Course Title:
AI and Humanities Honors
UC Subject Category: Interdisciplinary (G)
Delivery Mode: Online & Classroom-Based
Grade Levels: 10–12
Credits: 5 UC-Approved High School Credits
Prerequisites: Completion of English I and II (or equivalent); recommended: Algebra I
Course Description:
AI and Humanities Honors explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and the human experience. Students investigate how AI technologies are reshaping communication, ethics, creativity, identity, and society. Through interdisciplinary inquiry and project-based learning, the course engages students in critical examination of AI’s role in literature, media, culture, history, and philosophy.
Students will analyze texts and media influenced by or commenting on AI, debate the ethical implications of AI in decision-making, and explore topics like algorithmic bias, surveillance, and digital identity. They will also interact with AI tools to create humanities-centered projects, blending technical literacy with humanistic critique.
This course prepares students to think critically and ethically about the future of technology and the role they play as both users and designers of intelligent systems. It fosters 21st-century skills in research, communication, collaboration, and cultural analysis.
Syllabus Overview: AI and Humanities Honors
| Unit | Topics Covered | Key Activities & Assessments |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: What is AI? A Human-Centered Perspective | Historical and contemporary definitions of AI, cultural representations | Text analysis of AI in literature and film (e.g., Her, I, Robot); short essay |
| Unit 2: Ethics and Artificial Intelligence | Algorithmic fairness, moral decision-making, AI and social justice | Case study analysis; Socratic seminar on AI ethics; reflective journal |
| Unit 3: AI and Human Communication | NLP, chatbots, misinformation, deepfakes | Chatbot conversation simulation; media literacy project |
| Unit 4: Creativity, Identity, and Machine Expression | AI-generated art, authorship, creative expression with AI tools | AI-generated poetry or visual art project with artist’s statement |
| Unit 5: Surveillance, Privacy, and Digital Agency | Surveillance capitalism, facial recognition, personal data | Op-ed or position paper; peer debate |
| Unit 6: Philosophy and Consciousness | Can machines think? Free will vs. algorithms; AI and the soul | Analytical essay on human vs. machine cognition using philosophical texts |
| Unit 7: AI in Education, Labor, and Society | Automation, equity, future of work, digital citizenship | Research project and multimedia presentation on AI’s societal impact |
| Unit 8: Capstone Project | Humanities-informed creative or research project integrating course concepts | Public showcase, presentation, and portfolio submission |
Instructional Materials & Tools
- Selected texts: Homo Deus (Harari), Life 3.0 (Tegmark), short stories, scholarly articles, and media excerpts
- Online platforms: Canvas LMS, Google Workspace, AI tools (e.g., GPT-based tools, DALL·E, DeepAI, Teachable Machine)
Grading Breakdown
- Class discussions and participation – 15%
- Reading responses and journals – 20%
- Unit essays and projects – 30%
- Final Capstone Project – 25%
- Quizzes and formative assessments – 10%
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will:
- Analyze the cultural, ethical, and historical dimensions of AI
- Engage critically with AI tools through a humanities lens
- Communicate arguments and interpretations clearly in both written and oral formats
- Reflect on the philosophical and societal implications of emerging technologies
- Demonstrate creative and interdisciplinary thinking through original projects