Advanced study in sociology, with specific topics to be announced at the beginning of each semester.

Little of our lives today remains untouched by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which makes understanding its reach and influence on society increasingly pertinent. This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to critically dissect AI's origins, proliferation, and ubiquity from social, political, and philosophical angles. We explore questions such as: what makes intelligence of this kind ‘artificial,’ and how does it differ from other types of intelligence, such as those embodied by humans or animals? What is the relationship between AI, machine learning, big data, and algorithms? Should we really worry about AI becoming ‘sentient’ or ‘superintelligent’? How can we critically examine the production processes and organizational makeups of AI to understand who it helps and leaves behind? And lastly, how should we think about imminence of the Metaverse, a digital society where decades of AI research culminate? By incorporating academic research, sci-fi literature, films, and a variety of guest lectures by AI practitioners, this course offers a dynamic look at the promises and limits of AI in delivering a utopic technological future.

Students are unable to directly enroll or wait-list into the Sociology 190 capstone seminars via Cal Central. Instead, students must fill out a 190 Placement Request form - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SP23_SOC190

Repeat Rules

Requirements class fulfills