Professor: Lizzy LeRud
4 credits
In this class, we will take up generative AI as a socio-cultural artifact in order to think critically about ourselves as writers (and readers) in today’s technological environment. We will ask questions like: what is our responsibility toward these new technologies? How do our responsibilities change depending on the kind of writing we’re doing? In what ways has technology changed writing itself—for better or for worse? And what does it mean to resist?
To answer these questions, we will 1) consider some of the foundational philosophies of technology and writing, 2) engage prominent contemporary debates about the significance of genAI for writers, and 3) explore the ethical stakes of writing with and against AI, with a special focus on racial justice.
In addition to 1-2 brief oral presentations, this class requires extensive reading and writing. Frequent short writing assignments (300-500 words) will emphasize self-reflection and analysis; longer essay assignments (1000-1200 words) will require structured argumentation. Readings will introduce complicated ideas and cultural critique, but no advanced knowledge of computers is required.