Professor Regina Rini
rarini@yorku.ca

This course examines 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? The course focuses on rotating examples of current technology, e.g. social media, cryptocurrency, machine learning. Central questions will include: How should scientists and tech product designers communicate with the public? What are social norms and how are these changed by technology? Students will develop their knowledge of core concepts in ethics and epistemology while learning techniques for anticipating social challenges from future technology.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

As this class is entirely in-person, there are no technical requirements. There will sometimes be in-class writing assignments, so students should always bring a pen and paper.

Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan  (must be purchased, at York bookstore or elsewhere)  cost: $50

All other readings will be provided via eClass links

20% several in-class short writing exercises

30%  three presentations

50%  three exams

Sessions will alternate between lectures and student-led activities like group discussion, in-class writing, etc.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of central concepts in ethics and epistemology as well as content knowledge about each of several applied topics.

Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze social norms.

Students will demonstrate skills to anticipate ethical and epistemological consequences of future technological change.

Course policies

Late assignments will incur a 10% per day penalty. Exceptions are permitted only with documented medical need or (in rare cases) with prior emailed permission from the instructor.

Illness policy:  Students are required to not attend class if they exhibit any symptoms of Covid-19 or other respiratory illness, or have tested positive for Covid-19 within the previous three days.

Generative AI policy : Students are not permitted to employ language model systems (like ChatGPT) to produce written work, unless a specific assignment indicates otherwise or they receive prior emailed permission from the instructor for a specific creative use. Assignments found to violate these rules will receive 0 credit and may result in a referral for York University academic misconduct.

Please contact the instructor by email early in the term if you have a disability that requires accommodation. Please note that you will need documentation from York Student Accessibility Services.