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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CS 102"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Concepts"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Marco Pascucci
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides a broad, non-technical introduction to Artificial Intelligence. No prior programming experience is required. Students will explore the foundational building blocks of AI, from pre-machine learning era to modern AI assistants. Through real-world examples, case studies, and critical discussions, the course examines how AI systems are designed, how they function, and how we interact with them.

 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course offers a comprehensive and non technical introduction to the concepts, history, and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Designed for students with no prior programming or technical background, the course focuses on understanding what AI is, how it works at a conceptual level, and how it shapes society, work, and everyday life.

The first part of the course consists in a general introduction, state of the art and impact of AI on everyday life. We will explore how experts see it and how they envisage its evolution, examining controversies and encouraging debate.

Then, students will explore the foundational ideas that underpin AI, beginning with early rule-based and symbolic approaches from the pre-machine learning era and progressing to contemporary data-driven systems, including machine learning, deep learning, and modern AI assistants. Emphasis is placed on understanding how humans can design and influence how AI systems behave.

Through real-world examples, case studies, interactive discussions, and critical analysis, students will examine how AI is applied across domains such as healthcare, education, business, media, transportation, and creative industries. The course also addresses the limitations of AI, common misconceptions, and the differences between narrow AI, general intelligence, and human cognition.

Ethical, social, and cultural implications are also covered in the course. Topics include algorithmic bias, transparency and explainability, privacy and surveillance, automation and labor, environmental impact, and responsible AI design. Students will be encouraged to think critically about how AI systems affect individuals and communities, and how societal values can be embedded in technological systems.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped with a conceptual framework for understanding AI technologies, the vocabulary needed to engage in informed discussions about AI, and the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate AI claims, tools, and policies as informed citizens, professionals, and lifelong learners.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Explain core Artificial Intelligence concepts including historical approaches, modern AI systems, and common terminology using non-technical language and real-world examples.

Understand how AI systems are designed and used, identifying their capabilities, limitations, and underlying assumptions.

Evaluate the social, ethical, and cultural impacts of AI, including issues such as bias, privacy and transparency, and articulate informed perspectives on responsible AI use.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance 10
Final exam 30
Participation and engagement 30
midterm 30

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE