Artificially intelligent technologies are prominent features of modern life -- as are ethical concerns about their programming and use. In this class we will use the tools of philosophy to explore and critically evaluate ethical issues raised by current and future AI technologies. Topics may include issues of privacy and transparency in online data collection, concerns about social justice in the use of algorithms in areas like hiring and criminal justice, and the goals of developing general versus special purpose AI.

Artificially intelligent technologies are prominent features of modern life -- as are ethical concerns about their programming and use. In this class we will use the tools of philosophy to explore and critically evaluate ethical issues raised by current and future AI technologies. Topics may include issues of privacy and transparency in online data collection, concerns about social justice in the use of algorithms in areas like hiring and criminal justice, and the goals of developing general versus special purpose AI.

Topics such as free will, the proper management of the passions, the existence and nature of God, and the possibility of immortality have dominated western philosophy for centuries. This class will examine these questions through the lens of the 17th century systematic philosopher Benedict de Spinoza. It will examine his distinctive approach and answers to these questions, primarily through the lens of his most famous work, the geometrically-presented Ethics. Students will read both primary and secondary texts, with the focus being on the primary materials.

The COVID-19 pandemic and global monkeypox outbreak demonstrate that all health crises are also political crises. Yet, there are clear parallels between these contemporary crises and a crisis that has been raging since 1981: the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. The same political failures, systemic vulnerabilities, and disparities in testing and treatment of the last four decades are like a loud, broken record on repeat today. Yet, the HIV/AIDS crisis also produced new social movements, gave birth to queer theory, dramatically changed public health policy, and inspired an explosion of activist art.

In this course, we will explore and discuss mental health and mental health diagnoses using a developmental lens. Using foundational readings and through case studies, we will establish an understanding of the psychology field's approach to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of diagnoses and disability that are circumscribed to (e.g., reactive attachment) or typically first appear/are first detected in childhood and adolescence (e.g., ADHD, conduct problems, anxiety, developmental disorders, neurodivergence).

This course will be rooted in a biopsychosocial model of health, highlighting how health can be both promoted but also negatively impacted at multiple levels (e.g., internalized, interpersonal, system/institutional, legal/societal) and will focus heavily on stigma. We will review intervention design (e.g., assessment, mixed methods research) at the intersection of psychology and public health.

In this course, which focuses largely on adulthood, we will explore and discuss mental health and mental health diagnoses. Using foundational readings and through case studies, we will establish an understanding of the psychology field's approach to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of diagnoses and disability. The primary goal of this course is to establish a foundational understanding of the broad range of mental health diagnoses of adulthood.

This course uses a sociological framework to examine the nature and structure of modern industrial societies. To identify central trends in society and culture, this course covers several basic themes, such as social inequality and social interaction, that have appeared repeatedly in the works of major social thinkers.

We associate play with childhood, a time of spontaneous and creative activity, in contrast to the boring routine of adult responsibilities. And yet play is more than just fun and games. It is through play that children develop lasting cognitive and social skills. For adults too, there can be serious play--play that has real consequence--play that shapes the intimate lives of individuals, as well as entire social formations. In this course, we will explore play cross culturally, from the Balinese cockfight to American football, from gambling to role playing.