PWR Courses

PWR 2STA: Machine Reasoning, Rhetorics, and Wrongness

Dr. Starkman discusses PWR2STA.

Catalog Number: PWR 2STA

Instructor: Ruth Starkman

Units: 4

Grade option: Letter (ABCD/NP) 

Prerequisite: PWR 1, ESF, ITALIC 95W, or equivalent

Course Feature: WR-2 requirement

Schedule

In this project-based course, students explore the impact of generative AI across fields including bioscience, law, commerce, communications, design, and the creative arts. As AI increasingly influences decision-making in our daily lives, questions about data, consent, responsibility, and social impact become essential. We will read a range of texts that offer both optimistic and critical perspectives on AI, providing a foundation for ethical debate and analysis.

Throughout the quarter, students will develop their own research project on a topic of choice, which they will propose and refine with the instructor. This project will be iterated across various genres—elevator pitch, op-ed, research proposal, and TED-style talk—equipping students with versatile communication skills. Each class session includes debate, writing, and critical engagement with the ethical and technical challenges of technology, preparing students for advanced coursework and offering them tools to advocate for informed, globally aware viewpoints.

Written Research-Based Argument

(3000-3600 words; 10-12 pages): After presenting your proposal, you will pursue research on your topic and craft a convincing and well-researched academic essay. Your essay will draw on analysis of primary sources and relevant secondary sources to support and contextualize its argument. 

Delivery of Research

(10-minute live oral presentation with appropriate multimedia support): You will translate your research-based argument into an oral presentation, which you will deliver at the end of the quarter. 

Genre/Modes assignment 

(5 minute podcast or videocast): For this project, you will translate your research project into a short podcast or videocast in MP3 or video file format, with an option to post to the Internet. If you love making short audio or video recordings you can develop an RSS feed. This is your chance to communicate your research to a wide audience in another genre with a more conversational style.