Common Curriculum Reading
The Common Curriculum Reading offers students the opportunity to join a reading group comprised of their peers. Students are expected to read the book, meet with their SMU staff/faculty facilitator during the academic term to discuss the book, and complete a mid and end of year assessment to obtain that term's proficiency and experience requirement.
Read more about current and past readings and their associated Proficiency and Experience requirements below.
In Artificial Unintelligence, Meredith Broussard argues that our collective enthusiasm for applying computer technology to every aspect of life has resulted in a tremendous amount of poorly designed systems. We are so eager to do everything digitally—hiring, driving, paying bills, even choosing romantic partners—that we have stopped demanding that our technology actually work. Broussard, a software developer and journalist, reminds us that there are fundamental limits to what we can (and should) do with technology. With this book, she offers a guide to understanding the inner workings and outer limits of technology—and issues a warning that we should never assume that computers always get things right.
Click on the book to the right if you wish to learn more or would like to sign up for this semester's Common Curriculum Reading.
Fall 2024 Meeting Times and Dates
Tuesday, September 10 from 4-5:30pm: Kick off meeting and book pick-up
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We hope to have an engaging speaker who can present on the book’s theme
Tuesday, September 24 from 4-5:30pm: 1st meeting
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Students should have read chapters 1 &2
Wednesday, October 9 from 4-5:30pm: 2nd meeting
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Students should have read chapters 3 & 4
Tuesday, October 22 from 4-5:30pm: 3rd meeting
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Students should have read chapters 5 & 6
Tuesday, October 29 from 4-5:30pm: Required mid-semester assessment meeting
Tuesday, November 5 from 4-5:30pm: 4th meeting
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Students should have read chapters 7 & 8
Tuesday, November 19 from 4-5:30pm: 5th meeting
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Students should have read chapters 9 & 10
Tuesday, December 3 from 4-5:30pm: Final meeting and final assessment
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Students should have read chapters 11 & 12 and will be given time to complete their final reflection
In Artificial Unintelligence, Meredith Broussard argues that our collective enthusiasm for applying computer technology to every aspect of life has resulted in a tremendous amount of poorly designed systems. We are so eager to do everything digitally—hiring, driving, paying bills, even choosing romantic partners—that we have stopped demanding that our technology actually work. Broussard, a software developer and journalist, reminds us that there are fundamental limits to what we can (and should) do with technology. With this book, she offers a guide to understanding the inner workings and outer limits of technology—and issues a warning that we should never assume that computers always get things right.
Click on the book to the right if you wish to learn more about the book or click below if you would like to sign up for next semester's Common Curriculum Reading.
Spring 2025 Meeting Times and Dates
Tuesday, January 28 from 4-5:30pm: Kick off meeting and book pick-up
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We hope to have an engaging speaker who can present on the book’s theme
Tuesday, February 11 from 4-5:30pm: 1st meeting
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Students should have read chapters 1 &2
Tuesday, February 25 from 4-5:30pm: 2nd meeting
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Students should have read chapters 3 & 4
Tuesday, March 11 from 4-5:30pm: 3rd meeting
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Students should have read chapters 5 & 6
Tuesday, March 25 from 4-5:30pm: Required mid-semester assessment meeting
Tuesday, April 8 from 4-5:30pm: 4th meeting
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Students should have read chapters 7 & 8
Tuesday, April 22 from 4-5:30pm: 5th meeting
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Students should have read chapters 9 & 10
Tuesday, April 29 from 4-5:30pm: Final meeting and final assessment
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Students should have read chapters 11 & 12 and will be given time to complete their final reflection