Our Reflection in the Black Mirror

Discovery Core Experience: A&H Course

BCORE 117

60-Second Syllabus: Our Reflection in the Black Mirror

About This Course:

A never-ending video game. A tortured AI virtual assistant. A digital afterlife. A robotic boyfriend. DNA clones uploaded into a video game. Welcome to the world of the Netflix series Black Mirror, an often-sobering science fiction series that reflects the fears and perhaps not-so-distant realities of our time.

While much of the technology highlighted in the show might be decades away, the ethical and moral questions raised have already begun impacting our way of thinking about social media, cloning, robots, privacy, surveillance, and consciousness. This course will look at some of the themes reflected in the television series allowing students the opportunity to explore the ethical and social impacts of some of the emerging technology reflected in the show.

Students will be encouraged to discover and discuss their own thoughts on the ethical questions associated with the technologies and to research the feasibly of such technology and their impacts on society.

Dr. Wanda Gregory (She/Her/Hers)

About Professor Gregory:

  • Ph.D., Human Sciences, (focus areas game studies and connected health), University College Dublin
  • M.F.A., Creative Writing, Goddard College
  • M.A., Communications (focus area game studies), University of Washington
  • M.B.A, Foster School of Business, (focus area strategic planning), University of Washington
  • B.A., English, University of Washington

Contact:

“I view myself as a teacher and mentor and someone interested in working with the next generation of innovators and designers.” -Dr. Gregory