In this course, we'll jointly explore the central ideas and anticipated societal impacts of Artificial Intelligence. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how will it shape the world in the decades to come? What ideas enable machines to see, use language, and reason, and how will these machines affect the world? This course intends to introduce students to the state of art development in AI, and open the discussion of how the growth of AI impacts individuals and society, and ultimately how we can make AI better serve people’s needs. With the rapid development of technologies, AI is playing an increasingly important role in our society. They can not only facilitate people in their everyday lives (e.g. smart home, Siri and other chatbots that provide directions and other useful information, Amazon’s drones for making deliveries), but also have the power of monitoring and manipulating people’s interaction. The study of AI therefore should come not only from the technological perspective, but also social and psychological perspectives. This course could provide an excellent gateway course for an HCI concentration where human computer interactions are construed in the broadest possible terms.  This course could provide an excellent foundation for the informed and responsible use of computer-based technology.

Course Number: INQR 1961

Associated Pathways: Philosophy and Logic

Feminist critiques of many disciplines have led to deep and radical revisions to their foundational assumptions. In the case of the a priori disciplines---mathematics, computation, engineering---critiques tend to be less foundational. There exist, however, threads of literature debating the role that feminist theory plays in determining the bounds of reason itself and, consequently, the contours of disciplines like mathematics. The thesis that oppressive themes are baked into the foundations of reason leads to important questions: Can the many fruits of reason (engineering, medicine, computers) be balanced with a revision of its foundation? Does a more inclusive epistemology of reason conflict with the idea that mathematical truths (for example) are necessary and eternal? 

In this course, we will review recent literature investigating the degree to which the development of logic is harmonious with or antagonistic to feminist (and other liberationist) aims. We will emphasize several styles of critique, ranging from historical to more recent work concerning the consequences for mathematics and computation in the wake of such critiques.

Course Number: INQR 1165

Associated Pathways: Philosophy and Logic Pathway, Ethics, Integrity, and Social Responsibility Pathway

This course invites you into the world of philosophical ideas and reasoning -- to join a great conversation that has unfolded since Socrates exhorted people to lead an examined life 2,400 years ago in Ancient Greece. We will explore such issues as whether some ways of acting and living are morally better than others, the relationship that exists between mind and body, and whether philosophy has anything to contribute to ongoing discussions about the existence and nature of God. This course will include both frequent discussion and written assignments, and will aim to help you develop your skills in each of these modes of communication. This course is communication intensive.

Course Number: INQR 1220

Associated Pathways: Information Technology and Web Sciences, Science, Technology, and Society

This course investigates the relationship between Information Technology (IT) and the individuals and groups who use it – which is to say, virtually everyone. The course has two main goals. First, it seeks to define and explain core concepts in the field of IT in a fashion that is not overly technical. Second, it examines the historical, social, cultural, political and economic factors that have helped to shape, and have been shaped by, the dimensions of IT that we will study.

Course Number: INQR 1492

Associated Pathways: Global Languages and Cultures Pathway, Media and Culture Pathway

Language is one of the most powerful  forces in the human experience and shapes the production of social identities and cultural assumptions about the world. This course examines the role language plays in articulating, maintaining and subverting power relations in society.  Topics in include language ideology, language in politics, gender, race/ethnicity, linguistic engineering, language death and revitalization, and disinformation.

Course Number:  INQR 1562

Associated Pathways: Creative Design & Innovation; Graphic Design

Color is used every day to help us decode information, inform communications, influence our buying decisions, distinguish scientific properties, and impact our emotions and health. In this course, we’ll study the impact of color and learn how to use it effectively. Through a series of creative hands-on graphic design projects, we will investigate color memory, relativity, and subjectivity, communicating with color, physiological and psychological responses to color, and color across cultures.

Course Number: INQR 1560

Associated Pathways: Fact and Fiction; Gender, Race, Sexuality, Ethnicity, and Social Change; Graphic Design; Interactive Media/Data Design; Strategic Communication

A survey of the historical origins and cultural impact of several mass media, including television, film, radio, the Internet, and print media.

The course aims to increase media literacy through analysis of specific media products, as well as discussion of broad topics such as: advertising and commercialization; politics and censorship; gender, race, and social identity.

Course Number: INQR 1200

Associated Pathways: Economics; Economics of Banking and Finance; Economics of Decision-Making; Economics of Healthcare Markets; Economics of Policy and Regulations; Economics of Quantitative Modeling; Economics of Technology and Innovation

Economics is the study of our choices. Traditionally, these choices have been framed as how to best employ scarce resources to produce goods and services and distribute them for consumption. To describe these choices, we will introduce you to the concepts of opportunity cost, demand and supply theory, and market structures and consider the role of government in making resource allocation choices.

A foremost objective will be to identify and evaluate multiple diverse perspectives on contemporary and complex global issues and address their implications for social equity and welfare. We strive to take a critical look at these perspectives while practicing and applying the subject matter of economics.

Course Number:  INQR 1110

Associated Pathways: Ethics, Integrity & Social Responsibility; History; Law & Policy; Public Health; Science, Technology & Society; Sustainability; Thinking with Science

An introduction to the social, historical, and ethical influences on modern science and technology. Cases include development of the atomic bomb, mechanization of the workplace, Apollo space program, and others. Readings are drawn from history, fiction, and social sciences; films and documentary videos highlight questions about the application of scientific knowledge to human affairs. The class is designed to give students freedom to develop and express their own ideas. This is a communication-intensive course.

Course Number: INQR 1160

Associated Pathways: Philosophy and Logic Pathway, Ethics, Integrity, and Social Responsibility Pathway

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the field of ethics of scientific research.  Why do seemingly good people do bad things? What is science?  What is “bad” science? What constitutes scientific misconduct?  We will explore the answers to these questions through fields such as Sociology, History, Philosophy, Psychology etc.  Using evidence from contemporary and historical scientific experiments we will try to understand why researchers might commit scientific misconduct such as fabrication of results, plagiarism, and falsification of data.  A brief overview some philosophical theories of ethics and several professional/scientific codes of ethics will be covered.

Particular scientific discoveries will be examined, e.g. the Tuskegee Syphillis Study, to find out where the process of discovery went wrong.  Narratives of scientific discovery, in particular the discovery of the double helix, will be explored and analyzed to understand issues of objectivity and bias in scientific work.  A historical review of human subjects experiments such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and the Arizona State Havasupai Genetic Experiment will be reviewed to understand issues of informed consent, cultural discrimination and whistleblowing. 

Course Number: INQR 1700

Associated Pathways: Art History, Theory & Criticism; Creative Design & Innovation; Music & Culture; Music Composition & Production; Well-being: Body & Mind

A communication-intensive course designed for students to develop their own voice as a songwriter. The course surveys the methods of successful songwriters, highlighting aspects of melody, lyrics, harmonic progression, story-telling, audience, and social context. Students develop a portfolio of their own original songs and lyrics, presented weekly and performed in a studio or live setting at the end of the term.

Course Number: INQR 1175

Associated Pathways: Thinking with Science; Well-being: Body & Mind

How do people maintain a sense of well-being in their lives? Each person’s path to well-being in body and mind is unique—arising from an awareness of our needs, goals and what each finds fulfilling. The theme of curiosity will be used to explore what makes people tick, what makes them feel balanced, stressed, or calm. This interdisciplinary course uses practice-based learning, in-class writing, lectures, creative play, and reading.

Course Number: INQR 1962

This course bridges multilingual students’ writing skills between high school level writing and college level and professional writing. Through genre-based, audience-centered approaches, the course cultivates communication skills of reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking on topics such as current events, Englishes used in diverse sociolinguistic contexts globally, cultural diversity, and cross-cultural communication. Students learn structures and organization of academic writing, visual design of professional presentations, and academic writing conventions. The goal of this course is for students to gain communication skills for academic and professional contexts, identify and critically analyze local, regional, and global issues from multiple perspectives and deliver audience-appropriate proposals and problem-solving solutions.