Media, Mind, and Black Mirror
This course policy allows the usage of AI on assignments but not exams and models disclosure via a template.
Course Info:
- COMM 173A/273A: "Media, Mind, and Black Mirror"
- Spring 2025
- Instructor: Robby Ratan
Pedagogy:
In addition to articulating when the use of generative AI is and is not allowed in the course, the policy provides a template for disclosure with an example. Note that this course encourages students to critically analyze media technologies and their impacts. The instructor also tells students, "in line with the theme of the class, students will be encouraged to use any advanced media technology at their disposal, including generative AI tools, to develop the assignment content." Students' assignments are not only graded on the technical product, but also on the creativity, synthesis across concepts, connections to unique personal experiences, and how students speak about their ideas.
Course AI Policy
AI Tool Use Policy
Using Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agents or Large Language Models (LLMs)—such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, etc.—to generate assignments or parts of assignments is TOTALLY allowable on written assignments (BUT NOT ON EXAMS) as long as you disclose this use clearly. Failing to do so may qualify as a breach of the honor code and lead to an academic dishonesty issue on your record. Hence, if you use an AI or LLM to generate content, you must include an AI Assistance Disclosure Statement.
Here is an example/template:
This [research paper] was developed with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, specifically [e.g., ChatGPT 4o, Gemini Advanced 1.5, etc.], in order to [generate ideas, draft sections, correct grammar and style, summarize research, format citations, etc.], but not to [generate or fabricate data, conduct analyses, or interpret results]. I, the human author, reviewed and edited the AI’s contributions to ensure accuracy, originality, and alignment with the objectives of the [research, project], and followed ethical guidelines for content attributions, academic integrity and originality. I take final responsibility for the content, arguments, and conclusions of this [paper] .*
*This AI Assistance Disclosure Statement example/template was generated with the help of ChatGPT 4o to generate a draft outline, which I then edited into this single paragraph. I take final responsibility for the content of this example/template statement.