Unit 2: Drawing the Boundaries of Humanity

Week 4

Due Monday, Jan. 29

Consider: When do science and technology bring out the best in us? When do science and technology
bring out the worst in us?
Read: “Are Robots About to Rise?” http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/22/robots-google-
ray-kurzweil-terminator-singularity-artificial-intelligence (BB)
Read: “Facebook’s AI Robots Shut Down After They Start Talking to Each Other in Their Own
Language”
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/facebook-artificial-intelligence-ai-
chatbot-new-language-research-openai-google-a7869706.html
Brainstorm: 3 Questions that the articles make you ask

Due Wednesday, Jan. 31 film

Read: “Everything You Need to Know About Sophia, the World’s First Robot Citizen”

Due Thursday, Feb. 1film

Brainstorm: 3 Questions the film makes you ask

Week 5

Due Monday, Feb. 5

Come up with a question that you are deeply curious about and where you do not know the answer.
Find one question based on our Unit themes and one question that may be based on the topic of your
choice. Freewrite on your question.

Due Wednesday, Feb.7

Start: your Project Draft and bring a computer copy to class
Watch: Temple Grandin: the World Needs All Kinds of Minds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn_9f5x0f1Q

Due Thursday, Feb. 8

Work on: your Project Draft and bring a paper or computer copy to class
Read: “A World Without Work” http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/07/world-without-
work/395294/
Consider: How does the article represent an inquiry?
 Week 6

Due Monday, Feb. 12

Genre: Read: “A Brief Guide to Writing the Philosophy Paper” (BB)
Revise: your Project 2 draft and bring a paper copy or computer copy to class

Do Wednesday, Feb. 14: Rough Drafts Due

Revise: Project 2 draft and bring a paper copy or computer copy to class

Due Thursday, Feb. 15:

Revise: Project 2

Week 7

Due Monday, Feb. 19: No Classes: President’s Day

Revise: Project 2 draft and bring a paper copy or computer copy to class

Due Wednesday, Feb. 21

Revise: Project 2 draft and bring a paper copy or computer copy to class

Due Thursday, Feb. 22: Final Project 2 Due today on Computer

Revise and Copy-Edit your Project 2 draft and bring your computer to class to upload your final Project
2
Brainstorm: health/science/technology issues that people should know (more) about and ethical
dilemmas that interest you