Explore artificial intelligence—critically, creatively, across disciplines
Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is shaping the world around you?
Eckerd College’s minor in AI studies gives students the opportunity to critically and creatively explore the role of artificial intelligence across disciplines—from communication and marketing to computer science, entrepreneurship and philosophy.
Through a blend of theoretical insight and practical exploration, students will engage with the promises and challenges of AI—examining how AI affects society, culture, business, education, politics and the environment.
In their own words
“Learning more about AI at Eckerd College has made me feel informed and prepared to navigate a world where AI is quickly evolving and becoming integrated in our daily lives. The course “AI Culture and Communication” not only gave me a strong foundation in the ethical and practical implications of AI, but also sparked my curiosity in its creative potential. Exploring and experimenting with different AI tools has been surprisingly fun and rewarding.”
—Sydney Campbel-Mathew ’26, Environmental Studies major
Why AI studies at Eckerd
- Learn about AI practices and developments—complementing any major.
- Gain hands-on experience with AI tools and services—highly valued across today’s job market.
- Develop crucial literacies by critically evaluating and engaging with AI and its growing influence on culture, society and communication.
- Personalize the focus of the AI studies minor by choosing electives from various disciplines.
- Discover AI business practices through guest lectures and visits from industry professionals and Eckerd alumni.
- Globally explore AI topics and developments via Eckerd’s study abroad programs.
Get prepared for a career in and with artificial intelligence
The Artificial Intelligence Studies (AI) Minor offers a sequence of courses that engages students with its theoretical and practical dimensions. In these courses, students will refine their understanding of how AI services and products affect everyday public, professional, and private life. In addition, students will strengthen their skills in writing and producing with AI technology and develop AI literacy in their critical and ethical engagement with AI-related topics.
The minor requires five courses. No more than one transfer course may count towards the minor. No more than one course may come from a Winter Term or other short term. While courses in the minor may satisfy General Education requirements, no more than two courses may count towards any major or other minor requirements.
Minor Requirements
A minor in AI Studies requires the following two courses:
- CM305 AI Culture and Communication
- CM230 Writing in an AI World
And a choice of three of the following courses:
- CM221A Media and Society
- CM314A Critical Studies in New Media
- CM335 Dis/Engaging the Digital
- CM360A Media Ethics
- CS370 Data Science Fundamentals
- CS470 Evolutionary Computation
- CS480 Machine Learning
- HP230 Human and Post-Human Environments
- HU200H Ways of Knowing
- MK373 Marketing Communications
- MK 374 Market Research
- MK 375S Digital Marketing
- MN 272S Management Information Systems
- MN351 Technology, Society, and Environment
- MN 381 Business Analytics
- PL242H Philosophy of AI
- PL309H Philosophy of Mind
Key questions you’ll explore
- What are the benefits and risks of AI in various contexts?
- How does AI inform the way we think and act in professional, public and private spaces?
- How can we use AI effectively and ethically?
Coordinator
Julia Hildebrand, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communication
