First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-20)
Topic
AI, Race, and the Future of Humanity
Instructors
Sylvester Johnson
847/467-5410
5-128 Crowe, 1860 Campus Dr
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and by appontment
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L04: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
This undergraduate first-year writing course is designed to teach essential writing skills that will empower students to communicate successfully and support their achievements as college students and beyond, as career professionals. This course devotes central attention to the intersection of race and technology, particularly as examined in Black Studies scholarship. Students will learn about systemic racial forms and impacts of AI technology, explore the rapidly changing world of generative AI technology, and comprehend AI's risks, relevance, and benefits for scholarly communication. Students will discover methods to apply generative AI to advance research, analyze data, and effectively communicate insights. This course will also engage human creativity, combining it with AI-assisted ideation to elevate student's capacity for creative writing. Designed to nurture circumspect and curious learners, this course invites students to engage with the uncharted future of AI, race, and humanity, cultivating socio-technical analysis, scholarly communication, and ethical frameworks for implementation. Join us on this exciting journey to enhance writing skills, harness the potential of AI for written expression, and study the pivotal role of race and AI for the future of humanity.
Learning Objectives
1. Students will develop essential writing skills that empower effective and successful communication in academic and professional contexts.
2. Students will learn about race as a socio-technical formation that has shaped historical and present-day applications of AI technology.
3. Students will learn about the critiques of AI technology and related forms of digital technology that have emerged in Black Studies and related disciplines.
4. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of generative AI technology, including its risks, relevance, and benefits for scholarly communication.
5. Students will learn to apply generative AI tools to enhance their research capabilities, analyze data, and communicate insights effectively.
6. Students will cultivate ethical standards for using AI in their writing, understanding the importance of transparency, originality, and proper attribution.
7. Students will enhance their critical thinking and analytical skills by evaluating the ethical implications of AI in writing and scholarly communication.
8. Students will develop the ability to collaborate effectively with peers, utilizing AI tools to facilitate peer review and constructive feedback.
9. Students will become circumspect and curious learners, prepared to engage with the evolving landscape of race, AI and their impact on humanity, fostering scholarly communication and ethical integrity.
Class Materials (Required)
Benjamin, Ruha Race After Technology 978-1509526406
Noble, Safiya Algorithms of Oppression 978-1479837243
Class Materials (Suggested)
Williams, Joseph Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity and Grace 978-0321095176
Class Attributes
WCAS Writing Seminar
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.