This Seminar is an interdisciplinary inquiry into the ever-increasing gap between the cumulative, exponential progress in science and technology on the one hand, and on the other hand, the lack of comparable progress in our ability to use our new technological tools thoughtfully and responsibly. The wide impact of the Wired article by Bill Joy illustrates the need for re-examination of the foresight (or rather: the lack of it) with which we practice Science, and with which we use Technology. The goal is to create a truly interdisciplinary enrollment at the graduate level, with participation from students from Science disciplines as well as from the Humanities. Research-quality term paper will be required from all students; these papers will be archived, commented and cross-referenced on the course Web page, so that the results of the Seminar will be cumulative from year to year (if extended after an evaluation of the first offering.) The enrollment will be not limited to students of the "sponsoring" Departments - the idea is to encourage the participation of all students who are interested in these issues, and who are qualified to contribute their skills and knowledge of their fields to this inquiry.
For an overview of the issues as seen by the Instructor see
http://www.phys.washington.edu/~vladi/Honors2001/janus7.html
If you are interested in participating in the Seminar, please fill the questionnaire (limit the field width to the space provided, i.e. please use the carriage return after each line ....). Recall that this is a graduate Seminar, but exceptionally qualified and motivated Seniors will also be considered. I will send ADD codes to admitted students as soon as possible. Current list of ADD codes distributed so far is available.
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions at vladi@u.washington.edu.