Critical Approaches to Technology and Society
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 15
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- DIKULT106
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
The course provides an introduction to critical analysis of cultural and normative aspects of information technology. The course is divided into thematic modules that will vary in topic from year to year. Possible topics may include: surveillance, identity on the internet, gender and technology, internet use in a global perspective, ethics in a digital society, self-representation in digital media.
This course lays the ground for further studies in the cultural and societal aspects of technology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
The candidate has knowledge
- about different humanistic approaches in analyzing technology in society;
- about how digital culture impacts our understanding of ourselves and each other.
Skills
The candidate can
- perform independent assessments of cultural, normative and social aspects and impacts of information and communication technology;
- argue for a position in ethical and normative questions in technology, based on facts and research;
- apply critical thinking skills to deeply analyse aspects of cultural phenomena, beyond generalizations and assumptions, including recognizing and reflecting on their own potential biases.
General competence
The candidate can
- write analytical texts adhering to best practice in academic writing;
- contribute to contemporary scholarly discussion in the field;
- use scholarly references in conjunction with independent thinking and development of ideas, to develop a chain of argumentation.
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
The instruction will be given as lectures. The lectures may at times be student-active, and may be a combination of speeches from the lecturer, presentations of group work, plenary discussions, writing exercises and practical work.
We may invite the students to relevant guest lectures and events conducted by Digital Culture.
If less than five students are registered to a course, the department might reduce the teaching, please see the department's guidelines regarding this on Mitt UiB.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Attendance is mandatory, effective for all teaching activities. The attendance is logged and approved by the teacher. If the absence exceeds 25 per cent, the student cannot take the exam.
There are typically three larger Obligatory Tasks in DIKULT106. These may include written essays, group work, peer-review and comment, and/or digital content creation. All activity must be approved before the student is eligible for the final assessment.
All assignments must be completed in the semester of teaching.
Forms of Assessment
The student compiles a portfolio as a base for assessment.
The portfolio will contain two academic essays of around 2000 words each. Topics will reflect learning from the class. Both pieces must hold a passing level, and both weigh the same in assessing. There will only be one grade on the portfolio.
The portfolio may be in Norwegian or English.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Reading List
We use books and articles that will be available in bookshops, in digital compendiums or that are freely available online. Video recordings of online lectures or documentary films may also be on the syllabus, and then they will either be freely available online or be shown in the teaching. Students must also expect to spend time familiarizing themselves with the library in order to conduct their own independent literature review.
All material is usually in English. Students can use and refer to sources in other languages in assignments and exams.
The list of compulsory and recommended subject matter, as far as this is known in advance, is available on MittUiB before the start of the semester and is updated as needed.