After successful completion of the course, students are able to:

1. Explain Scientific Models of Humans:

   • Understand and articulate various scientific models of humans derived from disciplines such as psychology, human factors, and neuroscience.
   • Evaluate the relevance and applicability of these models in the context of developing augmentation technologies.

2. Assess Application of Models:

   • Critically assess and apply scientific models to the development of augmentation technologies.
   • Identify how different models can inform the design and implementation of human augmentation strategies.

3. Differentiate Approaches:

   • Clearly articulate the distinctions between Human-Automation, Human Augmentation, Human Enhancement, and Transhumanism.
   • Analyze the ethical, social, and technological implications associated with each approach.

4. Apply Human Factors Engineering:

   • Apply methodological approaches from human factors engineering to concrete examples of human augmentation.
   • Demonstrate an understanding of how human factors contribute to the success or failure of augmentation technologies.

5. Reflect on Augmentation Technologies:

   • Critically reflect on existing and futuristic augmentation technologies from the perspective of digital humanism.
   • Evaluate the ethical considerations, societal impact, and potential risks associated with different augmentation technologies.

The course will cover the following content:

1. Historical Overview:

   • How humans consistently seek to optimize their lives through science and technology.

2. Differences and Parallels in Approaches:

   • Human Automation, Human Augmentation, Human Enhancement, and Transhumanism.

3. Models of Humans from Various Scientific Disciplines:

   • How the human being is viewed from the perspectives of different scientific disciplines.

4. Methods of Human Factors Engineering:

   • Various methods of Human Factors Engineering to understand and shape the interaction between humans and technology.

5. Existing Technologies for Human Augmentation:

   • Wearable technologies, exoskeletons, prosthetic stabilization of limbs and body functions, as well as sensory enhancements such as hearing or vision amplification.

6. Future Technologies for Human Augmentation:

   • Concepts like "Body Hacking," brain-computer interfaces, and 3D bioprinting as advanced approaches to human enhancement.

The course will provide a comprehensive overview of history, different approaches, scientific models of humans, methods of Human Factors Engineering, as well as existing and future technologies for human enhancement. Students will be able to understand, analyze, and critically evaluate these concepts.

Topic-relevant lectures
Regular in-class meetings for content and assignment reflection
Reading, analysis and critical discussion of scientific texts in the area of Human Augmentation
Preparing a "mini lecture" on a human sense or mode

Ethical use case analysis

Creating a video mock-up of a Human Augmentation

Your grade for the course will be based on: 

 Individual assignments (55%) 

• Material reflections (35%) 
• Movie review (20%) 

Group project (45%) 

• Prepare a Session on one specific sense (15%)
• Ethical Use Case analysis (15%)
• Create a video mock-up of a Human Augmentation (15%)