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Course Description

We live amidst a “Big Data” revolution, a moment of exponential data accumulation and the accelerated development of technologies that process it. Computer scientists have developed machine-learning algorithms to analyze enormous amounts of data in a wide variety of contexts, from social media to crime statistics. This “artificial intelligence” is built to replicate human thinking and automate decision-making. Developers therefore believe AI to be able to analyze and model without human intervention and bias. Recent studies in the history and sociology of science, however, question the novelty and neutrality of our Big Data Age. In this class we will explore these studies. The class will first look at the long and interconnected history of using large datasets and computational tools. It will then turn to “critical data studies” and discuss how recent literature has demonstrated the challenges posed by big data and what alternatives to existing approaches could look like. Together we will analyze how big data technologies, old and new, both revive historical prejudices like sexism and racism as well as create new opportunities for the future. No prior knowledge of AI, big data, or history is required. The class is discussion-based and students are invited to discuss their own experience with the datafied world.

Notes

Online registration deadline: Thursday, Sept 22, 5 pm CT

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