In reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, students discussed the ways in which science fiction critiques humanity by creating artificial humans, or androids. The technologies employed by Phillip K. Dick in telling this classic story were also examined. Dr. Kevin Rigby, Associate Professor of Aeronautical Sciences, specializing in robots and unmanned aerial systems, gave a guest lecture on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and its parallels with the historical development of robotics, as a field.
Students developed pages on the science and technology developed in the novel to determine the plausibility of these portrayals.
Kirk Haun, researched the science behind biometrics and recognition systems as they are used in the novel and in real life.
These students all researched androids created by Dick the novel, and the possibility that these creations might one day interact with us in the real world.
Teslim Balogun , examined a developing real world technology called social robots, and how these might be the beginnings of androids from Dick's novel in real life.
William Doubleday, examined the possibility that we, like the characters in the novel, are surrounded by androids.
Tyler Flowers, compared the anroids used by Dick to another AI from science fiction; TARS from the film Interstellar.
Michael Nix, explored whether or not androids could ever be classified as human beings.
Hyun Park, examined whether we could ever create an anroid based on current artificial intelligence technology.
Jin Park, examined the different physioligical factors that would need to be considered when creating a life-like android.
Chris Paxton, researched the history of artificial intelligence and androids in science fiction.
Jonathan Seiler, looked at the feasibility of creating an android.
In these pages, students explored the intersections between technology and neurological science in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.
Raymond Diaz, researched artificial brain stimulation, focusing on the Penfield Mood Organ used in the novel.
Logan Deitrich, examined the state of artificial intelligence research today on Earth, and compared it to the AI used in the novel.
Leslie Gallardo, analyzed the future of artificial intelligence based on the work that has already been done, and the future portrayed by Dick.
Taylor Guevarez, examined artificial intelligence, specifically the differences between AI as we have today, and a sentient artificial intelligence.
Jonathan Sookdeo, explored the difference between consciousness and self awareness.
Jack Strange, investigated the nature of reality, trying to determine whether reality is nothing more than what we perceive, or if there is a true "reality" out there.
Cody Wilson, researched just how intelligent we could make artificial intelligence.
In these pages, students examined educational models, sociology, history, and political science as represented by Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.
Max Anderson, studied the developing relationship between humanity and technology in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and compared it to our present day reality.
Jazmyne Lones, examined the causality of a new religion in the novel, Mercerism, and the human need for spiritual faith.