writing

> if not god, then what?
> fables for a young skeptic
> the thinker's toolbox
> the glass bead game
> fight dogma, not religion
> neural rhythmicity...

teaching

> beauty and the brain
> cyborg millennium
> einstein's universe

about

> resume / cv

Entering the Cyborg Millennium
Transformation in Technology and Human Society

Last taught: Summer 2007, Portland State University
                 
Course Description

This course explores the impact of twentieth century revolutions in information technology and genetics on our lives and on diverse cultures by looking at change in relationships, work, privacy, reproduction, and personal responsibility. From workplace surveillance to mail retrieval, from pre-natal genetic screening to cloning, from human consciousness to artificial intelligence, we examine the dangers, opportunities and ethical ambiguities inherent in new technologies. Through stories, films, case studies, art, books, and original projects, students will have a wide range of outlets through which to explore and express their own questions and ideas.

Class Goals

This course is designed to support the following four University Studies goals:

• Inquiry and Critical Thinking
  Students will learn various modes of inquiry through interdisciplinary curricula—problem-posing, investigating, conceptualizing—in order to become active, self-motivated, and empowered learners.
• Communication
  Students will enhance their capacity to communicate in various ways—writing, graphics, numeracy, and other visual and oral means—to collaborate effectively with others in group work, and to be competent in appropriate communication technologies.
• The Diversity of Human Experience
  Students will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of the rich complexity of the human experience through the study of differences in ethnic and cultural perspectives, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
• Ethical Issues and Social Responsibility
  Students will expand their understanding of the impact and value of individuals and their choices on society, both intellectually and socially, through group projects and collaboration in learning communities.

Schedule

Assignments

Readings

Most of the assigned readings are available on the WebCT site for this course. A few others are available directly from the web, as shown below.

• Neuroengineering
• Rosahl (2007) – Neuroprosthetics and neuroenhancement
• MED-EL Corp., Understanding Cochlear Implants
• Johns Hopkins site on Deep Brain Stimulation
• Artificial intelligence
• Miedaner (1977) – The Soul of Mark III Beast
• Dennett (1978) – Where Am I?
• Hawkins J (2004) – On Intelligence
• Kurzweil R (2006) – The Singularity is Near, pp. 85-94; 376-390; 435-450
• Searle (1980) – Minds, Brains, and Programs
• Genetic engineering
• Kelly K (2000) – An Introduction to Gene Therapy
• Sierra Club – Position statement on genetic engineering
• ISBR site on GM crops
• BBSRC site on GM
• NCBE site on GM
• Data analysis and visualization
• Tufte (1983) – The Visual Display of Quantitative Information,
  pp. 94-95; 100-105; 53-77
• Chudler - statistics
• Technology, privacy, and individual rights
• National Cancer Institute website on  genetic testing

Grading

If you have a disability and are in need of academic accommodations, please notify me (the instructor) immediately to arrange needed support. Course grade will be based on the following:

Assignments                                             40%
Discussions                                              30%
Research paper draft & presentation           15%
Quiz                                                         15%

idea sketchbook

> colorblind
> probabilistic law
> general relativity
> hybrid cars