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Course Schedule
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 (Aug 28 – 30 ): Course Introduction and Concepts
Cybernetics, communication, codes, and control.
HUHB Preface, Ch 1
Week 2 (Sept 4 – 6): Feedback
HUHB chapters ch 2 - 3
Response 1 (on negative feedback)
Week 3 (Sept 11 – 13): Homeostasis
HUHB chapters 4-8
Response 2 (on homeostasis)
Week 4 (Sept 18 – 20): the 2nd Industrial revolution
HUHB chapters 9-11
Response 3 (on 2nd Industrial Revolution)
Week 5 (Sept 25 – 27): Technological Singularity
Vernor Vinge, "Technological Singularity"
Ray Kurzweil: "After the Singularity," " Will Machines Become Conscious?" and other selections from Kurzweil Reader
Essay 1 due Sept 30
Week 6 (Oct 2 – 4): AI
Bostrom SI ch 1-2
Heidi Ledford "CRISPR, The Disruptor"
Response 4 (AI)
Week 7 (Oct 11): SI
Bostrom SI ch 3-4
Response 5 (types of SI)
Columbus Day: Monday classes meet Tuesday. Tuesday classes do not meet)
Week 8 (Oct 16 – 18): SI Will
Bostrom SI ch 5-7
Response 6 (What Would an AI Want?)
Week 9 (Oct 23 – 25): Control
Bostrom SI ch 8-10
Response 7: The Control Problem
Week 10 (Oct 30 – Nov 1): Values
Bostrom SI ch 11-15 and Afterword
Response 8: The Value-Loading Problem
Week 11 (Nov 6 – 8):Research and Technology
GMU Library Databases
Future of Life Institute & KurzweilAI.net
Synthesis: Using & Citing Sources
Essay 2 due Nov 9
Week 12 (Nov 13 – 15): Related Arguments
Robin Hanson, "The Great Filter"
Bostrom "Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?" and various responses
Response 10 (Related Arguments)
Week 13 (Nov 20):
Cancelled due to weather
Thanksgiving Recess Nov 21 – 25
All revisions due by Nov 25
Week 14 (Nov 27 – 29): Final Presentations
Begin Final Presentations
Week 15 (Dec 4 – 6):
Final Presentations
Continue Final Presentations
Make up Day (Dec 10)
Finish final presentations (if needed). Extended Office hours (Rob B472) if not.
Research Paper due Dec 10
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