Critical Posthumanism: Technology beyond Determinism
Instructor: Prof. Yvonne Foerster, PhD
Schedule:
October 31, 5pm Germany Time
Nov 7, 5pm Germany Time
Nov 14, 5pm Germany Time
Nov 21, 5pm Germany Time
Description:
The course will give an introduction to classic positions in philosophy of technology and reflect on the way human-machine relations are conceptualized. The predominant view is that technology shapes human cognition and thus is a determining factor in our perception of the world. The course is designed to start a conversation about how to develop a more open and dynamic understanding of human entanglements in technological life-worlds. Critical posthumanism is a theory that has the potential to move away from such one-sided views through its critical stance toward the humanist tradition and anthropocentrism. How can we tell the story of humans and machines as a story of intertwined becoming? Let's discuss the future of technological life-worlds as they are reflected in philosophy, art and posthumanist thinking!
Prerequisites: Enrollment in GCAS College Dublin MA Program or authorized by Dean of Student Affairs.
Format: This course will have 5 pre-recorded lectures, which each enrolled student must engage and show they comprehend the lecture before being admitted to the discussion section.
Required Texts:
Ferrando, Francesca (2019), Philosophical Posthumanism (Series Theory in the New Humanities, ed. by Rosi Braidotti), London, New York, Oxford: Bloomsbury Academic.
Hansen, Mark B.N. (2012), Engineering Preindividual Potentiality: Technics, Transindividuation, and 21st-Century Media. In SubStance, 129, vol. 41.3, pp. 32-59.
Haraway, Donna (2016), Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chtulucene. Durham: Duke University Press.
Hayles, Katherine N. (2012), How We Think: Digital Media and Contemporary Technogenesis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Heidegger, Martin (1977), The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays. New York, London: Garland Publishing Inc.
Husserl, Edmund (1970 [1936]), The Crisis of European Sciences and Transcendental Phenomenology: An Introduction to Phenomenological Philosophy. Evanston: Northwestern University Press.
Kurzweil, Ray (2006), The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology. New York: Penguin Books.
McLuhan, Marshall (1994 [1964]), Understanding Media, The Extensions of Man. Cambridge (MA): MIT Press.
Learning and Teaching Methods:
Blended Learning (online/ in person) consisting of lectures, discussions, small group work, supervising, peer-group, student presentation.
Workload:
Total course time (hours)
Of which synchronous class time
Of which asynchronous study
Of which examination time
Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to understand the basic structure and appreciation for ideas at an advanced level .
- Ability to engage texts and conversation critically and coherently about ideas as covered in this course.
- Ability to communicate clearly and analytically about all the major subjects and figures that comprise this course
- Ability to understand the social and ecological consequences of language and their uses to which humanity has employed them.
Assessments:
The student will be assessed in all aspects of this course through the following means:
Presentation [10% of total Grade]
Weekly Paper Submission of 400 words, but no more than 1,000 [20%]
Participation [In the live discussion sections, or in the forum if unable to attend the discussion live] [20%]
Research Paper Examination 3,000 word academic research paper [50%]
For the student to advance through each module they must first pass a quiz and demonstrate they have grasped the learning outcomes. Should a student fail a module quiz they will not advance to the next module and thus be dropped from the course. A student can retake a quiz should they fail to meet the standard.
Grading Scale:
10 - Excellent
9 - Very Good
8 - Good
7 - Pass
6 and below (fail)
Accommodations:
Please complete this form if you wish to receive academic accommodation.