How human are you?  How much has technology taken control of you?  From
railway to car and plane, from telegraph to phone and e-mail, from crutch to
wheelchair and artificial limb, technology has improved our lives.  However,
controlling ‘Big Brothers,’ killing missiles, and frightening robots seem to be
the dark side of scientific development.  Hence the question arises: Is
technology necessary to liberate us from the bonds of nature or does the
progress of technology coincide with the regress of humanity?  In this course,
we will examine this question by reading literary and philosophical texts from
1800 to the present, by watching films on the struggle between man and
machine, and by observing our daily experiences.  The focus of this class will
be on discussion and hands-on projects: You will find yourself in the role of
a writer, a film critic, or even a film maker.