First-Year Writing Seminar (105-8-24)

Topic

AI: Love it, Hate it, Live with it?

Instructors

Charles Yarnoff
8474914965
555 Clark St., 243
Office Hours: By appointment

Meeting Info

555 Clark 230: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

At college graduation ceremonies last spring, speakers touting the bright future of AI were roundly booed by students. The reality of this AI backlash is confirmed by recent surveys that show that students--even those who regularly use chatbots--are increasingly angry and anxious about what AI means for society and for themselves personally. They are concerned about how it will impact their abilities to think, to write, and to pursue their chosen career. In this seminar, we will explore whether it is possible to use AI in ways that promote those abilities. We will also examine the issues raised by AI use in regard to ethics, privacy, and personal relationships as well as questions about the existential risks that AI poses. Each student will have the opportunity to pursue a research project on an AI-related question that interests them and to share the results of that research with their fellow students. As a first-year writing seminar, this course will focus on developing your skills in college-level writing: Posing a question that interests you, gathering information that helps you answer it, making an argument that communicates your answer persuasively, and conveying your argument in a style that is appropriate and effective for your audience.

Class Materials (Required)

All readings will be on Canvas

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar
WCAS Writing Seminar
Freshmen Only

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required