Courses Detail Information
CUL2530J – Culture, Technology, and Silicon Valley
Instructors:
Credits:
3 credits
Pre-requisites:
Description:
“Silicon Valley” has been synonymous with innovation and technological advancement in the 21st century. This course considers it not simply as a sci-tech hub, but also as a “state of mind” emanating strong cultural beliefs about what technology can and should do. Discussions focus on how Silicon Valley as a place of controversy where technical breakthroughs have led to societall change and cultural disruption locally and globally. This course also puts into context recent “chip wars,” while highlighting a “race” dynamic that continues to motivate Silicon Valley.
Course Topics:
1. Silicon Valley as a place and as a “state of mind”
2. Moore’s Law as a “rule of thumb”
3. Automation and its human consequences
4. Call for “humane” technology 5. “Race” dynamic between China and the US in age of AI