Course Syllabus
Smart Machines and the Future of Humanity
Use the built in "Headings"
Instructors Andreas Brockhaus and Todd Conaway
Instructor Contact email through Canvas or phone: 425-352-5334
Office Hours Can meet online by arrangement or face-to-face 1 to 2 PM on Mondays
Areas of Knowledge (VLPA, I&S, NW) I&S
Class Meetings Mondays 11 AM-1 PM. Course meets in room UW2-040
The rest of the course is online
You can use "horizontal lines" to divide
Course Description: The news is filled with stories of artificial intelligence and the impact smart machines will have on work, the economy, entertainment, education and even our understanding of what it means to be human. At times, the predictions sound like science fiction, with dystopian and utopian visions of what our society will look like in the future. The impact of artificial intelligence makes us ask questions like: What does it mean to be human? How intertwined is humanity with the machines that surround us? What will our future look like? Will the impact be more negative or positive? Will they take over all of our jobs?
This course will use these questions to explore our relationship with machines and how they alter our emotional and physical existence today and in the future. Drawing from nonfiction, fiction, film, and popular culture perspectives, students will create work that will explore their relationship with the future, society and their concept of self.
Use images sparingly, but wisely.
This is a 50% hybrid course, meaning the class will meet half of the time on campus and half of the time online. The on-campus meetings are required and we will meet every Monday during spring quarter from 11AM to 1PM. The remaining course time will be spent engaging with the course content and other students online. Active participation in both the on-campus and online activities is required to pass this course.
Hybrid courses require as much or more time doing assignments and may not work well for all students. To succeed, you should:
- Organize your time well, even when managing multiple demands.
- Be prepared to read and write a lot, especially in an online setting since hybrid courses can require more writing and reading since there is less time spent in a classroom.
- Be comfortable with using the Internet, email, and various software applications.
- Have easy access to computers and fast-speed Internet.
- Be willing to discuss and interact with others online.
- Be self-motivated enough to finish assignments on deadline with little to no supervision.
Hybrid and online courses can be a great way to gain skills in online interactions, which can be very useful in today's digitally connected workplace. Millions of college students successfully complete hybrid and online courses each year.
Course Learning Goals
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Reflect critically on your learning through the use of an eportfolio in which you consider how your first year at UW Bothell has impacted and changed you.
- Describe the historical, social, economic, and personal influence of artificial intelligence and how it affects you and society.
- Illustrate how smart machines may impact our concept of humanity.
- Predict how smart machines may potentially impact society and your future self in several different ways.
- Articulate ways in which the increased use of technology may harm or benefit humanity.
These objectives map directly onto FYPP’s learning goals of :
- Communication is the process of written, oral, performative, and multimedia interaction that enables us to share ideas and practices. This goal includes the ability to
- communicate persuasively to different audiences with appropriate media.
- practice writing in its many genres across the curriculum.
- develop dialogical skills that include listening actively to alternative perspectives.
- understand relationships between knowledge, power, and communication.
- Critical and Creative Inquiry joins reason and imagination to make, investigate, critique, and pursue meaning in the arts, humanities, and the social and natural sciences. It includes the ability to:
- employ different ways of creating, interpreting, and transmitting new ideas, works, and knowledge in a responsible manner.
- make effective use of information across print, visual, electronic, and other media to seek, shape, and evaluate evidence.
- respond, both critically and creatively, to a variety of texts, questions, and problems in order to draw informed conclusions
- become more aware of personal and collective assumptions.
Communication Preferences: We will be using Canvas for all course materials and assignment and for all communication including announcements and updates, so be sure that you have set up Canvas that you will receive these messages quickly. You will also be expected to use your UW e-mail account regularly, so that we can communicate with each of you electronically between classes. If you wish to use another email address as your primary account, set up your UW account to forward to your other address. You can email us through Canvas.
We will typically respond within 12 hours, though it may take longer during weekends and holidays. Office hours are 1 PM to 2 PM Mondays or by appointment. We’re happy to meet you via Skype or Zoom.
Technology Access
Because half of this course is online, this course requires:
- Reliable fast-speed Internet connection. The Open Learning Lab in UW2-140 and the library can provide access on-campus if you need it.
- Access to Canvas. Because half of this course is online, it is essential you know how to access the course using Canvas. If you are not familiar with Canvas, please visit the UWB Learning Technologies student tutorial page, or just Google: UWB Canvas students.
- Access to Google apps and other online tools. Information about Google apps can be found on the UWB Learning Technologies page.
Student Support
For Canvas help, view the Office of Digital Learning and Innovation (DLI) pages on Canvas or just Google: UWB Canvas students. For additional assistance with Canvas, you can email uwcanvas@uw.edu or you can call the UW IT helpdesk at 206-221-1500
The Open Learning Lab in UW2-140 can also provide tutoring on Canvas and some Google apps.
For other technical assistance, you can contact Information Technologies via email: it@uwb.edu or call the IT Help Desk at 425-352-3456.
UW Bothell’s Office of Digital Learning and Innovation also has a robust set of student support resources on a variety of technology and academic topics.
Many of the assignments in this course involve writing. The Writing and Communication Center (WACC) is a valuable resource to help you succeed.
Grading Criteria:
Total of 1000 points available
- Reflection paper and eportfolio with artifacts: 175 points
- Weekly discussion board assignments: 10 posts, 20 points each = 200 points
- Participation and in-class activities = 160 points (20 per week, not counting 1st week).
- Final project with 3 artifacts and final web story = 255 points
- Weekly assessments (typically quizzes) = 100 points
- Other assignments = 110 points
All grades will be listed as percentages in Canvas, so the conversion table below will help you figure out your final grade. If you earn 950 points (or 95%) you will get a 4.0. If you earn 750 points (or 75%)
you will earn a 2.0. A percentage that ends in .5 or higher will be rounded up, and .4 or lower will be rounded down.
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A - 100%-90% |
B - 89%-80% |
C - 79%-70% |
D - 69%-62% |
E - 61%-below |
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100%–95% = 4.0 |
89% = 3.4 |
79% = 2.4 |
69% = 1.4 |
= .6 (Failing) |
Please note that for the reflection writing assignment, handing in final paper that is essentially the same as your draft with few or no changes will result in getting 0 points. One of the main goals for writing a draft is so that you have the opportunity to get feedback from your peers and your instructors so that you can revise and improve the paper.
Weekly Schedule (always check Canvas for the most up-to-date schedule as class activities may change) All assignments due at noon (12 PM - not midnight)
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Week 1 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 1 Online Activities
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Week 2 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 2 Online Activities
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Week 3 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 3 Online Activities
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Week 4 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 4 Online Activities
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Week 5 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 5 Online Activities
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Week 6 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 6 Online Activities
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Week 7 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 7 Online Activities
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Week 8 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 8 Online Activities
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Week 9 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 9 Online Activities
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Week 10 Overview of in-class activities
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Week 10 Online Activities
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Discovery Core Sequence and the ePortfolio Requirement
The DC Sequence includes a DC I in the Autumn, a DC II in the Winter, and a DC III in the Spring. Each course emphasizes student creativity and analysis, interdisciplinarity, integrated learning, undergraduate research skills, and self-reflection. The sequence is capped by the spring DC III course in which you complete an ePortfolio that was created in Autumn. In this DCIII course, you will be asked to be both reflective and projective, looking back at what you have learned and ahead to the directions you’d like to explore. Read more about the Discovery Core and Advising here.
Classroom Conduct
Our classroom should be a safe and civil place so that everyone can learn. Be polite, respectful and professional towards other students and the instructor. To minimize distractions, please arrive to class on time and stay for the entire class period (or until dismissed) because random arrivals and exits are distracting. Talking out of turn, texting, sleeping, non-classroom related web browsing, sighing loudly, and other disruptive behaviors are not permitted while class is in session.
For the online portion of our class:
- Carefully read and think about your peers’ ideas, questions, suggestions, and comments.
- Maintain an appropriate tone and stay on topic to further productive discussions. Be professional in your communication, whether through email, in discussion forums or other online communication.
- Respectfully disagree with ideas. Do not attack your peers because their ideas are different from or contrary to your own.
- Be open-minded. Believe you can learn from the diversity of perspectives in this class.
- Attempt to think “outside the box” to present new ideas and perspectives.
- Respect the privacy of your peers. Don’t republish (i.e. cut and paste content from our discussions to other social networking forums) or discuss conversations that take place in our classroom site.
- Only attach information (i.e. documents, images, videos, etc.) that is appropriate to the educational setting.
- Submit work that is reflective of your intellect. Follow the appropriate conventions of English (i.e. spelling, grammar, sentence structure, word choice, etc.) to ensure that your postings clearly communicate your ideas.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is a prerequisite for participation in this class. Since participation is vital for a successful experience and is a significant component of your participation grade, please arrive on time for class; do not leave before class ends; participate fully in class discussions and activities. Late arrivals interrupt our in-progress activities and discussions. You may make up one missed class session by doing another journal research short paper for which you can receive up to 20 participation points. Otherwise, class sessions cannot be made up.
Late Policy
If you hand in work after the deadline, you will lose 10% off your grade and then another 10% per day after that. Assignments handed in more than one week after the due date won’t typically be accepted. For example, if an assignment is worth 20 points and is due on Friday at 12 and you hand it in on Saturday at 5 PM, the maximum you can earn is 16 points (20% off).
Technology in the Classroom
Since technology is profoundly linked to education, there will be many times when we ask that you employ different tools in the gathering and expression of knowledge. Please bring a laptop or smartphone to class. Please talk to use if you do not have a laptop or smartphone. Classroom etiquette around technology use is to close laptop lids and put smartphones away when they are not being used for classroom activities. There are exceptions for students with specific note-taking and other needs. Be aware that you are disrupting other students and compromising your own learning if you are using your technology for non-classroom activities, which could include texting or surfing the web.
Incompletes
University rules state that “an incomplete is given only when the student has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work until within two weeks at the end of the quarter and has furnished proof satisfactory to the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.”
Academic integrity
Plagiarism is one of the most common violations of academic integrity. A commonly used definition of plagiarism is the incorporation of words, works, or ideas from another person into your own work without properly attributing the work to them. Plagiarism can range from deliberate to accidental, from copying a paper to forgetting to cite work. Plagiarized work may result in a 0 for the assignment, depending on the intent and extent of the plagiarism.
The library also has an extremely useful website with resources at http://libguides.uwb.edu/ai. You are responsible for knowing what constitutes a violation of the University of Washington Student Code, and you will be held responsible for any such violations whether they were intentional or not.
Respect for Diversity
Diverse backgrounds, embodiments and experiences are essential to the critical thinking endeavor at the heart of university education. In FYPP and at UW Bothell, students are expected to respect individual differences which may include, but are not limited to: age, cultural background, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender presentation, immigration status, national origin, race, religious and political beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status
Students seeking support around these issues can find more information and resources at http://www.uwb.edu/diversity.
Access and Accommodations
Your experience in this class is important to us, and it is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you experience barriers based on disability, please seek a meeting with Disability Resources for Students (DRS) to discuss and address them. If you have already established accommodations with DRS, please communicate your approved accommodations to your instructor at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.
DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary or permanent disability that requires accommodations (this can include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 425.352.5307 or rlundborg@uwb.edu.
Gender Neutral Bathrooms (ARC, Discovery Hall, Beardslee Building, Husky Village)
For students who prefer to use an inclusive, gender neutral bathroom, they are located here: ARC– one on each level of the building, one (1) LL restroom room with shower; Discovery Hall – LL, off of ramp connecting DISC to UW2; UWBB – second floor, with shower
Reflection Room Information (UW1-007)
This room is an open use space for all members of UWB who seek quiet time for meditation, reflection and prayer. No reservations are needed to utilize this space. Please follow the guidelines listed in the room about the expectations of the space.
Lactation and Baby Changing Locations
Lactation stations can be found in UW1-128, UW2-336, Husky Hall 1419, and Beardslee Crossing 102 U. These stations are available from 8am-5pm and can be reserved online at uwb.edu/admin/services/lactation-station. Baby changing stations are located in Discovery Hall LL 050, UW2-L2 washrooms, UW1-L1 washrooms, LB1 and LB2-L1 washrooms.
Other Parenting Student Resources
Parenting Students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources provided on campus, which include the Parent Union at UWB, the Child Care Assistance Program, priority access at Bright Horizons Bothell and Bothell KinderCare, back-up/sick care at Bright Horizons, and lactation rooms and baby changing stations on campus. For more information, please visit their website or contact the Parent Union on Facebook.
Victim Advocacy and Support (UW1-080C), 425-352-3851
The University of Washington offers free advocacy and support for students and employees affected by sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment and other related experiences. For more information, visit their website.
Bias Incidents
To report a concern or incident motivated by biases based on race, gender, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity, go directly to the page and select “Bias Support Team” as the recipient of the report.
The CARE Team
The UW Bothell Consultation, Assessment, Response and Education (CARE) Team is a confidential resource for the entire campus community when there are concerns about a student’s well-being. Their purpose is to provide proactive and supportive consultation, assessment, response, and education regarding students who may be at risk or in distress. To reach the CARE Team, call (425) 352-SAFE (7233). To learn more, visit the website at: https://www.uwb.edu/studentaffairs/care-team.
Diversity Center (UW1-173)
The Diversity Center is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-8:00pm. The mission is to advocate for and collaborate with others to support a safe and inclusive campus community where resources will promote equity and social justice for all students, advocate and support students through education, and foster student success to marginalized and underrepresented communities at the University. The Diversity Center is by students and for students. To learn more or make a reservation for space, visit their website or email uwbdiv@uw.edu, or call (425) 352-5030.
Husky Pantry
Husky Pantry is a resource for all UW Bothell students who might be between paychecks or just need some extra resources to get through the week or month. It is a food pantry that can be accessed by any student, housing resident or non-resident, who is facing food insecurity. The Husky Pantry has two locations:
Husky Village Community Center
The Village can be accessed 24/7 by asking the Community Assistance (CA) at the front desk to open it during business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm, Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm) or by calling the Resident Assistant (RA) on duty at 206-245-5536 after hours. If you have any questions you can also email Residential Life at uwbhvcc@uw.edu.
Student Diversity Center, UW1-173
Here the Husky Pantry is open during Center hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-8:00 pm. The Center is closed Saturday and Sunday. To access, ask the Student Assistant at the front desk to open the pantry for your use. Use of the Husky Food Pantry is anonymous, we only record what food is taken.
To learn more about the Husky Pantry or to make a donation, visit their website.
Inclement Weather
Please check if the campus may be closed due to weather. Information about suspension of operations will be made public and available through the media. Students can learn of campus operations status from the website or by calling the Campus Information Hotline 425.352.3333. You may also sign up with an alert system that will contact you via email or text message if classes are canceled. For more information on the alert process, please see http://www.uwb.edu/alert. Class activities will be rescheduled as needed.
Student Support Services
IT Helpdesk: IT@uwb.edu , 425-352-3456
Library: http://library.uwb.edu/ 425-352-5340
Writing Center: www.uwb.edu/WritingCenter/ 425-352-5253
Quantitative Skills Center: http://www.uwb.edu/qsc 425-352-3170
Student Success Services: http://www.uwb.edu/studentsuccess 425-352-3776
Career Services: http://www.uwb.edu/careers 425-352-3706
Student Counseling Services: http://www.uwb.edu/studentservices/counseling 425-352-3183