233041 SE Contextualizing and Addressing Existential Risks/Threats: AI, ENVIRO and BIO Risks (2024W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Su 01.09.2024 09:00 to Su 22.09.2024 23:59
- Deregistration possible until We 22.01.2025 23:59
Details
max. 25 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- N Wednesday 22.01. 11:45 - 15:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Friday 24.01. 09:00 - 13:00 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Monday 27.01. 10:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Tuesday 28.01. 14:30 - 18:30 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Wednesday 29.01. 11:45 - 14:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
- Thursday 30.01. 13:00 - 14:45 Seminarraum STS, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/6. Stock, 1010 Wien
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
To pass the seminar, students are expected to complete the following tasks:
- Written questions in relation to the mandatory literature
Three formulated questions for every required text, which should be chosen so as to foster discussion and be related to the text’s main arguments. To be uploaded on Moodle by 23:55 of the day before each class.
- Course paper
An individual paper (no less than 4000 words, excluding references), on a topic of relevance to the course. The paper will be based on a synthetic presentation of relevant secondary sources. Emphasis will be placed on the use of these sources in order to specify, evaluate and address one or more ‘existential risks’. The use of primary sources will be optional. Details will be given in class. The topic of the paper will be decided through a discussion with the instructor. To be uploaded on Moodle by 23:55 Sunday 16 February 2025.
- Presentation of the plan for a course paper
A course paper plan (1000 words, excluding references) should be uploaded on Moodle before the final class meeting, and will be presented in class during this meeting.
- Written questions in relation to the mandatory literature
Three formulated questions for every required text, which should be chosen so as to foster discussion and be related to the text’s main arguments. To be uploaded on Moodle by 23:55 of the day before each class.
- Course paper
An individual paper (no less than 4000 words, excluding references), on a topic of relevance to the course. The paper will be based on a synthetic presentation of relevant secondary sources. Emphasis will be placed on the use of these sources in order to specify, evaluate and address one or more ‘existential risks’. The use of primary sources will be optional. Details will be given in class. The topic of the paper will be decided through a discussion with the instructor. To be uploaded on Moodle by 23:55 Sunday 16 February 2025.
- Presentation of the plan for a course paper
A course paper plan (1000 words, excluding references) should be uploaded on Moodle before the final class meeting, and will be presented in class during this meeting.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
Grading Scheme
The grading scheme is based on a total of 100 points. These points will be awarded in relation to students’ performance in meeting the course learning aims in the different obligatory tasks.
The maximum number of points to be acquired for each task is:
- Participation in class, including five presentations of written questions on mandatory readings: 50 points, assessed individually, feedback by lecturer
- Presentation of the plan for a course paper: 10 points, assessed individually, feedback by lecturer
- Course paper: 40 points, assessed individually, feedback by lecturerMinimum requirements
A minimum of 50 points is necessary to successfully complete the course. Failure to meet the attendance regulations, to deliver course assignments on time or to adhere to standards of academic work may result in a deduction of points.Grades
100-89 points Excellent (1)
88-76 points Good (2)
75-63 points Satisfactory (3)
62-50 points Sufficient (4)
49-0 points Unsatisfactory (5) (fail)Attendance
Presence and participation is compulsory. The course takes place in person. Only in exceptional cases online participation is possible (e.g. in case of positive Covid test results). This must be discussed with the lecturer in advance. In any case, online participation also means that it is the student's responsibility to actively participate in the course.Important Grading Information
If not explicitly noted otherwise, all requirements mentioned in the grading scheme and the attendance regulations must be met.Guidelines for the use of AI tools: If you use AI (e.g., Chat GPT or similar software) as a supporting tool in your assignments, this should be acknowledged openly and clearly, so that the instructor is aware of where and to what extent the AI tool was used.The course uses the plagiarism-detection service Turnitin for larger assignments.
The grading scheme is based on a total of 100 points. These points will be awarded in relation to students’ performance in meeting the course learning aims in the different obligatory tasks.
The maximum number of points to be acquired for each task is:
- Participation in class, including five presentations of written questions on mandatory readings: 50 points, assessed individually, feedback by lecturer
- Presentation of the plan for a course paper: 10 points, assessed individually, feedback by lecturer
- Course paper: 40 points, assessed individually, feedback by lecturerMinimum requirements
A minimum of 50 points is necessary to successfully complete the course. Failure to meet the attendance regulations, to deliver course assignments on time or to adhere to standards of academic work may result in a deduction of points.Grades
100-89 points Excellent (1)
88-76 points Good (2)
75-63 points Satisfactory (3)
62-50 points Sufficient (4)
49-0 points Unsatisfactory (5) (fail)Attendance
Presence and participation is compulsory. The course takes place in person. Only in exceptional cases online participation is possible (e.g. in case of positive Covid test results). This must be discussed with the lecturer in advance. In any case, online participation also means that it is the student's responsibility to actively participate in the course.Important Grading Information
If not explicitly noted otherwise, all requirements mentioned in the grading scheme and the attendance regulations must be met.Guidelines for the use of AI tools: If you use AI (e.g., Chat GPT or similar software) as a supporting tool in your assignments, this should be acknowledged openly and clearly, so that the instructor is aware of where and to what extent the AI tool was used.The course uses the plagiarism-detection service Turnitin for larger assignments.
Examination topics
Reading list
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Tu 10.09.2024 13:46
Leading academicians, politicians, businessmen and activists seem to agree that humanity is facing a range of ‘existential risks’. There is, actually, by now, no shortage of thinkers who go so far as to call such risks ‘threats’ that could soon lead to the end of human life (if not all life) on the planet. Following the prioritizations of research centers that pioneer internationally in the study of existential risks, the course will focus on AI, ENVIRO, and BIO existential risks. The course will consider these risks not only individually, but also in their intersections, interplays and interactions with additional existential risks, the final aim being to provide a synthetic understanding of risks. Central to this synthesis is attention to AI, considering how it becomes rapidly integrated into all fields of science, engineering and medicine, as well as to all aspects of social life.
Aims:
The course will rely on the interdisciplinary field of study known as Science, Technology, Society or Science and Technology Studies (STS) in order to introduce students to definitions and evaluations of existential risks, as well as to policies to address such risks.
Methods:
The course will combine an introduction to the relevant literature from the humanities and the social sciences, especially, STS, with the study of reports from institutions, academic and other, that specialize in the study of existential risks. Emphasis will be placed on the introduction to the construction of the socio-technical variables by which existential risks are defined as such.