ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Northern State University is taking part in a transformative initiative aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) education within the humanities. Through a prestigious $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Northern State University will participate in a project titled "Developing a Public Liberal Arts Humanities Curriculum: Empowering Students to Navigate an AI World."

The collaboration, facilitated by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), brings together Northern State University with four other public liberal arts institutions nationwide. This partnership marks a significant step forward in addressing the ethical, social, and cultural implications of generative AI.

Faculty from Northern State University, alongside esteemed colleagues from the University of Illinois Springfield, Eastern Connecticut State University, the University of Mary Washington, and Evergreen State College, will collaboratively develop humanities courses and resources tailored to explore the multifaceted dimensions of AI technology.

Northern State University and its collaborators aspire to empower students by cultivating learning communities and exchanging insights. Together, they seek to enable students to critically assess the changing impact of AI in society. This initiative will conclude with a COPLAC workshop held at Innovate Springfield, the business incubator of UIS, offering faculty members a venue to share experiences and optimal strategies in the summer of 2025.

¡°By integrating AI into the curriculum, we aim to not just teach about AI, but to cultivate a deeper understanding of its impact on humanity,¡± says Angela Hermansen, Instructional Designer at Northern State University. ¡°Our goal is to empower both faculty and students to engage thoughtfully with AI technology and its implications across various disciplines.¡±

In addition to curriculum development, Northern State University will play a pivotal role in creating open-access AI teaching resources. These resources, including syllabus modules, readings, activities, and assignments, will be instrumental in equipping educators across COPLAC institutions with the necessary tools to deliver high-quality AI education. ¡°I am excited about this opportunity for Northern faculty to engage with the impact and potential of AI in the humanities and create resources for their courses and the entire COPLAC consortium,¡± stated Dr. Mike Wanous, Northern¡¯s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. 

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Northern State University will take on a central role in partnering and orchestrating initiatives to create and distribute these educational materials. Emphasizing the university's dedication to interdisciplinary learning, CETL focuses on equipping students for the complexities and possibilities of AI technology.

For more information about Northern State University's involvement in this initiative, please contact Angela Hermansen at 605-626-3361.