Self and Society
This course addresses the basic, mutually constructive relationship between self and society. For the last 15 years or so, I have taught the course with a focus on current selves and society, and in particular, how technology, and especially social media, impact the self/society relationship.
But there is one significant technological development in the last two years which has transformed not only the student relationship to their work and to their instructors, but is also changing the self-society relationship, and threatens to dramatically impact many other aspects of society. This development is artificial intelligence.
My proposed approach involves both some experimental use of ChatGPT in a course assignment, and the application of critical thought to student use of AI.
The goal of the project is to require students to carefully, critically consider how they engage with AI, especially with respect to their academic work, and how this engagement impacts both their selves and society.