The History of the Robot, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate basic knowledge of the long historical existence of ideas and fantasies surrounding artificial humans and artificial intelligence,
• demonstrate basic knowledge of the technological development of robotics and automata from antiquity until the present time,
• demonstrate knowledge of the main themes and preoccupations of fantasies, fictions and dystopias surrounding artificial humans and robots throughout history,
• demonstrate knowledge of the theme of robots in literary and cultural history,
• discuss the idea of the robot and AI from a historical and critical perspective and
• discuss the development of technology from a critical and humanist perspective.

Content

This course delves into the long history of the artificial human from the perspectives of cultural history and literature in order to explore the ethical and philosophical foundations of modern AI and robotics. Beginning in the ancient myths of Hephaistos, Pygmalion and Thalos, and continuing with the automaton-builders of early medieval Baghdad and the clockwork mechanisms of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, we arrive at the modern notion of the mechanised human in the industrial revolution, and the crossfertilisation of science fiction and research in the age of Isaac Asimov, Alan Turing and the first truly automotive robots. During the course, we read and discuss works by Edgar Allan Poe, E. T. A. Hoffmann, Mary Shelley, Philip K. Dick, Martha Wells and Becky Chambers in the light of contemporary technological developments.

Examinations and grades

History of the Robot, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Modes of assessment

History of the Robot, 7,5 högskolepoäng (Provkod: A001)
Written assignment.

Comments on modes of assessment
Examination deadline
An examination shall be carried out at the time decided by the university. If an examination, which involves that the student can do the assignment in another place than in the university's premises (for example take-home examination), can not be submitted on time, the examiner decides how the examination shall be handled.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade on the examination may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments must be carried out according to the teacher’s instructions and submitted to the teacher within xx weeks after the student is notified of the failing grade.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements for university studies.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

All teaching will be in English. Attendance at seminars will be obligatory.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Transitional provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that the student cannot be examined in accordance with this course syllabus, special examinations will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform the students involved.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

Abnet, A. Dustin (2020)
The American Robot: A Cultural History
Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Bosak-Schroeder, Clara (2016)
”The Religious Life of Greek Automata”
Archiv für Religionsgeschichte, 17:1

Dick, K. Philip (1972)
“The Android and the Human”, SF Commentary, nr 31

Frumer, Yulia (2018)
“Cognition and Emotions in Japanese Humanoid Robotics
History and Technology, vol 34, nr 2

Kang, Minsoo (2011)
Sublime Dreams of Living Machines: The Automaton in the European Imagination
Cambridge: Harvard University Press

Mayor, Adrienne (2018)
Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology
Princeton: Princeton University Press

Nakao, Maika (red.) (2014)
”Robots in Japanese Popular Culture”, i Robotics in Germany and Japan: Philosophical and Technical Perspectives, Michael Funk & Bernhard Irrgang
Berlin: Peter Lang

Newman, R. William (2004)
Promethean Ambitions: Alchemy and the Quest to Perfect Nature
Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Shaffer, Simon (red.) (1999)
”Enlightened Automata", The Sciences of Enlightened Europe, William Clark, Jan Golinski & Simon Schaffer

Masahiro Mori, (2012)
“The Uncanny Valley”, IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine, vol 19, nr 2
Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Voskuhl, Adelheid (2013)
Androids in the Enlightenment: Mechanics, Artisans, and Cultures of the Self
Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Fiction
Isaac Asimov, "Robbie" and "Liar!"
E.T.A. Hoffmann, "The Sandman"
Edgar Allan Poe, "The man that was used up"
Karel Capek, R.U.R.
Lester del Rey: ”Helen O’Loy”
C.L. Moore: ”No Woman Born”
Nnedi Okorafor: ”Mother of Invention”
Paolo Bacigalupi: ”Mika Model”

A number of short newspaper articles might be added to this list.

Additional Reading

The student is required to choose one of the following novels to read

Philip K. Dick, Do androids dream of electric sheep?
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
Kazuo Ishiguro, Klara and the sun
Samuel Butler, Erewhon
Auguste Villiers de-l'Isle-Adam, The Future Eve
Becky Chambers A Closed and Common Orbit
Marge Piercy He, She and It
Martha Wells, All Systems Red
Martha Wells, Artificial Condition

Additions and Comments
Required reading of up to 100 pages can be added according to the teacher's instructions.