Faculty Case Studies

Defining AI 

Strategy: Use AI to Define Allowable Use in a Student-Centered Syllabus 

Artificial Intelligence tools can help craft thoughtfully defined AI use guidelines for course syllabi.  

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ENG 3014 – Introduction to Literary Methodology 

Dr. Cynthia Patterson used ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini to assist in crafting her syllabus for Introduction to Literary Methodology, an entry-level course for declared English majors and minors. She leveraged these platforms to assist in providing recommendations for the allowable uses of AI within the course. Additionally, she employed these tools to update the syllabus language, making it more "student-centered."  

AI Tools Used: ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini 

Instructor Tips 

  1. Between the three AI platforms (ChatGPT3.5, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini), I found Microsoft Copilot to be most effective in providing what I needed.   

  2. AI is poised to significantly impact the future of this course and the entire discipline of writing. Examples include:
    1. Exploration of Literary Styles and Themes: 911±¬ÁÏÍø can use generative AI tools to analyze various literary styles, such as Romanticism, Modernism, or Gothic literature.   
    2. Ethical Considerations and Authorship: Discussions around AI raise questions about authorship and originality. Who owns the generated content? Is it the programmer, the AI model, or both? 911±¬ÁÏÍø can also consider the use of resources necessary to AI production: human/labor resources; structural (data storage) and natural (water/electricity, land use) resources. 911±¬ÁÏÍø can engage in healthy debates about ethics, creativity, authenticity, and the role of human agency in literary production. 

 

Quick Details

Faculty Developer: Cynthia Patterson, Ph.D.

College: USF Department of English

AI Tools Used: ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini