SOCIO305-23A (NET)

Human Enhancement Technologies and Social Life

15 Points

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Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Sociology and Social Policy

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Nick Agar

Nick Agar
NON.0.CC01
See Moodle
nick.agar@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: melanie.chivers@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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What this paper is about

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Should we embrace technologies that will make us smarter, stronger, better? The coming years could see increasingly powerful human enhancement technologies. These include drugs already on sale at the Amazon Marketplace. They could include edits of genes that influence human capacities. They could include cybernetic replacements for parts of human bodies or brains. We will ask a variety of questions about these coming enhancement technologies. Should they be applied to our human natures at all? If the answer to this question is yes, which enhancement technologies should we use and how should they be used? The focus of the course is on enabling students to contribute their own voices to the debate about human enhancement. This is a topic in which we need to hear from you.
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How this paper will be taught

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Students should view this class, first and foremost, as an opportunity to develop and express their own ideas about how technology should, or shouldn't guide or influence the future of humanity. The debate about humanity's future needs more ideas.

You will watch videos of class discussion accessed on the course's Moodle page. You are strongly encouraged to contact Professor Agar (nagar@waikato.ac.nz) with any inquires about the course content.

The discussions are linked with sections of Professor Agar's forthcoming book Dialogues on Human Enhancement (Routledge, 2023). A prepublication version of the book is available on Moodle. This book will guide discussion about how or whether we should apply enhancement technologies to our natures. The Dialogue will serve as a prompt for your engagements with a future potentially made by enhancement technologies.

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Required Readings

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Professor Agar will distribute a pre-publication version of his forthcoming book Dialogues on Human Enhancement (Routledge, 2023). This includes a reading list that links readings with issues as they arise in the lectures. Students are expected to read relevant sections of the Dialogue before each lecture.
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You will need to have

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You should satisfy the University's requirements for a third year paper. There are no pre-requisites beyond that. Bring an open mind and a willingness to share and develop ideas about the future of the human species.
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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Identify key sociological perspectives relating to new forms of social relations facilitated by the rise of technologies of human enhancement
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Critically explore how these new technologies, including smart drugs, gene edits, and cybernetics impact on decision-making in their lifeworld
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of power relations, class, gender and race inequalities, collective/group experiences and social institutions in terms of technologies of human enhancement
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Discuss the retrospect and prospect of sociological analysis around technologies of human enhancement
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessments

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How you will be assessed

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The debate about how technology could remake the human species is in dire need of fresh ideas. The following forms of assessment are designed to reward students brave enough to bring new suggestions. This is discussion in which even the recognised experts are often wrong. Students should be empowered to risk being wrong too.

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Invent a character to participate in the dialogue
6 Mar 2023
9:30 PM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
2. Dialogue
17 Apr 2023
10:30 PM
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
3. Discuss 2 informed opinion pieces
24 Apr 2023
11:00 PM
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
4. Discussion with lecturer
22 May 2023
10:00 PM
25
  • Presentation: In Lab
✔
5. Collaborative dialogue with another student
12 Jun 2023
9:30 PM
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
6. Informed opinion piece about human enhancement
19 Jun 2023
11:00 PM
25
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
✔
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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