General course information

Required Texts

• Asaro, Catherine. The Phoenix Code. New York: Bantam, 2000. (9780553762716)
• Asimov, Isaac. I, Robot. 1950. New York: Bantam Dell, 2004. (9780553294385)
• Baker, Stephen. Final Jeopardy: Man vs. Machine and the Quest to Know Everything. 2011. Mariner Books, 2012. (9780547747194)
• Čapek, Karel. R. U. R. 1921. New York: Penguin, 2004. (9780141182087)
• Gibson, William. Neuromancer. 1984. New York: Ace, 1986. (9780441569595)

The above are available for purchase through the campus bookshop.
In addition to these, we will be studying six movies and an essay, all of which will be available on reserve in the library:

• Cameron, James. The Terminator. 1984.
• Cameron, James. Terminator 2: Judgment Day. 1991.
• Haraway, Donna. “A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century.” Simians, Cyborgs, and Woman: The Reinvention of Nature. New York: Routledge, 1991. 149-81.
• Proyas, Alex. I, Robot. 2004.
• Scott, Ridley. Blade Runner. 1982.
• Spielberg, Steven. A. I.: Artificial Intelligence. 2001.
• Stanton, Andrew. WALL-E. 2008.

Course Expectations or Outputs

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. identify and differentiate the characteristics used to portray artificial intelligence in popular media.
2. demonstrate the skills of close reading in an analysis of the figurative and symbolic value of the representations of artificial intelligence in popular media.
3. articulate the importance of theoretical concepts (drawing mainly upon Marxism, feminist theory, and masculinities studies) to the representations of artificial intelligence in popular media.
4. construct and support analytical arguments in correct essay format.
5. communicate ideas and analyses clearly and coherently in class discussion.

Course Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate:

1. a detailed knowledge of popular representations of artificial intelligence, including an ability to unpack their ideological underpinnings.
2. an ability to interpret literary and cultural texts (that depict artificial intelligence) in a nuanced and historically informed manner.
3. an ability to participate in a critical discussion by communicating ideas and analytical observations in a clear and concise manner.
4. an ability to develop and sustain analytical arguments.
5. an ability to communicate logical and analytical arguments in clear, correct, and persuasive prose.

Preparation and Participation

You are expected to participate in class in an informed manner. At the very least, you are expected to come to class regularly, having read all assigned reading. You are expected to participate in class discussions. Keep in mind that participating in class is usually a highly rewarding experience, greatly enhancing your ability to understand the course material and helping ensure your success in the course. Everyone is expected to be courteous and professional at all times in class.

Lateness

• The term essay is due in class on November 19th. You may hand in the essay up to and including December 3rd without penalty. After that, there will be a penalty of 2%/day (including weekend days). Papers handed in after December 7th will be graded with minimal or no feedback.
• The short essay is due at the start of the class during which we talk about the text (book/movie/essay) about which you have selected to write. If you miss the deadline, you must choose a different text, not yet covered in class, and write a new essay.
• No assignment will be accepted after the start of the final exam.
• If you are registered with Student Services for special consideration with regards to due dates, please hand in the appropriate form to the instructor and, if needed, remind the instructor about the consideration when handing in the assignments.