Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Robots in Modern European Culture 3700-KON88-AL
Today, we all think about robots, mostly due to the progress of computerisation and automation of work and everyday life. However, both the main sources and problems of the idea of a robot escape the attention of media outlets; namely, when faced with a machine much more capable than humans, what are we?
The main objective of the course is to reveal the presence of a dilemma in modern European culture which may be called ‘robots and consciousness’ or ‘artificial versus real intelligence.’ To thoroughly consider this theme, we will reflect on the threads available from the beginning of the 19th century, which reappear in different fields ranging from (the birth of) psychology, postmodernism, or game studies. Nevertheless, even more answers (and questions!) may come from the contemplation of such forgotten ideas as mesmerism or hypnosis alongside very new ones like post-anthropocentrism. The course’s method will revolve around the close reading of texts of culture and hermeneutic interpretation.
Students will need about two to four hours each week to prepare for the meetings by reading texts or watching films. Each student will have to prepare a single, fifteen-minute presentation.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Student:
K_W07 knowing and understanding the main methods of analysing and interpreting products of culture in conjunction with tradition
K_W16 understanding the relationships between cultural activities and changes in social life
K_U07 the capacity to take part in conferences, symposia and discussions on literary, artistic and philosophical topics
K_U08 presenting the results of one’s own analysis of research problems in oral, written and multimedia form
K_K01 understanding the need for continual education after graduation
K_K08 understanding the importance of Europe’s cultural diversity and heritage
Assessment criteria
Students are expected to actively participate in the course and discussions, provide one presentation in front of the group during the semester, and pass the oral examination at the end.
Bibliography
1) Wprowadzające zajęcia audiowizualne: Automatony Pierre’a Jaquet-Droza. Europejskie roboty końca XVIII wieku.
2) Pisma Franza Antona Mesmera i początki psychoanalizy [wybrane fragmenty]
3) „Der Sandman” E.T.A. Hoffmanna
4) „The Mystery of Edwin Drood” Charlesa Dickensa [wybrane fragmenty]
5) „Lalka” Bolesława Prusa [wybrane fragmenty] i „Z dziejów dawnego Egiptu” Juliana Ochorowicza [wybrane fragmenty]
6) Esej „Das Unheimliche” Sigmunda Freuda
7) Film „Vertigo” Alfreda Hitchcocka
8) Opowiadanie „Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” Phillipa K. Dicka i film „Blade Runner” Ridleya Scotta
9) Powieści graficzne “Sandman” Neila Gaimana
10) Serial „Westworld” Jonathana Nolana i Lisy Joy
11) Gra komputerowa „The Talos Principle”
12) Seria gier „Deus Ex” i hybryda człowieka-maszyny
13) Film „Ex Machina” Alexa Garlanda
Ian Bogost, Serious games
Graham Harman, Object-oriented ontology
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: