Loyola University Chicago offers an interdisciplinary minor in Artificial Intelligence and Human Flourishing.  It seeks to bridge the technical and scientific expertise of Computer Science with philosophical reflection on the ethical and social impacts of current and emerging technologies. The social and ethical impact of computational technologies from social media to big data to emerging generative AI has had an undeniably profound impact on the contemporary world across nearly all personal, professional, and even spiritual domains, an impact that will only increase.

Related Programs

Curriculum

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Technological Foundations 1
Students must complete at least two (2) of the following:		6
COMP 111	History of Computing
COMP 150	Introduction to Computing
COMP 170	Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
COMP 180	Computing and Data Analysis for the Sciences
COMP 215	Object Oriented Programming with Mathematics
COMP 379	Machine Learning
COMP 388	Topics in Computer Science 2
PHIL 302	Topics in Formal Logic 2
Ethical Foundations 3
Students must complete at least two (2) of the following:		6
COMM 360	Digital Media Ethics
COMP 111	History of Computing
COMP 317	Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing
PHIL 276	Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 310	Issues in Philosophy of Human Nature 2
PHIL 311	Issues in Metaphysics 2
PHIL 324	Topics in Ethics 2
PHIL 331	Philosophy of Technology
PHIL 387	Topics in Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy and Humanities Foundations
Students must complete at least one (1) of the following:		3
COMP 111	History of Computing
PHIL 276	Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 301	Symbolic Logic
PHIL 302	Topics in Formal Logic 2
PHIL 310	Issues in Philosophy of Human Nature 2
PHIL 311	Issues in Metaphysics 2
PHIL 330	Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 331	Philosophy of Technology
PHIL 387	Topics in Philosophy of Mind
Electives		3
Students take one additional (1) course of their choice from any of the three “foundations” lists above. Some courses accomplish multiple outcomes but can only fulfill one requirement.
Total Hours		18

¹

At least one (1) Technological Foundations course must be a Computer Science course.

²

With director approval of topic.

³

At least one (1) Ethical Foundations course must be a Philosophy course.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Hours
Technological Foundations Course 1		3
	Hours	3
Spring
Ethical Foundations Course		3
	Hours	3
Year 2
Fall
Philosophy and Humanities Foundations Course		3
	Hours	3
Spring
Technological Foundations Course		3
	Hours	3
Year 3
Fall
Ethical Foundations Course		3
	Hours	3
Spring
Elective Course		3
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	18

¹

The discipline areas can be taken in any order, but it is recommended that students complete one course from each area before taking a second course.

Undergraduate Policies and Procedures

Please see Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will learn the principles and practice of programming needed for basic AI.
• Students will learn the social, ethical, and/or legal impacts of AI on individual and social flourishing.
• Students will learn the philosophical and historical roots of AI, as well as the ongoing philosophical problems posed by AI.