may not be held. |
Tue May 5 |
| Exam Period (beginning at 7:30 a.m.) | Wed May 6 – Wed May 13 |
| Commencement and Degree Conferral Date | May 16 |
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