This interdisciplinary seminar examines where technology and feminism converge, with a focus on how artificial intelligence (AI), and data science generally, affects gender norms, ethics, and relations of power throughout the Information Age. With digital technology increasingly pervasive, there is a necessity for examining their effects through feminist and ethical lenses. The seminar examines how AI systems can reinforce gendered biases, expand inequalities, and challenge traditional notions of agency and identity.
Using foundational texts and case studies, the seminar introduces students to fundamental arguments within feminist theory, gender studies, and AI ethics. Students will analyze AI technology's design, implementation, and societal impact, including concerns regarding algorithmic bias, privacy, labor automation, surveillance, cyborg, theory, techno feminism, intersectionality, and gender representation within technological spaces. The seminar also emphasizes feminist strategies for reconceptualizing AI systems for equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
The sessions on the 17th of October and 28th of November will be held online via Zoom.
I would like to inspire curiosity, creativity, and the motivation of students, without grading/evaluation being their major preoccupation. In order to encourage engagement and active learning, there are ungraded assignments (1, 2, 3) which are however mandatory to pass the course, and will also need to be completed by students that do not want to receive a grade, but just attend.
There are also two graded assignments which are again mandatory for those that want to receive a grade, students that only want to attend (with no grade) can skip them (4, 5). The deadline for all assignments will be the same and can be found in Moodle.
