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Young Family School for the Human Experience
Flagship Course: "And I Will Put a Spirit Within You"

Flagship Course: "And I Will Put a Spirit Within You"

Meet "And I Will Put a Spirit Within You: Artificial Intelligence as a Bridge Between the Humanities and the Exact Sciences"

This is the program's foundational course, and it is much more than just another standard class. The course is designed to connect the worlds of technology and science with the big questions of the humanities and society. Here is everything you need to know about it, straight to the point.

The course is based on the premise that AI tools are themselves a fusion of both worlds—mathematics and algorithms on one hand, and language, culture, and human history on the other. The goal is not to turn you into philosophers, but rather to cultivate wiser, well-rounded engineering, science, and management professionals who truly understand the broader context of their work.

The Five Pillars of the Course

Ethics and Morality

Not just "how do we build it," but "should it be built?" and who might be affected

Tolerance for Ambiguity

While science seeks a single correct answer, life (and literature) is full of complexities and paradoxes. Navigating this is a critical skill for anyone looking to develop technology for real people.

Philosophy of Science

Understanding that even the most solid "facts" are sometimes shaped by culture and history, and developing an intellectual humility regarding what we think we know.

Contextual Thinking

Recognizing that technology is never launched into a vacuum, but into an existing society and culture.

Rhetoric and Narrative

Learning how to take cold data and transform it into a compelling story that convinces investors or the public.

How Will We Learn? AI as a "Sparring Partner"

This is where the innovation comes in

You won't use AI just to get ready-made answers; instead, you will use it as a challenging coach.

Simulators

You will be able to engage in debates with historical "figures" or simulate the real-world social impacts of technological decisions.

The Bias Mirror

You will learn to identify where the AI itself is culturally biased.

Grading: How Will You Be Evaluated?

No Worries

no one expects you to hand in an essay written by an AI in 10 minutes.

Process Evaluation

Your grade will be based on documenting your actual dialogue with the AI—what questions were asked (prompts), how it was corrected, and where you noticed it made mistakes or offered valuable insight.

Format

The course is worth 2 credits and is taught in a hybrid, partially online format, allowing for flexible learning.