Technical Innovation & Civil Discourse in a Dynamic World

Catalog description

The promises of today's emerging technologies include longer, healthier lives; safer, faster, and more efficient transportation; and immediate, far-reaching communication mechanisms. Recent advances in machine learning, autonomous systems, nanomaterials, and neurotechnologies offer the potential to dramatically change the way our global society lives, works and shares information. With such prolific power, these technologies also pose new challenges and risks such as reduced individual privacy, political repercussions, and inequitable access to the benefits of technology. Rapid technological innovation often outpaces and challenges established legal regulations, cultural norms, and societal frameworks of communications. A robust civil discourse anchored in technical expertise, cultural context, and inclusivity can foster the optimization of the benefits of emerging technologies. This course is aimed in preparing undergraduate students to engage in and lead such discourses. The students will consider a series of engineering innovations from technical, legal and social perspectives and will hone the analytical and communication skills necessary to identify and address opportunities for civil discourse. Undergraduates must have passed the WRIT requirement.