SYLLABUS for GNM2209
Spring 2015
Course Title: Intelligent Machines and Human Beings
Instructor:
Jinchang Wang, Ph.D.
Availability Outside of Class:
Office Hours: 2:00-3:30 MW; 12:35-2:00 F; 5:00-6:00 TR; or by appointment
Office:
C-123
Office Phone: (609) 652-4628
E-mail:
jinchang.wang@stockton.edu
Web Site:
http://www.stockton.edu/~wangji
Textbook: Reading materials will be handed out in class.
Course Description:
Machines are getting smarter and smarter with rapid development of computers. This course reviews the endeavors and
achievements of human beings in developing intelligent machines, and their impacts on our life. Areas of artificial intelligence will be
learned for understanding how a machine ‘thinks’. The controversy of the future of intelligent machines and their influence on us will
be introduced. Examples of issues to be considered are: How are our daily life and society influenced by the intelligent machines
currently? What are the positive and negative impacts of new information technology on us? How does a machine think? What are
computers like in a few decades? How smart can a machine be? What if machines are smarter than us? Can a machine be conscious?
Are we creating machines that threaten ourselves?
Students will learn how an intelligent machine works, the current development of computer and artificial intelligence, and the
impacts on us at present and in the future. Students learn through reading, lectures, watching videos, discussions, and thought
experiments on the essential issues of machines and men. Critical, creative, and logical thinking is emphasized throughout the course.
Contents of the Course:
(1) Overview of development of computer intelligence, the associated benefits and problems, the past, current, and future.
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(2) How a computer works and “thinks”, Turing machine and Turing test.
(3) How “intelligent” current computers are, and their impacts on our society and daily life, such as employment, work life, social life,
economy, privacy, education, politics, warfare, security, and ethics.
(4) Artificial intelligence (AI): - What AI is; Fields in AI; Future of AI.
(5) Future of intelligent machines, - End or blessing of humanity?
Quizzes:
Quizzes are in-class and closed-notes, which may not be announced ahead.
Missed quizzes cannot be made up. But one quiz of the lowest score is dropped when calculating the final grade.
Late Assignments:
Homework should be submitted on or before the due dates. Penalty of lateness: 50% off if one day late; no credit if two or
more days late.
A class work is due at the class, and no credit after the class.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken in class, and counted into the final grade (A student’s first two missed classes are not counted).
Grading:
Quizzes
35%
Homework/Class work
50%
Attendance
15%
Each student's accumulated score is adjusted on a 100-point base at the end of the semester. The grades are given according to
the accumulated scores as follows:
Accumulated score
Grade
>=94
A
<94 and >=90
A
<90 and >=87
B+
<87 and >=82
B
<82 and >=80
B
<80 and >=75
C+
2
<75 and >=70
C
<70 and >=67
C
<67 and >=65
D+
<65 and >=60
D
<60 and >=58
D
<58
F
The accumulated score is calculated as follows:
(35 * your total Quiz score / possible total Quiz score)
+
(50 * your total Assignment score / possible total Assignment score)
+
(15 * your Attendance / possible total Attendance)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------=
Your accumulated score out of 100.
Academic Honesty:
Students are required to do their work independently in the exams. Any forms of cheating will not be tolerated.
Handicapped Students:
Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me personally as
soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements.
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