6 ECTS credits
150 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4011730FEW voor werkstudenten in het 2e semester met een gespecialiseerd master niveau.
The course covers different views on what technology is, and how it may or may not benefit people, illustrated by examples and applications from, among other domains, computer science, biotechnology, social media, and artificial intelligence. Special focus is on contemporary controversies, including robotics, genetic engineering, singularity, transhumanism, cyborgs, the global brain, and privacy. The role of technology in the evolution of society is analyzed. Technology can be supportive and need-satisfying, or autonomous and parasitic, but generally leads to an acceleration and complexification of social structures. This can as well solve fundamental problems as unexpectedly create new ones. To better understand this dynamic, relevant concepts are introduced, such as ephemeralization, cyborgization, virtuality, human-machine symbiosis, cascading failures and exaptation. Practical and ethical guidelines are formulated to anticipate and deal with the impact of new technologies on society.
After the lectures by the teacher, the students are supposed to present their own work to the class. They are expected to choose a topic that is in line with one of the subjects discussed, collect material and ideas about it, and present a summary during the lessons, after which their contribution is discussed by the whole group. These presentations are prepared by groups of 2-4 students collaboratively.
Students are provided with a detailed outline of the course material and a list or recommende reading via Canvas. A full text of the lectures is as yet not provided. Attendance at the lectures, and especially the presentations and discussions by the students themselves, is in principle required.
The students will have a basic understanding of what technology is, how it affects society, positively or negatively, and what its dynamics towards the future is. They will also be able to discuss the ethical issues surrounding the use of technologies, in particular surrounding a number of recent developments such as AI, cyborgs, transhumanism, and Internet.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Mondeling bepaalt 75% van het eindcijfer
ZELF Presentatie bepaalt 25% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Mondeling dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Binnen de categorie ZELF Presentatie dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
The examination is an oral exam which assesses the knowledge gained during the lectures. Students are also asked to give a presentation of on a self-chosen topic with the subject of the course. This presentation and active participation counts for 25% of the final grade, the other 75% depend on the mastery of the material exhibited during the oral exam.
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master in de wijsbegeerte en de moraalwetenschappen: moraalwetenschappen en humanistiek
Master in de wijsbegeerte en de moraalwetenschappen: wijsbegeerte
Research Master of Philosophy: Standaard traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Educatieve master in de cultuurwetenschappen: geschiedenis (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)
Educatieve master in de cultuurwetenschappen: kunstwetenschappen en erfgoedstudies (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)
Educatieve master in de cultuurwetenschappen: wijsbegeerte (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)
Educatieve master in de cultuurwetenschappen: moraalwetenschappen en humanistiek (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)
Educatieve master in de maatschappijwetenschappen: communicatiewetenschappen (90 ECTS, Etterbeek)