Professor Regina Rini
rarini@yorku.ca

This course will examine the social effects of science and technology via the philosophical disciplines of ethics and epistemology. How do new scientific discoveries and technologies change the way we treat others and make up our minds about controversial issues? How should scientists and tech product designers communicate with the public? What are social norms and how are these responsive to technology? We will investigate these questions through focused study of 4 current scientific/technological changes: social media and deception; genetic engineering of future children; artificial intelligence and algorithmic bias; and public science communication related to a global pandemic and novel vaccine.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

This course will require a reliable internet connection with video and a microphone. In addition, students must be able to access articles in academic journals to which York has a subscription. Instructions on logging in to off-campus access are available here: https://www.library.yorku.ca/web/ask-services/computing/off-campus-access/

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.]

Times and locations: Please note that this is a course that depends on remote teaching and learning. There will be no in-person interactions or activities on campus. Classes will be held over Zoom at the scheduled time (Tuesdays 2:30-5:30pm). Zoom links will be distributed by email or our eClass site.

Virtual office hours:

Thursdays 3-4pm. A Zoom link will be posted on our eClass site. If you cannot attend at this time, please email to request an appointment.

There is no required text for this class. Readings will be drawn from internet-accessible academic journals and news/opinion publications. Nearly all will be available costlessly through York institutional subscriptions. A full list of readings will be available approximately one week before the semester begins.

Students will write short (3-5 page) essays on three of the four main topics. The final grade will be composed:

30% Essay 1

30% Essay 2

30% Essay 3

10% class participation

This is a discussion-oriented class that will be held synchronously over Zoom at the scheduled time (Tuesdays 2:30-5:30pm). We will take a 10-15 minute break in the middle of each session to allow a rest from Zoom fatigue. Class sessions will consist of lectures, open discussion, and group activities.

I reserve the right to change the class structure to asynchronous lecture and message board discussion if necessary. However this is something I strongly hope to avoid and we will only do it if technological problems become persistent and insurmountable.

Students will learn central concepts in ethics and epistemology and acquire content knowledge about each of the four applied topics. Students will learn how to analyze social norms. Students will acquire skills to help them anticipate ethical and epistemological consequences of future technological change.

Course policies

Participation constitutes 10% of the semester grade. If you feel any barriers to your speaking in class (nervousness or anything else) please let me know and we will discuss alternative ways for you to participate. Otherwise, not participating in class discussion will lower your grade.

Late assignments are typically assessed a 10% daily penalty. However, during the Covid-19 crisis I will be more flexible with this rule. If you cannot meet a deadline (for Covid-related reasons or any other) please be in touch with me as soon as possible so we can work out a catch-up schedule.

At times I may make available recordings of class sessions or lectures. Please be aware that these are intended strictly for educational purposes within this class and cannot be redistributed for any other purpose or to any other audience. They must be deleted at the end of the semester.

Generally speaking, students may not record class Zoom sessions, as doing so would violate the privacy of other students. Exceptions may be possible in cases of documented disability accommodation, but must be discussed with me in advance.

Please contact me by