Sociology and Philosophy of AI (HPSC20009)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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This subject introduces students to the utopian, dystopian, and ambivalent implications of artificial intelligence. Grounded in the interdisciplinary field of science and technology studies, students will study how bodies, subjectivity, life, households, work, and the environment are being transformed by technoscience and artificial intelligence. It will investigate how artificial intelligence, and technoscience more broadly, blurs the boundaries between humans and machines to equip students with the knowledge and skills to critically analyse historical, social, ethical, economic, and philosophical implications of past, present, and emerging technologies. Topics may include cyborgs, biotechnologies, pharmaceuticals, cyberspace, surveillance, and technosolutionism.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to: 

  • Draw upon science and technology studies in evaluating the relations between technoscience, artificial intelligence, and humans
  • Critically analyse historical, social, ethical, economic and philosophical implications of artificial intelligence
  • Identify, use, and appraise research material relevant to the operation of past, present, and emerging technoscience in a social context
  • Apply theoretical approaches to the analysis of contemporary case studies.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should be able to: 

  • Work collaboratively in groups and across disciplines
  • Critically evaluate ideas and theoretical frameworks in science and technology studies
  • Develop independent thought and arguments, and skills for critical analysis
  • Develop capacities for interdisciplinary thinking
  • Engage with and debate real-world ideas and problems. 

Last updated: 9 April 2025