SOW-MKI37
Theoretical Cognitive Science 2: Science and society
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleSOW-MKI37
Credits (ECTS)3
Category-
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Social Sciences; Artificial Intelligence;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
prof. dr. W.F.G. Haselager
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
prof. dr. W.F.G. Haselager
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
L.E.C. Jacques
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. G. Mecacci
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2018
Period
PER2  (05/11/2018 to 03/02/2019)
Starting block
PER2
Course mode
full-time
RemarksThis course is only available for students who started in 2017 or earlier.
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims

Gaining knowledge about the philosophical foundations and implications of the influential paradigms and model types in AI and Cognitive (Neuro)science, as well as for the social and ethical implications of developments in the field.

Developing a critical, scientific attitude towards research in general and AI in particular, and learning to present a well-founded opinion about the latest developments in several areas of AI.

Training the capacity to express yourself in writing according to the accepted norms for scientific AI publications, to effectively digest articles in relevant journals, to report on research and its implications, and to communicate with specialists in AI and Cognitive (Neuro)science, as well as with non-specialists.
Practice in obtaining the necessary learning skills to enable further learning in an independent self-directed manner.

Content
AI applications are everywhere in daily life, ranging from smart breaking systems in cars to the latest apps on mobile phones, from dust cleaning robots at home to big data analyses on Internet, from BCI driven intelligent wheelchairs to drones that shoot missiles. In this course you will actively discuss the ethical, legal and societal implications of such applications, and learn how to provide information concerning the current state-of-the-art and realistic near-future possibilities to a wider audience (general public, policy makers, press). You will learn to develop a professional, critical and responsible stance towards research and development in AI and Cognitive (Neuro)science.
Additional comments
We will be reading and discussing a book. The title will be announced later, but books read earlier include:
• Bostrom, N. (2015). Superintelligence: Paths, dangers, strategies. Oxford University Press.
• Brynjolfsson, E. & McAfee, A. (2014)., The second machine age: Work, progress and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. Norton & Company.
• Fine, C. (2017). Testosterone Rex: Unmaking the myths of our gendered minds. Icon books.
• Ford, M. (2015). The rise of the robots: Technoloy and the threat of mass unemployment. Oneworld publications.
• Satel, S. & Lilienfeld, S.O. (2013). Brainwashed: The seductive appeal of mindless neuroscience. Basic Books.

Levels
AI-MA

Test information
Paper

Prerequisites
Bachelor AI, or bachelor in one of the constituting disciplines of Cognitive Science (Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy).

Contact information
Dr.W.Haselager, T: 024-3616148, E: w.haselager@donders.ru.nl

Required materials
To be announced
Definitive literature list will be made available on Brightspace.

Instructional modes
Work group meetings

Tests
Paper
Test weight1
Test typePaper
OpportunitiesBlock PER2, Block PER2