College Seminar (101-7-30)

Topic

Progress in the A.I. Age

Instructors

Scott Ogawa

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall G29: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

We will read Steven Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress and use it to discuss the sources and ramifications of Progress, broadly defined. Focus will nevertheless be placed on economic progress, especially in recent centuries. Additional readings, topics, and discussion will be based on student interests and input. And as this is 2026 and this course is about progress, how could we possibly not talk about what may be the greatest innovation of our lifetime (or maybe ever?): Computers that are capable of thinking -- or perhaps not. Either way, we will discuss A.I.

Class Materials (Required)

Enlightenment Now (Steven Pinker) ISBN-13:978-0143111382. Publisher: Penguin Books; The Righteous Mind (Jonathan Haidt)

Class Materials (Suggested)

None

Class Attributes

WCAS College Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration. Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required