If “data is the new oil”—a phrase often championed by venture capitalists, Big Tech advocates, and engineers—then software might be likened to refineries that transform raw data into commodities, video games, and social media platforms. But what exactly is software, and how does it interact with social, political, and cultural forces? This course explores these questions by tracing software's history from the mid-20th century to today’s Artificial Intelligence systems. We will examine primary and secondary sources to understand software’s role in everything from surveillance and warfare to art and finance. Our central goal will be to develop our understanding of how, as one popular commentary puts it, “software is eating the world.”
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeOme of the absolute best lecturers U have ever had the pleasure of taking a class with. Truly made 100A an amazing experience (though the class was rather hard due to his very theoretical approach).
Ludwig, when it comes to lecture style, worked perfectly for me. He clearly outlined derivations and interesting content throughout the course. Homework was among the hardest I've ever had, but informative if you got the right answer. Exams were decent, the problems being much easier than homework sets although at times a little unclear.
When I grow up I want to be like Andreas Ludwig.
He is very nice. Love the Dutch accent. Lecture can get too theoretical and boring, but the class itself isn't bad. Tests are pretty difficult, but this guy is easier than some of the other professors.
He spends too much time on conceptual things and not enough time on examples. The class was still fairly easy though. I really like his Dutch accent...
Nice guy but is not good for an introduction to physics. Takes too much time showing how equations are derived and how, rather than showing examples of how they can be used or how they apply to our homework.
