AI and Popular culture, 7.5 credits

Contents

The course explores historical and contemporary perspectives on popular cultural representations of artificial intelligence, including robots, androids, and non‑humanoid forms of AI. The course focuses on how these portrayals of artificial intelligence in popular culture can be understood and analyzed through critical theories and questions related to gender, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, and class, as well as through media historical perspectives on imaginary media technologies. Particular attention is given to how artificial intelligence has been depicted in film and television series.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate basic knowledge of how artificial intelligence has been depicted historically in audiovisual popular culture
• demonstrate basic knowledge of different theoretical perspectives on representations of AI in popular culture

Skills and abilities

• demonstrate the ability to reflect on how imaginary media technologies can be understood in relation to various power structures and in their historical context
• be able to carry out basic analyses of moving images based on the themes of the course

Judgment and approach

• be able to discuss and analyze representations of AI through the theoretical perspectives introduced in the course
• be able to reflect on the role of popular culture and media in shaping contemporary and historical imaginaries of AI

Required Knowledge

General entry requirements and English 6/level 2, Civics 1b or 1a1+1a2/level 1b or 1a2

Form of instruction

The course is held in English. Teaching consists of lectures and seminars.

When attendance is compulsory, it is specifically stated in the schedule.

For those who are registered for a course and have a disability, there are resources for special support. For more information, contact the Student Center.

Examination modes

The course is examined both orally and in writing through seminars, group assignments, and an individual take-home exam. Group assignments and seminars are graded with Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd). Individual essays (final exam) are graded with Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd), Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd). To pass the course (min. grade G (Pass)) all mandatory parts are required, and the individual essay(s) must have received the grade G. To receive Pass with distinction (VG) for the course, all mandatory parts are required (grade G), and the individual essay(s) must have received the grade VG.

For each examining part of the course there is a regular examination given with a second reexamination within two months after the regular examination. For examinations performed in May and June, the first reexamination are offered within three months of the regular examination. In addition to this, a third reexamination is given within a year after the end of the course. Those who have passed the test may not undergo a re-test for higher grades.

A student who does not fully meet the objectives of an examination but is close to the limit for a passing grade can, after a decision by the examiner, be given the opportunity to supplement in order to achieve the examination assignment's criteria for a passing grade. Completion of the examination must be adapted individually based on the goal(s) not achieved by the student and must take place within two weeks after the students have been notified of the examination results, but before the next examination opportunity. It is only permitted to supplement an unsuccessful result to pass, supplementation for higher grades is not permitted.

The examiner can decide on deviations from the syllabus' examination form. Individual adaptation of the examination form must be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the framework of the syllabus' expected study results. Students who need an adapted examination must request adaptation from the department responsible for the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on an adapted examination which is then communicated to the student.

To pass the course, all exams and compulsory parts must be passed. The grade constitutes a summary assessment of the results in the various parts of the examination and is only set when all compulsory parts have been approved.

Students who are registered for a course and have registered credits in Ladok on the course have the right to be examined on the course and its parts up to two years after the first registration date. A student who, without a passing grade, has passed an ordinary examination and a re-examination for the course, has the right to have another examiner appointed at the next re-examination, unless there are special reasons to the contrary. Requests for a change of examiner are made to the director of studies at the Department of Culture and Media Studies.

Transfer of credits
Information about credit transfer of previous courses can be found on Umeå University’s student web.

Other regulations

In a degree, this course may not be included together with another course with similar content. In case of doubt, the student should consult the Director of Studies at the Department of Cultural and Media Studies