Common Curriculum Reading

Undergraduate students can complete their Proficiency and Experience requirements by engaging in co-curricular activities like the 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.

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Fall 2024 Meeting Times and Dates

Tuesday, September 10 from 4-5:30pm: Kick off meeting and book pick-up

  • We hope to have an engaging speaker who can present on the book’s theme

Tuesday, September 24 from 4-5:30pm: 1st meeting 

  • Students should have read chapters 1 &2

Wednesday, October 9 from 4-5:30pm: 2nd meeting 

  • Students should have read chapters 3 & 4

Tuesday, October 22 from 4-5:30pm: 3rd meeting 

  • 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 

  • Students should have read chapters 7 & 8

Tuesday, November 19 from 4-5:30pm: 5th meeting 

  • Students should have read chapters 9 & 10

Tuesday, December 3 from 4-5:30pm: Final meeting and final assessment  

  • Students should have read chapters 11 & 12 and will be given time to complete their final reflection