230253 We(ak), Humans − Questions of Bioethics and A.I. in Arts and Narratives (S) (SoSe 2016)

When humans make copies of themselves, which are so close to the real thing (…) the question arises - What does it really mean to be 'human'?
- Lars Lundström on his series Äkta människor (Real Humans), 2012-?

The course explores different theories of the (human?) self and its borders relating them to contexts of bioengineering and robotics as they appear in modern and postmodern fictional and aesthetic media. Themes of cloning, massively changed organisms and especially highly developed A.I. systems, even including empathy capacities and self-reflection, are increasingly present in different graphic and fictional settings.
Throughout the seminar, we will use different theories to analyze various represetational forms of these fields and try to discover possible origins for the polarizing positions of extremely fearing general biotechnology and A.I. on the one vs. high enthusiasm and support on the other hand.
Examples will include film, arts and literary works. Active participation in discussions and research on individual topics is obligatory. The cultural focus will be the United States, but primary works are not limited to this since we will do comparative studies. Early bird suggestions on additional material are very welcome.
Films used for analysis will include Blade Runner (1982), I, Robot (2004), Her (2013) and Ex Machina (2014).

Participants will have to buy and read Isaac Asimov. I, Robot. Harpercollins Publishers. 2013. ISBN-10: 000753227X / ISBN-13: 978-0007532278