"Learn, by my example, how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow." -Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818) 

This English 1B course centers around readings and writing assignments that examine the impact of recent advances in science and technology on future collective well-being. Through an analysis of readings on this topic from a variety of different genres, some questions we will consider include: What is the difference between biology and technology? How are rapidly-developing advances in science and technology impacting various domains of society today, such as medicine, school, work, and social relationships? Should we be concerned or hopeful about these advancements and their future impact on society? We will also apply these questions to our own experience with technology, allowing us to reflect on the technology we use every day and its impact on our personal, academic, and professional lives.

Textbooks: Yuval Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018); Joy Buolamwini’s Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines (2023); Alex Hanna & Emily Bender’s The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want (2025)

Note: This is an in-person course that is open to SJSU students only. Click here to sign up & register.