CS009: Computers and Human Values
Department of Computer Science, Brown University
Notes, September 7th & 9th -- Roger B. Blumberg

Introduction to the Seminar

Why a First-Year Seminar?

Why a Seminar on "Computers and Human Values"?

Motivations for CS009 (section 1): or, Why this approach to the subject?

With all this in mind, let's have a look at the syllabus.

We'll begin Thursday's class with introductions. In addition to saying something about who you are and where you come from, I'll ask you to answer the following question: If your essay for Brown had needed to be about the most significant difference between the world in 1904 and the world of 2004, what would you have written about?

We'll conclude Thursday's session by viewing the opening scenes of two movies that comment provocatively on technology: Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times and the Wachowski Brothers' The Matrix. We'll use our WebCT discussion board to post responses and comparisons, and begin our discussion of the Moravec book on Tuesday.

For Tuesday the 14th:: Read at least the first 5 chapters of Moravec's ROBOT.

Back to the Syllabus

© 2004 Roger B. Blumberg